Quote Originally Posted by Mark_Ross View Post
If only it were that simple. I don't claim to understand how goals are made or have any great insight.

However, one thing occurs to me - watching games at various levels down the years. The team dominating the possession passes it around endlessly, going from side to side, back a bit then forward a bit, side to side, and so on again. There is no way through. It seems like the defenders have it all covered.

Suddenly there is a spark! Somebody creates an opening. How does this happen? Perhaps they spot a chink in the defensive armour. Perhaps wearing them down mentally & physically is a part of this, but making that opening is about skill (obviously), vision, speed of thought & co-ordinated action.
I remember watching a match several years ago when Man U (sure it was them?) were playing the great Barca team. Barca had been playing possession football for several seasons and were considered the best in Europe. Well Man U just let them have possession and closed shop while Barca could only pass it round the top of the Man U defence. Man U got a loose ball, passed it through the Barca high line and scored (Bit of poetic licence there). Our style is supposed to be a slow controlled build up looking for a passage of play into a goal scoring position. Easily countered though if we are too methodical.