OGH can work it out, why can't the midfielders?

[Lord Bracknell]

The worst way to mount an attack is to hoof the ball up in the air and expect the front guys to run on to it. It either falls to a defender, or straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Harty at least had the sense not to waste his energy chasing impossible balls. I was pleased to see him turn round a couple of times and give the guilty hoofers a good bollocking.

 

[clapham_gull]

The worst way to mount an attack is to hoof the ball up in the air and expect the front guys to run on to it. It either falls to a defender, or straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Harty at least had the sense not to waste his energy chasing impossible balls. I was pleased to see him turn round a couple of times and give the guilty hoofers a good bollocking.

Yep, noticed that too.

 

[sir danny cullip]

This is Brighton and Hove Albion, this is how we play football. I lost count of the amount of times (especially first half) Whing/El Abd just lumped the ball down the channels to no one.

The idiot behind me decided that as a result of this Dickinson was 'a f***ing **** and absolute f***ing useless' (repeated every ten seconds for at least half an hour) presumably for not getting anywhere near the hoofs aimed at the opposite side of the pitch. Our wing backs and central midfielders (minus Dicker) are lucky they have a striker like Dickinson willing to chase their shocking distribution and make it look half decent.

 

[El Presidente]

The idiot behind me decided that as a result of this Dickinson was 'a f***ing **** and absolute f***ing useless' (repeated every ten seconds for at least half an hour)

Doesn't narrow down the fanbase too much though

 

[Clive Walker's slaphead]

Couldn't agree more. Last weekend against Stockport I lost count of the amount of times the defence just lofted it forward and the ball landed plum on the oppositions head or boot. It really is awful to see professional footballers doing this every time they get the ball especially when they weren't under pressure to play such a pass. Fair enough if you're being closed down quickly and need to just clear the ball but if I was one of the strikers I think I would have lost my rag with them by now. This isn't a recent development but something that has been going on for ages. I really don't get it - surely if you've just gained possession why give it away so cheaply.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

Every time I've seen us for the last few seasons, I find myself muttering, 'Get the midfield going FFS!', and unfortunately, we never do! Ho hum

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

hoofball only works if the ball goes in the general direction of a striker and that striker is able to head it on or bring the ball under control and have a go at scoring himself.

 

[The Oldman]

The players change, the manager changes, but the same tactics are used. Can only assume that is what they are taught to do by the coaching staff. Perhaps they should change?

 

[BALDISBEAUTIFUL]

Agree with you The Oldman.
Must play Dicker and don't play El Abd.

 

[Jim D]

......I lost count of the amount of times (especially first half) Whing/El Abd just lumped the ball down the channels to no one..

Cox did that a lot too and he was subbed soon after his last one.

 

[Skaville]

I agree wit the sentiment about the fans.

I thought our performance against Walsall was transformed once we had conceded. We were lumping it for half an hour, then started to try and get the ball down and play once we went one down. The difference was obvious, but everyone around me wanted them to resort back to long balls. I really do find myself scratching my head a hell of a lot at Withdean.

 

[fleet]

This is Brighton and Hove Albion, this is how we play football. I lost count of the amount of times (especially first half) Whing/El Abd just lumped the ball down the channels to no one.

.

If EL Abd is hoofing it forward he is not passing back - now that has to be the better of two evils doesn't oit?

 

[sir danny cullip]

If EL Abd is hoofing it forward he is not passing back - now that has to be the better of two evils doesn't oit?

Possibly but it's still far from acceptable for a professional footballer.

 

[The Large One]

I agree wit the sentiment about the fans.

I thought our performance against Walsall was transformed once we had conceded. We were lumping it for half an hour, then started to try and get the ball down and play once we went one down. The difference was obvious, but everyone around me wanted them to resort back to long balls. I really do find myself scratching my head a hell of a lot at Withdean.

Agreed.

We can pass it around, and when there are times when we pass among the midfield and among the defence, because an opening hasn't yet been created, so we keep possession, but if the ball goes *gasp* backwards, even though we're keeping the ball to ourselves, cue moaning and impatient tutting from D Block.

Eventually the ball will go back to Elphick or Virgo, who revert to type and hoof it - harmlessly through to the goalie, which brings about mild applause.

Nope, I don't get it...

 

[BensGrandad]

I, also cannot agree with the mentality of most of the fans at Withdean, as possession by us means the opponents can't score or attack us.

Jean Tigana at Fulham instilled in the players the idea of keeping the ball even if it meant going backwards to start an attack again. I would much sooner that than a punt up field which makes every ball a 50- 50 or worse still goes straight through to the keeper for him to lauch an attack.

the answer is the 4 Ps

Possession
Patience
Precision Passing.

 

[herecomesaregular]

this is the reason why, i'm ashamed to say, that my interest in the albion is fading rapidlyat the moment. at millwall, it was so depressing first half to see those balls constantly. it's fecking boring to watch such predictable football. can't wait for mcnulty to get back tbh. i would like to get rid of virgo and whing, even elphick, none of whom can distribute a simple ball to our midfielders. tunnicliffe looks promising though.

 

[BensGrandad]

I would keep Virgo as he does occassionally play it wide to his full backs but at the moment we do not have full backs capable of carrying the ball and also there are times when a good old fashioned boot into row Z is required. Tunnicliffe seeems ok on the ball but a bit suspect at actually defending and tackling and I dont think he is yet ready to displace Elphick.

Could this hoof ball be partly down to the fact that we are not playing Dicker or any player who is capable of taking the ball from the back four and building an attack.

 

[fairy cakes]

I may get shouted at for saying this. Joel Lynch didn't just hoof it up field, he could actually play the pass. Why I always thought Elphick and Lynch made such a good partnership. One defender that’s top notch at defending and the other who could lay the pass.

 

[EastbourneGull]

Too much hoofing by the goalkeeper too. In fact at the Stockport game it was almost 100%

Wide players starved of possession. No midfielders looking for space to receive a well directed throw. The success rate of the hoofing 'tactic' (by success rate I mean possession retained to build an attack) is alarmingly low.

I've no problem with passing sideways and backwards to retain possession and patiently await openings, but why do some supporters have to start moaning when it happens. I watched the England v Russia Womens Euro match the other day, and believe me they could teach us a thing or two about playing a passing game!

I think the standards of football in League 1 have risen to the point where only a very small minority of teams resort to these tactics. Disappointing that we should be one of them. Remember the period of sustained possession and passing building up to Stockport's first goal? Stockport for f***s sake!!!

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I imagine they are playing the way they are told to.