Here we are ! I was just waiting for this Saturday to take time to have a short speech but I will use your questions to tell you all about my thoughts.
Your vision on long therm?
The same as two seasons ago. I want more alternatives in offense and so more complete (or differently oriented) players. Some players have been trained perfectly following this idea. Unfortunately, I notice a drop of enthusiasm within our managers and less players are ready to become part of a competitive U21 team... That also comes from the fact that we have less scouts and a few ones have too many players to motivate deeply all of them. First of all, I'd like to look for new scouts (I know Angi already does it but it might be more influent from the U21 Coach). Then, even if I am satisfied with the plans done for this season's U21 and what the majority of the stronger have become, I think about a more general way of making these plans to be more efficient and easier to use by the scouts.
Finally, I think that we must divide the training plans for PF.
- PG/SG are now closer of what I was looking for : good OD (at least 12), and better JS/JR. SGs only miss a higher PA level.
- It's been three seasons that I have one or two very complete player who plays SF and I don't wait more for that spot.
- We had good and great C recently, I think we should work on making the "only" inside-oriented big men of 18-19 very specific to be sure to have one monster C every season.
- For PF, I had bad experiences last season. This spot was our Achille's heel. Sometimes he is well outside-oriented but misses ID or RB. Sometimes he is nice inside but misses outside offense
or outside defense. It's hard to find the perfect PF or the perfect combinaison of PFs that can play alternatively on a specific tactic. I am so thinking about playing small ball and take the "best" inside defender PF or playing inside with the "best" outside defender PF and see according to the opponent what is the best thing to do. From the training point of vue, I want now to make PFs that have high OD
and ID ; this will be the priority. Then we'll see offensively which ones can easier fit to outside tactics and which ones can easier fit to inside tactics.
Your goals as manager of the U21 NT?
This season's championship will be hard due to the drop we did at WR because of last season's result in Consolation tournament. Polska seems unplayable while Israel and Hungary are not a gift... I want to believe in our chances to go through but it will be harder than the past European Championship, above all with the calendar we have... the best opponents to begin, the weakest to end... So, nothing under the 3rd place to be ambitious and a qualification would be a huge satisfaction !
Do you speak more than one language?
French and English (I won't say I can speak Spanish even if I could take contact with a Spanish speaking manager).
Do you select a player because of only the skills or are you looking for active managers with skilled players?
Excellent question as I always wonder what I should do about some players that lead me to this question. I take the 2 best (or the best to suit with the team) players on every spot. Sometimes I have only 1 player on a spot with 2 potential sub who can play on several spots. After that (between 8-10 players selected), I admit that I will prefer a player who is regularly trained as asked and with a motivated manager. Then, when I have my selection, the GS takes a big part of my decisions.
What are you going to change to reach qualification this therm?
You have my opinion about the tournament and our team above. I can't tell you that I would take more risks than two seasons ago because you will all think I'm crazy but I would say that being more secure this season will lead Belgium to a failure... Hope you have your answer B)
Feel free to ask questions.
Good luck to my opponent !
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