Bending it like Beckham pays dividends
There is no doubt that has been responsible for many a fashion and hairstyle trend over the years, but are there any significant changes in a football sense that could be credited to his hugely successful career?
For me, one of his legacies was to make dead ball delivery a specific, sought after skill that players could attempt to add to their armoury and that teams would feel was an essential part of their game plan.
I am not saying that before Beckham came along no player posed a threat from set pieces, and no team achieved success from such positions but rather that the technique he employed and subsequent delivery from it was new, exciting and launched thousands of attempts at imitation.
As with all trends, they don't last forever and someone is always keen to launch the next big thing. In respect of free kicks, it arrived in the shape of the Brazilian at Lyon, and was taken to arguably greater heights by .
The outcome of this change was much the same in that it continued to create and score goals but the biggest difference was the way in which the ball was struck.
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This new technique is difficult to master, but young players are now brought up to try and have it at their disposal. I have a watched a number of our under-19 squad practice this method and witnessed how keen they are to be able to refine it.
Watching those who attempt it, it is clear that there is a fine margin for error but the rewards for getting it right are rich.
This was clearly evident to me in the latter part of the season when we reaped the benefit of Graham Carey's ability at set pieces, the on-loan Celtic player scoring direct from free kicks and creating chances from corners.
There are of course others in the SPL who are excellent exponents of this skill such as Charlie Mulgrew at Aberdeen and Tom Hateley at Motherwell and while not all employ the modern method of Ronaldo and Carey they supply a consistent and dangerous supply for opposition defenders to repel.
In the SPL where a number of games are very tight these situations can make the difference between one point and three points or ninth place or sixth place and the reason why as managers prepare to reshape their squad the dead ball specialists will be in demand-and why I am heading out to the back garden after I finish writing to practice my free kicks!
Forget your Mohicans and sarongs, and focus on the crossing because in matches nowadays the ability to bend it or swerve it can make all the difference.
I could not let this week's contribution pass without mention of my now
It is not appropriate for me to discuss the rights and wrongs of such a decision but I can comment upon his abilities as a manager.
He was a terrific man manager who was approachable and open to discussion, and yet worked with a huge passion for football and for his playing squad.
I have spoken with Gus since his departure, and I think his popularity with his players is reflected in the number who have contacted him and who were extremely disappointed to see him leave.
He has been an undoubted success at St Mirren and I am sure it will not be too long before he makes a return to management and enjoys good times with a new club.
Finally, my blog is taking a short close-season break before I return to action and many thanks to those who have taken the time to read it over the past few months, and to those who have left comments and opinions, it is very much appreciated.
I was released as a teenager from the Scottish Premier League, had the hardening experiences of junior and part-time football and came back to the top flight with four years at university thrown in! I'm Jack Ross, a defender with Dunfermline and I aim to give you an insight into the life and mind of a professional footballer.
Comment number 1.
At 16th May 2010, David Morrison wrote:Disappointing to hear about the close season break in blog writing! Let's hope when you come back you'll still be a Saints player; although who could blame you for leaving. We have about seven players, a board who want to leave and no manager! The strip for next year isn't very nice either!
Enough of that though, I myself have noticed players around me (not at any big level of the game to be said) that spend a lot of time trying to strike the ball Ronaldo-esqe; when you connect it looks pretty special.
What size of back garden do you have if you can practice your free kicks? Must be pretty big to get the length you'd normally see. Hope your practicing pays dividends much like Beckhams and we get to see some more free kicks - it was refreshing to see a set piece taken with the style that Carey hit them in his short loan spell!
David
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Comment number 2.
At 16th May 2010, Steve wrote:Jack,
I have previously commented on your blogs and also praised Gus MacPherson on his great work as the former Buddies boss.
In my tribute I would like to futher credit Gus for his remarkable achievement considering the budget he has been working with over the years. The chairman and directors of my beloved football club need to respect the players and future manager with the achievemnets they have gained in the SPL.
The best result would be to have a new owner as soon as possible, and get rid of these Fagins. I read somewhere I think it might have been in the PDE that funds would be available to strengthen the club. The new manager should ensure when he signs his contract that there will be extra investment for these new players as new managers always bring in at least a couple of new fresh faces.
I wish you a speedy recovery from your injury and look forward to your future blogs on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. Hopefully playing for St Mirren.
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Comment number 3.
At 17th May 2010, writtenbyfansforfans wrote:When I was a kid I would practise set pieces for hours and hours. Now as an adult I actually play as a centre back so I tend to be either defending set pieces or trying to get on the end of our own. I think I am probably better at the defending than I ever was at actually taking them! I guess I am just one of those people who doesn't have high enough technique, hence I ended up at the back...
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Comment number 4.
At 19th May 2010, oneroundjack wrote:It's been great to read these blogs Jack -- I really hope both the Beeb and the Buddies pick you up again for next season!
I'd like to add my voice to the tributes to Gus: Cup finals and flattening Celtic are all well and good, but many of us remember the days not so long ago in the First Division, and the man who gave Kirk Broadfoot a chance to prove himself, and who gave David Van Zanten, John Sutton and Simon Lappin the platform to make the best of their abilities.
This is clearly a man who cares about players, and who knows how they work. You need great good fortune to hit the heights in management, but if someone can show him half the support he showed these players, he'll be half way there. He deserves it. Cheers Gus.
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Comment number 5.
At 19th May 2010, Stuart Greig wrote:I think you skipped the most important part of the dead ball specialist - the ability to create a goal from nothing even against a far superior team. I can't count the number of times a goal has come from a set piece when most in the stands are muttering that Saints could play for another 5 hours and not get a goal :) Almost as common are the games where one team is outplayed and gets a point (or a win) from the once chance they had in the game - usually a free kick.
What is disapointing to see is how generally poor all UK players are at striking a dead ball, the number of times we see a corner fail to clear the first defender or go miles over and out for a throw is shocking. I don't just include Scottish players in this either.
Good luck for next season Jack, I hope you are still in the black and white but Gus will be missed for his straight talking and honesty.
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Comment number 6.
At 21st May 2010, adampsb wrote:255. At 4:37pm on 21 May 2010, you wrote:
ANNOUNCEMENT
HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE FOOTIE THEME SONGS POLL
In 4th Place with 7 votes the chessy harmonics of the England squad in Back ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
In 3rd place with 8 votes the thumping synth tunes of the Pet Shop Boys remix of Jerusalem
In 2nd place with 19 votes the ever cheerful World In Motion
The winners with an incredible 50 of the 80 votes cast was the Lightning Seeds with Baddiel & Skinner football anthem Three Lions
I thought about putting Go West on there but it is the tune not the lyrics that football appropriated so it was left alone.
There is another blog that everyone including JDR will love as it is funny yet informative and strangely well written if I do say so myself. And I do so there
Visit there or be square
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Comment number 7.
At 11th Jun 2010, David Morrison wrote:Sorry about the contract situation - all the best in finding a new club!
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