MR U11 NL Gold 2024/2025 (Market Road League) - Fusion

We faced a very well organised team, that also has very talented players.

Despite the formation both teams presented to the game. The key diferentiation was on the tactical, psychologial and social components of the game. Our team is also talented as individuals, but they still struggle to understand the principles of play attacking and defending and respective phases of the game.

The opposition played as a team and it is noticeable that they have been playing together for a long time.

One thing, that our boys need quick improvement, is to understand what is to be on a game mode mentality.  I endedup covering this match, and it was disappointed to see the opposition on the pitch warming up together with no interference or instruction from their coach, whilst our players, two or three kicking the ball, the others chatting, even when I called them a few times. The fact of keep on speaking over the coach, I wouldn't say that is lack of respect from them as they still are very young, but is a sign that they still on a stage where they don't understand what is to work as a team, and be part of one.

No one likes to lose, but honestly, when we face weaker teams, and this type of final score is in our favour,  seems that we are the best, and we are not. The same applies after this match, doesn't mean that we are bad. It means, that we can identify areas for improvement, and hopefully in the long run, each player will develop those areas, and linked them as a whole , and in a few months they might be able to start playing as team, and be able to face these types of opponents face-to-face.

Ps. I know James scored one goal, honestly, I don't remember who scored the second.

Once again, our players are good technically wise. The social component is there, as they care for each other, the psychological component is emerging (it is normal to get frustrated when losing a game, and that is a good sign), now the point for improvement is to deal with that frustration and bring it to life with discipline, criteria, resilience and prasing.  Tactically wise, might be the most difficult aspect for improvement, as they only will be able to improve if they ingrain those social and psychological components. Any decent coach, can coach the game, but if the players are not there to learn and engage on their learning, they will stay on this level of either lose against strong teams, or smash weaker opponents.

When I was coaching younger age groups, I always said football is about FUN, however, how much FUN do you want to have?
Is the same thing, if they like to play the piano or the guitar, they do it because they like it, therefore, have fun with it. However, the  FUN is more enjoyable when they learn how to play the song(s). In football, is the same. They will get much more FUN of the game, if they are willing to learn the game.