Rasputin Rovers go to war…
TEAM INSTRUCTIONS
Tactics play a greater role in 6 a side than I would like, for space comes at a premium and the path to glory or defeat is constantly changing. I have decided to go with a 2-2-1 formation. Which morphs and mangles according to whether we find ourselves in a defensive or offensive phase.
GOALKEEPER
Our man between the sticks is pivotal to any chance of success. He must maintain a keen eye on the play, concentration is immensely important. Know when to come out, roar when he needs cover, save the day when the night threatens.
Selected Marc as Number One, Cian to swap.
SWEEPER
Another key role of the side. The Sweeper. He must own the rearguard defence ramparts. Not just throw himself in front of everything that comes his way but roar for others to chase runners when danger beckons. His job is to stay back, a keeper without hands, all feet and hustle. Intercept, begin attacks, cover, mark, foul, niggle, FIGHT. No need to go further forward than the half way line, you are the last line of defence, the wall, the indomitable. Win the ball, clear the ball, destroy the ball. OWN THE DEFENCE. No nonsense, get the job done. None shall pass.
Selected…ME, Basher, Marc. Remi
DM/ Wingback
This role is hybrid, with a heavy leaning towards defence, but added responsibility to bring the ball out of defence and create and support the attacking endeavour. You need to be defensive minded and focused, able to mark, to tackle, and when space appears, to drive forward…
Selected Basher Johnson, Jorge, Marc.
CM
The fulcrum of of offensive unit, must be able to read the play, adopt a defensive holding role or bomb forward to add numbers up top. This role demands intelligence as much as stamina. Proper box to box. Your area is the middle of the pitch. Own it. Make it yours. When the DM heads forward, look up and decide where is best to deploy, for you are the man to assist the CB through the middle and out wide right, if our attack turns to defence, so if you see 2 on 1 at the back, hold deep, if you see opportunity to get forward, move up. This is the most important position on the field, for you will decide the numbers in defence and offence. Your bread and butter are found central midfield, adding a body to the rearguard action or attack as required, yet responsible for ensuring the CB is never left 2 on 1.
Selected…Connor. Backed up by Paul, Cian, Remi.
AM
Hybrid Number 9 and advancing playmaker. You start central, with constant eagerness, burning desire to get forward, go wide, go middle, go where the space can be found. Link the play, battle in midfield, shoot with every half chance. Desire is everything in this role. Ponder the defence solely briefly…for your role is to attack to build the play, to advance, to drag the side onwards, ever onwards…
Selected…Dempsey, backed up by Paul, Cian, Remi,Jorge.
CF
You are Cantona. Your sole job is to find decent positions then drive towards goal, shooting or passing, when circumstances demand. You will lead the line, drag defenders out of position, make a bee line for goal constantly, as your one and unflinching focus is scoring goals. You are the light brigade (yet not facing the Russians at Balaclava), the spearhead, make yourself a damn nuisance, run run run…shoot on any sight of goal. STAY HIGH.
Selected..Vickers, backed up by Paul, Remi, Connor, Dempsey.
Basher will take the ball forward…I will sit back. one of the three must keep an eye on the turnover, and support the attacking move. Asurance is that one will be back. Always. This is probablt the most important position to play. For it covers us defensively and adds a fulcrum, somewhat deep, for the attacking moves. Its box to box, only foraging fto the brink if a decent chance opens up, in which case, one other must take the same respomsobiity, see him go forward, drop back, get your head up. check for runners.
Fixtures
9.35am Field 11 – 3ZZZ
11.20am Field 12 – Thomson Reuters Wanderers
1.05pm Field 12 – ELM United
Weather forecast 20-22C Sunshine
Kindly note…
Do not make substitutions when we are defending a set piece or defending through open play. If you must make a sub during open play signal first to me or Tim Vickers. Do not leave the field before your replacement is ready to enter the fray.
Swap like for like with subs and try as much as possible to keep them to the brief interval at HT. If you are playing defence, do not come off and send someone into attack. We must keep a shape of sorts. Namely at least always one in defence, always one high up top.
Play to the whistle. Not your instinctive sense of justice. Leave decisions to the ref. Do not whine, show him some respect and expect the same in return. However, if you are been repeatedly mauled, inform the referee at an opportune moment.
Make the first challenge count. By which I mean let your opponent know you mean business, do nothing half heartedly. If you leave an opponent in a heap on the floor, play on or kick the ball at his head. Yet more seriously, the first tackle counts, it lets the opposition know if you mean to win, or simply participate. I will be looking for those eager to perform with their very first challenge, what Martin Keown once described with a wry smile ‘a reducer’.
Be first to ball in all 50/50 challenges.
DO NOT LET THE BALL BOUNCE WHEN YOU CAN HEAD IT.
Call for the ball. Call for runners to be marked. Make your presence known.
If we are losing horridly, pull back, don’t wait for instruction, use common sense.
If in doubt, give it a clout. Clear to touch. Do not dillydally on the ball if the odds are stacked against you, smash the ball OUT OUT OUT and regroup.
You MUST attend the Accreditation rite of passage-
Accreditation Centre Locations & Times
- ANZ Cathedral Room
Ground Floor, 380 Collins St Melbourne- November 17 – 8:30am to 6:00pm
- Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
The Gallery, Aughtie Dr Albert Park Melbourne- November 18– 3:00pm to 6:00pm
- November 19– 7:00am to 12noon
- November 20– 7:00am to 9:00am
Take your accreditation letter with you and any photo ID. Ensure you bring the pass you will receive to the games.
I will be heading to the ANZ Cathedral room on Thursday. Happy to meet beforehand outside CH2 at midday.
With our first game at 9.35am I expect everyone to arrive by 9am sharp. This will give us chance to warm up before facing the ethnic radio station, which we can but pray is not made up of refugees…not that I have anything against refugees, but I would rather face a crowd of coke snorting banksters, than a phalanx of seasoned war criminals victims. And given our lack of blacks, we may well appear as White Supremacists, which could play into or out of our hands. (Sorry Basher, no pillow cases thank you!)
MEETING SPOT – THE WHITE CLUB HOUSE OPPOSITE THE PITS.
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