"In Spain, if I collected the ball from the defender, I sometimes had what felt like 10 seconds on the ball. In England, against the English players, you have maybe five seconds before someone tries to remove it from you. In those early games I had for City, I had a little bit of a problem – I would take the ball from the defender with my back to the centre circle and then BAM!, the opposition would come from behind and he would dispossess me. This kept happening in those first games. I’m a big man but every game someone would try the same thing when I wasn’t looking and BAM! I remember thinking, ‘What do I do? It’s impossible to play here!’What helped me a lot was one of the physios at City who explained it to me very simply. He said, 'You’re already a big guy, but you need to do something to deal with the shock when people run at you while you control the ball. We need to build your muscles to absorb it. We need to build the strength in your bum and hips.'It sounds funny, but your bum can be a very important tool when you play football.I’m sure a lot of you watched England play Scotland last week in the Euros. What impressed me in that game was how disciplined John McGinn was in midfield, taking the ball from defence and protecting it from England players before making the pass.If you look at a picture of McGinn, you can see he has very powerful legs and hips, and there were times where you could see him get the ball with his back to an England player, smell the danger was coming and then use his bum to shield the ball from them. The bum is important as it can create a moment of space between you and another player so you have more time with the ball."
The secret of McGinn's arse is now out of the bag, I'm afraid:Quote"In Spain, if I collected the ball from the defender, I sometimes had what felt like 10 seconds on the ball. In England, against the English players, you have maybe five seconds before someone tries to remove it from you. In those early games I had for City, I had a little bit of a problem – I would take the ball from the defender with my back to the centre circle and then BAM!, the opposition would come from behind and he would dispossess me. This kept happening in those first games. I’m a big man but every game someone would try the same thing when I wasn’t looking and BAM! I remember thinking, ‘What do I do? It’s impossible to play here!’What helped me a lot was one of the physios at City who explained it to me very simply. He said, 'You’re already a big guy, but you need to do something to deal with the shock when people run at you while you control the ball. We need to build your muscles to absorb it. We need to build the strength in your bum and hips.'It sounds funny, but your bum can be a very important tool when you play football.I’m sure a lot of you watched England play Scotland last week in the Euros. What impressed me in that game was how disciplined John McGinn was in midfield, taking the ball from defence and protecting it from England players before making the pass.If you look at a picture of McGinn, you can see he has very powerful legs and hips, and there were times where you could see him get the ball with his back to an England player, smell the danger was coming and then use his bum to shield the ball from them. The bum is important as it can create a moment of space between you and another player so you have more time with the ball."
Unlucky a couple of times tonight with half-chances at crucial times against Croatia. You get the feeling he relishes the more attacking role he has at Scotland with license to get forward. With Buendia and possibly more attacking midfield talent on the way at Villa Park this summer, I sense the shackles we put on him a little bit will continue next season.
Quote from: eamonn on June 23, 2021, 12:54:16 AMUnlucky a couple of times tonight with half-chances at crucial times against Croatia. You get the feeling he relishes the more attacking role he has at Scotland with license to get forward. With Buendia and possibly more attacking midfield talent on the way at Villa Park this summer, I sense the shackles we put on him a little bit will continue next season. That is why we need a big bruiser of a midfield enforcer to be signed. That would allow McGinn and also Luiz more freedom to attack.
News now (I know I shouldn't) have Liverpool interested in SJM for reputed £50m. I love the guy but I would take him in the car myself for that
Quote from: Hookeysmith on June 23, 2021, 10:44:33 PMNews now (I know I shouldn't) have Liverpool interested in SJM for reputed £50m. I love the guy but I would take him in the car myself for thatStop it!
I’ve been following the story for a few days. The talk is that Liverpool thought they could get him for £20m. We’ve supposedly told them it’s £50m with Hibs having a 10% sell-on fee. They’re not prepared to pay that.
Quote from: Hookeysmith on June 23, 2021, 10:44:33 PMNews now (I know I shouldn't) have Liverpool interested in SJM for reputed £50m. I love the guy but I would take him in the car myself for thatQuote from: Behind Bluenose Lines on June 23, 2021, 10:49:47 PMQuote from: Hookeysmith on June 23, 2021, 10:44:33 PMNews now (I know I shouldn't) have Liverpool interested in SJM for reputed £50m. I love the guy but I would take him in the car myself for thatStop it!newsnow is ridiculous and has the feeling it is run by a team of 11 year olds however i do go on it😞