Originally posted by Russell Smith
Well Robbo Iv'e got to admit you have a job and a half on your hands getting this team up and running and I am sure you will do a fine job.
However please do not make the mistake of letting Ledzy coach the england Squad.
As being one of the UKs nearest we have got to a pro marshal I have been fortunate to see play over the last ten years some of the best players we have produced.
Now a lot of the said players seem to hit a vein of form that lasts maybe 1 to 2 years then they last by talking about what they used to do while they carry on playing mediocre paintball.
But that fat get Ledzy is without doubt THE best player in the country not only for his playing ability, but his superb reading of the game as its being played is second to none.
And his motivation bollockings are something i'd buy tickets to watch.
You will want ten individual players who can play as a team with very little time together - Ledzy done it many times.
You will also need an on field captain who commands the respect of not only his team mates but also the opposition - Ledzy.
And if you want to check out another of my recommendations try looking at Marshy from JCS Imperial.
And good luck robbo and team england.
I'm afraid things ain't so simple, there is a greater consideration going on here and that is the need (not sounding too corny) of the whole team.
Ledzy is undoubtedly a great player and a great motivator, remember I have been playing against him for well over 10 years now.
As much as I respect him as a player, I respect him more for his character, his ability to read the game and his ability to motivate.
These are all attributes this national team are gonna need.
I need him as a coach and I think if I end up playing him I will deprive us (GBR) of an asset I just could not replace.
He is one fo the few guys I have ever met who is quite willing to say, 'Pete you are a prick, try looking at it this way'.
He is unafraid of letting me know how he feels, not ever to be confrontational or because of ego but because I have always found him to be passionate in his beliefs.
Now coaching is not a job he can do whilst concentrating on playing otherwise the choice would be easy, he needs to be with me and Beaker, thinking what we must do and how we should play and getting the players going.
If this were just conventional paintball, then Ledzy would be in but this new format, in my opinion (which is open to change) requires young , fit and technically able players.
Players that can play ball for an hour at a time with no flagging.
Look, I ain't going over to lose, I am going over to try and win, we might lose every game but having Ledzy alongside me in an advisory and complimentary role as coach, gives us Brits the best possible chance.
So far from ‘making a mistake’ as you suggest, believe me, I am making one of the best decisions I could when I put this team together.
Robbo
