| 50/50s 18:37 - Apr 16 with 972 views | DJR |
It was noticeable today that we lost most of the 50/50s. Of course, this may be because the season is over for us, and the players didn't want to get injured, whereas Rotherham were clearly fired up. On the other hand, perhaps it is a sign that some of our players are not physical enough, or not “athletic” enough to use a word that someone involved at the club (Andy Rolls?) used a few weeks ago in terms of player attributes. Bakinson for all his good qualities does not seem very strong in the tackle, so I wonder for this reason if he is not the sort of player we will recruit in the summer. To my mind, athleticism can include pace, because if you are pacey enough you will win a 50/50 because you will get to the ball before the other player. I think it also includes skill, strength and balance, but not necessarily size. To my mind, the goalkeeper, defence, Morsy, Burns, Jackson and Chaplin certainly fit the bill in terms of what I would think of athleticism but it will be interesting to see over the summer how many of the others do too. I might add that the game today shows that there are times when we lose control of games, and it seems to me that more athletic players may help us overcome this. But it does not mean we have to acquire big lumps, or resort to long ball tactics, to overcome teams like Rotherham. And there may well be a place for people like Celina who, whilst not especially physical, has pace and skill in abundance. [Post edited 16 Apr 2022 18:41]
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| 50/50s on 19:16 - Apr 16 with 903 views | Illinoisblue |
Half the team being on a yellow card didn’t help either. |  |
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| 50/50s on 19:17 - Apr 16 with 897 views | pointofblue |
| 50/50s on 19:16 - Apr 16 by Illinoisblue |
Half the team being on a yellow card didn’t help either. |
That seems to be a running theme - when we try to be physical we get pulled up on it and booked. |  |
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| 50/50s on 19:23 - Apr 16 with 884 views | noggin |
| 50/50s on 19:17 - Apr 16 by pointofblue |
That seems to be a running theme - when we try to be physical we get pulled up on it and booked. |
A couple of those bookings today were down to frustration at the game not going our way. Lack of discipline. |  |
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| 50/50s on 19:28 - Apr 16 with 878 views | Illinoisblue |
| 50/50s on 19:23 - Apr 16 by noggin |
A couple of those bookings today were down to frustration at the game not going our way. Lack of discipline. |
For perhaps the first time ever, Norwood’s yellow was not deserved. | |
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| 50/50s on 19:29 - Apr 16 with 877 views | pointofblue |
| 50/50s on 19:28 - Apr 16 by Illinoisblue |
For perhaps the first time ever, Norwood’s yellow was not deserved. |
Neither was Aluko's. | |
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| 50/50s on 19:48 - Apr 16 with 855 views | Illinoisblue |
| 50/50s on 19:29 - Apr 16 by pointofblue |
Neither was Aluko's. |
Yeah that was a nonsense yellow. Ref was kinda weird all game. | |
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| 50/50s on 20:09 - Apr 16 with 826 views | EastTownBlue |
| 50/50s on 19:48 - Apr 16 by Illinoisblue |
Yeah that was a nonsense yellow. Ref was kinda weird all game. |
Not much hope for him if he can't cope under pressure from 8,000 home supporters shouting for everything. | | | |
| 50/50s on 10:40 - Apr 17 with 662 views | DJR |
The point I was trying to make in the OP by referring to being more physical or athletic was not that we should revert to fouling. Indeed, Rotherham won most of the 50/50s without the need to foul. It has been less of a problem under McKenna but there have still been occasions (like the second half yesterday) where we lose control, and even a player like Morsy goes missing. By acquiring some more athletic players over the summer, I hope it will have the effect of making us more incisive from an attacking point of view, as well as enabling us not to be outmuscled. | | | |
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