www.elitesoccercoaching.net
MARCH 2014
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
SOCCER COACHING PRACTICES FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING MANAGERS AND COACHES
ve E xclusi v op to t m o r fr f s e c i ti t c a r p g n i n Trai gers a n a m l a n o i s s e fe f o r p MANCHESTER CITY
MANUEL PELLEGRINI DEADLY TRANSITIONS: TECHNICAL• TACTICAL•PHYSIOLOGICAL •PSYCHOLOGICAL
BARNSLEY
DANNY WILS WI LSON ON Defending from the front
BRENTFORD
MARK WAR W ARBU BURT RTON ON Forward runs
LMA AMBASSADOR
LMA AMBASSADOR
LMA AMBASSADOR
DAVID PLEAT Triangular wing wing contributions
GRAHAM TAYLOR Possession and scoring
MATTHEW BISHOP Pressing masterclass
EXTRA-TIME INTERVIEW: NORWICH CITY MANAGER CHRIS HUGHTON
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
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ISSUE 44/MARCH 44/MAR CH 2014: FROM THE CHAIRMAN
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2 M MA ARCH 2014
Brillianttraining ground ground practicesfrom fromthebestinthe game
4
MANUEL PELLEGRINI MANCHESTERCITY
DearCoach, Welcome to the March issue issue of Elite Soccer Soccer. We’re We’regearinguptowardsthosetensefinal monthsofthe campaign whendreamsarefulfilled,ambitionsareshattered,andoneortwo coacheswillbelookingarounddesperate desperatetofind thatbitof inspiration thatwillcarrytheir playersoverthe line. Certainly,we’rehopingsuchinspirationmightcomeintheformofone (ormore)ofoursix engagingsoccerpractices,deliveredforusbysome oftheverybestnamesinthegame. Rightnow,theydon’tcomemuchbiggerthanManuelPellegrini.The ManchesterCitycoachhasgalvanisedhissidethisterm,withthe clubplayingarguablysomeofthemostattractivefootballinitsentire history. history.Certainly,thesessionondeadlytransitions thatthe Chilean haspresentedforusinthis issueofferssomeprettystrongcluesasto howCityhavedevelopedagameplanthatturnsdefenceintoattackwith suchdevastatingeffect.Wehopeitworksfor yoursideaswell. Elsewhere, Elsewhere,andfromthe SkyBetChampionship,BarnsleybossDanny Wilsonpresentsapracticethatlooksatdefendingfromthefront frontina 4-3-3formation;whileBrentford BrentfordbossMarkWarburtonexplainshowa bespokesession sessiononforwardrunshasguidedhissideintotheautomatic promotionpositionsinLeagueOnethis term. Andwe’redelightedtoreproduce reproducetwosessionsfromtwoofthe most experienced experiencedBritishcoachesinthe moderngame:formerEngland managerGrahamTayl Taylor oranswersourCoaching Consultationpiece byofferingasolutiontoacoachwhoseplayersdon’tsurveyoptions effectively,whilecharismaticformertop-levelboss bossDavidPleatisolates isolates thethreatofthewideattackin anumberofposition-ledset-ups. Finally,LMAAmbassadorMatthewBishopsdeliversforus apressing masterclass masterclassthat’sas relevant relevantforattackersas itis defenders. Italladdsuptoanotherfantasticcross-sectionofsessions,andas usual,wehopeyoufind theminterestingandstimulating. Goodluckforthemonthahead,andwe’llseeyouallagainat theendof March,
Deadly transitions
6
DANNY WILSON BARNSLEY
Defending from the front
8
MARK WARBURTON BRENTFORD
Forward runs
10
DAVID PLEAT LMAAMBASSADOR
Triangular wing contributions COACHING CONSULTATION
12
GRAHAM TAYLOR LMA AMBASSADOR
Possession and scoring HowardWilkinson,LMAChairman
Elite Soccer is a monthly publication forprofessional,semi-professional semi-professional and aspiring soccer coaches coaches and is availablebysubscription only only.. £97 for 12 issues. To subscribe email
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14
MATTHEWBISHOP LMAAMBASSADOR
Pressing masterclass
3 MANAGEMENT MATTERS
Ourreviewofthepastmonth
16 EXTRA-TIME: ...withChrisHughton 18 BOOKED
Elite sports book review www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MANAGEMENT MATTERS
MANAGER OF THE MONTH MONTH AWARDS AWARDS
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini scoopedasecondsuccessive Manager of the Month gong when picking up the award as histable-toppingsidecoasting through January, winning all fouroftheirleaguematches. Itis City’sgoalscoringprowess prowess thathasreallyimpressedthis term,and Alvaro AlvaroNegredo continuedhis excellent excellentrecent run with eight strikes in all competitions during the month, astheBluessetthemselvesup immaculatelyforaconcerted title push this this year. year. City beat Swansea City, NewcastleUnited,CardiffCity and Tottenham Hotspur. Please turntopagefourtoseeChilean Pellegrini’s EliteSoccer coachingsession.
In the Sky Bet Championship, Leicester City boss NigelPearson collected the divisional award after the Foxes Foxeswonallfive matches tomoveclearatthetopofthe table. Whiletheirtitlerivalshave struggledto maintain consistency,Leicestercruised into top gear in January to confirm their tag as title favourites. It’sadecadesincetheclub lastgracedthePremier League,butvictoriesover Millwall,DerbyCounty,Leeds United,Middlesbrough Middlesbroughand BirminghamCityensuredthe EastMidlandsclubwouldend themonthwithasizeablelead atthetopofthetable.
InSkyBet League One, Russell Slade’sLeytonOrientside continued to mount a serious titlechallengewithfourwinsin January. ManyexpectedtheEast Londonclub’schallengeto fade away in the second half of theseason,butexperienced bossSladehasmaintained momentuminhistroops,and with victories in January over ShrewsburyTown, Town,Carlisle United,CreweAlexandra Alexandraand CoventryCity,theOsarewell placedtotaketheirpromotion challengerighttotheseason’s close,despitetheattentions (andbiggerplayingbudgets) of Wolverhampto Wolverhampton n Wanderers and Brentford.
LEICESTERCITY:P5W5D0L0
LEYTONORIENT:P4W4D0L0
FLEETWOODTOWN:P5W4D1L0
MANCHESTERCITY:P4W4D0L0 (LEAGUE ONLY)
CAREE CAR EER RPA PATH ...withNealArdley,managerofSkyBet LeagueTwosideAFCWimbledon Q. This is your first managerial job – it must be a special one as well given your time with the now defunct Wimbledon? A.Yes Yesitisspecial.Obviouslythe surroundingsarediffe different, rent,buttheold Wimbledonspiritisdefinitelyhere,and it’s a pleasure to come to work each day. Whathasbeenachievedhereoverashort
3 MARCH 2014
And finally to Sky BetLeagueTwo, wherehonours goto GrahamAlexander, themanagerofFleetwood Town.Inonlytheirsecond seasonasaFootballLeague club, the Lancashire outfit continuetoimpress,playinga brandofexpansive,attacking football. And in January, they sawoffAccringtonStanley, Dagenham&Redbridge, HartlepoolandBurtonAlbion ontheirwayintothe division’s automaticpromotionplaces. Ithasprovedapleasingstart tolifeinmanagementfor Alexander, Alexander,whooccupies his first post after a 21-year playing career that saw him makeover100appearances for each of Scunthorpe United, LutonTown, Town,PrestonNorth End and Burnley. Burnley.
periodoftimeisincredible,butit’sforus nowtocarrythat on. Q. That must bring a considerable pressurewithit? A.Itdoes,butit’snotanydifferenttothe pressures pressuresexperiencedbymanagersup anddownthecountry.Nomatterwhathas goneoninthepast,wehavea dutytoonly lookatwhatwedoasa clubnow,andevery othermanagerandplayerisprobably thinkingtheexactsamething. Q.Youwerepreviously previouslyAcademy ManageratCardiffCity.Wasthatgood
preparationforthisrole? A. Managing teams is the same no matter howoldtheplayersare,butstartingat Cardiffwasfantasticforme. ItwassomewhereIcould reallylearn learnmytrade,and cement a few ideas in my mind as to how I would like to be as a manager. The big thing will always be the team – that’s at the heart of everythingwedo,andisakey philosophy.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MANCHESTER CITY
Manuel Pellegrini Deadly transitions Overview: Thissession examineshowwe conditionaplayer technically, tactically, physiologically and psychologically whenattackingand defending defending transitions inasmall-sided competition-based game. It’simportant topractisethis because it improves ourmasteringof a scenario that appears regularly in matches–namely theattackingteam regaining possession and aiming to create space,passingthe ballquickly,then playing to a target playerinazoneto score. Thesessionisalso good for defenders –theirtaskis simply to organise well, stayalert alertandaimto regain possession as quickly as possible.
“It’s important “It’s topractise practise thisbecause because itimproves improves our mastering ofascenario scenario thatappears appears regularlyin matches.” 4 MARCH 2014
DEADLY TRANSITIONS
SET-UP AREA
Up to 60x40 yards EQUIPMENT
Cones, goals, bibs
1a
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
5v5 plus two targets and two wide players SESSION TIME
Main session 30mins, Progressions 20mins
What do I get the players to do? Settingupasshown (1a),theballstartswith the two wide players –wewillalternate whichofthesestarts. Only one player from each team is allowed in the end zones – these are the target players andmustremainin thatspace.Noother playerscan enter. enter. It’s5v5inthemiddle withtheaimoftheteam inpossessionworking spacesoastoflightthe ballintothetargetplayer (1b),whomustfinish one-touch(1c). Shouldtheballgo out of play,a new ball comes back in from the wide player as quickly as possible. Inaddition,thetwo wideplayersandthe target men can offer supporttothe5v5 and can be passed to if needed, but unless apassisplayedin theairatargetman cannotmakeascoring attempt. Eachgameshouldlast three minutes with 45 seconds rest beforethe next one begins. We repeat repeatthis eighttimes, ensuringthetwotarget players and two wide men are rotated for each game.
We set up with 5v5 in the middle, two target men, and two wide players
1b
The team in possession passes and successfully makes space, preparing for a ball to be floated in towards the target player
1c
The target man scores in the goal with a onetouch finish
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
DEADLY TRANSITIONS
Manuel Pellegrini MANCHESTER CITY
Manuel Pellegrini has enjoyed an incredible first six months in charge of Manchester City, taking the club to the top of the league standings with some of the most expansive, attacking football witnessed in the Barclays Premier League. The club has also impressed in this season’s Champions League and has breezed through both FA and Capital One Cup campaigns. Chilean Pellegrini joine joined d Manc Manche hest ster er City with a wealth of managerial experience accumulated in both South America and Europe. Amongst those clubs was Argentine side River Plate where in 2003 he led his team to the Clausura Championship. In Spain he has managed Villarreal and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Three years later his abilities were rewarded when he secured one of the biggest jobs in world football with Real Madrid. In 2010, Pellegrini guided Malaga to a fourth-placed finish in La Liga, and and secured the club Champions League football for the first time in their history. As a player, he made 451 appearances for Universidad de Chile.
5 MARCH 2014
2
What are the key things to look out for? Maintainingahightempo is very important so as to ensure pressureis placedontransitions for both defendersand attackers. Intermsoftechnical proficiency, speed and accuracyofpassis important, important, particularly particularly thepassmadeintheair to the target man. Tactically, each team of five must rotate positions so as to create space for players,whilst Provingthepractice maintaining awareness In our 7-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Norwich City this season, we saw the elements of of defensivebalance. session played out brilliantly as David Silva For the defending team, this scored our second goal. we’re looking looking at their ability to press quickly Manchester City v Norwich City and be compact. Barclays Premier League November 2, 2013 Physically, repeated sprints,continued movement and highintensityactivityis important. important.And we’re looking for players to understandthe psychological aspects ofthepracticeas well,toincludegood � Alvara communication Negredo plays a long pass into withteammatesto feet of Sergio coordinate attacks and the Aguero ‘the press’, press’, whilst also being alert to deal with fast transitions, evenwith � He cuts back and little recovery time. threads a pass into the How do I progress the session? Toprogress,wecan reduce the number of touches allowed,change thenumberofpasses required(minimum of three), or condition the pass to the target man to come from afirst-time pass. Wecanalsocreate createspecific areasonthepitchwhere theattackingteammust movetheballtobeforethe (2). finalpass(2)
path of David Silva
In the progression an attacking player may only pass the ball from a designated area
� Aguero controls and moves the ball forward
� Silva’s shot beats John Ruddy
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BARNSLEY
Danny Wilson Defending from the front in a 4-3-3 situation Overview: Thissession coachesplayers onunderstanding defensive positioning. positioning.It enables us to teach howtochannel opposition opposition passes into areas of strength for us, where we canattempttoturn possession over. over. Furthermore, it gives playersanideaof whichpasseswe canallowandwhich should be prevented. Asaresult,the session sessionwillhelp prevent us frombeing overstretched, or exposed topositions of vulnerability.
DEFENDING FROM THE FRONT
1a
When the ball is playedoutfrom theback
Defending full-backs can hold the line, but must stay aware of the winger
The holding midfielder covers the central area
The other wide striker covers the threat of a cross-field pass
The first wide striker moves to block a pass wide
1b
Cross-field ball
The left full-back should move forward to cover the wide player in the event of the ball going in to him
The holding midfielder moves in to block a pass infield to the strikers
The defending full-back moves to challenge
The back four moves across to cover KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble Optional pass/ run
SET-UP
“Thissession session givesplayers players anidea idea of which which passesswe passe canallow allow and which which should shou ldbe prevented.” 6 MARCH 2014
AREA
Full pitch EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS
11v11 SESSION TIME
As long as required
What do I get the players to do? We set up as shown, 11v11, on a fullpitch, with teamsliningupin 4-3-3 (reds) and 4-4-2 (blues)formations. The opposition keeper starts play by throwing throwing the ball out to his rightback. Whatfollows followsisthe graduallearning learningof a bespokecoaching
set-up,withplayers understanding their roles, both as individualsandbanks of players. By followingthis outline closely, we can successfully defend from the front in a 4-3-3,aswell asstill retaining retainingthe positive attacking elements that are so prevalent inthisoffensive formation.
A common problem iswhenthestriker allowsthefull-backto playthepass intothe wideman,enabling theoppositiontostart their attack. To prevent this we put in place a key part of defending from the front – namely that our striker hastoarchisrunso as to cut off the line fromthefull-backto thewideman,forcing www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
DEFENDING FROM THE FRONT
Danny Wilson
2
Theballispassed infield
The holding midfielder covers the run of the striker
The back four moves across and out
BARNSLEY
Barnsley manager Danny Wilson has now enjoyed 38 years in professional football – his first involvement in the game being as a player for Wigan Athletic in 1976. He went on to make over 100 appearances each for Chesterfield, Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town, Town, as well as enjoying successful spells at Bury, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley. As a manager, his CV is similarly impressive, in 1997 taking Barnsley into the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history, as well as also earning promotion for Hartlepool United in 2007, before taking Swindon Town to the League One Play-Off Final in 2009. The 54-year-old has also managed Bristol City, MK Dons and Sheffield United.
The defending full-back moves up to cover the winger The attacking full-back moves infield to make room for the pass
3
The long ball forward
The keeper collects
The holding midfielder drops back to cover late runs by attacking midfield players
The defending full-backs recover, being aware of the winger overlapping KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble Optional pass/ run
“Through intense intens eand repeated coaching, each player player cancement cement hispartinthe the process.” 7 MARCH 2014
Central defenders cover the runs of the strikers
himtoplayinside or backwards (1a). Assoonasthestriker locks into the rightback,thatisthetrigger for his team mates to move forward and press. Thecentral striker is aware of the other centre-back, or isinapositiontostopa cross-field pass tothe left-back.
The attacking full-back moves infield to make room for the pass
Two centremidfielders midfieldersmark‘ball side’ and pressinside theball.Thedeeper centre-midfielder stops any long ball into (2). the strikers (2) Centre-backs Centre-backsholda deeperlinesoasnot tobeturnedaround. Theright-backdoesn’t have to go tight to the wingerorright-back on cover, but remains
awareofthediagonal ball.Thekeeper sweepsupanylonger (3). ball (3) What are the key things to look out for? The set-up succeeds orfailsonthebasis ofplayersknowing their roles and responsibilities when defending from
thefront.Through intense and repeated coaching,eachplayer cancementhispart in the process and, as a result, can create a definiteteamprinciple ofsuffocatingthe threatthatcomes whentheoppositionis in possession.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BRENTFORD
Mark Warburton Forward runs Overview: The session focuses focuses onforwardrunsand encourages positive forward movement linkedtopatient buildupplay andgood pitch geography. The session can be adapteddepending onsquad size,andthe focusison thetiming of movement andan endproductbeing achievedeither eitherby passingorrunning with the ball. We will always highlightthe needfor good lines of passes andteamshape. Irrespective of what drillwerun,welike to emphasise good pitchgeography with key areas ofthe area always being occupied. We run this session at least twice each week as it’s seen as a vital part of ouroverallmatch strategy, with the key attackingprinciple being to create space and receive.This demandsregular practicetimeandthe key factors should be constantly reiterated reiterated andhighlighted.
SET-UP AREA
Up to 60x32 yards EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, flat cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Up to 9v9 SESSION TIME
Passing drill 15mins plus 3mins per progression, Smallsided game 4v4mins with 90secs recovery 8 MARCH 2014
FORWARD RUNS
What do I get the players to do? Passingdrill This drill prepares playersforplaying forward, forward,withan offside lineshowing theneed forgoodtimingof movement (1) (1). Players movethe ballaroundthearea, following their passes, with receivers coming coming off their poles to create space to controlthe ball and send it on. What are the key things to look out for? Players must show agoodweightand accuracyofpass and excellent communication communicationverbally and through eye contact. A positive firsttouchbythe receiving playeris crucial, as is the timing of the final player in not breaking breakingthe offside line before the pass is played.Thelastman runs with the ball to the back of line as the moverestarts. How do I progress the practice? Toprogress,weaskfor players to make aquick one-two atthetopend of the grid, as shown (2) (2). Next, another one-two canbeaddedatthe (3). start of the practice (3) Then, as a final progression, the last man can move in to playanearlytouch before the ball is moved up the wing. He then needs to reset quickly,makingablind siderunaroundthe pole to collect the ball andfinish (4) (4).
1
In the Passing Drill, the ball is worked around the area for the last man to run onto, ensuring he times his run so as to stay onside as the pass is played
2
In the progression, players make a one-two before the final pass goes forward
3
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
Now, a second one-two is made at the start of the passing move
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
FORWARD RUNS
Mark Warburton BRENTFORD
There aren’t many current Football League managers who can boast a career in London’sunrelenting banking district, but Brentford Brentfordmanager Mark Warburton worked for two decades as a trader, both in the UK and in Chicago and Charlotte in the United States. Launching the Under19s European cup competition NextGen Series offered Mark an interesting route back into the game having played part-time for Enfield. He established the Harefield Academy at Watford Watfordbeforemoving on to become Assistant Manager then Sporting Directorat Brentford. Brentford. And when former manager Uwe Rosler left to join Wigan Athletic in December of last year, the 51-year-old moved into the Griffin Park hotseat, guiding the Bees to the top of the Sky Bet League One table.
“Within this this session, sess ion,we will always always highlight theneedfor for good linesof passessand passe team shape.” 9 MARCH 2014
Small-sidedgame We use 18 players on a 60x32-yard area, as (5).Beinglong shown (5) andnarrow,itfocuses players on the need for good forward passing passing andmovement. Each team allocates two attackers and three defenders. defenders.Apointis scored by one of the attackers receiving receiving theballundercontrol, or running with the ball, into the relevant end zone. They are the only players who cangointothatend zone. Likewise, for the opposingendzone,only the allocated defenders defenders andattackerscanenter the ‘scoring area’. A further point can be scored by the team in possession completing completing eightconsecutive passes. This prevents prevents thedefendingteam simplysittingback andprotectingtheir respective end zone. A progression of the game can see an additional point scored if a forward closes downadefender and steals possession possession in the end zone. This encourages the strikers tomaintain focusand concentration . What are the key things to look out for? Forwardsshould never be level or ‘flat’. Instead we want to see ‘opposite’ movement, so one forward going shortandtheother long.Andthe teamin possession must not ‘force the pass’, pass’, instead carefully carefullysecuringa pointthrougheight successful passes.
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
4
And in the final progression, progression, the ‘last man’ joins the move early to offer an extra passing outlet, before returning to his starting position and completing the move
5
In the Small-sided game, the principles are played out in a 9v9 set-up, with the blue striker evading the attention of his red defender and scoring a point by collecting a pass made into the end zone
How do I progress the game? Toprogress,wecan restrict restricttouches,play one forwardagainst twodefenders, defenders,or allowanyteamin possession to score in the end zone.
Striker psychology Before the practice commences, wewill remind players how a striker canconstruct a scoringsituation.Thismaybefromrunningin behind,from‘pinning’hisdefender defenderin theend zone,orperhapsreceiving receivingonthehalf-turn and dribbling into the end zone. The key aspect though is the creation of space to allowsuch opportunities. A player in possession needs to askhimself ‘can I play forward?’, ‘can I play square?, ‘can I pass back?’, all the time looking to ‘tempt’ defenders away from their own end zone, thus creating space for the forward movement.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
LMAAMBASSADOR
David Pleat
WING AND WIDE MAN CONTRIBUTIONS
Wing and wide man contributions Overview: This is a progressive and precise session thatoutlinessome oftheintricacies of smart wing play. It has been put together to offer a basicwingsetup beforeadvancing this through various stages, stages,andusing the involvement of additional teammates,plus opposition players. Goodplayon the flanks is a prerequisite of anyfootballteam. You cannot be successful successfulwithout fullyutilisingthe linkupplaybetween the receiving receiving winger(yourno.7), midfielders midfieldersand otherplayers,and thissessionoutlines the real positive effect thatcanbegained from a concerted training exercise.
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
In Three Players, the no.7 drops then checks back to receive the ball
1
7 2
7 2
2 3
10 MARCH 2014
8 7 2 In Four Players, the midfielder (no.8) moves in to play the forward pass
SET-UP
“You cannott be canno successful withoutfully fully utilising utilisin gthe linkupplay between betwee nthe receiving winger (your no.7), no.7), midfielders and other other players.”
As an alternative setup, he comes forward then drops back to run on to a pass from his team mate
AREA
30x20 yards EQUIPMENT
Balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS
Up to 7 SESSION TIME
10mins per practice
What do I get the players to do? Three players Settingupasshown, apassbytheno.2 is played into the feet of theno.7.Simply,he takesthefull-back
away with a sharp burst of 10 yards or less, checks, then returns to receive the ball to feet in front of his marker(1) (1). Alternatively, if there isspacebehind,the no.7 can run towards hisownfull-backto receive, then race beyond his marker (2) (2). Considerationsfor yourno.7: Q. Is there space? Q. Is he happy to receive the ball in frontofhismarkeror behind?
Four players Fiveplayers We introduce a Now we introduce a midfieldertothe front striker(no.9). side(no.8),inorderto Theno.7attractshis progress into space opponent opponentintight, andplaysaroundthe behind.Now,apass ismadebackwards corner totheno.9who square to the no.8, has moved towards whose movement movement him.Heplaystheball enables him to pass intospacebehindthe insideof thefull-back full-backforthe no.7 (4). No.2 andintospaceforthe to run on to (4) (3). no.7 to run on to (3) andno.8canwork together togethertochangethe Considerationsfor starting pointofthe yourno.7: (5). Q. Is there space ahead pass (5) Considerationsfor andagoodangle for your no.7: the passing player? Q.Hasheattracted the full-back in tight www.elitesoccercoaching.net
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
WING AND WIDE MAN CONTRIBUTIONS
David Pleat LMA AMBASSADOR
David Pleat is a vastly experienced football manager, who has taken charge of a host of sides in the top flight, includingLutonTown, Tottenham Hotspur and SheffieldWednesday. He guided Spurs to a third-place finish in 1987 and FA Cup final appearance – this was to be his first of two trips to Wembley inside 12 months when, the following season, he coached Luton to League Cup final success with a 3-2 victory over Arsenal. Pleat also managed Leicester City and Nuneaton Borough, and is now a prolific name in media punditry, appearing regularly on ITV, ESPN and Radio 5Livebroadcasts.
“Weare are looking for for quick passing, passing, precision, precisi on, and amaximum maximum awarenesssand awarenes understanding ofteammates’ mates’ positions.” 11 MARCH 2014
enough to leave good space behind? Q. Can he play leftfooted aroundthe corner firsttime,soas not to break stride? Seven players We now introduce an opposition oppositionno.5and adefendertomark (6). The no.9 has no.9 (6) attractedhismarker towards the wide area away from the centre. He receivesand lays backtono.8,who plays forward, as the no.7turns behindinto attacking play. Considerationsforyour no.7: Q. Can he receive comfortably, and is no.9 aware and looking for theball ata45degree angle? Q. Can the no.8 find space when marked to receive and play firsttime into space? Q. Has the movement oftheno.9draggingthe centre-half towards playhelpedmake space? How do I progress the session? We can add a marker totheno.8,orhave thecoachfeedno.9, who canimmediately be approached by the opposition oppositionwide left player (to make a fully competitive practice). We can also add a dribblingelement elementby instructingteammates to dribble beyond the no.7. What are the key things to look out for? We arelooking for quick passing, precision, and a maximum awareness andunderstandingof team mates’ positions.
4 9 7 8 2 In Five Players, no.9 drops deep to receive and pass on
5 9
8
7
2 The no.8 and no.2 offer alternative passing angles for the final pass
6 9 8 7 2 In Seven Players, opposition players are brought in to make the practice less passive, with opponents closing down attacking players at every opportunity
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
COACHING CONSULTATION
Each month, we ask one of the game’s leading coaches to answer a question posed by an eader.. Elite Soccer reader THISMONTH:
Possession and scoring Myplayerstendto runoutofideasin thefinalthird.How canIgetthemtotake betteradvantageofthe opportunitiesaround them?
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
Set-up of the game Setupusingthreeteamsofeight,asshowntwoteamsgoinghead-to-headinthemiddle with the third positioned around the edge of the area. No player is allowed to sit back and protect protect hisgoalbymovingintothe‘D’.
Question asked by Stuart Muntain, a community soccer coach from Liverpool
ANSWERED BY:
Graham Taylor LMA AMBASSADOR
For players to see the optionsinthefinalthird, simply,theymustplay with their heads up, and this is a session that has this as its heart, encouragingthemto seetheoptions,respond tothem, andconclude with a positive end product, namely a shot. In anygameoffootball the moreaccomplished playersgetatknowing whattheyaregoingto do before they receive theball,thebetterthey become. Look at any game and observethoseplayers whoarecontinually looking around them
No player is allowed into the D
The game is set up, 8v8 in the middle, with a further eight ‘neutral’ players around the outside of the pitch
Using yellows When in possession of the ball, reds and blues–whocanhaveasmanytouchesas they need – must use yellowplayers, who make themselves available for a pass and can,two-touch,passiton. Ourmainstipulationisthattheballshould never be still. If so, possession passes to the other team. Thewinningteamisthe onethatscores most goals.
SET-UP AREA
70x44 yards EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones, goals NUMBER OF PLAYERS
24 SESSION TIME
60mins
12 MARCH 2013
Reds use yellow players around the outside of the pitch to construct a slick passing move that ends in a goal
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priortoreceivingtheball. They are ‘taking pictures’ ofthegameandnotjust looking at the ball.
Graham Taylor LMA AMBASSADOR GrahamTaylorenjoyed over three decades in management, having started at Lincoln City in 1972. Domestically, he oversaw the Imps, Watford Watford(twice), Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but it is on the international stage that the 69-year-old is best known, with an eventful three years in charge of England. He secured qualification for an ageing squad when taking them to the 1992 European Championships in Sweden, and although he couldn’t repeat the feat two years later as the Three Lions missed out on the World Cup in USA, he did complete three years in charge with an impressive 47% win ratio. In domestic football, football, Taylorhas takencharge of over 1,000 matches; and as a player turned out in the lower leagues for Grimsby Town and Lincoln, before having to hang up his boots at the age of 28 because of injury.
Technical observations and progressing progressing the game
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
We want to see early and quick movement of the ball and as many attempts on goal as possible from a team that enters the opposition half. half. A common fault is when a team fails to use the players around the edge of the area. To progress, we can introduce the two-touch rule to all teams. Wecan also increase difficulty difficulty by reducing the teams tosix-a-side.
Blues’ inability to look up and use the yellow outer players means the attacker runs out of passing options, and reds win back possession
Coaching considerations We need to see a high tempo, quick passing, good movement and creation of space, and of course, players surveying space all around them so they can decide on the right space to play into even before the ball arrives. Why this works Thisisa simpleyeteffective effectivemethodofgettingplayers to look around and assessoptions in matches. Feeding outer players (who will for the most part be unmarked) provides the easiest passing outlet, and this is somethingthatwillbetakenintomatchdaysituations.
If you have a Coaching Consultationquestion you would like a leading coachtoanswer,please email in at elitesoccer@ greenstarmedia.net 13 MARCH 2013
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LMAAMBASSADOR
Matthew Bishop
Pressing masterclass
Overview: Thesessionis comprised comprisedofa variety of high intensitypractices which focus on pressing as a team and transitional play. Beginning with a small-area warmup,itisenlargedinto two gameset-ups. Weregardthekey tacticalelements practisedasvital forallplayersinall positionsalthough, as you wouldexpect, particularattention isgiventothe defending/pressing team,whomust worktogethertohunt theballdown.
“We wantto seepressure pressure on theball, cover cov erand support,good communicationand recovery runs,and players recognising whentopress press andwhento to drop.” 14 MARCH 2014
PRESSING MASTERCLASS
SET-UP AREA
Up to 60x44 yards
1
EQUIPMENT
Balls, cones NUMBER OF PLAYERS
18 SESSION TIME
Extended warm-up 18mins, Possession v pressing game 16mins, Three-team practice 27mins incl. progressions
What do I get the players to do? Extendedwarm-up We set up as shown (1) (1), in three 7x7-yard boxes, with three reds insideeach.The first blue defender plays to any red, then presses ina3v1.Redsmust make 10 passes to winthechallenge. challenge.If successful, successful,orif the bluedefender defenderwins theball,thegame finishesandthenext bluebegins.Aftereach round scores are taken and blue teams move clockwise clockwisetothenext box.Afterallblues have pressed in all boxes, switch teams. Toprogress,werestrict touchesoftheball.This gives defenders less or more time to close down,meaningthe challenge challengecanbemade less or moredifficult. difficult. What are the key things to look out for? We want to see pressureon the ball, cover coverand support, good communication and recovery runs,withplayers recognising when to
In the Extended Warm-up, Warm-up, three boxes are set up sideby-side, with blues passing in before moving forward to press the ball against three reds
2a
In Possession v Pressing, six blues press in the red half and manage to turn over possession
2b
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
The ball is transferred to the other half of the pitch, and a point is scored. Now the balance shifts and a new 9v6 game is created in the other half, with reds pressing the ball
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PRESSING MASTERCLASS
Matthew Bishop LMA AMBASSADOR
Matthew Bishop is a Football Association National Coaches Educator for the north-west and West Midlands, and has vast experience at all levels of the game. Beginning in 2005 as a National Development Manager for the Football Association of Wales,heprogressed to Senior Coaching Coordinator before taking up Assistant Manager positions at Newport County and Aldershot Town. This wealth of experience both in the boardroom and on the training pitch makes Matthew one of the most promising and innovative figures in UK soccercoaching.
3a
In the Three-team practice it’s 6v6v6, with reds and blues successfully successfully keeping the ball away from yellows
3b
In the progression, progression, yellows intercept and now partner with blues. Blues can only pass back to the opposite team (yellows), so reds respond by pressing yellows
KEY Ball movement Player movement Dribble
“Weregard regard thekey key tactical elements practised practis edas vitalfor forall playerssinall player positions.” 15 MARCH 2014
press and when to drop–thatmeans anappreciation ofdistances,and positionsofteam matesandopponents. So we must seequality passing, angles and quick movement. Possessionvpressing game Nowsettingup9v9, as shown (2a), it’s reds versus blues in one halfwiththethree remaining remainingbluesin
the other.Redslookto maintainpossession possession against six pressing pressing players. players.Whenblues turn over they transfer theballquicklytothe three team mates intheotherhalf (2b). Now a new pressing challenge challengebeginsin theother half.Apoint is scored on each turnover providing a successful pass is madeintotheother half.
Three-team practice In the same area we now use three teams ofsix–thepractice begins with yellows pressing (3a). Reds andbluesmustretain possession for two minutes. If yellows turn over possession theyscore scoreapoint,with asecondavailable for fiveconsecutive passes. passes.Each team takesitinturnsto press the ball.
Toprogress,thetwo teams in possession can only pass to an opposite colour (e.g. reds to blues). If a pass accidentally goes to the pressing team or the ball is intercepted, that team receives a pointandcontinues with the ball (3b).
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Interview reproduced with kind permission of The Manager magazine
EXTRA-TIME PROFILE
CHRIS HUGHTON NORWICH CITY
M
odest and measured inhisapproach,Chris Hughton is a rare find intheworld ofsenior management. management.Confidentinhisown personality personalityand abilities,Hughton has no reservations about drawing inspiration inspiration froma host ofmanagers, past and present. While Chris Hughton rremains emains true wherever possible to his calm and thoughtful style of leadership, underneath is a steel anddeterminationthatenables himtodealwith thetoughscenarios that inevitably arise infootball, albeit in a respectful manner manner.. It is perhaps because of this considered, well-balanced and open style of leadership that he has become one of the most employable and universally liked managers around. Hughton retired from his 14year playing career in 1993, aged 34,havingspent13yearswith TottenhamHotspur and brief spells with West Ham United United and Brentford. During that time, he also earned53capsfortheRepublicof Ireland-Hughton Hughtonisthesonofan IrishmotherandaGhanaianfather - becoming the first mixed-race playertorepresentthe country. When retirement beckoned in1993,itcameaslittlesurprise tothosewhoknewhimthathe pursued a career in the dugout, having shown an interest in coachingduringthelatterstagesof hisplaying playing career. career. Duringa 14-and-a-half-year 14-and-a-half-year coaching tenure on Tottenham’s backroom staff, Hughton worked as a coach under the likes of Glenn Hoddle, George Graham and Martin Jol. He also served as caretaker manager on several occasions before his departure from the club in2007. A year after leaving T Tottenham, ottenham, Hughton joined Newcastle United United as first-team coach under Kevin Keegan. During the close season of2009,hewasappointedas caretaker manager of theclub 16 MARCH 2014
group stages of the Europa Europa League, before leaving to move back into the Barclays Premier League as manager of Norwich City.
Q
Youcoachedat Tottenhamfor 14-and-a-half years before embarking on management - how welldidthatprepareyou?
A
and promoted to to permanent managerinNovember Novemberofthat year. year. His first season in charge was outstanding – the side were unbeaten at home and went on to winthe2010Championshiptitle and promotion back to the Barclays Premier League. Hughton won the LMAChampionshipManager Managerofthe Year, not to mention the respect and admiration of the Newcastle team andsupporters. But despite his success at the club,Hughtonsoonfoundhimself out of a job, to the widespread disbeliefandangerofhisloyal supporters, supporters,teamand many observers across the football community. Newcastle were, were, at the time, a very respectable 11th in the table. Inspiteofthe setback,Hughton Hughton showed remarkable resilience and it is testament not only to his proven ability,butalsohislikeabilityand desirability desirabilityasamanagerthathe was soon offered another job, this time at Birmingham City. There, he madeanimmediateimpact impactinthe 2011/2012season, season,takingthe side to fourth in the league and into the
It was invaluable and formed thefoundation foundationofallof my philosophies as a manager. Such a long apprenticeship might not be for everyone and some can gostraight from player to manager at a young age, but I wouldn’t have been ready. I worked under seven managers while coaching at Spurs, so there was always something new to learn and experience. It was exciting to seewhateachnewmanagerwould be like, how he would involve me andwhatIwouldlearn.Theclub could easily have said, ‘now that themanagerhasleftwewon’tbe keeping you on’, but they showed faithinmyabilitiesand,inreturn,I providedsomecontinui continuity. ty.
Q
Youthenmoved away from London for the first time to join Kevin Keegan at Newcastle - how big an adjustment was that?
A
When I lost my job at Tottenham afteralmost15yearsonthe coachingstaffmyambitionwasto find a completely new challenge. I’dspentmyentireplayingand coachingcareer careerinLondon,butany apprehension I felt at relocating toanotherpartofthecountrywas outweighed by the excitement. I was going to a legendary club with an incredible tradition, rich history and great fan base and I was going to assist Kevin Keegan. I learned a lot fromhimduringourtimetogether, especially from his strengths in man-management.
QAbsolutely, although however however
A
When the club appointed you managerwereyouready?
much preparation you have as www.elitesoccercoaching.net
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CHRISH HUGHTON NORWICH CITY a coach, when you crossthat line into management it is completely different. Myfirstjobasmanagerof Newcastle was far from the stable, calm environment you wouldwant whenstartingout.Theteamhad jus just been beenreleg elegat ated ed,, we’d we’dlost ost a lot ofplayersandtheclubwasupfor sale. I had to dig deep and draw onthewealthof experience experienceI’d gainedasacoach.IknewIstillhad a good squad, so the challenge was making sure each and every one pushed in the right direction to get us back into the Barclays Premier League. Central to that was creating the rightenvironment environmentatthe training ground, ground,becausethe trainingpitch can provide great solace for players. I knew that if I could get everyone on board, we could be a strong force in theChampionship.
“Yourinfluenceonmatch “Your day is reallyjust about any changesthatyou youdecideto make and the team youselect. Everything else is down to how theyarefeelingonthe day day.” .”
Q
You’reknownasa real gentleman of the game. How does that translate into your conduct as a leader? How do you treat your players?
A
It’s verydifficult to lead outside of your personality. Look at most managers and you’ll get a sense of what they are like and how they lead. I try as much as possible to be accessible tothe players and staff, respectful and honest with them. I have always felt that it’s important to Despitesuccessfully successfullyguidingthe create an environment that players club back to the top flight, you enjoy and buy into, where they want weresackedthefollowingseason. to do their best for each other and Howdoyoureflectonthat? commit to a team ethic. The team is Iwasdisappointed, disappointed,butIdidn’t moreimportant importantthan anyindividual, let it knock my confidence so I also try to treat everybody the and self belief. It helped to know same. thatmanymanagersandothers Unfortunately, there will always in football thought I’d done a good betimesinmanagementwhen job job atNewc Newcas astl tle. e.The The react eactio ion n was was things don’t run smoothly and terrifically supportive. My coping moments when you need to be mechanism was to keep busy and strong with theplayers. Discipline prepare for the next job. ispartandparcelofthegame.But, eventhen,itisnotinmypersonality that came at Birmingham city, to be overly confrontational - I’d who you led to the play-offs in ratherdealwithsomeone someoneina yourfirstyear. year.The opportunitythen respectful way, spend time with came to manage Norwich city - was themandfinda solution.However, However, that a tough decision? when a situation arises that requires Yes, because although it was discipline I am more than capable of challenging at times - especially handlingit. in the aftermath of relegation from Having been a coach, what the Barclays Premier League type of dynamic do you look to - I really enjoyed my year with engender with your own coaching Birmingham. staff? My decision to leave wasbased As a manager who is used onwhatNorwichCityhadtooffertocoachingitcanbedifficult the chance to return to managing to delegate, but it’s important to at Premier League level at a club appreciate the job thecoaching staff thathadmadegreatstrides stridesinthe do, step back when appropriate and preceding seasons. It very much whetted my appetite. allow them to take sessions with the team and express themselves. Most
Q
A
Q
A
Q
A
17 MARCH 2014
managers need to delegate more anyway,because becauseofthe rangeof responsibilities they now have. Whenappointingcoachingstaff, aside from having agood training, trust and loyalty come first. You need people you canget on with. Often, though, you will look to appoint coaches who are a little bit different to you so you have a good balance of opinions. I have a great staff around me and I expect high standards from them. We make sure that we set the standards we expect from our players.
Q
Youcanpreparewithinthe training environment, but how do you get players mentally tuned on match day?
A
Your influence on match day is really just about any changes that you decide to make and the team you select. You rremind emind them ofcertainvitalinformationinthe pre-match meeting and everything everything else is down to how they are feeling on the day. At that point, there is only so much you can do. You have to be confident in the overriding overriding philosophy that you have employed attheclubandtheworkthatyou have done on the training pitch over a period of time. It should ensure the players believe in their ability to win and are ready for most things.
Q
Youwerethe firstmixed-race player to represent represent the Republic ofIrelandandareanincredibly positiverolemodelforblackcoaches and managers. How important is that toyou?
A
First and foremost I’m a manager,butIam,ofcourse, also black. While we’ve certainly seen some positivechanges at grassroots and academy level, where there are more black coaches, there still aren’t at the top level. It is something I am very conscious of and I get a lot of letters andfeedback. feedback.If,inany way,that helps somebody to make progress, inspires them orchanges thinking withinthegamethen,yes,itis something I am very proud of.” www.elitesoccercoaching.net
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BOOKED: THIS MONTH’S CHOICE
By Mark Lawford
Pedalpower Murdochempire, they didn’t endear themselvesacross By David Walsh the sport. With their £18.99 Simon & Schuster flash back-up s one of the premier sporting vehicles and heavy emphasis events in the calendar on science, year,theTourdeFrance many were is a spectacular feat of human looking to endurance. It has also, over the years, created created many stories, myths, find fault, heroes and villains, and none more and more especially, so than Lance Armstrong. The Team Americanrecovered recoveredfromtesticular a Team cancer in the mid 1990s to win seven Sky cyclist who was consecutiveTours,before beforebeing taking illegal stripped of his medals in 2012 for substances. doping offences. The book David Walsh, author of Inside Team Sky key splits into three Team Sky, was one of the journalists journali sts numbers stories. First, who helped to expose Armstrong. Walsh is on a A keen cyclist himself and chief Number of tour cyclists in the mission to see team sports writer with The Sunday if Team Sky is Times, he battled over many years Number of Olympic gold in fact clean. to see that justice was done. medal winners in the team Second, it’s (Geraint Thomas MBE and Peter In recent times the sport has tried Kennaugh MBE) to put its house in order, presenting a story of the a clean bill of health to the sponsors race of itself. Number of nationalities in the And third, it’s team and general public. Against this a fascinating fa scinating background,Walshpersuaded Number of Tour de France insightinto TeamSkytogive himall-areas wins since forming four years a parallel ago ag o access to their 2013 assault on the world of Tour de France. It was an intriguing Number of positive dope tests coaching high since 2010 assignmentbecauseTeamSky performance. wereperceived perceivedasboththe poster Unwittingly, boys of the Tour and the team most Walsh has created a management likely to be cheating. book, warts and all. They had won the race in 2012 In simple terms, the T Tour our is a with British superstar Bradley 2,000-mile cycle race, race, with each Wiggins. As a new team (just three years old), backed by the unpopular stage being either a time trial or a Inside Team Sky: The Inside Story of Team Sky and their Challenge for the 2013 Tour de France
A
9 2 5 2 0
18 MARCH 2013
mountain race.There are other elements to the race and team points to be garnered, but the real prize is known as the ‘general classification’, and the ultimate prize for finishing on top is, of course, the covetedyellow jers jersey ey.. Alon Along g the way though, that rider relies immeasurably on his team-mates - they will provide the all-important slipstream for him to ride in as well as emotional and tactic support. As aresult,theTourisbestregardedas a strange mix of individual and team strength. Equalopportunities There are are three main coaches in the book, with Sir David Brailsford, the hugely successful GB Olympic cycling boss, the main man. His remit was to win a Tour victory within five years when he took on the new team in 2010. He has exceeded exceeded that already with victory in 2012 and 2013. It was Brailsford who invited Walsh to join the tour, and who allowshimfreelicencetoroam around the team. What Walsh finds www.elitesoccercoaching.net
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and hears tells us much about how thebestteamsoperate. First, although Sky has some extremely extremelywell-paid superstars, no one gets singled out for special treatment. The team has a system of‘carers’ ‘carers’whoare supposedto rotate around around the cyclists during the tour.It’s pretty clear that the management isn’t happy if someone gets more attention than the others. Second, no detail is left to chance. No-one shakes hands with anyone else, lest they pass pass on a sickness bug. Every cyclist has his own mattressbrought broughttoeach hotel. Every cyclist has his own snacks anddrinks prepared preparedforeverystage of the day. Many of the other teams make fun of this, but it’s obviously paying off on the roads. The detail doesn’t stop there, with the tea team m scientists looking at any way to shave seconds off the cyclists’ timings. This is where Tim Kerrison steps in. He arrived with the team not as a cycling expert but as a top sports scientist with the Australian swimming team. After careful research, research, he was quite clear on the threekeyelementsthatwonraces: asphalt, heat and mountains. This talented team had won gold medals in velodromes - Kerrison Kerrison changed their training programmes and crunched the numbers. However, his employment wasn’t all about science and mathematics – there was to be an emotional side too. As head of performance support, he stressed to Walsh Walsh that he used the post-training talks he had with the riders to discuss about how they felt. These were as important as the science. Educatetopersuade Kerrison’s methods are very very much athlete-driven. The coaching team will put the cyclist on the bike in the lab and ask him about adjusting his style. As this is done, the cyclist feeds back on what’s working and looks at the speeds he’s achieving. Every time it works, the cyclist adopts it. Team Sky educates to persuade. 19 MARCH 2013
Team Sky’s Sky’s 16 Rules The rules posted at the front of the bus b us We will... 1 Respect one another and watch each others’ backs 2 Be honest with one another 3 Respect team equipment 4 Be on time 5 Communicate openly and regularly 6 If we want our helmets cleaned, leave them on the bus 7 Pool all prize money from races and distribute at the end of the year 8 Any team bonuses from the race split between the riders on that race 9 Give 15% of all race bonuses and prize money to staff 10 Debrief after every race 11 Always wear team kit and apparel as instructed in the team dress code 12 Not use our phones at dinner – if absolutely required required we will leave the table to have the conversation 13 Respect the bus 14 Respect the personnel and management 15 Ask for any changes to be made to the bikes the night before the race and not race day 16 Follow the rules
As the story and the race progresses, progresses,it’sclearthecyclists aren’tlab-created lab-createdmachines. They can be highly strung and, as individuals, that makes managing them a tough assignment. Brailsfordespeciallyhastokeep them in check and motivated. He knows there is also immense scrutiny because of previous doping scandals. The riders are constantly constantly accused of it via social media and on the roads themselves. Banners, shouts and even spectators throwing throwing urine at the team as they ride are all part and parcel of the day day.. All the time,
No detail is left to chance. No-one shakes hands with anyone else, else, lest they pass pass on a sickness bug. Every cyclist has his own mattress brought to each hotel. Every cyclist has his own snacks and drinks prepared for every stage of the day day..
Team Sky state they they are clean. There are are times when theteamlooksfragile...key athletesareunderperforming. At one stage Brailsford decides he needs to speak to them. Instead of doing this one-toone in a room, he goes out on the unwinding ride on a restday. day.Asthey cycle,each onedropsbacktoBrailsford to chat. They’re in their own environment,morerelaxed and happy to listen and open up. It proves a turning point for theteam.
Forward Forwardthinking Rod Ellingworth, the performance manager, is the third key element of the coaching team. Brailsford says that Ellingworth has the unique quality of being able to plan in the short-, medium- and longterm all at the same time. He uses the analogy of the hands of a clock. Most coaches work on the second hand – what needs to happen today or tomorrow. tomorrow.Otherscanlookoverthe medium-term, and where the team will be in four to six weeks’ time. And a few, working off the hour hand, willbe planninginto nextyear. year.Yet Ellingworth will do all three at the same time. Under pressure that is something special. Asweknow ourselves, ourselves,it’sone thing to have the talent, and quite another to orchestrate it into an effective,coherentteam.Morethan once,Brailsfordmodestlytalks aboutbeing aconductor. conductor.He’sone of the best of his generation of highperformance coaches. Walshcapturestheblood,sweat and tears of the Tour, which puts all these achievements in their true context.AndwhatdoesBrailsford enjoy most? The processes, not the winning. A lesson for us all, perhaps.
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COACH YOUR PLAYERS THE DUTCH WAY
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