Craig Johnston on the ball...

[clapham_gull]

Just talking on MOTD about the new ball.

Much has been said and written about it, but it's quite interesting hearing from him since as an ex-profession and importantly the inventor of the Predator boot he really knows what's he talking about.

He says it's a "disgrace" and has ruined the world cup, taking all the skill of being able to "do something" with a ball.

Makes the very important point that we are yet to see a goal from a free kick.

I tend to agree.

They've invented the perfect aerodynamic football, but because they've removed all the drag and make it fly like an arrow the the beauty of a curling ball into the area (or into the top corner) has disappeared from the game.

It's a bit like modern tennis racquets which (in my opinion) have ruined the games of tennis.

I really hope they dump them after the world cup.

 

[Beach Hut]

Very interesting and you would have to trust his comments as he developed the prototype for the predator boot so knows a thing or to about swerve / topspin.

 

[Bigtk]

I completely agree with this.

Every freekick that is a shot flies over the bar
Most long range shots fly over the bar
Goalkeepers have made many abysmal errors which were probably to do with the ball
Most crosses end up no where near there intended target

In my opinion due to the ball it will be the teams who play the ball along the floor and get in close to shoot who will go the farthest.

 

[KneeOn]

I've played with replica's (okay not as good as the real thing, but it gives a good impression) and its like the Prem balls. All these new footballs are designed to go in. The swerve on the ball, the bounce and the way it spins, even when going straight, and the subsequent change of direction as it bounces all leave goalkeepers short handed. How many goals did we see last season, in the prem, that looked unreal, with insane bend that just require a hard hit with the toe to fly anywhere during flight?

 

[KneeOn]

I completely agree with this.

Every freekick that is a shot flies over the bar
Most long range shots fly over the bar
Goalkeepers have made many abysmal errors which were probably to do with the ball
Most crosses end up no where near there intended target

In my opinion due to the ball it will be the teams who play the ball along the floor and get in close to shoot who will go the farthest.

Robert Green? The ball bounces a foot or two in front of him. Not too sure a League One Ball would have done that if i'm honest. And that was my instant defense of him.

Horrid bounce close to the keeper, often leads to goals like that.

 

[Gritt23]

So, the players can no longer bend the ball, it flies straight and true ..... and yet it's supposed to be really hard for keepers, and the cause for their mistakes as well. Surely if it flies straight and true rather than swerving around, then it should be easy peasy for keepers.

Nope, doesn't add up to me, someone is using the ball as a very handy excuse. No-one has yet to explain shy Rooney can't control the thing, is that the balls fault as well?

 

[Chicken Runner61]

Whats stupid is that they make all the teams qualify using one type of ball and then play the finals with an entirely different ball.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

There was a piece during the build up to a match about it, they were testing it and found that unless if you hit it with the side of the foot and stroke it towards the target it is controllable, but if you toe poke or hit it at full power the ball goes too high.

 

[supaseagull]

Utter crap- Argentina don't seem to be having any problems and nor do the Dutch. Instead of blaming the ball perhaps some of these "world class" players should learn to adapt to it!

 

[The Large One]

Whats stupid is that they make all the teams qualify using one type of ball and then play the finals with an entirely different ball.

Except Germany.

 

[Albumen]

I'd trust Johnson's opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aBiTnUqW8

This is him speaking 3 years ago. De ja vu.

And this is great piece on the ball itself with Clarence (best pundit)
BBC Sport - Football - World Cup 2010: Clarence Seedorf tests the Jabulani match ball

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Utter crap- Argentina don't seem to be having any problems and nor do the Dutch. Instead of blaming the ball perhaps some of these "world class" players should learn to adapt to it!

I agree with this. It's not as thought the ball is square is it?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Utter crap- Argentina don't seem to be having any problems and nor do the Dutch. Instead of blaming the ball perhaps some of these "world class" players should learn to adapt to it!

and it is the same for every nation. Every nation is using the ball at the WC, some to good affect, some to bad effect. Every nation was offered the ball at the turn of the year, some took up this offer, others didnt. No competing nation's FA has been treated differently to any other.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

and it is the same for every nation. Every nation is using the ball at the WC, some to good affect, some to bad effect. Every nation was offered the ball at the turn of the year, some took up this offer, others didnt. No competing nation's FA has been treated differently to any other.

Unfortunately sponsorship deals have meant that certain countries haven't used the ball til just before the world cup. Therefore some countries players like the Germans have got more used to it and therefore use it more effectively

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Its shocking, The Holland goal yesterday wasnt down to skill.

The ball shouldnt move as much as it does, Its ruined the world cup.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

The point about free kicks is a valid one, set pieces are a major source of goals for a lot of teams, yet the quality has been poor despite having some of the best free kick takers in the tournament (will anyone actually score one before the tournament ends)

This could explain why this tournament has been so low scoring

 

[Stoichkov]

Time to bring back the TANGO?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Utter crap- Argentina don't seem to be having any problems and nor do the Dutch. Instead of blaming the ball perhaps some of these "world class" players should learn to adapt to it!

Dutch are not going to complain are they? they got a goal yesterday from the ball swerving.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

[yt]hb8ibFSdd0c[/yt]

Maybe the ball is too aerodynamic and perfect? - Maybe all the panels of the balls of yesteryear played more of an important role than people realised or gave them credit for.

Although this doesn't excuse players not being able to pass to each other over 5 or 10 yards

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Unfortunately sponsorship deals have meant that certain countries haven't used the ball til just before the world cup. Therefore some countries players like the Germans have got more used to it and therefore use it more effectively

It did not prevent anyone, or any national team, taking a ball home to practice with, at the start of the year though.

Everyone knows a new ball is produced by adidas for each any every world cup. This should not come as a surprise. England should have been training with it months ago.

If a competing nation, for whatever reason, decides it does not want its premier league to use the ball in a run up to a competition it is hardly adidas' or FIFAs fault...and it certainly is not their responsibility. They made it available at the start of the year. They cannot do much more.

And this ball is the least of England's problems.