Mega Thread The Random Thoughts Thread Part 1

[pastmyprimus]

Never mind the pie, pastie and can of coke 15 minutes before a game....

A bit different from today's pre-match preparation.

 

[pastmyprimus]

Football has changed a lot since those days. Today's players are bigger, faster, stronger and fitter. The game is more tactical, and played at a greater intensity and with more speed.

But I don't think the skill levels have improved. I'd say that the players from that older era are just as skilful, but of course they weren't full-time professionals. It does make me wonder how much of a difference today's specialised training drills and sessions can make. I can think of a quite a few current players whose skills haven't improved all that much despite being in the "system" for years. There are probably examples of big improvements but are they exceptions only.

In the case of skills, I'm on the side of nature rather than nurture.

 

[ClintEastwood]

I've had an awesome time in Adelaide / SA , but I only have a couple of days here now then back to ol' Nippon.

I took my wife down to the club for lunch on Jan 1st ... a couple of nice chicken parmies ... haven't had one of those for at least 6 years either (last time I was back). Wanted to grab a membership, but the desk was closed - I'll have to do it online from home at some stage. It was so awesome wandering around the club again - absolutely love the way all the walls are lined with history. Got a few blades of grass from the hallowed turf (the previous ones in my wallet have long since lost their color).

My missus is Japanese, but she seems to love Port too and loved being at the club. Good times.

 

[El_Scorcho]

I think modern players generally have to execute under pressure far more often.

I'd also argue that while the best players had skills comparable to what we see today, the 18th most skillful player in a team would be far behind the 18th most skillful player today.

 

[Oliver King]

Beer.

 

[Macca19]

I think the game has changed so much tactically that theres no doubt that players are more skillful these days in the art of kicking, handballing etc. but in the art of contests, contested marking, winning one on one etc then not so much.

 

[pastmyprimus]

Goal kicking is an interesting one. I don't have the stats at hand, but my feeling is that overall accuracy from set shots hasn't changed all that much. But I think there's one exception - set shots from tight angles. Players today bend the ball around their bodies rather than kicking through the lines. That change in technique has improved accuracy.

 

[finbarr]

Goal kicking is an interesting one. I don't have the stats at hand, but my feeling is that overall accuracy from set shots hasn't changed all that much. But I think there's one exception - set shots from tight angles. Players today bend the ball around their bodies rather than kicking through the lines. That change in technique has improved accuracy.

In those days a full forward would barely, if ever, travel beyond the forward edge of the centre square. They did little running other than a light jog around the forward line and leading for the ball.
These days key forwards are covering huge distances, often chasing or leading their opponent to the other end of the ground before being required to sprint back with the play to provide a marking option in front of goal, ala your Tredrea's and Reiwoldt's.
Taking a set shot at goal is a far easier proposition when you have that freshness in your legs as opposed to the tiredness that results from having just sprinted 150m to get on the end of a pass. That's my belief anyway.

 

[*PAF]

I think the game has changed so much tactically that theres no doubt that players are more skillful these days in the art of kicking, handballing etc. ...

I think that is correct but only for the bulk or "average" player. I do not think the better players of today are any better than the better players of days gone by.
It makes sense that an "average" player that trains full time will be able to improve his skills more than an "average" player that has a full time job and can only train a couple of hours per week.

EDIT: IMO the biggest change that has happened is the interchange bench. Your better players of years gone by were the players that improved Vs the rest as players tired and the further the game went the more influence they had on the game.

 

[Portia]

How did this football talk get here???

In more relevant news, the frozen passionfruit drink thingy at Maccas is good stuff.

 

[*PAF]

How did this football talk get here???

In more relevant news, the frozen passionfruit drink thingy at Maccas is good stuff.

When I first came to Adelaide it should have been known as Pizza Hutadelaide. Nowadays it should be known as McAdelaide.
The popularity of junk food down there is incredible.

 

[finbarr]

Adelaide looks like a mini LA. Junk food outlets, strip malls, gridded streetscape, hills in the background. I always remember having weird Adelaide flashbacks whenever I've been there.

 

[BIG MATTY T]

LA is a sh..hole and the LA natives are delusional in thinking kobe is greater then mike

 

[finbarr]

I must be the only non-Los Angeles native on the planet who likes the place.

 

[BIG MATTY T]

I must be the only non-Los Angeles native on the planet who likes the place.

Hollywood is a sham full of bums and hustlers

I remember getting out of lax some Mexican is beating up his misses then leaving lax going to Hawaii the mofos at burger king gave me food poisoning new York much better

 

[finbarr]

I had nothing but awesome times there. It helped having friends to stay with who lived 50 metres back from The Strand at Hermosa Beach.

Anyway, I love the whole urban decay aspect of it. Love all the Spanish/Mexican influenced architecture, palm trees lining the sky and choking in the smog.

 

[BIG MATTY T]

You weren't disapointed with Hollywood it was filthy

Universl studios is the only decent thing the simpsons ride was amazing dysneyland was a run down place I didng mind the tour through the rich and famous houses

New York though most amazing city in the world and Vegas if your a lad is pretty awsome not so much for females

 

[finbarr]

I had a great time in New York too but I was there in August. Being there November - March would probably kill me.

The sun shines in LA all year round. Been there in summer and winter and was getting 26 degree days in the middle of winter.

 

[BIG MATTY T]

What I found funny is the difference when you told them you were aussie and not British they hate the brits lol

 

[PatientMental]

The one day squad is a joke.

 

[Stromageddon]

I'm ignoring BMT and I thought finbarr was having a rather interesting conversation with himself.

 

[Full Credit]

In more relevant news, the frozen passionfruit drink thingy at Maccas is good stuff.

A+ Post.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

I'm ignoring BMT and I thought finbarr was having a rather interesting conversation with himself.

Why would you ignore BMT?

He is hilarious?

 

[Portia]

Yeah, he's pretty funny. Now I know who Andre in The League is based on.

 

[Chopperdave]

LA is horrible if you stick to the stupid overrated touristy places no different to any place in the world. Hit the lesser known places and its got some really good culture around the place.