Russell Martin has had to explain to Rangers fans that he wants his defenders to play passes as late as possible, to open up the game more.

Good luck with that RM, fans won't accept the mistakes that go with it.
We still have fans mocking Muric for trying to do that at Everton.

Fans don't want it.

Not sure how long he's going to last at Rangers. The post match interview on Saturday and then immediately dropping the captain and fans player of the year isnt going to help him at all

It’s coached in to every player at every academy across the country that you commit your man before passing.

I genuinely don’t think the average fan understands this and just see it as being ponderous on the ball.

I can’t see possession football changing as a style of play any time soon though to be honest, too many clubs and coaches are fully committed to it and those who aren’t are considered ‘dinosaurs’ or ‘anti-football’ to the point it limits their career.

'average fan'?

It was a disaster for him with Southampton in the Premier League. Rangers, like Celtic, demand wins every week. Hard to see him lasting long term there.

His last game as MK manager before moving to Swansea was a 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth in the League Cup. All five goals came about giving the ball away trying to play out.

Southampton fans had had beyond enough of him by the time he left and I’m sure Rangers will not take long in seeing they made a mistake appointing him.

I was reading the other day about how the God of possession football, Pep himself, has hired one of Klopp's old coaches as he's accepted that football has again moved on. Even he thinks this style has been worked out and needs to evolve.

Unfortunately, it's embedded in every coach and club in the country now, we'll probably end up 10 years behind again.

Silkyskills1 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 1:42 pm

'average fan'?

Yeah, as in if you’re not mad in to coaching, systems, tactics, ‘game models’ etc, and you turn up just wanting to be entertained and see your team win (most people - nothing wrong with this).

NottsClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 2:21 pm

I was reading the other day about how the God of possession football, Pep himself, has hired one of Klopp's old coaches as he's accepted that football has again moved on. Even he thinks this style has been worked out and needs to evolve.

Unfortunately, it's embedded in every coach and club in the country now, we'll probably end up 10 years behind again.

Interesting. I saw an article about his new number two being a key man this season but didn’t read it. I might dig it out.

NottsClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 2:21 pm

I was reading the other day about how the God of possession football, Pep himself, has hired one of Klopp's old coaches as he's accepted that football has again moved on. Even he thinks this style has been worked out and needs to evolve.

Unfortunately, it's embedded in every coach and club in the country now, we'll probably end up 10 years behind again.

I saw this on BBC Sport. More direct football is on its way back, or, when Pep etc. does it, he isn't playing long balls and 'brexit football', it is all 'fast breaks', and 'attacking in vertical lines'.

Late passing after making your opponent commit is very much a big deal in walking football at all levels of participation.

Drawing the press is the new inverted winger.

You need defenders with a certain skillset, and we all know what happens when it goes wrong.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 11:42 am

It’s coached in to every player at every academy across the country that you commit your man before passing.

I genuinely don’t think the average fan understands this and just see it as being ponderous on the ball.

I can’t see possession football changing as a style of play any time soon though to be honest, too many clubs and coaches are fully committed to it and those who aren’t are considered ‘dinosaurs’ or ‘anti-football’ to the point it limits their career.

I think the average fan does understand though that the split second you win the ball back is the best opportunity for playing quick ball to your own players in advanced positions that are created by opposing players either out of position as they were involved in the offensive play or having switched off
It seems that the modern super evolved coaching staff do not understand this and whilst they may not be a dinosaur they do in general display signs of also being an eight letter word beginning with Di
Their mastery of set pieces especially corner taking is akin to the new square wheel design

bfcmik wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:08 pm

Late passing after making your opponent commit is very much a big deal in walking football at all levels of participation.

Passing the ball to your team mate is all I look for in walking football. It's hard for a lot of the older players to do. Often need several attempts to get the ball under control. Then, needs some time for team mates to get into position for a pass. But, there's plenty of time to do it because the opposition aren't allowed to tackle from behind, tackle from the side or contact you if they attempt a tackle face-to-face.

BleedingClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 4:29 pm

I think the average fan does understand though that the split second you win the ball back is the best opportunity for playing quick ball to your own players in advanced positions that are created by opposing players either out of position as they were involved in the offensive play or having switched off
It seems that the modern super evolved coaching staff do not understand this and whilst they may not be a dinosaur they do in general display signs of also being an eight letter word beginning with Di
Their mastery of set pieces especially corner taking is akin to the new square wheel design

Agree, there are huge parts of it that are overcomplicated. It’d take the fun out of it for me as a player, having to constantly think about every decision I made rather than playing my natural game.

That sort of underlines my point though, the average fan cannot possibly be privy to all the various systems and tactics modern day footballers are, which is probably why Martin decided to explain certain elements of his.

I’m actually quite looking forward to seeing what Parker dishes up this year because I think he’ll want to play football but will focus much more on a counter attacking style.

Late passing is the right way to play football, it's the too late passing that's the problem.
Premier League players are just so much faster than the average promoted players have had to deal with, you have to learn quick, and if you don't you suffer like us and Saints.

Fretters wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 3:58 pm

I saw this on BBC Sport. More direct football is on its way back, or, when Pep etc. does it, he isn't playing long balls and 'brexit football', it is all 'fast breaks', and 'attacking in vertical lines'.

What is "brexit football"?

ecc wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:55 pm

What is "brexit football"?

Is it making the wrong decision?

ecc wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 7:55 pm

What is "brexit football"?

https://amherststudent.com/article/brexit-ball/

Nothing new in this, seen it and done it 50 years ago.

Fretters wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 07, 2025 8:57 pm

https://amherststudent.com/article/brexit-ball/

Thank you, Fretters. Absolute new one for me.