Match Report: Mullen vs. TVHS (Sept. 11@11)

 Match Report: Mullen vs. TVHS (Sept. 11, 2021 - V@11, JV@12:45) - Ray Patterson Stadium

• 1669 Eagle Dr, Loveland, CO 80537

Things to do: 

Kits (This is an away game, we are white), socks, transportation, nutrition (Remember that this is an 11 11 am game, you need to eat breakfast and snacks before the game, take care of your nutrition, don't eat nothing.)

TVHS Strengths:

Thompson Valley has some interesting results this season, and from the looks of it, they can play some football. They have a couple of players with nice footwork, and they move the ball well through the midfield.

TVHS' major strength seems to be their counter attack. They have players who can carry the ball at speed across the pitch, and they get into good positions to bring the ball across the middle and finish in front of goal.

Additionally, their 1v1 play in the corners has proven quite effective for them. They move around isolated players and do the right thing by bringing the ball low across the middle. Furthermore, the off ball runs have proven effective for them in that they are dynamic and differ from one player to the next. On the counter, TVHS can formulate multiple points of attack, which makes them dangerous.

Lastly, their front 3 have a tendency to linger, which is bad defensively, but allows them to spring an attack with numbers. (We simply need to exploit the space behind the wingers with our outside backs, and either force them to defend or score lot of goals...)

TVHS weaknesses

TVHS appears to have four primary weaknesses:

1. Their keeper is athletic but erratic. He is quick to come off his line, but not always in the appropriate circumstances. In other words, he has proven to be a questionable decision maker. These erratic movements have resulted in a number of mistakes where he is caught off his line or out of position for a ball coming across the middle or to the back post. For this reason, we need to bang the end lines and send in early service. If he comes out for the ball, there is a possibility that he will make a couple mistakes that we can consequently capitalize on.

2. TVHS appears to play a relatively narrow defensive game. Their outside backs and center backs are constantly getting sucked out of position and playing in one another's zones. Against Ponderosa, this proved especially problematic because there was so much space on the width of the field. Ponderosa had an inordinate amount of time to bring the ball down the line and serve it across the face of goal.

3. TVHS historically hasn't followed their marking assignments. They may play more defensively against us on Saturday on account of our differential, but for the most part their wingers just want to attack. They aren't defensive minded. This means that big switches of the ball and active outside backs will have a huge impact on the game. 

4. TVHS did not show to be particularly strong 1v1 in the back. Pondo was able to get around their outside backs and bring the ball across the face of the goal effectively

Mullen Strengths against TVHS

Lately our counter attack and outside back play has been incredibly strong. These are things that we will need to continue to implement to be successful against TVHS. They also have not proven particularly organized, which should allow us to be effective on set pieces. Please don't forget about our counter throw, shown here: 

Normal set pieces in effect (throws too), but see the diagram below for the movement on a counter throw form Jack: 

 When Jack picks up the ball at half, the 7 should make an inside run to goal, and the 10 should make a back post run (they should cross). Jack can look for either option. He can send the 7 in on goal (take it yourself or dish last minute) or look for the ten to penetrate and then bring the ball across the middle. This needs to be done quickly.

Additionally, while I feel like we have been switching the ball well, I would also like to see us use overlapping runs on the outside, especially if TVHS give us the same width that they have afforded others. See diagram below:

In this example, when the six has the ball, the 7 makes an internal checking run that pulls the three out of position and inside. The two overlaps the 7, who turns and plays him the ball into the corner. If done effectively, the outside back should be able to penetrate unmarked. Further evolutions of this play also have the 7 play the ball back to the 6 who plays it through to the 2 on a third run, or the 7 plays the ball to the 10 who then plays the 2 through on a 3rd run. 

Lastly, TVHS has not shown to be particularly dangerous against good organization. If we are organized and avoid mistakes in the back, we should have a lot of success in Loveland tomorrow.

Main Focus:

Capitalize in the final third

Counter quickly

Stay organized on defense

Keys to success: 

1. No mistakes out of the back. Smart decisions and smart passes that avoid the counter.

2. Exploit the space on the flanks and at the top of the box. Outside backs need to get involved in the attack. They should have space to move forward, and their attack will spread the midfield.

    -Outside backs need to dribble at the DHS full backs and then distribute the ball into space or feet. One/Twos around the defense will be very effective.

3. Know the set pieces. Capitalize on set pieces. If we can take advantage of these moments, we will have a great deal of success. 

4. Discipline and structure in the back. We need to hold position and recover for one another. 

5. When in possession of the ball in our defensive third, we need to play quickly, not get the ball stuck under our feet, and play into space instead of small spaces. It is a big field, don't fear the dynamic long ball.

6. Patience. We can't chase them all game. We will have to be okay giving up moments of possession in order to strike when the timing is right. Marking assignment and a high level of confrontation will be key!

7. We need to keep the ball out of the middle of the field in the central third. Swinging the ball quickly through the 6 and the 10 will open up the attack so that outside backs and wingers can serve. (See diagram above.)

Good luck!