LaticMark Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I read this little snippet in the Chron, which was part of Matt Chambers' interview with LJ. "We have tweaked little things as well. We've brought in the pitch by a yard either side, which will probably produce more goals." Anyone know how wide Latics' pitch is, and whether the reduction is likely to have the desired effect? http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/87282/striking-the-right-balance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldelatic Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Given as 106 x 72 yds in Football Grounds Guide. I don't know if this is pre-narrowing or not. Etihad and Old Trafford 116 x 77 Anfield 110 x 75 PNE 110 x 77 Spotland 114 x 76 So quite narrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc1955 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Given as 106 x 72 yds in Football Grounds Guide. I don't know if this is pre-narrowing or not. Etihad and Old Trafford 116 x 77 Anfield 110 x 75 PNE 110 x 77 Spotland 114 x 76 So quite narrow. Wiki has it at 110ydsx76yds and read somewhere that Shez widened it by a yard either side when he became boss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I read this little snippet in the Chron, which was part of Matt Chambers' interview with LJ. "We have tweaked little things as well. We've brought in the pitch by a yard either side, which will probably produce more goals." Anyone know how wide Latics' pitch is, and whether the reduction is likely to have the desired effect? I can say without hesitation that narrowing the pitch will not produce more goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiecat Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I recall Colin narrowing the pitch at Bramall lane when he was manager there. It is a commonly used tactic in the game of hoofball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mighty_bosh Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ronnie Moore did the same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC0AFC Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 narrowing the pitch is usually a tactic employed by those managers that like to play the long ball game and keep it tight at the back, not allowing room for wingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deyres42 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Sometimes I like it when he doesn't say things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) What is the minimum pitch size allowed ? Maybe LJ will adjust the width match to match depending on the opposition. Edited August 7, 2014 by BP1960 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 narrowing the pitch is usually a tactic employed by those managers that like to play the long ball game and keep it tight at the back, not allowing room for wingers Didn't Ronnie use just that ploy when here ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorrro Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Well let's hope that Johnson has us climbing up the league just like Moore did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue_Guru Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Makes sense if we are looking to play a narrower formation...doesn't necessarily mean we are looking to play goofball more it contains a team that comes with handy wingers thy like to hug the touch line. I think it makes sense and will allow the pace and power of our middle to win out I.e Jones/JCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Its also common if you have genuine footballers in the team who are good with the ball in close control, while the opposition are inferior i that respect. Its interesting, but i cant see it having much of an impact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk200 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 It's not the size of the pitch that matters but the measure of the men on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midsblue Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I can say without hesitation that narrowing the pitch will not produce more goals. Why? Is there evidence to contrary suggesting width and wing play increases number of goals? I've watched countless games at all levels last season and crossing from the byline appears to be reducing with crossing mostly from halfway to 18 yard line. Majority of play typically is now not on the byline with mazy 25 yard runs with chalk on the boots but quick, short passing and bringing players into the game in the oppositions half. Also narrowing the pitch increases play through the middle but not necessarily long ball. If you have players who can pass the ball short, incisive etc then are wingers a must? In my opinion it's an excellent tactic to hinder the opposition who play wide with wingers whilst the home team play more through the middle or adopt a 4-3-3 formation. Looking at our team, is it designed for long ball? No targetmen but more so strikers who like to pick up the ball, pass and run i.e. Forte and JCH. Until we see in action, let's hold judgement on LJs tactics, eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeylandLatic Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Highbury was always a small pitch (including width), arsenal still managed to score plenty of goals and play good football. I don't see the issue really, if anything it means you need to play more 'deliberate' passes rather than percentages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigDog Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I can say without hesitation that narrowing the pitch will not produce more goals. Why? Is there evidence to contrary suggesting width and wing play increases number of goals? I've watched countless games at all levels last season and crossing from the byline appears to be reducing with crossing mostly from halfway to 18 yard line. Majority of play typically is now not on the byline with mazy 25 yard runs with chalk on the boots but quick, short passing and bringing players into the game in the oppositions half. Also narrowing the pitch increases play through the middle but not necessarily long ball. If you have players who can pass the ball short, incisive etc then are wingers a must? In my opinion it's an excellent tactic to hinder the opposition who play wide with wingers whilst the home team play more through the middle or adopt a 4-3-3 formation. Looking at our team, is it designed for long ball? No targetmen but more so strikers who like to pick up the ball, pass and run i.e. Forte and JCH. Until we see in action, let's hold judgement on LJs tactics, eh?! Rummy can say that because it cannot be proved either way. If indeed the pitch has been narrowed then that provides a clear indication of how LJ proposes to play at home. It is not a move that is designed to produce more goals but perhaps a move to maximise what we have out on the park. As you say 'time will tell'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilStarbucksSilkySkills Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 My initial take on the pitch narrowing is that it has likely been done to reduce the effectiveness of teams counter attacking us at the www.BoundaryPark.com stadium. This in turn will allow us to attack with more conviction. In addition LJ will obviously be training the players to attack more centrally than our opposition would prefer to when we have home advantage. However I expect our tactics to change alot when we travel to other grounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC0AFC Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Didn't Ronnie use just that ploy when here ? id imagine so with the football he played, if he has us in the top 10 playing a bit neater then moore did then not many will complain i don't think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics_Fanatic Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 id imagine so with the football he played, if he has us in the top 10 playing a bit neater then moore did then not many will complain i don't think If we're in the top 10, at all, no-one should be complaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC0AFC Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 by narrowing the pitch like someone else has said, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll play hoofball... it could just contain our midfielders so they win the battle in the middle and keep hold of the ball it also gives those attacking teams like wolves/rotherham last year that had rapid wingers, gives them less room to cause threat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBosch Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Given as 106 x 72 yds in Football Grounds Guide. I don't know if this is pre-narrowing or not. Etihad and Old Trafford 116 x 77 Anfield 110 x 75 PNE 110 x 77 Spotland 114 x 76 So quite narrow. As narrow as a mainstanders mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeroyboy Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 And there's me thinking we couldn't possibly score less goals and an upturn in goals and results was going to be due to an upgrade in squad strength. If the narrowing of the pitch disadvantages some teams surely it would do the opposite for others. This thread could be running all season. Is it the pitch? Is it the players? Is it the tactics? Have we played into the hands of defensive teams? I am expecting a half decent campaign based on the assembled squad and tactics, now I have to factor in, is it due to the width of the pitch. There will be no way of telling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disjointed Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 If we're in the top 10, at all, no-one should be complaining. They will find something to moan about, in that I have no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBosch Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 And there's me thinking we couldn't possibly score less goals and an upturn in goals and results was going to be due to an upgrade in squad strength.If the narrowing of the pitch disadvantages some teams surely it would do the opposite for others.This thread could be running all season. Is it the pitch? Is it the players? Is it the tactics? Have we played into the hands of defensive teams?I am expecting a half decent campaign based on the assembled squad and tactics, now I have to factor in, is it due to the width of the pitch. There will be no way of telling. Is it not just about squeezing & controlling the play with us having a stronger, probable 3 man, central midfield? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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