‘Ted Lasso’ episode ‘Sunflowers’ brilliantly mimics the delightful and refreshing feelings one gets from the flowers. Everyone at AFC Richmond finds freedom in a foreign land by exploring exciting pathways that will help make things better back home. After all, Ted turns out to be a tactical genius!
After their terrible performance against Dutch giants Ajax, Ted Lasso gives everyone a night off, hoping something gives. As Ted looks for his next bright idea to make things better, Rebecca spends time with a tall, Dutch stranger living on a houseboat. Roy Kent, upset with the news of Keeley moving on, takes it out on Jamie.
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‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3: Coach Lasso Discovers The Wonders Of Total Football
Another week, another defeat for a growingly frustrated Richmond side. Ajax thrashes their English visitors 5-0 in a pure class and clinical football display. So much for a friendly match. Ted (Jason Sudeikis) can’t figure out how to make it past the final hope. Zava-sized hole in the team is not easy to replace, no matter what Ted thinks. Hoping to lift the team’s spirits, he gives them a night off without a curfew.
All but Jamie (Phil Dunster) plan a night on the town. As they decide between their options, an agitated (more than usual) Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) makes Jamie sprint across the streets of the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) spends memorable time with a stranger. Leslie (Jeremy Swift) and Will (Charlie Hiscock) head to the red light district, but it’s not what you think. On his way to a gay bar, Trent (James Lance) confronts Colin (Billy Harris), and they bond over their secret lives.
After backing out from a psychedelic trip with compadre Beard (Brendan Hunt), Coach Lasso visits the Van Gogh art museum for inspiration. He soon finds himself in an American burger joint. As he sits down and watches an old Chicago Bulls game, he hears a voice and begins to see a vision. After much talk about the legacy of triangles, he has a Eureka moment and comes up with a new tactical plan.
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‘Ted Lasso’: What Is Total Football And How Will It Save AFC Richmond?
When Ted shows Beard his incoherent, the latter informs that Ted has stumbled upon what’s called Total Football. Total Football is a tactic introduced by English coach Vic Buckingham, famously nurtured by the Dutch legend Johan Cruyff. Total Football is a free-flowing system of playing in undetermined roles.
A player who moves out of his position is immediately replaced by another. Hence, it holds on to the original tactical organization. It’s a strategy that considers adaptability and intelligence, and players are often called upon to switch positions and perform different roles.
No wonder Ted discovers the joys of Total Football. The man is adaptive, moving on from soccer to football and finding the final missing piece from watching a basketball game. AFC Richmond has been deploying 4-4-2, a traditional formation English teams use. Ted wants the team to be free from restraints and play multiple roles.
Indeed, it will give them the advantage of unpredictability. It’s still hard to say if it will work, but this is the non-conventional thinking that could save the sinking ship. A formation where everyone gives their best and takes on more roles, with everyone having each other’s back, is just the culture Ted Lasso has fostered under his leadership.
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