Originally posted by rancid
Don't want to be disrespectful of anyone you've picked here pete, and I think it's great you're selecting ams and all, but.....are you sure?
I mean, you go out there with an all pro team and get your arse kicked fair enough - if you go out there with an am team aint you just asking for it?
Also, isn't there a lot to be said for familiarity - ie playing together? Mate, I've seen you do it loads of times before, but not with a new format and with only a couple of months and a few practices.
Good point (And I ain't being patronising), when I first had to think, and I mean really think about this team and how I was going to put it together, I first had to work out what was needed in terms of player’s skills and abilities.
I realised this new format would require players to be fit, technically able and have the ability to listen with the latter being a very significant component.
Because it the ability to listen that will enable us to have an edge when we go there because I know that with Ledzy, Beaker and myself, we will have enough brain power and experience to be able to develop strategies of play that will give us the best possible chance of success.
Now it's one thing knowing what to do, quite another to get players to do it, you first of all have to be technically proficient and secondly, you have to be able to follow directives.
Old pros are like old dogs, it's hard to teach them anything and I'm afraid a whole new approach is needed for this game and I don't wanna and can't be bothered with bashing my head into a brick wall trying to get some old pro to try and see it our way.
Younger players are much more receptive.
That in the bag, I just needed to find the players who fitted my criteria.
I have learnt one important thing in the last six months and this begun when I went to the ‘Simply the Best’ tournament awhile back, in amateur and novice teams, lurk stars and I mean real stars.
I know a great (or a potentially great) player when I see one, I have been in this game for a long time now, and have been lucky enough to be able to read the signs many a time.
So, my thinking went along the lines I have mentioned, fitness, receptivity, technically proficient and the desire to win.
Every player that I, Ledzy or Beaker has a hand in selecting will have these attributes and I believe these are the very attributes that are needed to give us the best chance.
If anybody out there has any constructive criticism or a different angle on things, then please let me know cuz I pretty much guess there are some people out there who may be thinking I am nuts by going for players and not names.
Well, we'll see what people think in the next few days on this thread
Please nothing abusive; I'm just trying to do what I believe to be best.
Robbo
