Matt Murray, Nike Academy

I actually think Hemsworth has a point here.

Sometimes bringing in a new pair of eyes can really make a difference. Particularly in the short term. I remember Micky Mellon coming in who was a far superior coach and tactician to flicker and the change was almost instant.

But maybe getting an out of work coach in for the odd 1-2 sessions could be a way of improving our own coaches as well as inspiring the players.

I think it would be interesting to maybe over an international break pay someone such as a Tony Pulis type to come in observe/coach a few training sessions and give a bit of input and advice regarding what he's seen.

For example Hecky might say we've really been struggling with set pieces this season. An experienced pair of eyes could watch a few videos of goals conceded, view how Hecky coaches defensive set pieces and give advice on how he would maybe set up differently to improve things.

Just a thought.

 

I thought it was a good idea. The idea you says a little bit different to mine but will improve us as a team.

I was just thinking we have a young team. lets try and change things up for them plus lets me honest if they are coached by a bit of a star of there youth they will want to impress.

Not to you Chris but to the bright spark that mentioned sir Alex and Jose. First of all they have a charisma level streets ahead of our coachs plus they don't train the players every week. Sir Alex at the back end might have been doing a session a week.

Bit above our level but they are only humans after all but look at the artices on Rafa at Real Madrid. They players didn't respect him.

Look at Liverpool. Gerrard's the u18/19 coach. That's brilliant for Liverpool because for the next 5 years every player that he trains at that level will want to impress the great Steven Gerrard that helped them win the champions league.

 

I think coaching skill is far more important than accomplishments as a player. You talk as if Gerrard's mere presence has a greater beneficial effect than the actual coaching.

 

I still say our best coach (in the era where there was a manager and first team coach, reserve coach etc), whether you measure his success by first team results or the calibre of player he developed and brought through, was Eric Winstanley. All achieved on two muddy training pitches, no indoor facility, no academy, little budget. He was a "wow" figure to me and I suspect to many on here, but probably not to players from outside of our area.

I think there's some merit in the OP, but coaching in sport or workplaces generally has to be targeted to how the individuals respond and engage. Many a successful manager has had a coach who has bridges the gap between the manager and players. Horses for courses and all that.

 

That had absolutely nothing to do with Rafa’s playing career or coaching ability. The players at Liverpool certainly respected him during his tenure at Anfield, as did the magnificent Valencia squad that he oversaw.

Wasn’t the immediate issue at Real with regards to comments that he had made re Real whilst manager at La Liga/CL rivals Valencia?

 

Isn’t this Nike academy where a lot of players who get released go? I think Ronnie Branson’s son Conor who was in our academy for a while went there after his release

 

It is just that. think they played at Loughborough for a bit but now at St Georges Park.

I went and looked at the teams they play at, not bad at all.