The ‘journey’ is often a cliché in football so I will be careful how I use it here. I’ve really enjoyed writing these pieces as it has provided me with the space to pause and reflect on our processes. With the possibility of 9 more games (5 league and 2 semi finals are confirmed), it doesn’t seem like the end of our season is near but this opportunity to think about how far we have come is well timed. We have plenty to play for and I’m sure that is one of the reasons why we continue to get 20+ training every week. I’m also confident that the environment we have created has contributed to this commitment too and for that I feel very proud of the management team.
Some of the group are transitioning from the development phase into a performance stage. Their route will continue to have ups and downs but ultimately it will be the match result that determines their status in the first team squad. A high-performance culture is sought and I believe several are ready for that, not only technically and physically but more in the sense of resilience to change and understanding expectations. High performers need challenge with learning opportunity and are confident in their own ability to work out what to do, quickly. They’ve developed competence which in turn leads to confidence and now it’s time to see them reproduce against a higher standard opponent.
The Development environment is still needed by some of the group. They have battled with new ideas and ways of working but haven’t had long enough to test themselves with their new knowledge and build their competency. Although the unbeaten run continues, that only highlights our ability within the confinement of step 7. Their journey has been about collecting information and experience ready to use and to explore limits. They don’t yet need the pressure of a high-performance culture, just a safe space to try out new or unfamiliar learnings, although the opportunity of silverware does help. Their future progress will depend on what opportunities become available to them and how ready they are to take them.
Our whole programme has been about development and that is evident in every one of us. I have written previously about the developments in goal keeping, statistics, character and session design. Over the coming games, I will be asking myself and the group two questions. 1. What are we competent at? 2. What are we confident in? The answers will be the new baseline for preparing ourselves for next season. I believe in the model where confidence grows from competency and building upon strengths helps to create higher levels of performance. I have thoroughly enjoyed the season so far and feel excited by what will happen in the coming weeks. I hope you can all join us and support us through it!
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