For
those who don't know, a 'high line' is
when the defence pushes up towards the half way line. This is normally a
result of 'pressing' and also a way to 'pin back' the opposition full backs,
especially if they are attacking full backs.
Dropping off, or dropping deep or
'no pressure' are terms for a defence that literally drops back to their own
18-yard goal line. This is then their defensive position. This is
ideal for teams who have pace up front and who play on the counter-attack.
Think Manchester United with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand deep and
then releasing Wayne Rooney, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez or Nani with a ball
in behind the opposition defence.
The recent Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal (29 October 2011)
game was a classic. Chelsea played a very high line as they
tried to pin back Theo Walcott by putting pressure high up the field.
Their problem was always going to be a ball played into space behind
them, which can be solved if you have a pacey central defender who can get
across into the channel, but on this occasion, Theo Walcott vs John Terry was a
ferrari vs a bus. At least 3 of the 5 goals that Arsenal scored were a
direct result of balls played in behind the Chelsea back four. Andre
Villas-Boas has a lot to learn.
Locally, Kaizer Chiefs have
a problem. They like their full backs to get forward - the two Jimmys; Jimmy
Tau and Jimmy Jambo, as well as Keegan Ritchie when he plays, are all
attack-minded full backs. This is a good thing as it offers them
additional attacking options going forward. But Chiefs don't always have
balance - a decent winger on both flanks - but that's another article!
Right now their biggest problem is that they
have no pace in central
defence. Dominica Isaacs, Tefu Mashamaite and Thomas
Sweswe are very one paced, so they hold back and sit deep. This can work
against teams like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns who will attack them
from all angles, cos it means Chiefs can sit back and counter-attack with the
likes of Bernard Parker, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Josta Dladla or Siphiwe Tshabalala
using their pace in behind the opposition defence. But when they play
against the likes of Santos, Platinum Stars, Free State Stars even SuperSport United
where the opposition also sits back; they find it hard to win these games.
The
defence is too far back which means the midfield has 70 metres to cover between
defence and attack. Most midfielders then focus on defence and their
attack then has 2 strikers up against 4 defenders and a goalkeeper!!
Good
attacking football is about getting numbers into the goal area and then getting
the ball into this area. Chiefs hardly ever get more than 2 players into the
goal area during open play. All their chances against Sundowns were from
set-pieces where they could send men forward.
Vladimir
Vermezovic needs a central defender with pace who can push their defensive line
further up the field, so their midfield can get forward to support their
strikers. Supporters are getting on the backs of Majoro and Parker, but
they ignore the fact that these strikers are often alone up front with little
support from midfield. When Chiefs play a high line and get midfielders
forward into the goal area, they can beat anyone in South Africa.
By SA Soccer Business
