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2nd XI v FC NORD COMBRAILLE
22nd September 2012
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I had something of a Freudian slip when I started to prepare this web page. In fact, I began to type "3rd XI". And with one or two exceptions, this was a Pionsat 3rd XI team from last year that took the field tonight.
Up front were Valentin and this new guy William. Midfield was the new Anthony, Gaëtan, Didier and Fabien, and the defence was Christophe, the printer guy whose name I can never remember, Fabrice and Fabien.
The goalkeeper was an interesting choice. François is still out injured, Phillipe seems to have retired, I haven't seen Michaël for absolutely ages, and so just like the 3rd XI, they've drawn lots. Young Vincent, only just 18 and only just joined the club, seems to have pulled the short straw.
I have decided, exceptionally and unusually, that I'm not going to publish the photos of this game, or even write a report about it, for the simple reason that none of the players would want to read it. If anyone would like to see the photos or read the report, then send me a and I'll send you a copy.
There is one exception about the photos though, and it's a photo that I've been dying to take for the last two or three years.
Regular readers of this rubbish will realise that I regularly rage about the habit that many of the clubs at this level have of trying to play the offside trap against the opposition's forwards. And you will also recall that on regular occasions, it all goes horribly wrong.
You might also recall that last year I ran the line for Pionsat's 3rd XI at St Angel and during the whole of the match I didn't raise my flag for offside once. And the reason for that was that Fabrice was playing in defence for Pionsat.
Here we all are, lined up to receive a Nord Combraille goal kick, and look where Fabrice is standing - about 20 yards behind his defenders. There won't ever be an offside decision given when Fabrice is playing in defence, and quite right too, in my opinion. Fabrice is doing exactly what he ought to do.
Playing an offside trap requires split-second timing from the defence. That might work at a professional level with a vocal leader of the line and where you practise together 3 times per week, but at this level of football? It's like saying that you're a cowboy because you've seen "Bonanza" on the television.
Furthermore, if that isn't enough, you are relying on volunteer linesmen who maybe aren't up with play, who maybe aren't up with the rules, and seeing as they are supplied by the participating clubs, who maybe, despite their best efforts, aren't as neutral as they would like to be (not that that's a complaint because it's the kind of thing that cuts both ways and it's a fact of life).
Add to that the fact that there might also be a volunteer referee to which all of the above applies (I once marked a test for a volunteer referee of many years' experience and who scored 6 out of 33) and even the official referees have issues too - see the report for the Enval match later.
No, Fabrice has it exactly right, standing there behind his defenders to stop the breakaways, and I wish that a couple of other players would follow his example.
The thing about this game though is that despite the heaviest defeat that I've ever witnessed, you can't criticise the players. They can only play as well as they can and having seen them all play in the past, I can say that there was no-one out there who didn't give 100% of his ability.
What is so sad about this is that the side actually had a good shape and looked to be fairly well-organised. Going forward, they weren't at all bad but playing with two wide men up front and no target man, they weren't ever going to put the keeper under too much pressure, although one or two shots from distance had him scrambling about rather desperately at times.
Something that they are missing, and have been missing for a few years, is some muscle. Both the 1st and the 2nd XI are very lightweight teams and there's no-one there with the strength to make his presence felt when challenging for the ball. Pionsat's players are hustled off the ball far too easily.
Another thing is that almost without exception, every Pionsat player, first team and second team, takes a step back when he's about to receive the ball. It's a natural reaction of course, but it creates that little half-a-yard of space and no defender is going to miss out on the opportunity to cut in and intercept the pass. One day when I've nothing better to do, I'll keep a count of the number of times it happens. The Pionsat players need to step up and attack the ball. That way they'll be in front of the defenders and be on the attack
Finally, what would improve both Pionsat teams is to find players who shout. No-one at the back takes command and hurls out the orders (or the abuse when necessary). The teams need to be much more vocal.
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