I do wish the Phoenix would improve their passing ability. It let's them down so often giving possession away. It is very amateurish at times and an improvement in that department would go a long way to winning the A league. Apart from that they are doing good.
Passing
What a random thread to create, and comment to make.
I do wish the Phoenix would improve their passing ability. It let's them down so often giving possession away. It is very amateurish at times and an improvement in that department would go a long way to winning the A league. Apart from that they are doing good.
Could you give specific examples of what you mean exactly? Are you referring to passing between the lines, passes into the final third? Mixing up passing between short and direct?
If you're referring specifically to last night then it's probably not the best example to reflect upon, given the backs to the wall nature of the performance in a 10 v 11 situation...
Second behind Melbourne City for the competition as the screen grab shows by the way.
Contrasting styles of play of course, but statistically speaking you are very misguided in your line of thinking. Unless you care to divulge specific instances on how you think we can improve?
It's the A League. Passing and ball control in general is of a lower standard than in many other leagues. The Nix are certainly no worse than any other team in their passing game and a lot better than most.
One thing I will say is that because so much of our tactical approach is based on a measured, probing build up through the backline and mids a poor pass does tend to stick out like a sore thumb.
One thing I will say is that because so much of our tactical approach is based on a measured, probing build up through the backline and mids a poor pass does tend to stick out like a sore thumb.
Yep, we're second in pass accuracy and sixth in average amount of passes per game, however we also sit second for the most passes in an individual game.
We couldn't retain the ball or pass very well against Victory, but I think/hope that was the pressure of the occasion getting to the team causing a blip in form.
We couldn't retain the ball or pass very well against Victory, but I think/hope that was the pressure of the occasion getting to the team causing a blip in form.
In recent games (post 5 or 6) their passing, in all areas, has been poor, last night included although they did defend well. Yes I'm used to watching top class football and understand the lower standard within the Aleague. But let's be honest, passing is a basic that should come as 2nd nature. I get frustrated sometimes when we give away possession but I also understand that the lower standard of football in th A league does help to make it exciting. I'm still a Phoenix fan.
I am always curious as to how stats are calculated regarding some areas and don't put much store into the Stat figures. Eg Paulsen passes ball between 2/3 defenders very successfully but indeed very simple. These are included in passing stats. All I'm saying is that some stats can be very deceiving.
In recent games (post 5 or 6) their passing, in all areas, has been poor, last night included although they did defend well. Yes I'm used to watching top class football and understand the lower standard within the Aleague. But let's be honest, passing is a basic that should come as 2nd nature. I get frustrated sometimes when we give away possession but I also understand that the lower standard of football in th A league does help to make it exciting. I'm still a Phoenix fan.
Maybe consider that there is a placebo affect that makes our passing look worse than other teams? For instance how we try get the opposition to press and then try pass round it makes any mistakes look a lot worse. I think this is probably the reason you believe what you do because the stats and our position on the ladder disagree with you
Yeah, I think that's right. When we turn it on we look great, but often we're just trying to draw players in and get to the position where we can turn it. We're also brave in our passing and often pass while under pressure, the fact that we're brave yet complete so many passes is pretty impressive.
Extra points for Paulsen's passing, mostly cool as cucumber under pressure... to the point of courting a disaster sometimes... but so far so good.
"Considering the Nix are top of the table and that passing is one of the basics of the game, wouldn't that mean the Nix are in fact quite good at passing in the A-League?"
One of the rules of Phoenix fandom is, even when we're succeeding, we still suck
One of the rules of Phoenix fandom is, even when we're succeeding, we still suck
That's all ok if that is what you think good passing is. However I have coached kids who would have been embarrassed by that kind of give- away passing. I suppose it's what you're standards are. Just think how far ahead could the Pheonix be if passing was better. Also the players themselves have doubts on the way they have played in recent games, could be they are reflecting on bad passes?
That's all ok if that is what you think good passing is. However I have coached kids who would have been embarrassed by that kind of give- away passing. I suppose it's what you're standards are. Just think how far ahead could the Pheonix be if passing was better. Also the players themselves have doubts on the way they have played in recent games, could be they are reflecting on bad passes?
Our passing accuracy is 84.7%, our best game was 91.5%, our worst game was 77.3%
For a ridiculous comparison, an average 84.7% passing completion rate would put us 6th in the Premier League, in between Arsenal and Liverpool. So, I seriously doubt that the kids you'd coach would be embarrassed by the amount of give-away passes that the Phoenix give.
I can only assume that you're basing your opinion on either only a single game against Victory where we were down to ten men, or you're only remembering those few high risk passes that fail as we invite the press and try and pass through it.
For a ridiculous comparison, an average 84.7% passing completion rate would put us 6th in the Premier League, in between Arsenal and Liverpool. So, I seriously doubt that the kids you'd coach would be embarrassed by the amount of give-away passes that the Phoenix give.
I can only assume that you're basing your opinion on either only a single game against Victory where we were down to ten men, or you're only remembering those few high risk passes that fail as we invite the press and try and pass through it.
That's all ok if that is what you think good passing is. However I have coached kids who would have been embarrassed by that kind of give- away passing. I suppose it's what you're standards are. Just think how far ahead could the Pheonix be if passing was better. Also the players themselves have doubts on the way they have played in recent games, could be they are reflecting on bad passes?
Sign them up. Sounds like you've discovered the generation of Messi's/Pirlo's/Modric's/etc..
It's all good making comparisons to "kids" games and the aleague, but alot of the passing stats are dependant on the opposition and how they play. I'll bet some of these kids with amazing pass stats are playing some very average opponents which they dominate, obviously their completed passes are going to be very good. The aleague is very even, most teams are very physical and combatitive so defenders are generally all over the receiving player making a completed pass challenging. Anything consistently in the high 80 - 90% across a season is pretty good.
Agree with theprof. Our successful campaign this season is owed to a few people who lifted their game up by a solid notch. Among them, Rufer especially might be behind keeping the passing stats averages by our opposition down, acting as a disruptor.
May not have worked equally well against all teams (last game against the Jets in NZ is a case in point), but on average it shows a huge improvement on previous season.
May not have worked equally well against all teams (last game against the Jets in NZ is a case in point), but on average it shows a huge improvement on previous season.
Watched the Arsenal Liverpool game this morning. So many missed passes and so many turnovers for both teams.
Someone get Broomsticks kids into the EPL. They could make a killing!
Someone get Broomsticks kids into the EPL. They could make a killing!