Indian hockey team’s centre-forward Shivendra Singh on Friday dropped a bombshell stating that coach Michael Nobbs’ wrong strategy of over-attacking, which was responsible for team’s last-place finish at the London Olympics.
“The team’s coach Michael Nobbs was responsible for the humiliating defeat in London as he made us change the strategy,” Shivendra told reporters.
“The coach was unable to establish any co-ordination with the team members which resulted in the defeat,” he said.
“As the coach asked us to play in an attacking manner, our defence got weakened and we faced defeat after defeat,” Shivendra stated.
When asked whether the coach should be replaced, he said that such decisions are taken by management and an individual player has no say in it. He, however, admitted that players were also responsible for the defeat and had apologised to the nation for it.
Keywords: Shivendra Singh, Michael Nobbs, Indian hockey
Hmm..A 5-3-2 formation, and every time I looked I couldn't locate more than 3 "forwards" in the opponents' half.
If you are forced to overattack, as a 5-3-2 naturally suited to, then you get more scoring chances. Compared to our previous record, we didn't concede a whole lot more goals. It's the lack of scoring that caused the defeats.
The time Nobbs first took over, he talked about 5-3-2 and attacking hockey. Where is the change of strategy then?
Mr. Singh, before opening your mouth, learn to trap the goddamn ball first. But I guess "overattacking" affected that too.
I think players have the major responsibility in teams debacle in London.
When other countries occupied higher positions with great force and speed,
following an age old technique of defensive strategy won't work. Better
players should adapt to the changing strategies.
Such comments further lower the respect of our sport as rather than accepting the fact that they played poorly some of the players our giving such sham excuses that they were overattacking and hence could not defend. Modern Hockey requires the team to play fast paced hockey n thats what we failed to implement on the field in the London Olympics.
The only other viable strategy in modern hockey is possession play. however in london our players were not even able to trap properly so can't imagine them playing possession based hockey either. Still hope that they train harder and maybe in Champions trophy improve their play.
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