Is the club making a fundamental and long term playing style change?

[Jeems]

HR is not known for his tika taka style of play. At Spurs, he always had 2 quick wingers (Lennon and Bale), overlapping fullbacks (BAE/Walker) and a big CF in the middle (Adebayor). Last season, we tried to emulate this and failed - we had Townsend bombing down the wings, and Mackie/SWP trying their best. How many times has a winger beat his man and delivered a cross into Austin this season?

The way we've been playing really feels like we are trying to move towards a Barca style of possession football, but obviously with the players we have who may not be use to this style, this will take time (I'm talking 2-3 years of transitioning). It's not like we've been cautious due to our opposition. Against the likes of Barnsley, Boro etc where a long ball over the top would probably have resulted in a goal, we continued playing keep ball the entire game.

BAE was always overlapping at Spurs, I've noticed he doesn't do this very often and is actually quite reversed, always looking for the short pass. Likewise, Matty Phillips/Hoilet never seem to want to take on their man - always the short pass. Lots of one touch passing in midfield. Tom Carrol I believe was signed with this style of play in mind.

The way we are now playing reminds me a little of how Swansea played a few seasons back. Plenty of possession in their own half, side to side passing etc. It took them time with the players they had but they are a lot lot better at it now.

I dont know where its come from - whether it was HR or the boards decision. I recall in an interview where HR said if he got the England job, he would have appointed Brendan Rodgers to assist him in implementing this style of football into the national set up.

I'm certainly not criticizing (although it was mind numbing vs Donny), interested in other peoples thoughts on this.

[nasser95]

I think that it is something he has wanted to try for a while but because of the success of his football at tottenham, he has not been able to. Perhaps since trying that same style had us relegated last season, Redknapp is taking this opportunity to try and implement this passing play to see how successful it can be.

[W12_Ranger]

HR is not known for his tika taka style of play. At Spurs, he always had 2 quick wingers (Lennon and Bale), overlapping fullbacks (BAE/Walker) and a big CF in the middle (Adebayor). Last season, we tried to emulate this and failed - we had Townsend bombing down the wings, and Mackie/SWP trying their best. How many times has a winger beat his man and delivered a cross into Austin this season?

The way we've been playing really feels like we are trying to move towards a Barca style of possession football, but obviously with the players we have who may not be use to this style, this will take time (I'm talking 2-3 years of transitioning). It's not like we've been cautious due to our opposition. Against the likes of Barnsley, Boro etc where a long ball over the top would probably have resulted in a goal, we continued playing keep ball the entire game.

BAE was always overlapping at Spurs, I've noticed he doesn't do this very often and is actually quite reversed, always looking for the short pass. Likewise, Matty Phillips/Hoilet never seem to want to take on their man - always the short pass. Lots of one touch passing in midfield. Tom Carrol I believe was signed with this style of play in mind.

The way we are now playing reminds me a little of how Swansea played a few seasons back. Plenty of possession in their own half, side to side passing etc. It took them time with the players they had but they are a lot lot better at it now.

I dont know where its come from - whether it was HR or the boards decision. I recall in an interview where HR said if he got the England job, he would have appointed Brendan Rodgers to assist him in implementing this style of football into the national set up.

I'm certainly not criticizing (although it was mind numbing vs Donny), interested in other peoples thoughts on this.

Not sure about whether it's a long term plan but possession football is effective there is no doubt about that. Ironically the one player who would make all the difference in this style of football we've sent on loan to Fulham.

Fans want their cake and eat it, I'd rather get results than play cavalier football and be inconsistent

[winalotto]

I disagree re the point of Phillips and Hoilet i think when they isolate there full back's one on one they do take them on, both like to run at defenders and commit them, take your point about the style though we are playing a very percentage driven game at the moment, i like that style but i also realise that a lot of fans would rather a more pacey direct style.

[Jeems]

If we played pacey, direct football with the players we have, we would walk over everyone. But in the Prem, we wouldnt be able to do this. We'd have the ball less for one!

I think its a genuine attempt to change our style in preparation for a longer stay in the Prem.

[Jeffro]

BAE doesnt overlap????
Watch him, he is constantly on the edge of the area crossing balls in, infact i would say thats what he does best as well as keepinf possession.

[cowleyhoop]

I'd like to think that maybe its a move by Harry to achieve some long term objective but i think had Zamora had the form and the fitness this season he'd have stuck with 4-4-2

[West Mids QPR]

HR is not known for his tika taka style of play. At Spurs, he always had 2 quick wingers (Lennon and Bale), overlapping fullbacks (BAE/Walker) and a big CF in the middle (Adebayor). Last season, we tried to emulate this and failed - we had Townsend bombing down the wings, and Mackie/SWP trying their best. How many times has a winger beat his man and delivered a cross into Austin this season?

The way we've been playing really feels like we are trying to move towards a Barca style of possession football, but obviously with the players we have who may not be use to this style, this will take time (I'm talking 2-3 years of transitioning). It's not like we've been cautious due to our opposition. Against the likes of Barnsley, Boro etc where a long ball over the top would probably have resulted in a goal, we continued playing keep ball the entire game.

BAE was always overlapping at Spurs, I've noticed he doesn't do this very often and is actually quite reversed, always looking for the short pass. Likewise, Matty Phillips/Hoilet never seem to want to take on their man - always the short pass. Lots of one touch passing in midfield. Tom Carrol I believe was signed with this style of play in mind.

The way we are now playing reminds me a little of how Swansea played a few seasons back. Plenty of possession in their own half, side to side passing etc. It took them time with the players they had but they are a lot lot better at it now.

I dont know where its come from - whether it was HR or the boards decision. I recall in an interview where HR said if he got the England job, he would have appointed Brendan Rodgers to assist him in implementing this style of football into the national set up.

I'm certainly not criticizing (although it was mind numbing vs Donny), interested in other peoples thoughts on this.

Very few teams EVER have been able to play this style. By definition, we haven't got the players to do this...

Only Barcelona and the Dutch '74 team ever managed it effectively, and the Dutch and Barca BOTH underachieved...

[Ricky]

Very few teams EVER have been able to play this style. By definition, we haven't got the players to do this...

Only Barcelona and the Dutch '74 team ever managed it effectively, and the Dutch and Barca BOTH underachieved...

In the last 10 years Barca have won the league 6 times, cup 8 times and won 5 european trophies (including 3 champions league). I would hardly say this was UNDERachieving

[qprted]

maybe so

maybe so but he still cant cross the ball

[zeberdee]

Well if you look at Swansea, Southampton, and Wigan for example they have/are getting more from less by playing a more continental style. I dunno if that is a model for the club but it would not surprise me if it was to some extent for all clubs wanting 'success' without going bust.

The biggest problem with this "Barca style" of play is that it can be boring as **** to watch if it is done badly, which it often is. Playing "Barca style" can often translate to "no striker and grind the other team down" or at least pack the midfield and play as if posession stats won the game rather than goals.

My feeling is that the club that develops a combination approach (of English and continental styles) will entertain and win too. Martinez is "Mr Continental" but at Everton has now has a big target man up top Lukaku, Harry had Crouch or Adebayor up top when he was winning praise at Spurs for their passing style, Guardiola at Bayern Munich use wingers a lot more than Barca etc. The EPL club that effectively combines Barca + English is gonna have some very good times for several years with success and exciting football too (until everyone works out how to stop it and the cycle starts over again).

[Jeems]

Well if you look at Swansea, Southampton, and Wigan for example they have/are getting more from less by playing a more continental style. I dunno if that is a model for the club but it would not surprise me if it was to some extent for all clubs wanting 'success' without going bust.

The biggest problem with this "Barca style" of play is that it can be boring as **** to watch if it is done badly, which it often is. Playing "Barca style" can often translate to "no striker and grind the other team down" or at least pack the midfield and play as if posession stats won the game rather than goals.

I agree with this, and feel you've basically described how we've been playing recently! The 2 videos we've had with the 30+ passes which ended up in nothing was nice to watch but also slightly embarrassing - because we passed it side to side and had no end product! I agree with that in the future, teams who play possession style with 2 pacey wingers will have a lot of success. Barca have begun to get found out slightly recently without Messi (as he would be the only one who would attempt a lot of direct runs into the box).

I guess if we're trying to build a new team alongside a new style, its better to do it in the Champ then the Prem, where ability wise, we're on a slightly higher level.

[zeberdee]

I agree with this, and feel you've basically described how we've been playing recently! The 2 videos we've had with the 30+ passes which ended up in nothing was nice to watch but also slightly embarrassing - because we passed it side to side and had no end product! I agree with that in the future, teams who play possession style with 2 pacey wingers will have a lot of success. Barca have begun to get found out slightly recently without Messi (as he would be the only one who would attempt a lot of direct runs into the box).

I guess if we're trying to build a new team alongside a new style, its better to do it in the Champ then the Prem, where ability wise, we're on a slightly higher level.

Agreed.
and yeah I bet the first draft of the Mona Lisa looked like **** - Hey Leaonardo wtf is this? Try painting with your eyes open - and he probably thought I should have just painted some boobies instead. Which is like you said about Swansea, they probably looked a bit **** a few years ago and would have done better lumping it, but now get the rewards for all that graft. I guess there is some intention to emulate that but with the fast forward button pressed, it would make sense. I suppose there is a need to get a bit OTT in over stressing posession early on (so it gets ingrained) which is probably what you can see on the pitch in some games this year. Hopefully what comes out of it is to be able to win the league and be prepared to do well in the EPL next year too without having to rebuild the team again next summer.

[QPR71]

I agree with this, and feel you've basically described how we've been playing recently! The 2 videos we've had with the 30+ passes which ended up in nothing was nice to watch but also slightly embarrassing - because we passed it side to side and had no end product! I agree with that in the future, teams who play possession style with 2 pacey wingers will have a lot of success. Barca have begun to get found out slightly recently without Messi (as he would be the only one who would attempt a lot of direct runs into the box).

I guess if we're trying to build a new team alongside a new style, its better to do it in the Champ then the Prem, where ability wise, we're on a slightly higher level.

apart from moving their entire team around, which over 90 is knackering

[zeberdee]

apart from moving their entire team around, which over 90 is knackering

That is one of the advantages for sure, and controlling the game (if you don't the other team will), building the players confidence on the ball, preparing for the EPL, giving freedom to the wingers that comes from 5 in the middle etc It will be interesting to see the reaction on here if the team gets stuffed playing 442 because that will happen at some point, because it leaves the side very open and championship sides will happily take advantage of all the freedom they get to play. Probably see a demand to go back to 433.