As a coach, I understand that children participate in soccerto have fun. If children don’t have fun playing the game they will soon lose interest – This is the first stage of development as a coach.
I play to win. I believe that playing hard and training hard is the key to success. This is a life lesson both on the field and off it. Soccer is not about just about winning and getting trophies but about developing everyday.
As a coach it is just as important to develop their individual skills just as much as winning tournaments. Development requires that children play age appropriate activities so they are able to experience, comprehend and execute the game as it relates to where they are at and their own stage of physical and mental development.
It’s about learning the techniques of the game through a variety of fun games where players have as much contact with a ball as possible and learn at their own rates.
You have to put all effort and dedication into something you are passionate about and love to do. This is how you will succeed and develop.
Liverpool FC just received their christmas present early. Suarez put pen to paper and signed a long term contract committing his questionable future to the club. This is a very happy day for all Liverpool fans worldwide
The summer is approaching and transfers will be happening. We all know the key to a decent team is to have replacements and weapons to use. Sometimes a club must unload players to bring players in, financially or whatever the case maybe.
Prime example, our leader and captain Steven Gerrard is nearing the end of his playing career so Liverpool football club must be proactive in signing a young, up and coming talent to replace him when the time nears.
Here are a few players of the current squad I feel maybe offloaded this summer.
Brad Jones
Jones is a good keeper, represents Australian national team. I just don’t think as a number 2 keeper he is strong enough to be called on. I always think with that Pepe Reina is complacent. Jones doesn’t push him hard enough for the number 1 jersey.
Joe Allen
Brendan Rodgers brought him in from his old club Swansea. I just don’t think it’s worked out for him. Not strong enough physically for the defensive midfield spot. Competing with Leiva, Shelvey, Henderson even Sahin kept him out from playing.
Fabio Borini
Again, like Allen was brought in by Rodgers from his time at Swansea. Borini has been at several clubs in the past few seasons including Chelsea. Borini has had injuries, but when fit yet to show anything worthy. Being the number 3 striker he just isn’t good enough, especially when he is the first sub to come off the bench offensively
Oussama Assaidi
I liked this guy a lot, he is a fast winger and is technically very good on the ball. Assaidi can turn defenders inside and out. Rodgers just hasn’t given him a chance. I feel he doesn’t fit into his philosophy which is odd because he brought him in. Just hasn’t worked for him, a little bit like Joe Cole really. Perhaps he may go out on loan.
Martin Skrtel
Form has dipped in recent months. Lost his partnership with Daniel Agger especially with it being Jamie Carraghers last season. Liverpool will need to strengthen in the center off defence and could offload Martin. Not consistent enough.
Stewart Downing
Downing is on the fence. Hit or miss. Downing had a poor start to the season but really improved and favoured by Rodgers in the latter part of the season. I am not really a fan, I think a bit overrated but does the job when up for it.
With the end of the season drawing to a close, a lot of football fans worldwide talk about one thing… Transfers. Weather it is online in gossip columns, a discussion in the pub or reading it in the newspaper – players will be linked everywhere.
Few possible players being linked across Europe this summer
Chelsea move for Falcao
Xabi Alonso back to Liverpool
Cesc returning to the Emirates
United swoop for Marchisio
Robert Lewandowski to German rivals Bayern
City 20 million for Fernandinho
What are your thoughts, also do you have any other players being linked to other clubs?
As most of you are aware this week Luis Suarez was at the center of sports news, worldwide for the wrong reasons. During Liverpool’s home clash against Chelsea the Liverpool striker bit the arm of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Therefore, this week the Football Association decided to ban Suarez for 10 games, which would see him out the rest of the season and the start of the 2013-2014 season.
The question here is whether or not 10 games is a substantial ban for Suarez, barring in mind earlier this year he was banned 8 games for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. A vast majority of supporters are not happy with the way in which this has been handled by the FA, specifically the length of ban, most feel that the earlier infraction (racist slur) was of a more serious nature in comparison to his most recent infraction (biting of arm)
Here is a food for thought………how can one argue the fact a violent action should be less punishable than that of words spoken. After the racist remarks made by Suarez he has the distaste of being pinned a racist. Rightfully, he was punished for it, no one can condone such inexcusable behavior but is it fair to label an individual “a racist” after what may have been an action in the heat of the moment. The FA Association felt banning him an extra two games in comparison to his racist remark was appropriate. Keeping in mind this was not the first time Suarez has bitten someone during a game. In a society where violence is not condoned nor is racism, the infliction of pain directed towards another individual should be held at a higher punishable level and this why essentially the FA made this decision. Luis Suarez is a public figure and all his actions will fall under scrutiny, which is why someone in this position should be mindful,take precaution and responsibility. Speaking as a coach..
Those of you that watched the game and who have some knowledge of the game probably know what im going to say. In this league, you have to win your home games, that is a lesson we obviously need to learn from. Anyways, that is besides the point today. Liverpool had 80% of the procession. Brendan played Sahin and Allen as the two holding midfielders, I liked that a lot. Sterling and Borini playing wide with Stevie G support Suarez.
We did everything right. Passed the ball nicely, kept the procession and dictated play throughout the game. When Arsenal had a sniff they took their chances and scored. Our problem? we do not know what to do in the final 3rd. We seem to hit a brick wall. There is only so much Raheem Sterling can do on the left side. Suarez seemed to just run into defenders and look for penalties. We don’t have any attacking options. Remember, we were after a goal scorer in the window and didn’t get one. So what do we do? BR, was certain he was going to get a striker and this is one of the reason why we off loaded Carroll.
Here we are, 1 point in 9. You look to our bench, the only attacking players we have to come on are Jono and Stuart Downing. What do you do if your Brendan? How can you win a battle if you don’t have any weapons? The only decent player today was Raheem Sterling. The lad worked his socks off, even was tracking back to defend, superb. We seem to be putting all our hopes on him. Perhaps we should look to the reserves, give Adam Morgan a chance to shine? I really don’t know what we are going to do from here. Where are the goals going to come from? We don’t have a goal scorer. I am worried and very concerned. I feel for Brendan. It is not his fault. We have to look to upstairs. Directors and FSG? I still don’t understand how we could place more than 4 million for Clint Dempsey.
We have to keep the faith. We have to stay positive and we have to be patient. – Y.N.W.A
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Alex Burrell is the Founder and Administrator of Pitchofdreams.
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