Team Spirit

[gavbacon]

Article on Wilshire talking about the new found team spirit this year, apparently they've been going out for team dinners and socialising together a lot more, which apparently they haven't done for a few years.

I was a bit surprised when I heard that, although probably shouldn't have been given our previous lack of leadership on the pitch and the fact that our Captain's keep buggering off!

Link to the article...

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football ... om-secrets

[northbank123]

We have looked a bit more of a 'team' if you will in the past few months, although last weekend was a severe wake-up call. We dug in to win a lot of games with our backs to the wall last season but ultimately that's what you have to do in the big games too over the whole season and we're just not there.

That said, I don't think socialising as a team is going to win us anything or even really make a massive difference. There have been plenty of stories about successful teams where team-mates weren't really friends or sometimes actively resented each other, or even where the manager and certain players don't always get on that well. Being friends with the bloke next to you on the pitch won't win you games: quality, commitment and competitive edge in addition to sound tactics and knowing each other's games inside out is.

These are the sorts of claims that are made every season. 2012/13 it was stories about Mertesacker doing team fines etc. 2011/12 it was about how van Judas and his wife had really increased the social activity with the players + families.

[topgoon]

We have looked a bit more of a 'team' if you will in the past few months, although last weekend was a severe wake-up call. We dug in to win a lot of games with our backs to the wall last season but ultimately that's what you have to do in the big games too over the whole season and we're just not there.

That said, I don't think socialising as a team is going to win us anything or even really make a massive difference. There have been plenty of stories about successful teams where team-mates weren't really friends or sometimes actively resented each other, or even where the manager and certain players don't always get on that well. Being friends with the bloke next to you on the pitch won't win you games: quality, commitment and competitive edge in addition to sound tactics and knowing each other's games inside out is.

These are the sorts of claims that are made every season. 2012/13 it was stories about Mertesacker doing team fines etc. 2011/12 it was about how van Judas and his wife had really increased the social activity with the players + families.

I remember that one very well and I think there was even a conveniently organised pap' photo of them leaving some upmarket pizza joint.

Personally I think the way they play against shitty and the saints will be the best indicator of any new "team spirit". It's easy to be a team when you're winning, recovering from set backs is what sets you apart, something that unfortunately the Invincibles failed at in 04/05 season even if they were robbed in the most heinous way.

[QuartzGooner]

As with all clubs you get groups of players that hang out with each other.

There is a wide range of ages in the squad, and players tend to be friends in small groups with age or language in common.

If the players can be encouraged to do something socially once a fortnight, it should be a good thing.
Not just sitting in a nightclub somewhere though.