HUMILIATING LOSS SETS UP IMPROVEMENTS

DEPLORABLE FIRST HALF LEADS TO BETTER SECOND HALF

Baron says:
"There's nothing worse than forgetting your weaknesses and attempting to play them as a strength."

Post Game Synopsis

The first half was nothing short of aweful. Awefully bad. Awefully stinky. Awefully inept. It was like a bunch of drunks came onto the field and had never played a game of football in their lives.

Six goals in ten minutes. A disorganized offense. A completely non-existent defense.

The second period got better.

Lots of shots. Lots of cross bars and posts getting hit. One goal against us while two scored against them. The second half wasn't our best effort. But it was way better than the first.

OUR NEXT GAME

First...I'm not making call ups anymore. We need to start relying on ourselves to get the job done.

Subs will now consist of an Offensive Pool and a Defensive Pool. I'll assign players to the two pools, and we'll work out the subs. Quick subs guys. No slacking.

We're going to do things a bit different this game.

I want the Defenders to stay back at all times. They are the Goalie's personal guards sort to speak. You will take orders from the Keeper.

The Centre Back will now join the attackers. In the games we've played, a strong Centre Back has been able to accelerate the attack.

Remember that as their players fall into our zone, we move in to protect our goalie. We fill our defense as they fill their offense. Man for man.

The Motto of the game should be : NO SHOTS ON OUR NETMINDER

This means kicking the ball forward if there's no good pass, kicking it out of bounds in their end. No screwing around. Let's make our Goaler bored.

The four attackers will act as mid-fielders...that is moving around the field. No more waiting in La-La Land for a cross from one end to the other. We don't possess that skill. Instead, let's focus upon moving open. Getting a pass. Shooting or making a pass.

STATS:
Abe (G)
Baron (G)
Abe (A)

Man of the Match:
TBD

COACH's CORNER

A WIN AND A LOSS IN THE SAME NIGHT

The Baron says:
"A team can have brilliant players. But if those brilliant players don't behave like a team, they're fooling themselves"

Game Analysis

We played with more discipline, effort and focus. Although we went down 4-0 at the half, we didn't allow any of those ridiculous goals that we had in the past. Three of the four against us were excellent shots from out of the 18.

The second half we got sloppy. Maybe the wrong people were in the wrong positions. But we had three goals that were just simply avoidable. No one was covering the obvious pass...and that was sad. After that we settled down and started playing smart, scoring two goals.

A word on volunteering on the Chrome Team. I wanted you guys to see how a team plays. Individually, they're not on the same level as we are. On a team level we're no where near where they are. And that's why they're undefeated in four. Even when they ask us to play, they incorporate us into that team play. Those that volunteered should have seen this. How they watch the field. How they open up. How they rush back to cover the net. I respect their efforts. This is what I have been attempting to do with us.

Our Next Game: Hasbeens United

This is the worst team in the league. No wins.

We need to start playing as a team. Individually our players are great. But there's no coordination. No movement with each other. And that's where we're failing.

Our Plan:

Our wingers will produce the offense, with our Centre Mid and Centre Back providing defense and positional options

Cover your man on the defensive. On a goal kick, you should have a man covered. Make them shoot the ball into a 50-50 option.

Keep going after the player. If they get around you, you chase them. You make their race to the goal as harrowing as you can. Giving up and letting them go means that you've already lost the game. This is one of the few things that you can control. Don't be a loser. Even if you can't get in front of your mark, you're making him nervous and making the resulting pass or shot more shaky.

I want good subbing. I noticed last game that there were tired players on field. The only person you're fooling is yourself. I know you're gassed. Your team mates know. Again, don't play to lose. Play to win.

STATS:

Tyler (G)
Trevor (PK)

Man of the Match:
TBD

SPARTANS TIE OPPONENTS

BETTER PERFORMANCE, BUT STILL NOT TUNED

Baron Says:
"Always learn from what worked and didn't work. If you're not learning, you're wasting your time. Even in playing we must gather something from the frolic."

POST GAME SUMMARY
We played a tight defensive game for most of the game. Near the end of the game we started to lose our discipline and got very sloppy. Playing 49 minutes of great defensive football doesn't mean a damn if we lose in the 50th.

I am very pleased with the shots on net, the set ups, and the attempts. Chris alone had 10 headers alone on net. The rebound from Abe, pocketed by Scott was more of what we need to do to carry this team to the next level.

GAME PLANS: VELOCITY
We have our work cut out for us in our next game. We're playing a hungry opponent. They have something to prove...and so do we.

The 3-3-0 applies.

We're sticking with the centre positions playing primarily defensive and play makers. Keep in mind that when THEY have the ball, we assume the defensive...EVERYONE.

I'm tired of seeing fatigued men on the field. If you can't run back or at least jog on the defense, get your ass off the pitch. You're not helping anyone by denying us an active player. Even if the ball gets to you, do you actually believe that you can run? Get smart...get into TEAM PLAY.

We will attack through the wingers...which doesn't mean that the CM or CD can't participate. Just be smart. We're erring on the side of caution here.

When the play is coming down the left side, the right wingers need to get involved in the play. It's an obvious statement that isn't being done. Move to the centre. Move to the left side. Become an option for the pass. Be ready for a rebound. In this model we have four attackers. If we can't get quality shots away with four attackers, we need to adjust and improve. Don't think that there's an imaginary line at centre and you can't cross it.

The CM is now one of our most vital roles. You need to move around for the pass, set up the play. Chase the ball carrier and harass them while your team mates cover their man. Short shifts is all you can handle. Don't overestimate your stamina.

STATS:
Scott (1G)

NET:
Ross (Tie)

Man of the Match
TBD