Carles Gil - loaned out again

[Ads]

Isn't that piggy-in-the-middle celebrated as the 'Rondo' in Barcelona and described as the secret of La Masia's success?

I can't answer that question, but it seems to me as a layman to be a useful way to introduce a drill where players will enjoy themselves, while learning to use the ball quickly in tight spaces/under pressure.

I'd bet it's great for the player doing the closing down so long as they put the effort in, given how little tackling actually happens in football being able to close down players and force them to pass where you want is a key skill.

I hadn't thought of it like that, but given how the drill has two "piggys" then I can imagine how it would be useful with an overloaded defence closing down options. Plus its fun.

From my own exprience I used to hate it  in training when we played a type of five aside with cones instead of goals. I am sure it was teaching us valuable lessons on finishing, but I hated it!

[paul_e]

From my own exprience I used to hate it  in training when we played a type of five aside with cones instead of goals. I am sure it was teaching us valuable lessons on finishing, but I hated it!

That's about as much fun as the rugby one where you're running into tackle bags, turning and popping a pass for the next guy, then you follow him and repeat in reverse, with about 10 tackle bags.  It's annoying as shit but do it well and you learn one of the key skills of the game.

[Matt Collins]

Gil has averaged a goal or assist once per 8 games so far, In his home country

Let's hope he's one of tbose who plays the penultimate pass quite a lot.

[PeterWithesShin]

Gil has averaged a goal or assist once per 8 games so far, In his home country

Let's hope he's one of tbose who plays the penultimate pass quite a lot.

It's 16 (6 goals 10 assists) in 72 league games, so it's one every 4.5 games. According to Wiki anyway.

[eamonn]

I'm always wary of assists and shots on target stats. If a player starts a move or creates the bit of space that allows the final pass and goal it's just as valuable.

Similarly, a soft shot into the keepers hands is perceived as being of more value than one that hits the woodwork or whizzes just wide. Fine as barometers but not enough to judge a player/team by.

[paul_e]

I'm always wary of assists and shots on target stats. If a player starts a move or creates the bit of space that allows the final pass and goal it's just as valuable.

Similarly, a soft shot into the keepers hands is perceived as being of more value than one that hits the woodwork or whizzes just wide. Fine as barometers but not enough to judge a player/team by.

First one I agree with you, 2nd I don't so much, the first priority for a shot to be of any value is for it to have a chance of scoring, a shot that misses the target  never (other than deflected OGs which happen maybe 10 times a year for the whole league) does that.  The Tonev effect should prove that taking 5yards of pace away to make sure you test the keeper is worth doing most of the time.

[eamonn]

What about hitting wood? That's closer and more satisfying than a save.

[adrenachrome]

What about hitting wood? That's closer and more satisfying than a save.

Flogging your log is a mortal sin for RC's though and probably saps your strength.

[paul_e]

What about hitting wood? That's closer and more satisfying than a save.

Looks more impressive I'll grant you but again when one hits the post it's not on target (which is why the whole 'saved by the woodwork' shit pisses me off) so it's never going to go in (other than with deflections, and clearly post an in isn't included in this) so no it's not better than one which the keeper has to save.

[Matt Collins]

Over the course of three seasons you'd expect these things to even out. Unless someone's suggesting he's set up a dozen shots that hit the woodwork it's still pretty threadbare

I'm not writing him off but we've paid under £3m for him. He's got one under 21 cap. It has to be a gamble

[Ads]

It depends how good Elche's forwards are. If he had the Spanish Gabby and Weimann ahead of him, then he will have struggled.

[cdbearsfan]

I reckon we should sing this song for him...

Carles Gil!
Carles Gil!
Carles Gil!
Carles Hee-Hee!

[LeeB]

It depends how good Elche's forwards are. If he had the Spanish Gabby and Weimann ahead of him, then he will have struggled.

Erm, in that case isn't he going to struggle here?

[Quiet Lion]

Isn't that piggy-in-the-middle celebrated as the 'Rondo' in Barcelona and described as the secret of La Masia's success?

I can't answer that question, but it seems to me as a layman to be a useful way to introduce a drill where players will enjoy themselves, while learning to use the ball quickly in tight spaces/under pressure.

I'd bet it's great for the player doing the closing down so long as they put the effort in, given how little tackling actually happens in football being able to close down players and force them to pass where you want is a key skill.

Do we look like this when trying that drill?

[PeterWithesShin]

Fixed your link Quiet Lion.