Balham
S24SU Seer
My first time trying to transcribe (and I've done this the old fashioned way, not using ChatGPT) so go easy on me.
RS pre-match Ipswich
[Interviewer 1: think it’s Andy Giddings, Radio Sheffield]
Satisfied with the business at the end of the transfer window. “Big turnaround for the club”. Wanted to complete the business earlier but understand that a good transfer window is judged on what happens now. Unwilling to say that the volume of incomings was down to his comments in the press [pre Millwall] but glad that the club took opportunities to bring in both experienced and talented younger players. We now have a good group, now the challenge is to create a team.
Spoke about reinforcing the back 5 – “the line we decided to put there”. Namechecked McGuinness as a well regarded centre half and Alex Matos as someone who will reinforce the centre of the pitch, balancing the team and bringing better structure.
First thing after the Middlesbrough match was to “deeply analyse” the first four [sic] games to identify the good and bad. Won’t say whether the analysis will lead to a change in formation. Asked about changes undertaken at Reading and Hull, talked about changing personnel or formation as options.
Facts: we have had higher possession but we’ve allowed opponents to set defences, making it more difficult to create chances. Looks to increase the speed of vertical transition to not allow the opponents to get in shape. Looked at shape, personnel and transitions to improve. Analysis presented to the players with clear directions for improvement.
Talked about McGuinness who has been here for the whole time compared to Chong who’s basically had no time with the team at all and has instead had to rely on video clips. Accepts that those circumstances make it trickier to integrate and get players up to speed.
Despite prodding, refused to rise to the bait about the fans’ criticism. Sellés admitted there are “no excuses, we will try and win the [Ipswich] match”. There hasn’t been any ultimatum from the board who remain “supportive” of what Sellés and team are trying to do.
Oli Arblaster hasn’t returned to training, he’s had a setback. No defined timescale, more important to get him back healthy. He’ll be eased back in with U21 appearances but RS doesn’t see it being helpful to put a marker in, he doesn’t want to risk future appearances by rushing Blaster back. Showed some awareness of the issues relating to ACL rehab. Tom Davies has joined in some training sessions over the international break, expected to join in full training next week and be available for Charlton; there is no other injury news.
On Ipswich: knows Ipswich, has played against his team on a number of occasions. Full of praise for the job McKenna has done, sees Ipswich as a good team with strong players but Friday is a good opportunity for United to show what we’re about too.
The mentality has to be that the next game might be your last game and that the Championship is competitive, we are competitive but we need to start turning that into points.
[Interviewer 2 – unknown]
On turning the individuals into a team: we need to find the moments for the new players to get used to playing for United and with their teammates, learning from “moments” together.
Talked about avoid introversion as a reaction to the poor results: RS and team trying to decomplicate the situation and are trying to keep the players focussed on their football.
Keeping everyone involved given the size of the squad: the squad is now competitive. How hard players train is one thing but equally it might be that the approach calls for a change in personnel. All players need to be at their best to play for United.
We have a sports psychologist working with the team, particularly Oli Arblaster given his injury circumstances, but available for all players.
Nathan Redmond has left the club. RS wishes him all the best but that was it.
Jack Robinson’s departure: firstly, RS paid respect to a player who was at United for 5 years and was club captain. Robinson wanted more certainty over his future as he moved into the last year of his deal. Think it was lost in translation but RS suggested that Robinson was unhappy about “the direction the club was heading” but when pressed on this he denied it; my guess is that Sellés was referring to the fact that that his time at Bramall Lane had come to an end but I can see how some will construe this as Robinson being unhappy with performances under Sellés.
Happy to keep the key players on deadline day: “no proposals that the club considered interesting”. On the younger players: those staying at the Lane are expected to challenge for the first team through training and U21 matches.
[Interviewer 3 – unknown]
Questioned whether the post-Boro season review was sped up to influence the transfer business: no, we had our targets before the season started and the review was separate. Sellés and his team try and undertake detailed reviews every 6 matches but the three international breaks provide natural breaks which they’re using instead.
No team-building events outside Shirecliffe, this break saw 8 players away which would have reduced the impact. Expects players to do their own thing.
The international break followed by a Friday night match will impact the team selection. Bindon coming back in from New Zealand on Thursday will impact his choices.
Sellés’ view on centre backs is that the way they play the game is more important than their leadership qualities*. Talked about the range – young talented players, players coming into their prime and then experienced – but very clear that leadership is a secondary concern. The new players bring different characteristics compared to the ones who have left. For better or worse, the voices in the dressing room have changed.
Sellés and team are very clear in the direction we’re taking. There’s no chance of taking the next couple of games as “pre-season”. Expects us to be competitive at Ipswich. Players away on international duty have had all the same pre-match presentations as those training in person and the technical staff have watched their international appearances.
*I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that Sellés doesn't rate Jack Robinson the player and doesn't see his leadership skills as offsetting that. Good. He's gone up in my estimation.
RS pre-match Ipswich
[Interviewer 1: think it’s Andy Giddings, Radio Sheffield]
Satisfied with the business at the end of the transfer window. “Big turnaround for the club”. Wanted to complete the business earlier but understand that a good transfer window is judged on what happens now. Unwilling to say that the volume of incomings was down to his comments in the press [pre Millwall] but glad that the club took opportunities to bring in both experienced and talented younger players. We now have a good group, now the challenge is to create a team.
Spoke about reinforcing the back 5 – “the line we decided to put there”. Namechecked McGuinness as a well regarded centre half and Alex Matos as someone who will reinforce the centre of the pitch, balancing the team and bringing better structure.
First thing after the Middlesbrough match was to “deeply analyse” the first four [sic] games to identify the good and bad. Won’t say whether the analysis will lead to a change in formation. Asked about changes undertaken at Reading and Hull, talked about changing personnel or formation as options.
Facts: we have had higher possession but we’ve allowed opponents to set defences, making it more difficult to create chances. Looks to increase the speed of vertical transition to not allow the opponents to get in shape. Looked at shape, personnel and transitions to improve. Analysis presented to the players with clear directions for improvement.
Talked about McGuinness who has been here for the whole time compared to Chong who’s basically had no time with the team at all and has instead had to rely on video clips. Accepts that those circumstances make it trickier to integrate and get players up to speed.
Despite prodding, refused to rise to the bait about the fans’ criticism. Sellés admitted there are “no excuses, we will try and win the [Ipswich] match”. There hasn’t been any ultimatum from the board who remain “supportive” of what Sellés and team are trying to do.
Oli Arblaster hasn’t returned to training, he’s had a setback. No defined timescale, more important to get him back healthy. He’ll be eased back in with U21 appearances but RS doesn’t see it being helpful to put a marker in, he doesn’t want to risk future appearances by rushing Blaster back. Showed some awareness of the issues relating to ACL rehab. Tom Davies has joined in some training sessions over the international break, expected to join in full training next week and be available for Charlton; there is no other injury news.
On Ipswich: knows Ipswich, has played against his team on a number of occasions. Full of praise for the job McKenna has done, sees Ipswich as a good team with strong players but Friday is a good opportunity for United to show what we’re about too.
The mentality has to be that the next game might be your last game and that the Championship is competitive, we are competitive but we need to start turning that into points.
[Interviewer 2 – unknown]
On turning the individuals into a team: we need to find the moments for the new players to get used to playing for United and with their teammates, learning from “moments” together.
Talked about avoid introversion as a reaction to the poor results: RS and team trying to decomplicate the situation and are trying to keep the players focussed on their football.
Keeping everyone involved given the size of the squad: the squad is now competitive. How hard players train is one thing but equally it might be that the approach calls for a change in personnel. All players need to be at their best to play for United.
We have a sports psychologist working with the team, particularly Oli Arblaster given his injury circumstances, but available for all players.
Nathan Redmond has left the club. RS wishes him all the best but that was it.
Jack Robinson’s departure: firstly, RS paid respect to a player who was at United for 5 years and was club captain. Robinson wanted more certainty over his future as he moved into the last year of his deal. Think it was lost in translation but RS suggested that Robinson was unhappy about “the direction the club was heading” but when pressed on this he denied it; my guess is that Sellés was referring to the fact that that his time at Bramall Lane had come to an end but I can see how some will construe this as Robinson being unhappy with performances under Sellés.
Happy to keep the key players on deadline day: “no proposals that the club considered interesting”. On the younger players: those staying at the Lane are expected to challenge for the first team through training and U21 matches.
[Interviewer 3 – unknown]
Questioned whether the post-Boro season review was sped up to influence the transfer business: no, we had our targets before the season started and the review was separate. Sellés and his team try and undertake detailed reviews every 6 matches but the three international breaks provide natural breaks which they’re using instead.
No team-building events outside Shirecliffe, this break saw 8 players away which would have reduced the impact. Expects players to do their own thing.
The international break followed by a Friday night match will impact the team selection. Bindon coming back in from New Zealand on Thursday will impact his choices.
Sellés’ view on centre backs is that the way they play the game is more important than their leadership qualities*. Talked about the range – young talented players, players coming into their prime and then experienced – but very clear that leadership is a secondary concern. The new players bring different characteristics compared to the ones who have left. For better or worse, the voices in the dressing room have changed.
Sellés and team are very clear in the direction we’re taking. There’s no chance of taking the next couple of games as “pre-season”. Expects us to be competitive at Ipswich. Players away on international duty have had all the same pre-match presentations as those training in person and the technical staff have watched their international appearances.
*I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that Sellés doesn't rate Jack Robinson the player and doesn't see his leadership skills as offsetting that. Good. He's gone up in my estimation.
