Xipe Totec’s Flaying Circus Tactical Approach

By tdf, November 3, 2014

 

CB-

Extremely defensive. Never stepping out of defence, only far enough to draw an opponent towards him freeing up space elsewhere. Think Baresi. His presence in front of the keeper is constant. He reads the play, follows the flow of the ball, steps out from a central position directly in front of the goalkeeper ONLY to intercept or draw an opponent towards him before laying off the ball. He organizes the defence at set pieces. Calls for support for runners when he senses danger. He is the last line of our outfield defence. A stalwart. A titan. A killer. No expectation or licence to forage forward for he must be vigilant and ferocious in the challenge. No quarter given. And if the game is waning towards the final whistle and the victory seems close, you find yourself in a horrid 2 on 1 scenario…take the man down so brutally that you receive your marching orders but concede for the team solely a free kick and the chance to regroup and defend.

This role is close to static in terms of zonal movement, a goalkeeper without hands. And he MUST find space whenever the keeper has the ball, to give him an option to get the attack flowing once again.

Attributes required – concentration, resolute determination to deny ANY clear goalscoring chances in a 1 on 1 situation(or worse!), bravery, physical strength or belligerent spite.

Players to rotate – Dan P, Burke, Richard

Role Models- Baresi, Paolo Montero, Sammer, Tony Adams, Cannavaro, Jeffrey Dahmer

Regista/CM a la Pirlo

His job is to serve as the hub, always be available for the defence to find, put his foot on the ball, drive forward when possible, pick out a pass, loiter and charge into the box for corners, take central area free kicks. He has licence to move forward but obeys the inertial pull towards his central position. He is the fulcrum of the team. Power, poise, confidence, strength, ability to pick out a pass, and make himself available for the central defender and wingbacks. And also a threat from range when the play opens up accordingly. Offensive in this case is what the gauls call a double entendre. The first meaning is to attack, to drop deep and receive the ball then drive forwards, lay the ball wide or head towards goal. Create, shoot, make up the numbers in the final third. Support the striker, move forward with the wingbacks. The second is to ruffle the feathers of the opponents, offering sweet nothings into their ears as you nick the ball from their toes or gouge an eye!

NB the diagram shows this position more advanced than we require. Focus more centrally. Drop back to offer the defence, goalkeeper and wingbacks an outlet.

Key attributes – physical strength, comfort on the ball, intelligence to position himself according to the play, dribbling, shooting, intercepting, tackling.

Players to rotate – Oz, Michael, Richard, Urs

Role Models – Pirlo, Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthaus, Alonso, Lampard, De Rossi

Wingbacks-

Stamina is the key here. And pace. Which quickly lessens the options from our hotchpotch squad of wannabe superstars, goblins and spite merchants. These players need to man the flanks, both defensively and offensively, maintaining an eye on what their counterpart is up to, ideally working in tandem. Whipping crosses in, covering the wide runners making ground towards our goal. Offering options for the defence and regista. Driving towards goal whenever a sniff of glory is registered by your snout.

Key attributes – pace, stamina, crossing, shooting, covering, tackling, passing, dribbling.

Players to rotate – Dan C, Peter H, Paul, Urs

Role Models – Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Zambrotta, Lichsteiner, Attilla the Hun

 

Striker-

the lone gunman, his work may be forlorn for much of the game, for he will be well marshalled by the opposing rearguard. He must run, continually seek space, and constantly sniff out goalscoring positions. Even at corners we defend, he only comes back if we are clearly outnumbered and the game is drawn or close to won. All other situations, stay forward. Hold your position. I never want to see you near our goal.

Key Attributes – pace, shooting, concentration, flair.

Role Models – Shearer, Inzaghi, the real Ronaldo (not that poncey CR7 freak), Paolo Rossi, Gerd Muller, Lineker, Ian Brady

Players to rotate – Gideon, Peter H, Paul, Dan C, Oz, Urs

Clearly I have offered dual duties to several players. What is of paramount importance is that you are aware of your position and duties wherever you are placed in the formation.

I would prefer to find an alternative to captain, and to take on the duties of player-manager/ spite merchant in defence, organize the subs and tactics, keep the energy levels maintained at an optimum.

Ideally the captain would be the regista. For he dictates the play. Oz???

Substitutions-

What is of UTMOST importance is DO NOT LEAVE THE FIELD UNTIL YOUR REPLACEMENT ENTERS THE FRAY. With four substitutes on the bench we have plenty of range for maintaining our formation and stamina. If you are tiring, make clear sign to the bench or to me. Those on the bench, once you have been out of the warfare for five minutes, regained your breath, look keen to return to the battle.

Remain aware of our shape and your potential roles in that shape. If we are to find triumph we must maintain order in the ranks. Do not sub on as an attacker, for our CB. Do not sub on for a LWB as a RWB. Like for like please, chaps.

GOALKEEPER

I am hardly enthusiastic towards taking the role. For I have no natural inclination to use my hands other than to punch or gouge or strangle. If any of you have any eagerness to potentially share the load please send word. Michael has volunteered, and I am happy to find gloves and place him between the sticks, offer him a outfield cameo when he feels it is Right. Any others able to help in this department, please raise your virtual hands, NOW.

I have faith in the team and feel the formation is the best to thwart attacking efforts against us whilst readying ourselves to pounce offensively whenever we gain possession. Sticking to your position is essential for this to work. There are alternatives, which I will deploy if required. The formation can be changed, but make it damn clear before taking matters in your own hands. Yet for our basic system, please try note the above instructions. Considering we played with me in goal, in 31C heat last week, and beat a team used to playing together, who individually may well have trounced us on paper, I am confident we will fare fine and ferociously.

When our keeper has the ball, give him options. come short, find space, shout for the ball. The very least this will achieve is to pull opponents out of position freeing up space for others. MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE.

The key to our success falls upon the wingbacks. The wide men must bomb forward when we are in possession and even more importantly, flood back to defend when we lose possession. By all means, Dan, Peter and Paul, if you beat your man, drive towards goal, look for support or shoot. But ensure that when the ball is sent down the other end, you chase chase chase…

What I seek is work, work and more work. Run the lines, work the channels, keep diving into space, do not stand off the ball unless other danger is approaching and not shadowed by a comrade. I would rather see cards than goals conceded. I would rather see blood than goals conceded.

We are in this to win, not make up numbers. So I demand of you, to study the formation, the positions, and when you are thrust to the front line, do not make it up as you go along, stick with the fu(c)king pogrom. Or program. Little difference when it comes to WAR.

By all means, express your concerns, advice and suggestions. I have been thrust into this position by circumstance, not circumcision, and presently find myself $460 in the hole. Which to me, adds weight to my responsibilities.

When we lose the ball, the ONLY player who I will not expect to see roaring back to defend is the striker. All other positions MUST defend as a team.

At corners and set pieces make sure you remain goal-side of the man you are marking. ALWAYS goal-side.

If you find yourself in a sticky situation, adopt the adage ‘if in doubt, give it a clout’. Clear the ball to touch. Or kick the adversary in the snout.

Let it be YOU who is the first to test the referee’s position. Make your first tackle count. If you are finding yourself out-muscled, sub off for a bigger man or signal to Herr Urs and he will gladly take up the physical challenge.

Please study the tactics, learn the roles, and those tasked with multiple positional options, be prepared to slot in where needed.

Xipe Tote

BREAKING NEWS-

The inexorable wait has been testing for us all, but finally the squad is complete…I am pleased to welcome, and implore you to do the same in turn, the final nail in the coffin of our ENEMY. Herr Urs Beckenbauer Sammer Kruger. A natural born killer. Despised by the weak, championed by the Strong. Urs brings to our campaign a record which includes Armed robbery, Aggravated Assault, Death by Poisoning, Death by machete, Death by gouging, Death by longsword, Bayern Munich U1s. Truly he is of the old skool of Kombat. Schooled in martial arts from the tender age of 6 months, reared by the remnants of wrongly assumed vanquished teutonic tribes, he is a MONSTER. And he fights for our honour. Know him as your brother if your crimson river flame with berserker roar for victory. Know him as your enemy if you falter, for he could turn on you as eagerly as the ENEMY. By his very nature he seeks out weakness, and crushes and mauls. Do not become his next victim, become his kin…I present to you…Brother Urs.