To cut to the chase: a lot of us are fed up with horseshoe football, the endless sideways shuffle and waiting for an opening that never comes. I agree — at times we need to be quicker, more direct and let the wide players take men on. It isn’t just a mood thing; it’s about creating clear routes to goal rather than overworking passes for the sake of it.
Why the sideways game frustrates
There’s a pattern you see across leagues now. Coaches want control, possession and to pull opponents out of shape by circulating the ball. Trouble is, possession without penetration is rarely satisfying. When passes move across the pitch rather than through its heart, the defensive block stays intact. It feels slow. Chances are limited. And when fans pay to watch, they want to see intent.
When directness actually pays off
We’ve seen the upside. Moments when a winger or forward breaks the line and delivers a proper cross have resulted in goals — Chermiti’s runs from the touchline, Antman’s debut burst, ASO getting forward and combining. Those aren’t flukes. They’re examples of how carrying the ball and attacking space forces defenders into uncomfortable decisions. Crosses from advanced positions create chaos in the box. Simple as that.
Can we switch the approach without ripping up the playbook?
We’ve got a young group, so changing emphasis is possible. It doesn’t mean abandoning structure. It means asking for greater intent in certain areas of the pitch — quicker transitions, fewer sideways passes in midfield, encouraging wingers to hit the line and send the ball in. Coaches teach patterns, yes, and youth systems lean towards possession ideas. But managers can tweak instructions: press with tempo, play vertical passes where they’re there, and accept a few more risks if it brings more chances.
Truth is, the league rewards both control and moments of menace. I’d rather see us mix the two more often. To be fair, it’s not just about desire — it’s about encouraging players to express themselves on the flank and giving them licence when the moment’s right.
Rangers News Views readers will know it’s not black and white. But if we want more goals and less tedium, set the wingers free more often.
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