Roy builds the tension but Ox is going to get better
September 9, 2012
After getting rave reviews across the board for his performance against Moldova on Friday, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is due for a slightly rude awakening this morning when he picks up his morning Telegraph and reads that Roy Hodgson was actually less than happy with his second half display. Roy said:
I thought Alex was very good first-half. We made it clear to him we were going to take him off after 60 minutes, so I think he forgot to play in the 15 minutes of the second half but that will be an interesting lesson for him as well. Especially when I tell him.
I have to say I’m in awe of this new way of keeping the players in check. You don’t tell them off immediately, you build the tension a little bit. Mention it to the papers that a telling off is coming but don’t mention exactly when it will be. So the player’s on edge for a few days rather than getting just one short sharp shock.
It’s the footballing equivalent of ‘wait til your father gets home’.
It sounds to me like Hodgson himself might be the one who needs to learn a lesson here. If you want to motivate a player to give his all maybe don’t tell him you’re going to haul him off in the 60th minute.
Still, it seems the coach wasn’t too happy with The Ox’s defending and pressing in the second half and that wouldn’t be the first time that aspect of his game had been up for debate. I personally think he’s improved massively on the defensive side in such a short period of time. A year ago he looked like he didn’t know that side of the game at all, frequently looking baffled and caught out particularly when it came to his positioning.
But I’m sure he’ll take the criticism in the right spirit and use it as another opportunity to improve. Along with the nimble feet it’s his attitude that impresses you. He’s learning fast and it’s worth noting that he rarely gets the chance to play a string of games in the one position. Defending on the left side is very different to defending on the right. Ask any right back who’s ever been asked to switch sides thanks to an injury crisis. But Alex has made these positional changes with aplomb and little fuss.
It didn’t go unnoticed that while he was trusted to play in his less orthodox left wing position on Friday, when he did get taken off James Milner had to shift so that Ox’s replacement, Theo, could play on his favoured right wing. Arsene Wenger is a huge advocate of young players learning a variety of positions to give them a greater understanding of the game but also to improve certain weaknesses. And while that never made it any easier to see Nicklas Bendtner patrolling the right wing we can at least be assured that it will make Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain an even better player in time.
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12 Responses to “Roy builds the tension but Ox is going to get better”
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and Milner was less effective than Ox and as for Walcott, he proved yet again that 30 mins should be his max, and if Roy thought Ox didnt track back, well…
Well played by Hodgson, we all know Roy is all about the suspense, he calls it ‘The thrill of the hairdryer’, it can come at any time – today, next week, next month, next year.
Just imagine, The time is July 2014, Ox gets picked for the world cup, training session is on going.
Roy- Alex, i need to have a word with you.
Ox – Yea boss, whats the problem?
Roy – Remember that match against Moldova where i was gonna take you off in the 60th minute?
Ox – Err, yea boss
Roy – FFS why didn’t you play well for the last 15minutes, do you think we’re playing games here son? You trying to get me fired? Fuck out of here you, you, you time waster.
MH, am not quite sure, but in yesterday’s and today’s post it seems like you are implying the Left wing is Chamberlain’s least favourite position, no?
I actually think that is his best/most effective position and the his performance on the right is just meh. Think about it, some of his best performances for Arsenal have come when he drifts in from the left – Arsenal 7 Blackburn 1 ring any bells, Arsenal vs Man utd at home last season and Arsenal vs City(carling cup)
Hi Khalifha,
Can’t seem to find the quote, but yes, I’m pretty sure that the boy’s stated that he prefers the right wing to the left and I personally feel he looks more comfortable on that side especially when it comes to the more boring defensive duties. I take your point about those performances last season although I think the best games I’ve seem him play have been the a couple of England U-21 games last year in which he tore it up on the right and of course the Milan return last year in which he played centrally.
MH, Ah i see, it seems like Chamberlain doesn’t know whats good for him
, well thats why am here.
Also i see what Roy is doing, probably he wants him to improve his concentration, probably. Or maybe Hodgson is trying to reduce the hype around him with these statements, fuck it, my head hurts.
Aarrgh, Interlull…. Make it stop Blatter!
Blatter won’t save us. He laughs at our cries.
He’ll introduce new goal line technology though. A robot that shrugs and chuckles whenever the ball comes near the line.
Lol @MH and Justin P.
The last time a reporter asked Blatter when he was going to step down, he spat his drink out, slapped the reporter and said ‘Me. Power.Forever’
This is the same Hodgson who called Terry a “warrior” the same “Warrior” who is a racist, and shags his team mates girlfriends, and cheats on his wife. God this world is going round the bend!
Chamberlain could be Englands Diaby eventually…and I’m not referring to being perennially crocked, but that physical box to box presence, caple of breaking down opposition at one end and making dicing runs, splitting defences and creating chances.
…at the other.