A
Alan Fortune
Guest
As a life long Argyle fan living in London, now aged 70, I do not see Argyle as often these days as I once did. This season I have seen three away games, including Friday's game at Gillingham. I find Argyle something of a puzzle. Every time I see them they play a different way in terms of formation, tactics, playing stye etc. the only common thread is the lack of comfort on the ball of most defenders and midfield players, and their tendency to hoof when under even the slightest pressure.
There are no obvious pre-rehearsed patterns of play. No passing trainges and other moves that have been practised repeatedly on the training ground. No regular movement patterns off the ball so that the player in possession knows instinctively where his team mates are, and how to find them with a pass. This, to me, smacks of a lack of rigour in the coahing methods, and a lack of faith in a system of play that the team can fall back on when things are not going well. After 4 years in charge, I am still not quite sure what the 'Derek Adams way' is.
I have a season ticket at my local club, Brentford FC. They are, in my view, a model of how a small to medium-sized club should be run. Since Matthew Benham took over the club 8 years ago, there has been a 'Brentford way', which happens to be an attractive style of 'pass and move' football, and we season ticket holders know we are going to enjoy the home games whatever the result. There is a Brentford brand; something the club will stick with as managers and players come and go.
What is the PAFC brand? What is the Derek Adams style that can be retained and passed on when DA himself leaves? What is the playing 'philosophy' of PAFC? After 4 years, I still do not know. If you have a club style, then it makes it easier to scout players who will be able to play that way, even if it s lousy, scarcely watchable 'Pulis-ball' muscular . style of play. At least TP's teams have an identity.
I think PAFC needs to take a hard look at itself as a club from top to bottom. Everything on and off the pitch seems a bit haphazard to me. We should look at better run clubs who have forged an identity and learn from them.
There are no obvious pre-rehearsed patterns of play. No passing trainges and other moves that have been practised repeatedly on the training ground. No regular movement patterns off the ball so that the player in possession knows instinctively where his team mates are, and how to find them with a pass. This, to me, smacks of a lack of rigour in the coahing methods, and a lack of faith in a system of play that the team can fall back on when things are not going well. After 4 years in charge, I am still not quite sure what the 'Derek Adams way' is.
I have a season ticket at my local club, Brentford FC. They are, in my view, a model of how a small to medium-sized club should be run. Since Matthew Benham took over the club 8 years ago, there has been a 'Brentford way', which happens to be an attractive style of 'pass and move' football, and we season ticket holders know we are going to enjoy the home games whatever the result. There is a Brentford brand; something the club will stick with as managers and players come and go.
What is the PAFC brand? What is the Derek Adams style that can be retained and passed on when DA himself leaves? What is the playing 'philosophy' of PAFC? After 4 years, I still do not know. If you have a club style, then it makes it easier to scout players who will be able to play that way, even if it s lousy, scarcely watchable 'Pulis-ball' muscular . style of play. At least TP's teams have an identity.
I think PAFC needs to take a hard look at itself as a club from top to bottom. Everything on and off the pitch seems a bit haphazard to me. We should look at better run clubs who have forged an identity and learn from them.