I can't understand Allan Jones talking about intensive training. After all, he is one of that generation of coaches that came to NZ from the UK and preached the long ball game. It's the likes of Jones that prevented many young players from developing ball skills required to foot it with the best over the years, because they were too busy doing shuttles.
In the three years that Jones was at Auckland City / Central the players didn't do shuttles once.
It is interesting in how perceptions become belief.
If you are playing a high pressuring game as proposed by Jones then how do you get to play long ball. You are winning possession back on half way. A long ball would put you in the carpark of all the gorunds in the NZFC.
Be careful you don't start believing the mantra - English coach = long ball.
The most telling comment from Jones was - don't ask players to do what they are not capable of.
How come we think we can roll it around like Arsenal when even our 12 year olds have been exposed to a football - structured or unstructured less than 50% of the time of kids overseas.
A bit like asking a harrier runner who does 60 ks per week in training to run with the best marathoners and beat them.
Are you interested in the style of play or the results?
If you aren't as good as your opposition in certain aspects don't you try to alter the game? Disrupt their strengths and play to yours?
If sport is the modern day war - even the Brits moved away from the squares of soldiers standing toe to toe with the enemy.
Allan has the answers - up to NZF to find them
