Photo credit: Ed Mayes Photography
If it was all about winning, we would be disappointed with this season having got to one final, kicked out of a semi and only coming fourth in the league despite going 20 games unbeaten. However, as I have always said, winning has never been the priority for this project so our metrics for success have to be different; players’ player of the season votes spread across 7 lads shows the contributions made from many individuals, team of the month consecutively for three periods shows our consistency, only 6% of players wishing to leave highlights our togetherness and, 14 players moving between our group and the first team throughout the campaign shows our productivity.
Did we get it all right? Absolutely not. We made too many changes to the starting 11 during our first few games which broke our rhythm and created uncertainty. We didn’t understand the 21 days rule which prevented us from continuing in the cup, even though it came down to a 1-minute first team debut. We also made a mess of many penalty kicks but we won’t dwell on those.
During pre-season, the entire cup-final back four played in different positions. It took us time to find what we needed, to understand about our positional duties and develop our relationships. We got there though and put a superb string of clean sheets together: seeing us go a whole month without conceding. Prior to this, we leaked too many and ultimately finished the season with the worst goals-against statistic in the top 6.
In attack, we rotated many players through a set system designed to press effectively and increase the number of entries into the attacking third. At our best, we got to a ratio of one shot on goal for every three entries however, we had moments in big games where we were not clinical enough despite being in the attacking third multiple times. 112 goals have been scored which is the second highest in the league, showcasing our approach and ability to create chances.
Photo credit: Ed Mayes Photography
We worked hard in midfield to find a way of overloading our opponents and being ready to win second balls. We learnt this from early observations. Individual quality in that area of the field lifted us meaning the management team need to look for other solutions for when those individuals are unavailable. Statistically, this process has started as we build upon the analysis tools developed to support us during match-play, analysing the outcomes and preparing subsequent training sessions. When you see an individual improving their numbers, in-line with the brief, you cant help but feel a sense of pride in what you are doing to support that player. The measurement re-focuses everybody involved.
Off the pitch, these young men have lives and families that they need to enjoy. Ski trips, birthday parties, work commitments and time with loved-ones are all going to impact on the group and that is totally fine. How the players inform us of their absence and how early that communication comes in can help us prepare and allow others opportunities. Throughout the season, this has improved each time ensuring that we all respect each other and the lives we have away from the game. I believe this has made us closer as a group and this approach has been a welcome surprise to many.
I have set my standards with regards to how I operate and I hope that I have shown the same levels of consistency with my group as I have received from the best leaders that I have worked with. The player-feedback implies so. Along with an enjoyment of our tactical approach to training, most of the group are grateful for the time and support they have received. Two mention a desire for more drills at training which could be based upon their expectations of what they think training should be and/or what experiences they have had previously. I read it as a reminder about how important it is to make sure the lads understand the process and what they are getting out of the methods that we use. It’s worthwhile to reflect upon it in my mad pursuit of perfection.
I don’t know what next season will bring. The transient nature of development football means the best players will be able to move on to paid opportunities. The idea of replicating this season’s success without them feels like starting again, at the moment. There should be an abundance of talent progressing from the treble winning under 18 team however they’ve not materialised this season so will be starting their integration to adult football a year or two behind others their age. We are therefore at risk of returning to that men against boys period prior to Christmas 2022. Then there is a question of recruitment and who will want to join us having seen what we are about. We can’t say that we aim to win anything because that is not our purpose or end-goal so is our offer attractive enough?
Whatever happens next, I feel that this has been one of my most enjoyable years in football. I am grateful to Chris Funnell for bringing me in and to Isaac, Morgan, Nick, Chloe, Trafford and Dean for their parts in this campaign. My biggest thanks go to the players. They bought-in to what I wanted to do and more importantly how I wanted to do it. I hope they have enjoyed the ride as much as I have! I wish you all well for the summer and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Aiden Wiseman, Alex Oliver, Aryan Amla, Brad Murphy, Charlie Morgan, Clayton Wilkinson, Dec Searle, Finn Howes, Gabriel Rattigan, Glen Kortkamp, Harrison Ainslie, Harvey Graves, Harvey Willis, Jack Carter, Jake Smith, James Twigg, Joseph Nicholson, Josh Booth, Josh Parker, Josh Wilson, Lewis Smith, Lewis Wisdom-Lockwood, Leo Priestley, Logan Burnley, Louie Jarvis, Luke Horne, Max Baker, Oli Fields, Olly Landry, Peter Crisp, Pierce Hudson, Sam Bingham, Sam Swinn, Samuel Edwards, Ted Gibbons, Tyler Griffin.
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