Marginal gains? You can’t beat pure ability or good coaching
ARE we obsessed with marginal gains? It is, apparently, of massive importance as we seek an advantage no matter how small.
National sides and clubs are surrounded by a plethora of assistants. This is across the board in other countries too. If we’re all doing it though, does it negate the gain?
It is fascinating to consider the changes that have taken place in our national game over the last 35 years. In the Seventies and Eighties, most teams were staffed by a manager, plus a trainer or coach, a physio and a chief scout. There would also be reserve team and youth team coaches.
In 1966 alf Ramsey only had Les Cocker and Harold Shepherdson alongside him — and we won a World Cup in England.
It is very different now. There are dieticians, doctors, analysts, psychologists and individual coaches. a few months ago the Fa advertised for an ‘out of possession coach’ for the junior sides! Interesting appointment.
I am not surprised that we have specialist goalkeeper coaches, it is a separate art. In the Eighties I had Bob Wilson, a brilliant teacher, alan Hodgkinson, Peter Bonetti and Pat Jennings at different clubs. Ray Clemence and Mike Kelly have wisely been used by England in recent years.
When orthodox wingers were in vogue there was a case for wing coaches (who could have helped with when to go and check back, body position when receiving a pass, areas for different types of crossing, combination play, etc).
What has surprised me is the massive amount of credibility — and publicity — given to various assistants. When Glenn Hoddle was England manager and wished to use the faith healer Eileen drewery, he was derided in some quarters. But if a player thought he could gain an advantage by seeking her help, what was the issue?
Likewise, Hoddle had the vision to use a sports psychologist, Professor John Syer, at Tottenham. Provided the players were confident of his confidentiality and benefits, there was only an upside — but at the time the players were uncooperative so it was not overly beneficial.
Now, dr Pippa Grange has been praised for her ability to hold confidential open meetings with players that has helped them relax. Evidently this helped our penalty-takers.
West Ham’s Ray Stewart, Luton’s david Moss and Southampton’s Matt Le Tissier were all superb sureshots from 12 yards but at the time had no support system. I wonder what they might think? Quite simply, they had mental strength, fine technique and supreme confidence in their ability. England have the self-proclaimed ‘world’s No 1 striker coach’ — what would Jimmy Greaves, arthur Rowley, Bobby Charlton, alan Shearer and Clive allen think about that? The principle of knee and head over the ball, planting your non-kicking foot alongside the ball and striking through it still apply. Goalscoring under pressure is the key. otherwise it would be far simpler.
Ultimately though, it is the manager’s call. one mustn’t decry these people too much if Gareth Southgate wants them in his backroom team. But, how much difference do they really make? How much help do top international players really need?
Several seasons ago, many clubs began to introduce a chaplain to help the players if they needed to solve a personal problem.
once, at Luton, I presented a signed football to a nun from the local church before a game against Port Vale. She thanked me for the club’s kindness and told me the team would be blessed that afternoon and win. I smiled and queried that if Port Vale manager John Rudge had also presented his local nun with a ball that week, who would be most likely to win?
We shall all be praying for a win today and I believe we will get it. No stone has been left unturned by the unassuming Southgate. It cannot be easy for him controlling and absorbing the information that is flying at him from all quarters. But how can we measure these so-called marginal gains?
a few seasons ago on a horribly cold windswept Saturday morning I watched an academy game at Tottenham against Manchester United with Sir alex Ferguson.
Michael Keane, Jesse Lingard and Josh King were playing for United while Harry Kane, Ryan Mason, andros Townsend and Tom Carroll lined up for Spurs. They all went on to win international caps.
The question we considered was: would these players get an opportunity?
With clever loans, good coaching and competitive youth football, the opportunities did open up. That’s why they developed and survived in the tough first-team arena because they not only had ability but were also mentally strong enough to take advantage of their opportunities.
It was the good coaching and competition — which they coped with — which sowed the seeds of their success. That’s where they accrued their marginal gains.