Many of the older fans will remember Ken Brown, who was Argyle's manager between 1988-1990.Brown, who had enjoyed notable success at Norwich City (1980-1987), was a much heralded appointment. His style of total football was based on quick passing and retaining possession (remarkably similar to Ryan Lowe's).It was some of the best football i've seen at Home Park, in recent times.The early press coverage was very favourable, including the headline 'Brown magic', which I remember.
After the promising early start Brown's side struggled in the championship and he was eventually sacked in 1990.Are there any lessons that can be learnt by Ryan Lowe, from Brown's tenure? Possibly these:
1. Fixed tactics. Like Lowe, Brown tended to have fixed tactics - playing virtually the same way, in every game.It was possible for opposition managers to anticipate and consequently to stop Argyle.
Successful Argyle managers in the past have tended to vary their tactics, between games and sometimes during matches.
2. Defending. Brown's side could sometimes put themselves in problems, by tending to overpass- but there were none of the embarrassing lapses which have proved symptomatic of Lowe's tenure.
Successful Argyle sides in the past have often had no-nonsense defenders, who were able to locate row Z , when the need arose.Brown did have the luxury of some great defenders- the likes of Andy Morrison, Nicky Marker, Mark Smith, John Brimacombe, Adrian Burrows- which Lowe simply does not have.
3. Needed to be on top form. Brown's side (like Lowe's) needed to play well in order to win.When they didn't play well, they would usually lose.A hallmark of Argyle's promotion sides has been their ability to 'nick' wins, when playing poorly, and sometimes when being outplayed.This has also involved these sides being set up, so that they were difficult to beat, from the outset.
4. Leaders. Successful Argyle sides in the past have tended to have leaders, who inspired the team through their presence, performances and personality. Gerry Mcelhinney, tommy tynan, john matthews, paul wotton, micky evans and graham coughlan are all examples of this type of players.Lowe's side lacks these players(Ken Brown's team less so)and that is one of the biggest issues at the moment.
5. Funding. I have little doubt that Ken Brown would have mirrored the success that he enjoyed at Norwich City (fifth place in the first division- now premier league), if he had been working under a board, which chose to back him.Instead he toiled with a small squad and limited transfer budget. I remember the coach at the time, Martin Harvey, being quoted as saying,'the board wont get a better manager than Ken Brown', after he was sacked.
Lowe on the other hand, one assumes, will be well backed by Simon Hallett.
6. Similarities between the two sides. There is no doubt that Ken Brown's was the better side- and contained a couple of names which will be very familiar to current Argyle fans- Rhys Wilmot and sean mccarthy.There is nobody in the current team to match Tommy Tynan's finishing.Another very good player-Andy Thomas- in attacking midfield, has no equivalent in the Lowe side.I personally preferred Mark Stuart (for his work rate) to Danny Mayor.Panuche Camara, although hes good to watch, doesnt provide the balanced counterweight in right midfield, that right wingers martin barlow, david byrne and kevin hodges gave to Browns side.
7. Playing through the 'thirds'.Both sides shared this pattern of play.From my own perspective- i do love to see Argyle teams playing through the thirds- as long as those thirds begin in the oppositions half of the field.
I hope that Ryan Lowe goes on to achieve the success that Ken Brown never did, at Argyle. My personal take on him, is that he's a great league 2 manager.However, as far as 3-5-2 is concerned, it's a case of the 'emperor's clothes'. Everybody keeps telling him how fantastic the sysem is- yet, for me, its clearly not working for us in league 1- with the players he has recruited. Will it work with different players ? Im not convinced. The system tends to collapse under a high press- which opposition teams repeatedly play against us.
Is Lowe prepared to ditch 3-5-1 and switch to 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 (which we know do work in league 1)? Is Lowe happy to recruit experienced players? These are questions which the board might need to address, between now and the start of the new season......
No furher posts from the OP, on this thread.All opinions my own.Just seeking to open up a debate.If you agree with me, or even more so, if you don't, please post.....
After the promising early start Brown's side struggled in the championship and he was eventually sacked in 1990.Are there any lessons that can be learnt by Ryan Lowe, from Brown's tenure? Possibly these:
1. Fixed tactics. Like Lowe, Brown tended to have fixed tactics - playing virtually the same way, in every game.It was possible for opposition managers to anticipate and consequently to stop Argyle.
Successful Argyle managers in the past have tended to vary their tactics, between games and sometimes during matches.
2. Defending. Brown's side could sometimes put themselves in problems, by tending to overpass- but there were none of the embarrassing lapses which have proved symptomatic of Lowe's tenure.
Successful Argyle sides in the past have often had no-nonsense defenders, who were able to locate row Z , when the need arose.Brown did have the luxury of some great defenders- the likes of Andy Morrison, Nicky Marker, Mark Smith, John Brimacombe, Adrian Burrows- which Lowe simply does not have.
3. Needed to be on top form. Brown's side (like Lowe's) needed to play well in order to win.When they didn't play well, they would usually lose.A hallmark of Argyle's promotion sides has been their ability to 'nick' wins, when playing poorly, and sometimes when being outplayed.This has also involved these sides being set up, so that they were difficult to beat, from the outset.
4. Leaders. Successful Argyle sides in the past have tended to have leaders, who inspired the team through their presence, performances and personality. Gerry Mcelhinney, tommy tynan, john matthews, paul wotton, micky evans and graham coughlan are all examples of this type of players.Lowe's side lacks these players(Ken Brown's team less so)and that is one of the biggest issues at the moment.
5. Funding. I have little doubt that Ken Brown would have mirrored the success that he enjoyed at Norwich City (fifth place in the first division- now premier league), if he had been working under a board, which chose to back him.Instead he toiled with a small squad and limited transfer budget. I remember the coach at the time, Martin Harvey, being quoted as saying,'the board wont get a better manager than Ken Brown', after he was sacked.
Lowe on the other hand, one assumes, will be well backed by Simon Hallett.
6. Similarities between the two sides. There is no doubt that Ken Brown's was the better side- and contained a couple of names which will be very familiar to current Argyle fans- Rhys Wilmot and sean mccarthy.There is nobody in the current team to match Tommy Tynan's finishing.Another very good player-Andy Thomas- in attacking midfield, has no equivalent in the Lowe side.I personally preferred Mark Stuart (for his work rate) to Danny Mayor.Panuche Camara, although hes good to watch, doesnt provide the balanced counterweight in right midfield, that right wingers martin barlow, david byrne and kevin hodges gave to Browns side.
7. Playing through the 'thirds'.Both sides shared this pattern of play.From my own perspective- i do love to see Argyle teams playing through the thirds- as long as those thirds begin in the oppositions half of the field.
I hope that Ryan Lowe goes on to achieve the success that Ken Brown never did, at Argyle. My personal take on him, is that he's a great league 2 manager.However, as far as 3-5-2 is concerned, it's a case of the 'emperor's clothes'. Everybody keeps telling him how fantastic the sysem is- yet, for me, its clearly not working for us in league 1- with the players he has recruited. Will it work with different players ? Im not convinced. The system tends to collapse under a high press- which opposition teams repeatedly play against us.
Is Lowe prepared to ditch 3-5-1 and switch to 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 (which we know do work in league 1)? Is Lowe happy to recruit experienced players? These are questions which the board might need to address, between now and the start of the new season......
No furher posts from the OP, on this thread.All opinions my own.Just seeking to open up a debate.If you agree with me, or even more so, if you don't, please post.....