A game for the future POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Did we simply not play very well? Were we pressed beyond suffocation? Were we a little lucky to get a point? Are we a ‘prime conditions’ team? Are we still a team that needs ‘perfection’ to create chances? Did we play to Brighton’s strengths? Are our […]
The Return of Excitement POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES So much can be healed at home games if you are willing to start with energy that intimidates. You have the crowd already energized as they have hope. There is the expectation from your opponent that you will start fast and on the front foot as you […]
Unhurried, careful and scary POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES My wife: “You, ok, Mike? You look disheveled!” Me: “Arsenal” My wife: “Ohhhhhh, Arsenal!” I face plant onto our bed and lay there for at least 2 minutes. My daughter walks in: “You ok, Dad?” My wife: “Arsenal” My daughter: “Ohhhhhhh!” I get up from my post […]
Time to visit the shoeshine boy POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I’ve never been to a shoeshine boy. It’s on the bucket list. The ‘little bucket list’ which is different to the one where I plan on eating paella at Ikea with Santi Cazorla and Anders Limpar. I’m still nervous. You can probably tell. A home […]
Frustratingly delightful POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES What a delightful reminder that Arsenal can be fun! Not just the score but the attacking performance. As soon as the game was over I sit back to write this and get my analytical head on and start to feel frustrated. I feel frustrated not because I feel we […]
Coaching concerns clear POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I’m not sure I can think of a new coach that has had one unfortunate circumstance after another quite like Mikel Arteta. We know the list. I won’t bore you. Yet again, he was confronted with another list of unfortunate circumstances with multiple key starters out and others […]
A rectangular shaped problem POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES One of the joys of my coaching career was having the blessing of meeting and coaching a boy called Mark Sherrod. (Above) Mark drove 45 minutes four times a week to play on our team and did so for many years. Mark was not only a fabulous […]
Preparing for the absent POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I’m normally not in the camp of folk who say pre-season is just for fitness and rhythm. I’m still not. As a coach it is pivotal, not just for players to get in the groove but to try out the most important tactics/strategies that you want to […]
Will Arsenal go to Top Man? POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES (A Summer-so far report) Are you concerned that we haven’t signed the players we need yet? That the players we’ve signed aren’t going to make the immediate impact on the first team that we need? That the club won’t actually have the money or time […]
The Conductor and his part time Rock Band POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES End of season review This is a tale of the unnecessary. There once was a really good music teacher. He had been given the opportunity to work with a fairly talented but unbalanced rock band called ‘Unexpected.’ The music teacher had taken […]
