First Division football, something we as Rovers supporters are too well familar with for the past seven (?) seasons. Last night's game was what could be used as a prime example if someone was to describe to a complete stranger what the standard is like. In the red corner was the bit o red, a club capable of competiting with the best when it comes to the beautiful game. On the other hand in the blue corner we had the mighty mons, a team that has people sitting up and starting to take notice. Now five games unbeaten and already this season have taken the scalp off the pre-season favourites Kildare County. To try and draw up comparisons between both these sides would only be a worthless exercise. Rovers, a team that like to get the ball down and play to feet whereas the mighty mons are more or less a team of blockers, with the philosophy stop the opposition playing, totally frustrate them and their supporters and then strike with the sucker punch. If the ploy works well then they are guarnteed at least a share of the spoils. Last night the tactit worked a treat and the mighty mons went away with all three points. So how does one as manager counteract this type of match play.
First Division football in the Eircom League is more akin to a game of chess where players play the game thinking up to five moves ahead. In order to out think the opposing manager's tactics one has to first think like the opposition. In order to counteract his moves one has to be on the same wavelenght as the opposing general, be able to read the game quickly and then make the required moves that will change the course of the play and hopefully the game.
The formation the oppsoition starts with is a sure indication on how they intend to approach the game. By packing midfield then you can be sure the playmakers on the opposing side won't see too much of the ball. This then will for sure mean that the ball players in your side have become surplus to requirments. Unless players are prepared to get in where it hurts to win balls then they are just passageners and no side can afford to have passageners in a team game that involves eleven players. Last night it was as plain as the nose on your face that Rovers had too many players not coming up the the required mark in terms of performance. Employing two wide men in a game where the opposition was crowding midfield was nothing short of suicide on the behalf of the home team. Of our remaining two midfielders only one was prepared to get stuck in so in actual fact we were left with one man playing against at least three Monaghan players, now it doesn't take an expert to work out who will come out on top in this contest. With us employing the four-four-two formation and the two wide luxury players against a team that are prepared to pack midfield with bodies it shouldn't take too long to realise that our tactic isn't working so we must change. In my opinion in a game like this the luxury players are not an option from the off. We have to be capable of at least holding our own in midfield if we are going to get anything from the game. Even on paper prior to last night's game we were on to a loser, yet what was tried during the game to turn the tables? Not enough is my answer.
