Gedson100
Well-Known Member
- Feb 13, 2012
- 4,487
- 14,648
Been pondering this evening given our relatively abject start to the season about the group dynamics that are affecting our coaching team and squad. It's something that the addition of Moutinho may well have had a positive impact on, as some have alluded to, in creating a natural bridge between the players and coaching staff. Whether that would have been the case we'll never know!
Some of AVB's decisions have seemed illogical, much as some of Redknapp's did and it's worth bearing in mind we're dealing with a very different coaching set-up than before.
Initially we have the contrast between Redknapp, a slightly distant, maybe paternal, certainly of an older generation and the relationship he had with his 'lads'. I find it hard to imagine that disgruntlement would have been voiced openly and group harmony would have been almost left to the 'kids in the playground' ie. the players, with Redknapp relying on his eyes and ears, ie the coaching staff, mainly ex-pros to manage the group and keep him up to date.
Of course AVB is a different beast. Whilst he must possess sufficient ego to perform the jobs he has done, the dynamic in melding the group is likely to be more difficult than it would be for an older man.
He is tasked with managing a group of players aged between 20-30 (Gallas & GKs aside) whilst being only a little older himself. He cannot rely on the distance of age seniority.
There have been quotes suggesting that he is seen as 'more approachable', he seems to be clearly more hands on than Redknapp and he appears to be trying to aim to please, maybe trying an alternative tactic to that at Chelsea which clearly failed. Ultimately he has to co-ordinate a group of 25-30 young men into a cohesive and positive unit.
Who has benefitted so far?
Gallas- said to be a 'leader', a role no doubt earnt by prestige and seniority. Known for a desire to win, he could well have become AVB's main man. Also likely to have the respect of the not small French speaking contingient at the club. This could explain why he's playing, to the surprise of many.
Defoe- strikes me as a 'ringleader' type, always vocal, again one of the more senior players, can quite imagine him being the leader of an established clique. I can visualise Lennon & Huddlestone as being cohorts. Playing due to lack of options but quite possible he's currently got high status within the group that matches his own opinion of himself.
Livermore- Seems a dominant character, has achieved what he has at the club through will and hard work.
Bale- Is aware of his talismanic status with the demise of VDV and Modric & certain of his place in the team.
The old guard- Today I saw a number of occasions where Dembele, Sigurdsson and Vertonghen made runs that are intrinsic to their game, only to be completely ignored in favour of 'tried and tested' alternatives. It's very early days for the new players, but the old guard have to start trusting them sooner rather than later.
Who has not benefitted from the group dynamic?
Sigurdsson- Currently lacks the force of personality to impose himself on the team and is being bypassed somewhat. Would probably benefit from being used as an impact substitute for now whilst he continues to integrate.
Walker/Assou-Ekotto- both seem to be struggling outside the realms of 4-4-2 without their wide man directly in front of them. Walker seems to me a bit of an outsider in the group, whilst Benny is typically horizontal. Time needed for adaptation, and reintegration to the new group (inc. all new signings etc)
Adebayor- Redknapp implied that 'he just needed an arm around him' and he may not get that level of cosseting in the new group. Hopefully established relationships with other players may minimise the impact of this.
The problem of the established group dynamic will be addressed by the integration of the new players. Dempsey, in particular appeals as a character that can create influence through application and endeavour, whilst Lloris' status bodes well for him and Dembele's obvious ability should enable him to adapt to the group quickly and gain acceptance and respect. That the new players include Vertonghen and Dembele (who know each other), Dembele and Dempsey (ditto) and Lloris with Kaboul/Gallas is encouraging for their integration.
The international break has arrived at an interesting juncture as it both enables more time for the group to settle yet sends some away, for a period of time. However, the coaches have good time to analyse the capabilites of their players from the matches played and the potential of their new players to challenge for starting places. By the next round of matches, all players should be up to a degree of match fitness, the squad will have bedded down away from the fear of transfer/replacement and the structure of both the tactics and the jobs required of each player within the squad should be more solid.
The introduction of midweek games will also help towards greater harmony and hopefully give players such as Caulker an outlet.
I, for one, hope that the next couple of weeks enable AVB to crystalise his first team and adopt strategies for each competition we are entering. I also hope the break allows him to bring the group together and that the new players do not have to suffer from their relatively short time at the club.
The American trip and general pre-season will have been a great bonding session for the players who were involved, and the cliques may be quite strong. It may well be AVB's greatest challenge to conquer the squad's egos and fashion them in his own image.
[Feel free to pick this apart, i'm mainly just riffing, but looking at things differently can often offer insights that simple 'footballing' analysis might miss. Hope someone enjoyed reading this too!]
Some of AVB's decisions have seemed illogical, much as some of Redknapp's did and it's worth bearing in mind we're dealing with a very different coaching set-up than before.
Initially we have the contrast between Redknapp, a slightly distant, maybe paternal, certainly of an older generation and the relationship he had with his 'lads'. I find it hard to imagine that disgruntlement would have been voiced openly and group harmony would have been almost left to the 'kids in the playground' ie. the players, with Redknapp relying on his eyes and ears, ie the coaching staff, mainly ex-pros to manage the group and keep him up to date.
Of course AVB is a different beast. Whilst he must possess sufficient ego to perform the jobs he has done, the dynamic in melding the group is likely to be more difficult than it would be for an older man.
He is tasked with managing a group of players aged between 20-30 (Gallas & GKs aside) whilst being only a little older himself. He cannot rely on the distance of age seniority.
There have been quotes suggesting that he is seen as 'more approachable', he seems to be clearly more hands on than Redknapp and he appears to be trying to aim to please, maybe trying an alternative tactic to that at Chelsea which clearly failed. Ultimately he has to co-ordinate a group of 25-30 young men into a cohesive and positive unit.
Who has benefitted so far?
Gallas- said to be a 'leader', a role no doubt earnt by prestige and seniority. Known for a desire to win, he could well have become AVB's main man. Also likely to have the respect of the not small French speaking contingient at the club. This could explain why he's playing, to the surprise of many.
Defoe- strikes me as a 'ringleader' type, always vocal, again one of the more senior players, can quite imagine him being the leader of an established clique. I can visualise Lennon & Huddlestone as being cohorts. Playing due to lack of options but quite possible he's currently got high status within the group that matches his own opinion of himself.
Livermore- Seems a dominant character, has achieved what he has at the club through will and hard work.
Bale- Is aware of his talismanic status with the demise of VDV and Modric & certain of his place in the team.
The old guard- Today I saw a number of occasions where Dembele, Sigurdsson and Vertonghen made runs that are intrinsic to their game, only to be completely ignored in favour of 'tried and tested' alternatives. It's very early days for the new players, but the old guard have to start trusting them sooner rather than later.
Who has not benefitted from the group dynamic?
Sigurdsson- Currently lacks the force of personality to impose himself on the team and is being bypassed somewhat. Would probably benefit from being used as an impact substitute for now whilst he continues to integrate.
Walker/Assou-Ekotto- both seem to be struggling outside the realms of 4-4-2 without their wide man directly in front of them. Walker seems to me a bit of an outsider in the group, whilst Benny is typically horizontal. Time needed for adaptation, and reintegration to the new group (inc. all new signings etc)
Adebayor- Redknapp implied that 'he just needed an arm around him' and he may not get that level of cosseting in the new group. Hopefully established relationships with other players may minimise the impact of this.
The problem of the established group dynamic will be addressed by the integration of the new players. Dempsey, in particular appeals as a character that can create influence through application and endeavour, whilst Lloris' status bodes well for him and Dembele's obvious ability should enable him to adapt to the group quickly and gain acceptance and respect. That the new players include Vertonghen and Dembele (who know each other), Dembele and Dempsey (ditto) and Lloris with Kaboul/Gallas is encouraging for their integration.
The international break has arrived at an interesting juncture as it both enables more time for the group to settle yet sends some away, for a period of time. However, the coaches have good time to analyse the capabilites of their players from the matches played and the potential of their new players to challenge for starting places. By the next round of matches, all players should be up to a degree of match fitness, the squad will have bedded down away from the fear of transfer/replacement and the structure of both the tactics and the jobs required of each player within the squad should be more solid.
The introduction of midweek games will also help towards greater harmony and hopefully give players such as Caulker an outlet.
I, for one, hope that the next couple of weeks enable AVB to crystalise his first team and adopt strategies for each competition we are entering. I also hope the break allows him to bring the group together and that the new players do not have to suffer from their relatively short time at the club.
The American trip and general pre-season will have been a great bonding session for the players who were involved, and the cliques may be quite strong. It may well be AVB's greatest challenge to conquer the squad's egos and fashion them in his own image.
[Feel free to pick this apart, i'm mainly just riffing, but looking at things differently can often offer insights that simple 'footballing' analysis might miss. Hope someone enjoyed reading this too!]
