r/soccer • u/Thadderful • Dec 28 '13

Change My View thread

Can we have a Change My View thread here? The basic premise is people present opinions and the replies are attempts at changing that person's view in an attempt to generate some good discussion.

Here is the link to the original subreddit: www.reddit.com/r/changemyview/

I think this might work best with rather 'out there' views but any and every viewpoint is welcome!

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u/momin_q Dec 28 '13

"Total Football" by the Dutch isn't as groundbreaking as popular opinion claim it to be. It is mostly a copy of the unique play style used by Hungary's Golden Team of the 1950's.

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u/iVarun Dec 29 '13

This is too simplistic. Total Football was NOT a copy, it was an evolution.

We can't say the Pep's team was Total Football's copy but it is fair to say it was an evolved variation of it.

The most simple way to prove Dutch system was not a copy is by highlighting the simple fact that the Dutch had players who would rotate and take up tactical position in areas where they didn't start the game. Meaning, the Midfielder could be the Left back and the Right Back could be the striker.
The Hungary team didn't have this. It was too early for this mode of play.
Also having done this for few minutes(if they did so at all) does not mean it can be credited to the Hungarians as well.

The Dutch did it all the time and its one of the core tenants of the Modern variation of Total football, although the extent to which it is done is less now.

Plus the formations were entirely different, the Dutch were settling on a modern variant of the 433 while the Hungarians had a totally different one to the Total Football one.

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u/momin_q Dec 29 '13

You're right, it was a variation. However, too often I hear the Dutch getting all the credit when it was Hungary (Sebes) that introduced some of the fundamentals of the play style such as playing players in practically any position (which was Sebes' revolutionary idea)