Since the last article I wrote, we have continued to score and concede plenty of goals. I am sure we are a superb watch for a neutral! In one fixture, we had four regular players missing due to first team commitments and in another we had three debutants in the squad. In both games, our young midfield has forced opponents to change their tactics and formations which we have taken as a compliment. With an average age of 17, the pair in the centre have done a superb job.
The ‘old-school’ in me is mortified by the idea of players having holidays during the season but times have changed, and I have mellowed. Family commitments are important, and it can be a challenge to juggle expectations and choices. Accepting that absences will happen, I am very keen to ensure that our players learn to be proactive about managing them. It’s too easy to say I’m not here this weekend when training has concluded, and we’ve just spent 90 minutes working on a particular play. Instead, I want the lads to learn about thinking ahead and being considerate to those who are being left behind. A fantastic example of this came just before Christmas when one player told me three weeks ahead of his mother’s birthday (Friday-night) celebrations. As a manager, if you know a problem is coming up, you can do something about it. Here, I was able to ensure I had cover in place or at least an appropriate substitute, so if the self-induced fatigue kicked-in there could be less impact on the team. The courtesy was exemplary, but I failed to use it in a way that set a precedent for the others.
But why would a young man think ahead? How do you create a culture where they all think about the impact on our team even if it means them missing out on precious minutes of playing time? I believe fairness comes into it. We have players in the squad that lack the technical ability of some of their peers but have heart, commitment and work ethic that is unrivalled. A tired boy taking a space and producing a poor performance over one of these is simply rude. I feel uncomfortable leaving good men out, but I do it because our game is not as simple as playing the ones who deserve it most. I believe that there are many ways for the boys to learn; sometimes it is the near-misses that we learn most from, other times it’s the out-right mistakes that stop us in our tracks. Our Development Team needs to provide a safe space where players can work out who they are and who they want to be both in terms of their footballing ability and also their character. We are the last piece of schooling they will receive before they are playing in a win-at-all-costs environment. The experiences that shape them today will go with them throughout their footballing journeys. We can’t teach them everything, but we can help them develop the tools that they need to work things out for themselves. Again, I refer to this as ‘on’ and ‘off’ the pitch.
So, as I looked down the 13 unavailable players on Heya, I did wonder for a moment what impact they could have had on our league position had they have not been absent. What is their conscience developing in them and have I managed to make them think twice about how they manage their absences in future seasons? I’ve also thought about how I handle their returns. Without them, I have naturally spent more time with other players and found connections and conversations that wouldn’t have been present if it wasn’t for the holiday / work trip / family party, etc. My own personal feelings shouldn’t cast a shadow over what is best for the player and the bigger picture, but I do have to drop someone in order to bring someone back in and that can’t be done lightly. I’m now more connected to more of the players and loyalty is something I value highly. Afterall, one guy’s absence is another’s opportunity and not every gaffer will be quite so understanding.
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