CONFIDENCE vs COMPLACENCY

[cyprus-shrimp]

First let me state that the views expressed in this post are based purely on watching videos of games and reading a variety of reports. Also I want to make it clear that overall I am a fan of J.B. but that doesn't mean that he can't improve!!

After two great wins against FGR and MKD, it seemed to me that the squad was working well together, team spirit was high, performances were on the up as was the confidence being shown all over the pitch. Then we heard J.B. saying that there would be no complacency. One presumes therefore that he took whatever measures he deemed necessary to stop any complacency (part of his "never too high, never too low" philosophy?). Whatever, since then the performances have been disappointing and it seems that instead of stopping complacency, J.B. may in fact have stopped the confidence. There is a fine line between confidence and complacency, but I believe that he should have been trying to build on the players levels of confidence and at the same time making sure that hard work and a determination under-pinned this confidence. He should have been telling the players that they were much better than the opposition and providing that they kept their work ethic, they would continue to win matches.

"Never too high, never too low" really doesn't work for me - not in football and not in life in general. The birth of a child or the death of a good friend are always going to be very high and very low points for example. Similarly in football, a good win will always be a high, but I get the feeling that J.B. will focus on trying not to let the players get "too high". I think that he really needs to be more positive when he gets the chance and to encourage the confidence where he sees it. Yes of course he must also make sure that the hard work and effort continues.

One final point: from what I read I believe that against FGR and MKD, John McMahon sat alongside Jim on the bench and was pretty vociferous. Maybe that vociferousness needs to be encouraged also?

The squad that we currently have is, I believe, perfectly capable of taking MFC up the table and if the nucleus could be retained for next season, then who knows. BUT J.B. really must become more positive and encouraging of the confidence levels.

[black morse]

Not sure if he can change his approach. It's the way he is

[Slanester]

If a manager, of any team, at any level, is deemed to be deliberately, and intentionally quelling confidence within their players...... to achieve what .......difficult one for me

[Freez]

John McMahon was again on the bench yesterday and was again vocal. He is a very positive thinking coach.

[mrpotatohead]

I think the quote by Jim purely relates to football, not general life, a good win can soon be negated by a sloppy loss and it's better to concentrate on what's in front of you rather than either revel or dwell on what's behind you , a season is a marathon,not a sprint, and can be celebrated or moaned about in May, before a fresh start in August, I think we are as good as most teams in this league and if Jim can keep most of the squad together next season could be quite good for us.