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The season started with 6 new players, a doubling of previous seasons numbers. With 12 players now it proved a great challenge at games and training. Whilst I not only had to try and get to know more new faces which is a struggle for anyone with my condition (facial agnosia), especially with all the new parents to get to know as well, I also had to adjust to training and rotating a much larger squad which was a luxury I have never been afforded in the past. From the start of the season the improvement seen is one that as a coach I can not be happier with. To see personal development in every player is all that I can ask for but to also see the growth and development of the team and the structure of the playing style is one that the boys can take great pride in.
Personally each boy has developed greatly from what was seen in the first game of the season.
Aiden - One of my key defenders. At the start of the season Aiden was a kick and watch player. Whilst Aiden has a "cracker" of a kick, the battle was always to get him to make the right choice in when to kick and get away from trying to blast every kick out of the park. The focus I have seen in the latter part of the season and the runs that Aiden is starting to show is putting him in good stead for next year. In the future I can see Aiden as a crucial player at free kicks or the goal scoring fullback that presents at corners.
Alex - Another one of my defenders but this year saw Alex progress into a wing player who could give anyone a start and chase them down in defence. Alex also found his feet in passing and tackling and has vastly improved in his timing and technique. His reading of play is something that I have seen great growth in and with natural speed Alex will be a much more prominant figure in runs down the wing. Alex will be that player who you always see clearing the ball from defence or being that last man in defence putting pressure on the striker.
Alistair - Goalkeeper of choice or midfielder. Whenever a goalkeeper was required you could be sure that Alistair would put up his hand. Never afraid to put his body on the line, Alistair took great pride in keeping a clean sheet and was never afraid to tell his players what they should be doing. If not in goals Alistair could always be counted on in trying to take the ball forward and setting up players in attack. The future I see for Alistair though is in goals and with his determination and fearless attack on the ball have him ready to make great progress.
Chris - A midfielder in the making. Chris has developed from a spectator on the park who enjoyed watching his team and getting the odd touch. Now Chris can be counted to always be there to put pressure on the opposition or get the crucial interception and turn the defence into attack. Confidence was always the key and now that he has that anything is possible. In a way I see a lot of what I was like as a young player with Chris. Chris will develop into a good midfielder who is integral in setting up play for the strikers.
Clancy - Forward. Simply said, Clancy loves a goal. Even if it meant running over the top of a player to get the ball. The challange was the passing game and learning to either pass the ball or get into a position to receive te ball. The great improvement for Clancy though was towards the end of the season when he would rally back in defence and keep the team positive on the field. Clancy is determined to be striker though and with the determination and hunger, he has a gereat chance to win a few golden boots in the future.
Dayne - A key defender. I can not be prouder of where Dayne is now with his football. From the start of the season all I have wanted from Dayne is faith in his own ability. He can do what he wants to do and now he is realising it. He is the best player in the team in understanding what I have wanted from them in pressuring a player without committing to a tackle. When watching him running you can see a determinition that wasn't there at the start of the season. Dayne will be a crucial defender that holds the line when a fast break is made and slows the play up unitl backup arrives.
Hayden - My sweeper. It is always challenging coaching your own son but he wouldn't want it any other way. I could ramble on a lot about Hayden being a proud father but for me as a coach it is his improvement in handling hard knocks in play and criticisms from myself. Hayden has made great improvement in avoiding the malicious tackle and also making runs with the ball when in space rather than just kicking it away. Hayden's read of the play will always have him earmarked for a central role.
Jack - Central Midfielder. Jack has the ability and can read the play but it was getting him to do it on the field at the start of the season. Jack almost seems to be taking it easy on players to be fair. What I am wanting is to see the killer instinct. I see it at training alot but now we are starting to see it more on the field. Jack is setting up players very well and is starting to use that big right boot he has more often. In the future Jack will be the no-nonsense player who controls the play and can nail those goals from thirty yards with a blistering kick.
Owen - A forward. Owen is another goal scorer but of a different mould. Owen has the ability but was lacking instinct to pass the ball or run into the right spot to receive the ball. Owen has improvement greatly in his positioning and read of the play. And his ability to steal a ball in defence and turn it into attack has become a great asset of his. Although one of the smaller players I can always guarantee he is up there for the header and usually gets to it first. Owen will always be an attacking player and will be great goal sneak who has the ball on a string.
Riley - Reluctant mid-fielder. I say reluctant because Riley naturally is a mid-fielder but likes to stay forward. From the start of the season, the improvement in Riley's running and passing game is almost a revelation. He adds a stability to the mid-field and doesn't give up where in the past he was tentative at the ball. Now Riley has found an extra gear or two when in possession and shows a determination that I have been trying to find for awhile. Riley will be great mid-fielder that is the glue all teams need.
Sam - ?? I am unsure where Sam will end up as player but that is due to Sam unfortunately breaking his collar bone and missing a lot of action. From where Sam started though and where he was before the injury Sam went from being a player that chased the ball everywhere regardless of who had it, to making sure he was either maintaining possession or getting into a good position in attack. Sam's passing and running with the ball were showing great improvements and with his speed can be a great attacking player.
Tihan - Deft Mid-fielder. Tihan has more ability then he realises and this was always the battle. At the start of the season Tihan was always there but seemed to be watcing the ball and waiting for it. A lot of what was required was confidence and that is certainly there now. Tihan is now showing great footwork and tackling. In a crowded mid-field Tihan has a knack of getting the ball and working it out. Tihan will develop into a good mid-fielder and will be crucial in turning defence into attack.
As a team though we are seeing some great progress. They have gone from a rabble chasing the ball to being reasonably structured for a junior side. I give less direction on the field now and the natural leaders are coming out on the field. They set up their positions well and are understanding some simple tactics very well. We may not have won every game but I have been happy with how they have played every game. Most goals scored against us are either very good goals or from mistakes made in defence. This is the best way for them to learn. More importantly they have learnt more about themselves as a team and individuals this year. They now what positions not only they play but what each other play. When asked they can also tell you what each player is good at and not good at. Any team that understands it strengths and weaknesses is a good team. As the coach though I want to give credit to all the parents who should be very proud of their sons. Their attitude and nature makes them a pleasure to coach. I keep coming back to coach every year because I want to see them all develop and I love the game of football. But also I take great pride in their achievements and willingness to learn more and take in that knowledge.
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