In praise of the long ball

[FindernRam]

I'm not a Gunners fan (don't hate them either) but what have they won with their style of play. Close but no Coconut! Man U were going the same way. What really brassed me off during the England shambles was the commentators telling us we had to get used to this pitty patty stuff because that is international tournament football. Total bull. Run at the defence, drive them into the ground, make them play our way. Let us define international football style.
The same at Derby, scare the poop out of the opposition with speed and flair.
My version of the Derby Way

[macstheman]

Vardy is the perfect example of a player for the ball over the top, uses his pace to catch the defender on the turn - so what does Roy do but play tippy tappy don't be too adventurous crap!!

[mistaram]

Findern. What have they won playing tippy tappy under Wenger well Prem League 3 times FAcup 6times Com Shield 6 times and he has 15 manager of the months oh and a OBE But I cansee were your coming from if he signs Vardy which looks probable he will have to change is style to get the best out of him

[AnagRam]

As a couple have already said it's not a short or long ball game per se, it's about playing the right pass at the right time, with concentration on retaining possession and aiming to produce something positive from the move. Our problem is not achieving the latter very often.

Spot on KCG...players of the quality of Saunders, Rush and Henry, as well as Vardy, all spring to mind as ones with excellent close control but who could also benefit from a long well timed ball to use their pace to run onto. As you say...all about playing the right pass to suit the circumstances and all about playing to the squad's strengths, something we regularly failed to do last season. Hopefully something that is about to be put right.

[RamBamFan]

Aimless hoofball is what we did numerous times under Wassall, that's the type of tactic I detest.

But I agree that when Paul Scholes would switch play by pinging it 60 yards it would be a thing of beauty. Although personally I'd rather see 10 one touch passes.

[FindernRam]

Aimless hoofball is what we did numerous times under Wassall, that's the type of tactic I detest.

But I agree that when Paul Scholes would switch play by pinging it 60 yards it would be a thing of beauty. Although personally I'd rather see 10 one touch passes.

10 one touch passes across our back four!

[FindernRam]

12 years since the last PL championship. FA cups don't really count given the way the top teams play second strings and don't worry if they go out. Manager of the month 15 times in like forever. Sorry but I don't buy it. The Gunners are a known quantity with no fear factor for the really good teams. As I said they get close but fall at the last-just like us!