| Finding a way... 01:03 - Jan 22 with 847 views | OakR |
If there is one thing Marti has done since he came here, that thing is finding a way to win irrespective of who is available to selection.
And he's managed to do it, whilst seemingly creating amazing team spirit.
We don't have the best squad in the league, but we have a set of players playing for each other and the manager on matter how many minutes they get, fully buying into his system.
This has also meant we don't really have key players like we used to. Chair, Cook, JCS would have been undropable before, now if they don't start if injured or not selected, there is no panic. Dunne is arguably our hardest player to replace right now in terms of what he offers that others can't.
Brilliant stuff.
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| Finding a way... on 01:26 - Jan 22 with 722 views | numptydumpty |
The team spirit you mention that Marti has created is so important.
We have a very diverse group of players from very different cultures and backgrounds, more so than normally, and it's very evident, they fight for each other.
Each game there seems to be a different player that's pushed forward to acknowledge the fans after having a key role. This game it was Saito. Last one before Kolli, etc.
They do all seem to be genuinely pleased for each other.
In times gone by, this was extremely evidently missing. [Post edited 22 Jan 1:27]
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| Finding a way... on 05:30 - Jan 22 with 533 views | fraserc |
It should be noted, considering our lack of depth up front when we started the season and throughout the first third of the season, that over the last ten matches we have scored the third most goals in the league and have the second highest goal difference which, to me, is just incredible. | | | |
| Finding a way... on 07:31 - Jan 22 with 382 views | Rsole |
I think this takes us back to the debate around leadership and culture, both on and off the pitch.
There’s an old adage that culture eats strategy for breakfast and I think that’s what we are seeing here - but you can’t buy or fabricate culture, the way that Gareth tried to do.
It comes from leadership (strategy, direction, by example etc), consistency and successfully dealing with adversity - together. Keeping Marti in place was key to this but the players played their part too and the collective sum of the different parts is far more valuable than each individual. That’s what creates successful teams.
You can see it in most of the players now, the coaching team and the bench - and it’s infectious for the supporters (who never give up but are used to being let down).
On the pitch we see a very different team - one that doesn’t capitulate when we go a goal down. A team that floods the box with multiple players all wanting to score, defenders that refuse to let one moment cause a collapse, putting bodies on the line and getting their foot in. Christ alive, we even create multiple chances in most games - just compare that with a few months ago where we could have played at least another 90 mins in some games without ever troubling the opposition’s keeper.
And who are the stars and beneficiaries of this change ? Alfie, Rayan, Kieran, Smyth, Dunne - even Fox and Paal have a redemption story of their own.
Long may it continue because watching Alfie terrorise Hull last night took me back in time. What an unlikely hero of sorts and so much better for that. If only you could capture that attitude and instil it in others with more technical skill.
On the downside, there a couple of exceptions and that’s why they stand out IMO. However, if they stand out so clearly to us, I’m sure that Marti and the team are even more aware of it and action will eventually be taken to address the situation. |  |
| Those possessed by devils, try and keep them under control a bit, can't you ?
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