Team Spirit - A Double Edged Sword

[downendcity]

This is just some thoughts I had after the West Brom result last night.

I think we all accept that this year's sucess is down to the fact that Gj has built a team and that they have played with a spirit that has undone many teams with better quaility players than we have. However, I am wondering whether the very factor that has led to our success might also be the reason why we are struggling just now, and if current form continues, might struggle to just get over the winning line at the end of the season.

It appears that GJ prefers to have team players rather than strong individual personalties or charecters. The only problem is that when the collective team spirit is eroded or breaks completely then it affects the whole team as a unit. Looking at our last 6/7 results and performances, might it not be the case that the pressure is telling and that after last Saturday in particular, belief and confidence is draining from the players?

Does GJ's philosophy mean that we perhaps lack that strong character with the balls to take a game by the scruff of the neck, and lift the other players by the strength of his example? West Brom have a 34 year old player whose been there, seen it and done it and rejected his club's offer of a new contract because he wants a 2 year deal. How would such a player stand with GJ, and would he still be featuring in the team? Last night that player(Phillips) came on with 15 minutes to go when his side were 1 down and hadn't had a shot on target. Within 10 minutes he got 2 goals to turn the game around and send them top of the table. Last Saturday Phillips and Greening imposed themselves on the game with Pompey from the start and you could see the rest of the team respond with a perfromance that put Pompey in the shade.

In fairness we knowe we don't have anyone with Phillips' level of ability and experience ( or goalscoring prowess unfortunately!) The only player I can think of who has made such an impact for us recently is Steve Brooker, but what other players you think GJ can look to to lead by example and turn the game for us because I think the next 4 games are the time for individuals to stand up and be counted?

[Bristol Boy]

Very perceptive assesment.

There can be no doubt that with City the unit has always been greater then the sum of the parts however, our style is about being effective and, as you say, is built around team ethic, players giving 100% at all times and a tight bond.

Disenters are neithet tolerated or listened to and those who even disagree find themselves ostracised.

IMHO there is a level at which that works and, like all systems and management styles it has a shelf life.

Let's hope that shelf life includes three or four more wins!

[sunningdalered]

Good one - and I think you're dead right that one (or maybe two) players who really grasp the nettle over these last couple of games could make all the difference. In fact, to be honest, I have been looking for this sort of reaction from someone when GJ has professed to giving the team the hairdryer treatment in recent weeks - but the worse we play, the more the players seem to shrink (although, not in a LJ way ) rather than come out more determined next game.

I think the only candidate for the available position of leader, is a rejuvenated Marv. He has to start marauding around the pitch, and getting into and around the box more, like he was earlier in the season, even if that means risking leaving a gap in the middle of the park whilst he does it. Brooks will def do his bit, but he needs the supply of quick, precise ball- enter Marv again.

Bl**dy hell I wish this individual would step forward - the Wolves game would be a great time for it to happen. Guarateed immortalisation (yes - its a real word) for any man who has the requisite minerals.

[East End Lad]

Marvin Elliot and Steve Brooker appear to be the likely men.

Elliot has the talent to play as well as he wants in the next 4 games. If he plays as he did at the start of the season then he can be the player that really takes us to the Premier League.

Steve Brooker can be that man as well. Althought not in such an idea position for the role, he has that captains quality about him and can lead by example through his determination and effort. A fully fit Steve Brooker is the best striker we have at the club in my opinion and hopefully he can lead us to the Prem.

There is also Louis Carey that should probably get a mention as well. 500+ games for Bristol City now and hopefully he can use that experence to help the other players in the team who maybe are looking for a bit of leadership at the moment. Although he probably isnt playing as well as he was before the injury, if he can get back to that standard for Wolves then he could play a major part as well.

[downendcity]

Marvin Elliot and Steve Brooker appear to be the likely men.

Elliot has the talent to play as well as he wants in the next 4 games. If he plays as he did at the start of the season then he can be the player that really takes us to the Premier League.

Steve Brooker can be that man as well. Althought not in such an idea position for the role, he has that captains quality about him and can lead by example through his determination and effort. A fully fit Steve Brooker is the best striker we have at the club in my opinion and hopefully he can lead us to the Prem.

There is also Louis Carey that should probably get a mention as well. 500+ games for Bristol City now and hopefully he can use that experence to help the other players in the team who maybe are looking for a bit of leadership at the moment. Although he probably isnt playing as well as he was before the injury, if he can get back to that standard for Wolves then he could play a major part as well.

Alan Hansen always goes on about looking for quality through the spine of the team and that's what you've identified. I feel that Brooker would impose himslef on a game more than Adebola. Likewise I don't think we have anyone who can really takem hole of midfield like Elliott. With both of them playing at full throttle, it might give the whole team the impetus we've lost latley.

[Geoff65]

Team ethic is just part of the management style that GJ has bonded into the team the other which in my opinion is a bit more evident and dangerous is to do with confidence and self belief - I think GJ installed that at the start of the season and after the first couple of games got the confidence and self belief sky rocketing with all the individuals within the squad - games were tight but the fast paced, quick passing was evident and the determination and effort were rewarded with results. The danger with the confidence and self belief management style is that players start self doubting and not trusting their instincts and skills and can lead to players not trusting other players with the ball. Take a look at Arsenal and the way they play - the place is an Ego Factory where the self confidence goes over the top - take Vierra, Henry, Ashley Cole and Adebayor for examples (the latter telling Bendtner that he only came on as a Sub as he thought Bendtner was s,hite - hence the fistycuffs that followed) and this led my Mr Wenger (we can beat any team in the world) - sorry went a bit off track there but Arsenal went 49 matches unbeaten then lost to Man Utd and their confidence evaporated and the team failed to win for 5 or 6 matches - when they got their confidence back - boy they looked great - but it is a fundamental flaw in that type of management style.

I think our recent form has been on the back of two things - the confidence being dealt a blow - but hey we are still up there and we have to keep believing and the players have to start believing in their talents again - just like they did earlier in the season - trust their one touch pass and move abilities. The other aspect that has led to our recent form (and lets not forget that Stoke Watford Charlton and to some extent WBA have all experienced this too) is that when the games were tight early in the season the perception by some players is that the game they are playing in is less important than the ones they are now playing in as they can see a definite outcome to the result they get after 90 mins i.e. promotion points, relegation points, play offs places and being safe again for the next year are all tangible outcomes of winning or gaining a point from a match whereas earlier in the season the outcome wasn't as obvious. So tight games for opposition seeming to have more importance than earlier are trying that bit more extra now and where we would succeed far more in tight games earlier in the season then we are still putting the same effort in but not getting as many results as we used to.

As to the team spirit aspect - I think it's still there - there are players who might be thinking about next season and where they might be playing (i,e, away from AG) and the best bit we can ask for is the players who are picked for the team on the day of the match stop doubting and start believing again and passing the ball fast and furious with accuracy and precision and the inevitable early goal will install the self belief that they should have as after all they have got us to the best position in the league for a very very long time.