I’ve been reflecting on last season’s games and the anxiety we all experienced as a dismal December turned into a torturous January and February. We all knew we needed fifty points, and that run from the middle of March to the beginning of April was what got us there.
The performances and outcomes, especially the ones after the international break, were exactly what was needed. They defeated QPR, drew with Preston and Luton, and then defeated Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday.
Following a slap in the gut from two of the top three in a row, we had to settle for a grueling draw against Derby County to ensure we avoided danger on the last day.
What, then, changed, and how did we go from that anxious winter to a spring when we appeared to be doing okay? Naturally, by March, Mark Robins was getting his feet under the table.
Having three different managers in a season, along with the disparate opinions and uncertainties that accompany changes in the dug out, can both cause and exacerbate issues.
But also take a peek at his starting lineup. As the treatment room remained full, Stoke were overburdened for too many months. When he was able to line up with Sam Gallagher, Ben Pearson, Eric Bocat, and Million Manhoef, Robins’ patience in bringing players back didn’t show.
Although injuries are inevitable, dependability and athleticism must be two of your non-negotiables when hiring. You must have a team you can rely on, knowing that you can field a team that can compete through the demands of an entire campaign.
To avoid having to cross your fingers when they cross that white line and are on their own, you need players who can be physically consistent. It is my goal that the players that will begin to arrive at Clayton Wood in the coming months are those with availability records you can rely on.
It is more challenging to evaluate character, in part because it takes a variety of things to fill a changing room. As a manager or coach, it is your responsibility to manage them. Although having a strong core that can lead by example is beneficial, many players are actually unique.
You come to understand the balance of traits and personalities that it takes to find the proper recipe, but of course, I would have liked to be in a team where every player enjoyed running up Trentham Hills as much as I did.
I spent decades as a coach based on my playing career, but I was able to appreciate it much more after I stepped outside of my comfort zone and out of the game to earn my teaching credentials. You may wind up almost fighting with some stubborn players on the training field, but you must have patience and know how to implement change.
By the end of it, I was a better coach and a more well-rounded person. Completing several courses and putting one folder in as another comes out is challenging but eye-opening.
You want to get in a position, so when it’s 3 p.m. on a Saturday, or whatever hour we’re playing these days, you can look next to your teammate and know that they share your desire to win, even though their path to that goal may be different.
The fan base, who have been very patient, will benefit if you have that as players. You don’t want to have to endure depressing games like we did last winter if you’re spending money to see the team you love.
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