Skill or brains?

[Park Life 71]

One of the main differences between the PL and the CCC is the intelligence of the players and how the react to things or perhaps the time it takes them to see what is on. I've been thinking this is perhaps more important than the difference in skill levels as imo the majority of the PL players (skill wise) aren't really that much better. Of course the top 4 or 5 sides are packed with international top tier players, but in all reality the rest of the PL is a much of a muchness.

[NJS 4446]

It was pseudo-scientific but Alan Smith's comments about the 2-5% he accepted he no longer had which you need to be a top player made a lot of sense to me.

 

I think the margins between top notch/decent/acceptable/average are pretty slim and football intelligence is certainly a factor - its something classicly lacking in people like Shola.

[The Fish 11053]

Certainly supported by players like Sherringham and Scholes playing well past their physical peak. Perhaps players without the alacrity of thought can substitute that with alacrity of movement.

[Holden McGroin 6908]

Yeah, most of the players in both leagues have a decent touch and can play football.

 

Football is all about angles and the more intelligent players make better ones.

[Park Life 71]

Certainly supported by players like Sherringham and Scholes playing well past their physical peak. Perhaps players without the alacrity of thought can substitute that with alacrity of movement.

 

Sheringham actually is the classic example.

Edited November 3, 2009 by Park Life

[Guest alex]

Brains or intelligence isn't really the right word for it imo, although I know what you mean, because it's more of an instinct than something people actually have time to think about. I.e. they do the right thing more often than not without having to think abou it. There's a lot more to it than that though because the Premier League is stacked full of players who are all about pace and power. You just have to look at a player like Chopra and you can see he has plenty of guile and instinctive split-second decision making, as well as good movement and good finishing. I.e. he has that 'football brain' people talk about. What he lacks is pace and power though as well as outstanding skill (you certainly need the latter in the PL if you don't posess the first two). That said, the really good players ('world class' if you like) often have all the attributes mentioned plus an ability to make the right decisions more often than not even when they have time to think about it / have several options available.

[Barney 0]

It was pseudo-scientific but Alan Smith's comments about the 2-5% he accepted he no longer had which you need to be a top player made a lot of sense to me.

 

I think the margins between top notch/decent/acceptable/average are pretty slim and football intelligence is certainly a factor - its something classicly lacking in people like Shola.

 

That's interesting. Have you a link?

[snakehips 0]

I recall Alvin Martin talking about playing in the lower leagues, after he had been successful at the top level and getting a bit older. He said he found it so easy, as he was able to read the game so much quicker than the opposition players.

[tooner 243]

It was pseudo-scientific but Alan Smith's comments about the 2-5% he accepted he no longer had which you need to be a top player made a lot of sense to me.

 

I think the margins between top notch/decent/acceptable/average are pretty slim and football intelligence is certainly a factor - its something classicly lacking in people like Shola.

 

That's interesting. Have you a link?

 

on dotCOM

[Barney 0]

It was pseudo-scientific but Alan Smith's comments about the 2-5% he accepted he no longer had which you need to be a top player made a lot of sense to me.

 

I think the margins between top notch/decent/acceptable/average are pretty slim and football intelligence is certainly a factor - its something classicly lacking in people like Shola.

 

That's interesting. Have you a link?

 

on dotCOM

 

cheers for that. A very good read.

[bobbyshinton 59]

Brains or intelligence isn't really the right word for it imo, although I know what you mean, because it's more of an instinct than something people actually have time to think about. I.e. they do the right thing more often than not without having to think abou it. There's a lot more to it than that though because the Premier League is stacked full of players who are all about pace and power. You just have to look at a player like Chopra and you can see he has plenty of guile and instinctive split-second decision making, as well as good movement and good finishing. I.e. he has that 'football brain' people talk about. What he lacks is pace and power though as well as outstanding skill (you certainly need the latter in the PL if you don't posess the first two). That said, the really good players ('world class' if you like) often have all the attributes mentioned plus an ability to make the right decisions more often than not even when they have time to think about it / have several options available.

 

 

Nurture V nature

[Guest alex]

No, that's not what I was saying.

[LeazesMag 0]

One of the main differences between the PL and the CCC is the intelligence of the players and how the react to things or perhaps the time it takes them to see what is on. I've been thinking this is perhaps more important than the difference in skill levels as imo the majority of the PL players (skill wise) aren't really that much better. Of course the top 4 or 5 sides are packed with international top tier players, but in all reality the rest of the PL is a much of a muchness.

 

the best players have always been the players who know what is around them, because they have their heads up, and make the right decision at speed. Brains, without a doubt.

 

At the top level, the quality of finishing is so much better too. Look at the wasted chances against us in some games, and some of our own too.