Well written AFKA and I cannot disagree with your 10 points.
One thing I have noticed is that no-one, from CP downwards, has mentioned Paul Hart in their congrats for the season - strange, or have I missed something?
LL, I get what you mean but surely Paul Hart is running a separate part (although almost equally important) of the business? All others mentioned are directly involved with the day-to-day business of the first team set-up. Paul is responsible for the future players (well, some of them) of the first team. They have done very well this year – league and cup – but haven't contributed to the first team set-up this season (past alumni excepted!).
What about the players being more connected to the fans, especially JJ and his drinks giveaway to the fans on the train? This for me encapsulated the hombleness and spirit of the great players of old who travelled home with the fans after the games.
Jackson was quoted as saying they had a session with a psychologist in Lepe in pre-season, and one of the outcomes was to break the season down into chunks of 6/7 games with a target of 12 points from each chunk - it kept targets realistic and achievable. Sounds like a very sensible plan.
That's interesting. I wonder if it was Willi Rialo. He was a big favourite with Sven and even helped to write his book.
"1997 – 1999, 2009, 2011: Strategic planning and performance consultancy with Chris Powell (2011) and Alan Pardew (2009) Academy Coach: Seasons 1997/8, 1998/9"
I think AFKA has made the right points. I would add (apologise if I missed it) that the team managed to win games when it wasn't playing well. This was something we haven't seen since Curbs' days. It seemed in recent years that as soon as we played under par (when par was lower than this season), a goal was conceded. The back four laid the foundation while winning the big games made it (relatively) comfortable in the end.
"As you know it's a big rebuilding process and I think he is a key, key part of the way I want to play."
Heard that sort of thing from other managers in the past, but it turned out to be very true. Powell didn't just sign good players with potential and the right attitude, they all fit together and complement each other.
It's not a coincedence that we signed two pacey attacking left backs. On the right we have a more solid full back in Solly with and Powell signed Green, who much closer to being an out and out winger.
Kind of fits in with AFKA's points about signing policy, team organisation etc.
Comments
All others mentioned are directly involved with the day-to-day business of the first team set-up.
Paul is responsible for the future players (well, some of them) of the first team.
They have done very well this year – league and cup – but haven't contributed to the first team set-up this season (past alumni excepted!).
What about the players being more connected to the fans, especially JJ and his drinks giveaway to the fans on the train? This for me encapsulated the hombleness and spirit of the great players of old who travelled home with the fans after the games.
"1997 – 1999, 2009, 2011: Strategic planning and performance consultancy with Chris Powell (2011) and Alan Pardew (2009)
Academy Coach: Seasons 1997/8, 1998/9"
When Wiggins signed Powell said
"As you know it's a big rebuilding process and I think he is a key, key part of the way I want to play."
Heard that sort of thing from other managers in the past, but it turned out to be very true. Powell didn't just sign good players with potential and the right attitude, they all fit together and complement each other.
It's not a coincedence that we signed two pacey attacking left backs. On the right we have a more solid full back in Solly with and Powell signed Green, who much closer to being an out and out winger.
Kind of fits in with AFKA's points about signing policy, team organisation etc.