speedie87
Well-Known Member
Steven Pressley open letter
This is an open letter Pressley did..........interesting.
Dear Scottish football,
WITH the exception of Celtic, all our sides are out of Europe by the end of August. This scenario has become a regular occurrence, with Celtic flying the flag for Scotland.
But the reality is this – one academy player started in the famous victory against Barcelona, Charlie Mulgrew. Only two Scottish players started that night, Mulgrew and Kris Commons. And Commons was developed south of the border.
Our national team have failed to qualify for the European Championships since 1996 and a World Cup finals since 1998. Our Under-21s have failed to qualify for a major tournament since 1996.
One of our two largest clubs, Rangers, liquidated and is performing in the lowest tier of Scottish football. One of our other major clubs, Hearts, are teetering on the brink and Dunfermline’s predicament would appear to be similar.
In the year 2012 we still have a situation where five top-flight clubs do not have their own private training base. Incredible. Where is the vision?
The number of supporters going to games is also a concern with average attendances in general falling throughout our game. Several weeks ago the combined gate of four SPL games played on the Saturday was around 15,500.
Our game’s governing bodies also can’t work together. It would appear that I’m the bearer of bad news but unfortunately that is the reality.
I’m deeply passionate about our country and the development of it – we must find solutions. We must make some short-term changes that I believe can help galvanise the supporters’ interest in our game. But as never before we must be prepared to make and embrace change, sacrificing short-term self-interest for long-term success.
This country’s hopes and dreams lie in our young players. That is why academies play such an integral part of the future. Many of our clubs are investing time and finance in them and yes we are making progress – but it’s still nowhere near enough.
There must be a direct correlation between the philosophy adopted at grassroots and academy level and the style of play at the top end of our game.
This requires our game at first-team level to evolve into a style with a greater emphasis on tactics and technique. You, the supporters, must embrace and truly start to understand the need for a change in our style of play.
The academies are only bricks and mortar but what’s fundamental is the footballing philosophy and the quality of coaching preached there.
These are the most crucial aspects – yet this is an area that still concerns me.
Because of my little boy and his involvement at academy level – not at Falkirk, I must add – it has allowed me to witness many of the clubs’ philosophies, the standard of the coaching and the demands put on young players.
The win-at-all-costs mentality still exists within some academies and this type of attitude is having a detrimental effect on the development of our game.
Young individuals either have a desire to win or they don’t. But what we can influence and affect is the understanding of standards, their game intelligence and the technical ability.
But within our academies we still are not working hard enough on technique. Nowhere near it.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. That’s what’s required.
Receiving the ball with the inside of the foot and then on the outside while moving with it, and mastering these techniques until they can do it with their eyes shut. Then progressing by doing it with pressure applied.
Although this type of exercise is very important, equally are the standards demanded by the coach.
To tackle some of these problems, the SFA have an important role to play. They must work harder to help clubs and support them financially to employ good ex-pros at grassroots and academy level.
This is vital and will take the correct degree of investment. This is the most important part of a player’s development and equally the development of our game in this country.
The employment of ex-professionals within academy structures is hugely prominent in the countries that have real progress within the game.
Another feature is the employment of skills coaches within the academies. We have no course and no qualification for this type of coach and it must be addressed.
We must be aspiring not for mediocrity, not producing players just capable of playing in the SPL – but players who are capable of getting this country back to being a force to be reckoned with.
We must open our curtains and realise what we have been doing is not working and that the importance of winning an under-12 academy game is insignificant.
The real importance is how many of these youngsters are being schooled in the manner which can take our game back to where we all want.
As a first-team manager my philosophy must reflect that of my academies. The players should arrive under my remit with all the suitable technical tools. My job then should be to develop them tactically and mentally while continuing to fine-tune their already in-built skills. And this type of scenario is not common in Scotland.
Successful countries always have an identity to their style of football – Brazil, Spain, Holland, Germany. But although they have always had a style of play, it has always evolved with the more tactical demands of the game.
I ask you this – what is the Scottish style of play? Because I don’t know.
Has it evolved and is it conducive to success at the top level of the modern game? The answer to that is no.
There is without doubt an apathy and monotony hanging over our game and we must take action to reinvigorate it.
I am an advocate of a larger top flight. I believe with the right consideration and creativity it can address many of the fundamental issues.
For the short term we must address one concerning problem – falling attendances and what is influencing them.
How do we get the lifeblood of the game back through the turnstiles because football, after all, is dear?
Are you, the supporters, suffering the effects of the economy with less disposable income? What about pricing, the cost to take you and your family to the game? Is it excessive?
What about kick-off times and the days on which games are being played? Or the monotony of playing each team on four or more occasions?
I could talk all day about the issues that must be addressed. Topics such as a more stringent financial governance of our clubs – or the development of an independent executive board whose purpose would be to make decisions on behalf of all clubs in the best interests of Scottish football.
The list goes on. But finally, football in this country suffers from a lack of respect and understanding. From our media, from clubs towards supporters and from supporters to clubs and managers.
The game is littered with opinions but many of these are formed without the appropriate experience, research, understanding and relevant information.
These opinions can be like a cancer and they continue to suppress our game.
Football on the continent has evolved enormously over the last 10 years while our game stands still. There has to be a greater degree of transparency and understanding on all issues – and we must all work together.
This is an open letter Pressley did..........interesting.
Dear Scottish football,
WITH the exception of Celtic, all our sides are out of Europe by the end of August. This scenario has become a regular occurrence, with Celtic flying the flag for Scotland.
But the reality is this – one academy player started in the famous victory against Barcelona, Charlie Mulgrew. Only two Scottish players started that night, Mulgrew and Kris Commons. And Commons was developed south of the border.
Our national team have failed to qualify for the European Championships since 1996 and a World Cup finals since 1998. Our Under-21s have failed to qualify for a major tournament since 1996.
One of our two largest clubs, Rangers, liquidated and is performing in the lowest tier of Scottish football. One of our other major clubs, Hearts, are teetering on the brink and Dunfermline’s predicament would appear to be similar.
In the year 2012 we still have a situation where five top-flight clubs do not have their own private training base. Incredible. Where is the vision?
The number of supporters going to games is also a concern with average attendances in general falling throughout our game. Several weeks ago the combined gate of four SPL games played on the Saturday was around 15,500.
Our game’s governing bodies also can’t work together. It would appear that I’m the bearer of bad news but unfortunately that is the reality.
I’m deeply passionate about our country and the development of it – we must find solutions. We must make some short-term changes that I believe can help galvanise the supporters’ interest in our game. But as never before we must be prepared to make and embrace change, sacrificing short-term self-interest for long-term success.
This country’s hopes and dreams lie in our young players. That is why academies play such an integral part of the future. Many of our clubs are investing time and finance in them and yes we are making progress – but it’s still nowhere near enough.
There must be a direct correlation between the philosophy adopted at grassroots and academy level and the style of play at the top end of our game.
This requires our game at first-team level to evolve into a style with a greater emphasis on tactics and technique. You, the supporters, must embrace and truly start to understand the need for a change in our style of play.
The academies are only bricks and mortar but what’s fundamental is the footballing philosophy and the quality of coaching preached there.
These are the most crucial aspects – yet this is an area that still concerns me.
Because of my little boy and his involvement at academy level – not at Falkirk, I must add – it has allowed me to witness many of the clubs’ philosophies, the standard of the coaching and the demands put on young players.
The win-at-all-costs mentality still exists within some academies and this type of attitude is having a detrimental effect on the development of our game.
Young individuals either have a desire to win or they don’t. But what we can influence and affect is the understanding of standards, their game intelligence and the technical ability.
But within our academies we still are not working hard enough on technique. Nowhere near it.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. That’s what’s required.
Receiving the ball with the inside of the foot and then on the outside while moving with it, and mastering these techniques until they can do it with their eyes shut. Then progressing by doing it with pressure applied.
Although this type of exercise is very important, equally are the standards demanded by the coach.
To tackle some of these problems, the SFA have an important role to play. They must work harder to help clubs and support them financially to employ good ex-pros at grassroots and academy level.
This is vital and will take the correct degree of investment. This is the most important part of a player’s development and equally the development of our game in this country.
The employment of ex-professionals within academy structures is hugely prominent in the countries that have real progress within the game.
Another feature is the employment of skills coaches within the academies. We have no course and no qualification for this type of coach and it must be addressed.
We must be aspiring not for mediocrity, not producing players just capable of playing in the SPL – but players who are capable of getting this country back to being a force to be reckoned with.
We must open our curtains and realise what we have been doing is not working and that the importance of winning an under-12 academy game is insignificant.
The real importance is how many of these youngsters are being schooled in the manner which can take our game back to where we all want.
As a first-team manager my philosophy must reflect that of my academies. The players should arrive under my remit with all the suitable technical tools. My job then should be to develop them tactically and mentally while continuing to fine-tune their already in-built skills. And this type of scenario is not common in Scotland.
Successful countries always have an identity to their style of football – Brazil, Spain, Holland, Germany. But although they have always had a style of play, it has always evolved with the more tactical demands of the game.
I ask you this – what is the Scottish style of play? Because I don’t know.
Has it evolved and is it conducive to success at the top level of the modern game? The answer to that is no.
There is without doubt an apathy and monotony hanging over our game and we must take action to reinvigorate it.
I am an advocate of a larger top flight. I believe with the right consideration and creativity it can address many of the fundamental issues.
For the short term we must address one concerning problem – falling attendances and what is influencing them.
How do we get the lifeblood of the game back through the turnstiles because football, after all, is dear?
Are you, the supporters, suffering the effects of the economy with less disposable income? What about pricing, the cost to take you and your family to the game? Is it excessive?
What about kick-off times and the days on which games are being played? Or the monotony of playing each team on four or more occasions?
I could talk all day about the issues that must be addressed. Topics such as a more stringent financial governance of our clubs – or the development of an independent executive board whose purpose would be to make decisions on behalf of all clubs in the best interests of Scottish football.
The list goes on. But finally, football in this country suffers from a lack of respect and understanding. From our media, from clubs towards supporters and from supporters to clubs and managers.
The game is littered with opinions but many of these are formed without the appropriate experience, research, understanding and relevant information.
These opinions can be like a cancer and they continue to suppress our game.
Football on the continent has evolved enormously over the last 10 years while our game stands still. There has to be a greater degree of transparency and understanding on all issues – and we must all work together.
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