Carling Cup Final 1/2 Time

Cardiff 1 - Liverpool 0

This soooooooo sucks

Development of players and squads, or Swamp Based Castle Building

FATHER:  Listen, lad.  I've built this kingdom up from nothing.  When
      I started here, all there was was swamp.  All the kings said I was
      daft to build a castle in a swamp, but I built it all the same,
      just to show 'em.  It sank into the swamp.  So, I built a second one.
      That sank into the swamp.  So I built a third one.  That burned down,
      fell over, then sank into the swamp.  But the fourth one stayed up.
      An' that's what your gonna get, lad -- the strongest castle in these
      islands. (Monthy Python and The Holy Grail)

This what it is like to build a team from the ground up, and even with an unlimited budget (Man City/Chelsea) , or inherit a great squad (Avram Grant at Chelsea), there is no          guarantee it won't fall over in the swamp, but I think for a true team, or Club to be built, it has to fall in the swamp on a couple of occasions.

Failure is where these swamps are found, and from these failures (because there will be  more than one) comes the foundations for a better squad. The challenge is to establish     the foundations in that swamp to make the better team.

One of the challenges we have in our region is that there are two dominant Clubs in our   region in the youth women's side. Good for them. Their "swamp time" precedes my involvement in the region, but they offer quality training and teams that perform at the highest   level. Our Club is challenged on the women's side. In the five top divisions we were either last or near the bottom. The seasons were very tough, they were our "swamp" times. But, overall there was improvement. Both in quality of play and results. There were no free     rides when we were played. The last season was better than the previous ( a swamp) and  the seasons before (really big swamps).

What changes did I notice?

1. Lower goals against

2. Better passing

3. Better team spirit

4. More commitment to training and to the sport

5. More commitment to coaching, coaching education and development

6. Club commitment to the the youth women (notwithstanding previous results) by            bringing in higher level coaches and advanced training sessions for the players.

What did this lead to?

 Higher player retention with fewer of the top players leaving for other Clubs. Coaches    maintaining a higher level of involvement with their players and squads. A change in Club perception in how these teams can play and what their ability and potential really is.       A focus on both the current situation and the future and how to improve the players and   squads, and a greater willingness to reassign players to higher or lower level squads based upon the players dedication to the game as their highest priority and making their soccer  training a high priority (after family and education).

What does the "swamp" achieve? 

It sorts out the players and coaches who are dedicated to the Club and program. Some      players may need to make changes based on specific goals (university, semi-professional   play), as those goals, sometimes, cannot be met be a Club that is on the rise. They don't  have  the time to wait. But that is only some of the players. The other players, and          coaches that stick with it, apply themselves to their respective training and education,     apply themselves to their overall improvement, will not just be the foundation, but will   be the first "castle" of players and coaches that will stay above water level in our local      league.

What about Liverpool? Are they in a swamp?

The answer is yes, BUT, it is the second or third castle that has fallen into the swamp. The foundations continue to get stronger and stronger. Saurez is emerging from his swamp.    Andy Carrol gets better each game, with better control and service each and every time   he is on the pitch. Downing, Henderson and Adams, the same thing. These are the new     foundations that are being built on the swamp of the previous three seasons. In time they will coalesce and become the new Fortress Liverpool. The players that can tough out the  swamp will make the new Liverpool dynasty. No Europe this year, but soon, very soon, and we will be there for a very long long time.

Sorry to be quiet for a while, but hey, everyone needs to sit back and watch the REDS!!!

You Never Walk Alone

Hal White