Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:Thanks Dougie for brilliant report.
Few things, One of Robbie's coaches said that first thing to do is to fix the defence so i assume that's why so much emphasis is put on it right now. Going forward will follow.
11 vs 11 exercises during the training. This is very much matter of opinion but when I was youngster and playing in very decent level we had two coaches. First in younger age group we basically never had 11 vs 11 games on training (Well there were occasional tactical drill like the one where you can run at all but not out and out 11 vs 11 games). When I moved up an age group we ended every training session in 11 vs 11 game (usually with bit of twist in rules like you can only score with a header or something like that). FOR ME, the latter wasn't as good as the first one. The reason is simple, in big games you spend less time with actual ball. Then again, some of the other lads were saying how much fun it was to have actual game in the end of the session. Maybe I was just miserable bastard even back then. Point is, I think you don't need to have 11 vs 11 games and if you are looking to improve players individually it might even be better not to have them.
Not trainining set pieces under Hughes (and company) is unforgivable for me. In the end, it doesn't take much time and it certainly does not take much effort from players
Biggest worry here is lack of laughs in the training ground. This could have efect on our results and even how well we train unless improved at some stage. Doug obviously sees them on the training ground and can correct me but seeing and reading all the interviews with our players, it seems we are lacking bit on the jester department. These players are more important in training ground and when the team are on the road together. They can give everyone a laugh when they need one and relieve pressure when it's on by cracking a joke. That's why I said while back before summer that we should try and sign Jimmy Bullard. He is alright footballer who'd be nice player to introduce from bench/play in cup games but first and foremost he is supposed to be a dressing room legend.
Things like who sets and collects the cones, well I think that's petty stuff and don't mean much at all. Except the ball boy might be pissed off hat he has extra work.
Doug, I feel genuinely sorry for you that you've lost that connection you had with Taffia but how about trying to build rapport with new coaching set up.
Just to respond to a couple of the points.
I sort of know what you mean re the 11 v 11 scenario. It would seem to be more the norm outside the UK not to have the full game type of practice. I just wonder when you have worked a lot on team shape and specific formations whether it would be logical to test it out and the players understanding of it and the movements within it by having the full match practice. Not for a long match or anything but even 10 minutes or so to ensure it has " sunk in" effectively. Just down to different methods.
Re the set pieces I agree. I think I bored Bowen a bit when mentioning set pieces. Interesting thought though that when you decide the method to defend them is individual marking it appears to me there is less to practice than zonal. Effectively you are given a man to mark and that's it. You do that effectively and it's job done if he does score or affect the play.A bit simplistic maybe but the trouble was our defenders just kept failing in their jobs. Zonal is quite different and needs more careful thought re positioning and especially when it is alien to the players.Whatever the reality is the current approach is working miles better.
On the fun /jester part I would say again it's not that they aren't a good unit with good team spirit and have no fun whatsoever. It's just my perception that they don't have as many laughs as before. I can certainly associate with your comments about having a clown in the ranks( a talented player as well of course) being worth his weight in gold.
As for getting in with the new staff I am still working on it. Both Kidd and Mancini are aware that I am a regular and I have had the odd word from Kidd plus there are still 2 physios from " the past".