Jack Lester interview

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I found this interview with Lester quite interesting.




Particularly this bit...

"Development and winning gets a little bit confused.

"For me it's about putting the lads in situations where it's hard for them to win, but they must have the mentality to win. It's not about having bigger and stronger players so that you win, but that winning mentality is something that you must embed in players because the best sports people are competitive.

"I have done things before where I have run teams on a Friday so that they are tired for the Saturday but I still expect them to go and compete and give everything to win, but I made it difficult because physically they might not have been able to because they were tired, but that's the challenge to put on top.

"That winning mentality is really important.

I just LOVE that Dark Arts simplicity of making it more difficult for your own players to win....

 

[SouthportBlade]

Really insightful, winning vs developing probably an aspect many over look. Or at least fall into the trap of thinking our U23s have pissed the league... Must be some gems in there

After reading this, makes you wonder if the U23s this year, being comfortably the best team in their division, whilst great for the club / fans / morale probably hasn't developed them a great deal? Or at least in theory, if you take Lester's approach as gospel.

Be interesting to see who goes out on loan and at what level, guess this would give an indication of who the club see as biggest prospect.

 

[Yogi]

I found this interview with Lester quite interesting.




Particularly this bit...

"Development and winning gets a little bit confused.

"For me it's about putting the lads in situations where it's hard for them to win, but they must have the mentality to win. It's not about having bigger and stronger players so that you win, but that winning mentality is something that you must embed in players because the best sports people are competitive.

"I have done things before where I have run teams on a Friday so that they are tired for the Saturday but I still expect them to go and compete and give everything to win, but I made it difficult because physically they might not have been able to because they were tired, but that's the challenge to put on top.

"That winning mentality is really important.

I just LOVE that Dark Arts simplicity of making it more difficult for your own players to win....

Great interview that and a really useful bit of journalism.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

It was an ever increasing number of years ago now. And, I know I always bang on about it. But I was enthralled when Travis Binnion hosted some of us fans at an U18 Shirecliffe game on a Saturday morning. He talked to us about Talent Through Trauma (although he said he hated the phrase). Deliberately putting players under pressure. Playing them out of position. Making them play roles they didn't usually play. Setting up in a particular way, then completely changing it after ten minutes. He said if the first time a player faced real pressure & had difficulty coping was the day they made their first team debut, he had failed.

(Incidentally, that's one of the reasons I find the "U23/U18 always set up with three at the back & two wingbacks" statement that people make a bit laughable)

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

And......
The Carrier Bag Firm were very pleased with the words of Nick Cox (although after he'd left for Manchester United). Nick explained the role that fans attending Academy games can play in the development of players. Thus....

 

[Bergen Blade]

A lot of last season's U23 must be considered to loan out. They've shown they're good at that level and a few needs to play at a higher level. Championship this year may be considered a bit soon for them.

Seriki - RWB - Baldock and Bogle means it will be hard for him to get any playing time
Gordon - RCB - Basham may well be ever present.
Gomis - LCB - Jack's back. Robinson and Bryan (?) still here as well. Think Gomis has developed well and is ready for regular league football.
Boyes - LWB - Too many options ahead of him.
Brunt - RCM - Think there were opportunities to give him his debut last season. We'd probably like him to develop his defensive attributes.
Broadbent - RCM - His Beerschot loan wasn't a great success and a domestic loan may make sense
Osula - ST - Very interesting player who seemed to improve a lot last season. Needs to keep that development going.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

And.....
As more & more clubs achieve Category 1 Academy status & play in the PL2 structure, I was struck by how many of them cite - better quality games programme, more intensity in matches & playing against the very best of their peers - as key reasons for wanting to switch up to Cat 1.

 

[Yogi]

A lot of last season's U23 must be considered to loan out. They've shown they're good at that level and a few needs to play at a higher level. Championship this year may be considered a bit soon for them.

Seriki - RWB - Baldock and Bogle means it will be hard for him to get any playing time
Gordon - RCB - Basham may well be ever present.
Gomis - LCB - Jack's back. Robinson and Bryan (?) still here as well. Think Gomis has developed well and is ready for regular league football.
Boyes - LWB - Too many options ahead of him.
Brunt - RCM - Think there were opportunities to give him his debut last season. We'd probably like him to develop his defensive attributes.
Broadbent - RCM - His Beerschot loan wasn't a great success and a domestic loan may make sense
Osula - ST - Very interesting player who seemed to improve a lot last season. Needs to keep that development going.

I’d add jebbison, dewhurst, amissah and if he’s still here ndiaye to that list as well.

 

[Red Wing Blade]

It reminds of the old Vince Lombardi quote

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."