Did anyone else head to the event with the Japanese embassy yesterday? I thought it was really interesting. Some key points I remember. Feel free to correct me if I got anything wrong.
* A-League is very physical and Ishige said he is trying to think of work arounds to get past players
* In Japan they play 4 days before a match, we only do 3 days so they to think of what they can do for that missing day.
* In Japan there is hierarchy in the team but here it is more free and everyone gets a say. They think it is better to be in the middle.
* We need more players with basic skills and technique.
* A-League is very physical and Ishige said he is trying to think of work arounds to get past players
* In Japan they play 4 days before a match, we only do 3 days so they to think of what they can do for that missing day.
* In Japan there is hierarchy in the team but here it is more free and everyone gets a say. They think it is better to be in the middle.
* We need more players with basic skills and technique.
We used to have a ‘leadership group’, but I think that went out with Uffie, or even Rudan? He wanted all players to take leadership and responsibility on the field.
And if the basic culture of the team won’t be changing in a way that’ll suit these boys, how can the team culture be made more inclusive and informed be each perspective? I think there’s a real danger of team cliques, and although I’m sure Chief is all over it, from the outside that seems like the value of someone like David Ball.
I mean they need to get on the piss a bit, go to the bird sanctuary, make sure everyone gets an invite to the cafe and goes or whatever…have an okonomiyaki night out or get some electric fry pans in and have the boys learn how to make it as part of a recovery day or whatever…
And obviously there is a hierarchy, but it’s certainly not as obvious as Japan. It’s another issue with older/younger squads and one Chief has to keep working on.
I’d be interested to hear how this event happened, because the takeaway from the premise is the boys are not completely happy or comfortable with the team culture style.
Again something Chief needs to hear as part of getting the most out of his players. I think it’s likely he’s one of the least disciplinarian/cranky managers we’ve had, coming out of the AC role he’s previously had. He’s not renowned for being a ‘hairdryer treatment’ style lad.
Be interesting to see what, if anything comes of this, if your reporting is accurate! Glad you brought it up because I was going to ask.
It’s also a factor of working in a different league, in a different country that there may be differences to the way of working. It would be interesting to see how players like Imai-san, Ibusuki-san and even historically Ono-san adapted to the league.