retired_jacque90

Okay. So, for the longest time we've all mostly operated under the logical assumption that it takes time for your players to get used to different formations, styles, ways of playing and to 'gel as a unit'. Of course this changes depending on each player, his stats, etc, but it's sound.

The question is, where do we check this? I thought it was a simple matter of checking with the assistant manager, but I found that's only part of the picture.

Ex., As I tested my tactics, I did it with River Plate in Argentina. So, for about 4-5 game years, the River squad played most of the time in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, only switching to 4-4-2 Diamond or 4-1-3-2 depending on circumstances. After about three years or so, I check with the assistant and he tells me my players would pretty much "die for each other", so strong was their gelling.

But then I got offered the Liverpool job, which I took mostly to see how the tactical system would work in England. I take Liverpool only a game into the new season. Now, I didn't check beforehand, but it's pretty fair to assume Liverpool had been playing for a long time with some flavor of 4-4-2. They always tend to do that in game, at least. So naturally I was expecting my players to be given my system, which is quite different from a 4-4-2, and struggle with it at first.

But then I check with the assistant after a couple of games, and he tells me the players had developed an 'extremely strong understanding' already. This was obviously not related to the tactics, since we were struggling on the pitch with it. Too many mistakes. Too many players out of position. Defeats/draws against inferior opposition. My players were clearly not 'getting' the new system yet.

So, is this 'getting used to tactics', as opposed to 'getting used to each other' only visible during the matches? Is that the only place we can check? Because I have the feeling the assistant is only reporting player understanding in relation to each other, not in relation to the tactics.

Am I on the right track, or am I missing something?

retired_Chabelita

they may get used to playing with a certain tactic. but i feel that what you're explaining is the relationship between the players - how they are getting on as a team of individuals in a group type of thing. the understanding mentioned would therefore mean the understanding that they have of one another, not of the system they're used in.