The respect issue is something many Swansea fans will say seemed lacking at times over Russell Martin’s reign. We saw it on numerous occasions and without referring back to the specifics regards the likes of Michael Obafemi, Jamie Paterson and even Joel Piroe it seems there is a remedy.
Right from the start of his coaching journey new Swans head coach Michael Duff has introduced a measured approach to educating his players, and that’s what it is, education. Where Russell Martin seemed happy with the affective learning style which sets certain people off sideways when they don’t understand it, a slap in the face with a wet goalkeepers glove is a quick remedy for Duff. That has been covered elsewhere yesterday, but how the respect issue is introduced is interesting.
When at Burnley managing the under18 side the basics were delivered and delivered firmly. Talking of that time Duff is very clear. "I remember when I was a youth team player I used to take snippets off first team players, I had a bit of a laugh with them and it was good with the respect thing as well. The lads need to keep their nose clean. You need to learn to be respectful and polite and well-mannered because they’re in and around first team staff. The main thing for me is standards. When they walk in the bootroom the first team boots are spotless. There’s have to be spotless too because they are the tools of their trade. Those core values are the most important things. If they see it, watch it and breathe it then hopefully it’s going to become ingrained. If Sean Dyche walks past then you need to hold his eye and say ‘morning gaffer’. They’re just life skills, it’s not about being whether you’re a footballer or not. We’re big on that, which most people should be really.”
It seems one or two sulky Swans from last season are going to have their ego’s kicked even more than Martin did when he attempted to let those particular players help themselves to develop last time around. Some of them were clearly not intelligent enough to understand Martin’s philosophy, so maybe the Duff way will insert itself into their minds. It seems Duff is going to be far more prescriptive in a do this, do that sort of way.
Duff has some real experience behind him, the only player to play at eight levels of the football pyramid, and he was working alongside Sean Dyche when the Burnley academy was restructured and Duff had a fairly big say in how it would go, and how it would look. Duff, promoted to the Premier League three times with the Clarets, really did learn his trade under Dyche. He then progressed through the under 18 coaching set up to the under 23 side. Duff also coached the side when they went through two Europa qualification rounds in 2018, and he will remember the Olympiacos play off round for all the wrong reasons. Evangelos Marinakis the Olympiacos owner was seen in the referees dressing room at half time by Sean Dyche who accused him of intimidating the officials.
It’s all experience, and it all adds up to Duff now being a Swansea manager.
Better get used to it boys !
So, what is this ‘gaffers day’ all about. We won’t give the game away too much but let’s just say it’s something Michael Duff took with him to Cheltenham, and then Barnsley and it is something we think will resurface at Swansea. Basically it’s all about fitness, and a lot of it. The sessions involve elements similar to circuit training, as well as a large amount of running, while there is also an emphasis on team building and creating resilience in the squad's mentality. As Duff explained when at Cheltenham Town, "Its not lung busting so much as absolute gut busting. You just want it to stop”
Duff explains, "It's funny that they all enjoy it once it is done, there is a method behind it and I have lived, breathed and done it so I know how hard it is. You try to get through it and you have the weird thoughts that go through your head while you are doing it. The day is a bit like a season, there are moments where you don't want to do any more, there are moments when you want to give up, there are moments when you feel fresh and there are moments when you need pulling along or to pull a team mate along. All those things go through your head when you don't think your legs can go any further, but they can”
And have a guess what, no football is involved.
On the way Duff trains and see’s the need for change, he admits nothing really stands still. "I have had to change the way I thought about the game through time, and it surprises me sometimes when I shout at the goalie for booting the ball down the pitch rather than throwing it out. Dychey gives me a bit of stick when he hears me say things like that ! Our strategic approach is different. However, what I ask from the players - the demands, the expectancy, that comes from him."
It’s clear the discipline side of Duff’s demanding training structure is going to physically push and test this Swansea squad, and some won’t like it. If anyone has any doubts then hear this when Duff refers to Dyche. "A lot of his values are the same as mine in terms of upbringing, humility, honesty, hard work and respect - we are similar types of blokes when it comes to that. We were probably a similar type of player as well - not the most gifted but probably got the best out of our careers in terms of what our ability was and what we got out of it. As people we have similar values. I still expect my players to run hard, turn up and work hard”
Looks like the likes of Jamie Paterson won’t have much time to complain this pre season because he will be blowing out of his backside for most of it. Players, regardless of level, when they are being paid to play football need to have the same work ethic and discipline. It sounds like Michael Duff is about to wake up Fairwood with a little bit of graft as well as a good old slap in the face.
Here’s hoping the much needed reality check hurts each and every one of them as they sweat in to our clubs badge. It’s been a long time coming,