Having just returned from Germany with our 1995 born boys, I thought I would share with you just 2 of the players' assessments from the weekend.
All the players were asked to complete a self assessment from the tour, as they do each week, to which I reply with my written thoughts on their performances throughout the tournament in addition to the verbal feedback already received throughout the tour and on the journey home.
Playing in a 12 team tournament of good standard, yet again the margins between positions and results was very small. The key to these lessons is that faced with similar situations in the future, the players must display the knowledge and mentality to self correct and handle these demanding situations to better effect.
Here's what they thought:
Lyle Della-Verde
I think we played well as a team in the first game (v Osnabruck) which we went on to win 4-0, I set up 3 goals and played well and I also got a co-assist (???). The team we played wasn't very good though. In the second game against Odense we played OK, but we weren't mentally strong enough to win the game. We went 1-0 up due to my goal, but we were sloppy and conceded 2 goals struck far from goal. Both goals should have been closed down, but they weren't.
After the talk of the second game I think people thought more and they started getting more motivated because I think the third game (v Hertha Berlin) was excellent, everyone wanted to win and we all shared the winning mentality. We played really well and were technically good as well as mentally. I think I scored a good goal, the big striker (Berlin) scored two and his first was quality, but we could have won that game as we played probably better than them and had good chances. I think Aaron should've scored his chance, he missed on the line. We all worked hard for each other and realised what needed to be done. If we could have that attitude all the time rather than after we had lost the game and been told by the coaches, we could progress so much as a team and compete against the top teams all the time.
On Sunday, we started the day against Hannover 96 and we didn't play well at all. We were nowhere near the performance we had against Berlin, no one done anything, no one worked, no one played well technically or mentally, we were 3-0 down by the time the half time whistle came. We could've done a lot better this game, but I had three shots which were all on target.
Game two of that day and the last group game was against the Latvian team. We done OK, but left it late to score. I ran from half way, done a step over to beat the last man in the box and smashed it far post. We won that game 1-0. The last game was against St Pauli which we drew 1-1. I scored a volley from a nice through ball from Mitch. But then we conceded from a corner, we all missed it and it went in far post, James should have been on that post. Then it went to penalties and everyone scored but me, I should have scored and we ended up losing the game.
Jack Bridge
On this tour I learnt a lot and played against top opposition. I think the hardest game I played in was against Hannover 96. It was physically very hard and your technique had to be perfect in this game. It was a reminder of the standard of teams on tour. Also without a good mentality it is hard to compete, as a team we need to share a winning mentality like in the game against Hertha Berlin; our mentality was fantastic, but we need to finish our chances when we get them because we lost 2-1 when we could have got a goal to draw. Even though we lost, we were still pleased with our performance, but disappointed with the score.
The first game is the important game to get us started and the mentality was good in this game, as well as winning 4-0 we can't just give up, we need to get ready for our next game. We did and we went 1-0 up, but we can't stop there we need to keep playing, but we ended up losing 2-1. So after a loss you need to pick yourself up and your mates. The second game I learnt that you can't lose focus after a goal, which I knew was an example. This was also a game we did not give up because near the end we were still creating good chances; we just needed to take them.
The game against Liepajas Metalurgs was a game which we won and a game we should have won; the team we played was not brilliant, but we were not very confident after just losing 4-0.
The next game was our last game to finish 7th or 8th, as we went 1-0 up we still created chances. In the 2nd half we mainly defended, we shuffled from side to side brilliantly, but in the last 5 minutes it got really sloppy and we let in a goal and we nearly let in another, but it went to penalties. I was disappointed with my penalty (even though I scored) and disappointed not to win the last game.
Our team bonding was brilliant and our preparation was great for some games. Our mentality was also very good, but we did not play to our best and that is what I think.
I have been pleased with the attitude of this group this week; they have shown again what a credit to us they are, receiving many compliments on their togetherness, behaviour, social skills and preparation. We spent a long time discussing mental states and frame of mind before and during games. Some players this week showed terrific leadership qualities and mental strength. The key is consistency.
As they look for the next level, they must strive to be the best. Excellence is not a sometimes thing, it's an all the time thing.
Our commitment to excellence must remain constant. No compromises.
Squad; Anthony Madden, Aaron Tatham, Junior Iorfa, Karl Safee, Jack Edwards, Lyle Della Verde, Jack Carriere, Daniel King, Kane Farrel, Josh Banton, Jack Bridge, Liam Conley, James Akintunde, Mitchell Pinnock, Jason Akpobi Staff; Mark Bonner, Steve King
Mark Bonner
U12 - 16 Technical Director
