Marv the ball player

[southshore]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

 

[Brett&Murphs.]

Completely agree.

 

[Micky Walsh]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

If we want to play like that then buy a ball playing CB, no idea why we persist or think he is going to get better at it, he is very good at other thing just not that.

 

[Blackpoolmad]

We passed the ball around our own goal area far too much. We will get punished sooner or later if this dangerous shit continues.

 

[Chunkylad]

The midfield need to come to him and be close enough so he only plays a short 5 yard pass.
Burton closed Norburn down second half so Marv got caught out.

Either Morgan or Carey need to drop in 10 yards when Marv has it at his feet. Critch will work on that no doubt?

Or let Marv hoof it into space behind the full back for CJ and Lav. If it goes out for a throwing or gk then so be it.

 

[Wizaard]

We passed the ball around our own goal area far too much. We will get punished sooner or later if this dangerous shit continues.

Dangerous shit, or keeping it and moving the ball forward in a controlled manner? We scored our first goal through it yesterday.

Let's hoof it long like we did under Appy and McCarthy. That went well.

 

[Poolview]

Play out from the back not around at the back
First game of the season but get to the ball quicker and move it quicker
There will always be times when a hoof up field is the sensible option
At least now we look as though we have a few passing patterns to play out
I liked the way Casey fitted in straight away and made himself available when we played out
We're playing a new system now and will only get better

 

[Critchknows]

Championship or lower prem standard defending, but conference standard technically which let's be honest is why he's with us.

 

[Costero Poderoso]

First half we had a lot of movement so there were always options, second half we became much more static, I was under the impression at the time that the players were under instructions to sit back and let Burton play in front of us and then hit them on the break, we had a dozen or so breaks and truthfully we should have scored from a couple of them. Marv gets a lot of stick for poor passes, but in that second half even norburn gave gave the ball away in the defensive third a couple of times.

The thing for me that was impressive was the defensive recovery, last year that would not have happened and we would have conceded, as much as we need to cut out the mistakes being able to collectively respond is a real boon because we always going to have the odd error.

 

[Tango1953]

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

It's game 1 of 46. We haven't "persisted".

You shouldn't abandon something at the first piece of resistance or glimpse of it not going exactly to plan either, otherwise no-one would improve.

If Marv (and the people he passes to) haven't improved in 6 or 7 games time, then we may need to reassess.

 

[CGP1]

Don't know how it'll go long term, but yesterday it seemed a reflection of the change in pace in the second half.

First half we didn't once do this ridiculous new thing of keeper and two ch all on the 6 yard line. I don't suppose we had too many actual goalkicks, because Burton weren't on our half that often, but when we did Grimmy started things with a quick pass out and the speed was maintained.

We've obviously worked on either Norburn or Morgan receiving in the middle and laying off first time to width. Really got us moving fast, looked good.

Second half we several times lined up the three, in fact a ch took the actual goalkick more than once and passed three yards to Grimmy. All done much slower and inviting pressure. It reminded me of the very first Championship games (Cov and Cardiff?) who realised immediately what we were about and moved the whole team 10-20 yards up the pitch. Fortunately Burton weren't in the same class of closing down yesterday, although they should really have scored from the one that went past the right post.

I'm fine with us passing out at pace, because we're assembling the players to do it. It shows we're a fluid footballing side, and we'll create loads this year from deep. But don't start the 6 yard line routine again, that will cost us goals.

 

[Tango1953]

First half we didn't once do this ridiculous new thing of keeper and two ch all on the 6 yard line

It's the best way to progress up the pitch and retain possession.

 

[Beaconfella]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

This particular aspect of his game hasn’t improved at all since he arrived. Under pressure it’s always squeaky bum time with him, other aspects to his game are commendable though.

 

[Albert Ross]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

That’s exactly why he’s not playing at a higher level.

 

[Albert Ross]

We passed the ball around our own goal area far too much. We will get punished sooner or later if this dangerous shit continues.

Critchley did exactly that first time round. What makes you think he will be any different this time.

 

[20togo]

Yep, he's a great defender and he was immense at that yesterday. On the ball. Well his passing, bar one to an opponent, wasn't bad but what he was doing was passing to our player who was uner extreme pressure and being closed down and that's why they looked a greater threat in the second half. Obviously, Critchley wants our players to play possession football out of defence but certainly in Marvs case he needs to be much more aware of the pressure the player is under who he is passing to. He has to be able to spot the danger and be able to keep hold of the ball himself and look for other options which can include going long or even back to the keeper.

 

[Albert Ross]

Dangerous shit, or keeping it and moving the ball forward in a controlled manner? We scored our first goal through it yesterday.

Let's hoof it long like we did under Appy and McCarthy. That went well.

There’s a happy medium, sometimes passing around the back is good, other time a hoof is whats required. Neither one nor the other is exclusively right or wrong.

 

[Murciaseasider]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

Agree his distribution was suicidal, and we'll pay a heavy price in weeks to come if that continues. That said, other players did not appear to be moving into positions where he could comfortably pass the ball, but when that happens he needs to get rid - sometimes that has to happen in football.

 

[Jdseacidre81]

His control when he receives a pass I shocking, it just pings around his feet. I hope we don't keep giving him the ball off the centre for a long punt down field. I can see a few goals going against us from him bumbling around

 

[Vince McLean]

Players have got to make triangles with decent player space to pass - too often the gap is tight and easily intercepted.
If Marv is in doubt he should thump it up the park, not risk it.

 

[Blackpoolmad]

Dangerous shit, or keeping it and moving the ball forward in a controlled manner? We scored our first goal through it yesterday.

Let's hoof it long like we did under Appy and McCarthy. That went well.

Controlled manor? Did you not see at least 3 mistakes that nearly cost us a goal? Watch the highlights. Do NOT pass in the 18 yard box to someone man marked.

 

[TANGERINETOWERPOWER]

The midfield need to come to him and be close enough so he only plays a short 5 yard pass.
Burton closed Norburn down second half so Marv got caught out.

Either Morgan or Carey need to drop in 10 yards when Marv has it at his feet. Critch will work on that no doubt?

Or let Marv hoof it into space behind the full back for CJ and Lav. If it goes out for a throwing or gk then so be it.

That’s what Stewart used to do very effectively

 

[Mark_GT]

They must drill this way of playing out to death. With Marv it often depends on his first touch, which can be a bit hit and miss. Having seen Norburn's approach to captaincy yesterday and how he completely ran things untill fatigue kicked in. I'm sure he'll "advise" Marv appropriately through the game. Of course better teams than Burton will spot the Norburn role early so he might not have the luxury of as much time. Either way, I think we'll be playing out a lot this season.

 

[1966_and_all_that]

If Marv were to dwell on the ball with an opposition version of Shayne Lavery bearing down on him I know where my money would go...and it wouldn't be on a sound clearance up field.

 

[CGP1]

It's the best way to progress up the pitch and retain possession.

Completely agree mate.

But I see a big difference between 3-4 sharp passes straight through their front ranks and laying off to overlapping width, to starting from static positions deep inside your own area and inviting them to weigh on.

Basically comparing the first half to the second.

 

[parker14]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

Bit of a contradiction I think, your statement.

 

[Pool4me]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

Totally agree. Hasn’t improved in that area since he has been with us. We need to look at another option to lead from the back. Not saying drop him saying give that role to someone else. Also need a left winger urgently

 

[Tango1953]

Completely agree mate.

Yet you typed the opposite. Twice.

But don't start the 6 yard line routine again, that will cost us goals

First half we didn't once do this ridiculous new thing of keeper and two ch all on the 6 yard line

For what it's worth, I agree the breakdown in the passing patterns to move us up the pitch was a big problem second half. Credit Burton though as they cut off the ball into Norburn. It's up to Critchley to find a solution to that and give us other ways of getting out when Norburn is cut off or can't make space for himself.

 

[Tango1953]

If Marv is in doubt he should thump it up the park, not risk it

Ugh

 

[Insider]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

I agree but you've got to lay the blame, in part at least, to Grimmy who picks him out when clearly a pass isnt on.

 

[Dougz]

I think Marv as a defender is top draw, easily capable of playing at a higher level.

However his ball distribution is often woeful. You just know that sooner or later the opposition are going to win the ball of one of his passes and be through on goal.

Why then do we persist in putting him in that situation?

Look on the bright side, it probably means he is here to stay. If his possession and distribution skills were as good as his defensive skills, we would have lost him on being relegated.

 

[Dougz]

I agree but you've got to lay the blame, in part at least, to Grimmy.

Ssshhhh ! You can’t blame Grimmy, that’s a criminal offence to some on here

 

[Insider]

Ssshhhh ! You can’t blame Grimmy, that’s a criminal offence to some on here

Grimmy needs a few games to get back to his best.
Drill Sergeant Major Critchley will sort it for both of them.

 

[tarantula]

This particular aspect of his game hasn’t improved at all since he arrived. Under pressure it’s always squeaky bum time with him, other aspects to his game are commendable though.

But wouldn't it be simply 'marv'ellous if he could just develop this aspect of his game ...

 

[Willie Mcgrotty]

The alternative shouldn't be to just lump it upfield.
Evatt & Cathcart used to ping accurate diagonals to one another every pre match. Surely Merv could develop that as an alternative if a short pass has been closed down.

 

[Vince McLean]

The alternative shouldn't be to just lump it upfield.
Evatt & Cathcart used to ping accurate diagonals to one another every pre match. Surely Merv could develop that as an alternative if a short pass has been closed down.

Yes - lump a diagonal ball towards a running forward in the channels If it works it's a great ball. If it doesn't then it's a lump.
Either way, we're no longer defending, and in the words of Jackie Charlton - we'll put 'em under pressure.

 

[Hereforthefootball]

Should really be down to NC and actually Grimmy to realise that is his achilles heel and don't put him in that position.

 

[Cable Cat]

Will be delighted if Eki got all that out of his system on Saturday as scouts will have watched that video back and told their forward players to press high to force mistakes.