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This Weeks Reflection 1st – 7th March

March 7th, 2010
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This week has been a little lazy. I haven’t been doing many extra trainings, and I think i’ve lost some of that motivation of becoming the best,
why.. because I am becoming better, i’m seeing now that the challenge of becoming a premier league star is not impossible, that I can relax and delay a little, I have plenty of time
to do what I want.
I need to get back to a grip on reality, after all I didn’t amaze anyone at the wimbledon trial, a club in the 5th division. I’m not consistently the best player at training. I’m not what I want to be right now yet I’m relaxing. I’m not giving 100% at club trainings or at lunch. It’s time to shake off whatever mentality i’ve had over the past week and get back into a winning mentality, 100%.
Here’s what I have seen of myself on the pitch this week:
Tuesday:
- Scored a hattrick in three short games, finishing better.
Wednesday:
- Feel as though my play intelligence is getting better
- Finishing shows slight improvement
- One-touch long passing is innacurate and needs work
- One of my 10/10 strengths can be running across the field with the ball.
Thursday:
- Not much I can say : / Didn’t do much ball work.
Saturday:
- Need to give more in games, was not giving 100%.
Other: When my foot placement is right next to the ball, I shoot good. There’s a tip for finishing.
I really need to take the time to properly dig into all the observations i’ve been making of myself, i’m being lazy and not properly managing my time so therefore I haven’t been looking into myself.
Tomorrow I will write out a list of my current weaknesses and strengths in 2010. I’ll see if anything has improved in my current four biggest weaknesses and I definently need to work on identifying my strengths.
Time to get to bed and give next week my best.
To end the week, good line  (it doesn’t really sum it up) from the movie shutter island I watched yesterday it goes something like: “Pain is your mind telling you that you are in pain”.

Weeks Reflection ,

England Review 22nd – 28th February

February 28th, 2010
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So this evening I got back from London and after watching Chelsea get beat yesterday by Man City at stamford bridge and stupid math homework I just wrote random answers to so I could get it done, i’m not feeling the happiest. But on the good side, going to England and training and playing with competitive youngsters and just getting the experience of playing english football was well worth it. I have come to a conclusion now that after I finish my studies at school, it would be my dream to be..

Living in England/Europe and Playing for a Premier League Academy or Top Level Team

Working Part Time on my Business’

That’s my short-term goal right now and I have about a year and a half to achieve it, time goes fast so i’m working towards the short-term dream from tomorrow, I’m committed!

Reflecting upon the three, two hour trainings with AFC Wimbledon this is what I learnt. What training mostly consisted of were passing drills and one-two touch drills. We never did any fitness sessions, however most of the drills were done at high intensity. The academy team has some good players, however the coaching staff weren’t amazing. I thought Mark the head coach was a good guy, but he didn’t have full discipline over the players, I thought at times he laughed to much with them and could of dealt with heavier consequences to those who were misbehaving in the change rooms or something. The two other coaching staff could of put in more input at times and I don’t know.. I just didn’t think it was professional enough.

Monday:

  • Leant they play at a high pace and touch has to be good but it was nothing hard I could handle it easy.
  • Other players finishing is better than mine

Tuesday:

  • Learnt that so many players are undisciplined (for example players talking when the coach is talking)
  • Have to be strong physically.
  • Standing tackiling was very poor, got beaten through the legs a million times!
  • Haven’t seen a player that really wants it, that gave it their all to be noticed, to win balls, etc.

Friday:

  • Finishing was poor, striking with laces needs more power.

The other things I found is that touch is really important, which the pros have said before but now I really now how valuable a good touch is when in high intensity, fast pace situations. Speed also helps alot in my opinion.

The Overall Wrap Up from the Coach

I wasn’t exceptional and he didn’t go wow I really need that player on my team.
I was there with the standard of players, but not in the high standard bracket.
I need to be stronger physically.
Use inside of the foot more.
He said I didn’t look quick on the pitch, but probably because it was a small pitch.
I looked ok technically.
Times where I looked like I got pushed off the ball.
Need to make faster decisions.
Need to kick some playing habits out of my game, he didn’t say what exactly.

So the three most important things i’ve learnt about myself in my time there and that need to be improved in order to make it where I want is:

  • Be 10/10 in some areas so I am considered an exceptional player
  • Faster decision making
  • Strength on and off the ball

    • The next trial I want to go to is for the open trials at the Bolton International Academy in three or four weeks time, will keep you updated if I decide to go or not.

    Otherwise, I will keep working hard to become an world class footballer!

    Weeks Reflection , , , , , ,

    Weekly Review 15 – 21st February

    February 21st, 2010
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    Hey, so it is half past nine and i’m sitting in bed at my brothers house in London and taking the time to reflect on the week.

    Trials Day

    Today was the footballcv trials day in Hampton. It didn’t go so well.. 15-20 minutes after the game starting I got a metal studded boot right in the forehead. Starting bleeding and they had to take me off immediately and I ended up going to the hospital to see if I needed stitches. Turns out the cut didn’t need stitches and the whole day was almost a waste of time. Although I did learn some things in those 15-20 minutes about my first experience playing in England.

    1. It’s played at a faster pace, requiring top fitness.
    2. Many more long balls
    3. Harder tackles

    Yeah it was interesting and I’ll learn more about it this week at Wimbledon.

    My Preparation
    I had a pretty hectic week juggling school, business and football so I had to “cancel” 3 or 4 things I was planning to do, but I also felt my body needed a rest in some occasions because I could risk injury.

    How the week went

    We did alot of fitness on Wednesday and Thursday and not alot of technical ball work, but i’ll tell you what went on:

    Tuesday:

    • Finishing was really good, however I wasn’t placed in any one on one situations.

    Saturday:

    • Two touch passing is not great
    • Finishing was once again good

    Sunday (Match/Trials Day):

    • Short passing was horrible, situations where I got scared, didn’t think and gave the ball away about 2-3 times in 15 minutes.
    • Long passing was ok.
    • Tackling was good, the best assest.

    Alright, so now comes Wimbledon.. will keep updated.

    Weeks Reflection , , , , ,

    Weekly Review 8th – 14th February

    February 14th, 2010
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    What to say about this week…

    I’ve only really trained twice this week due to a little sprain in my toe and a knock in my knee. Probably which I could’ve trained on but seeing as I am finally going to England next week to trial, I didn’t want to risk injuring myself further.

    In the round up of how my two trainings went, here it is:

    Thursday:
    - Too relaxed on the ball
    - Shooting was way off! Missed all chances.
    - Turning with the ball was good, something I have worked on (training pays off once again!)

    Saturday:
    - Played game, had three one on one chances and finished none! Should have finished all of them.
    - Dribbling through cones only with inside of one foot needs a lot of improvement.

    I’m about 100% again and next week will be about catching up and getting ready, preparation week. I’m feeling a little out of fitness and I need to work on a couple of things so I don’t embarrass my self. I’ve worked out a schedule which I will stick to until Saturday when I leave to the airport. If I am not at my best at 100% before going into the trial, then I won’t really know how I measure up.

    Monday Morning: 10 minutes right/left foot one touch passing,  10 minutes two touch passing, finish with 50 pushups, 50 situps, 150 leg co-ordination exercises / Lunch: 15-20 minute game with friends / Afternoon: 40 minute treadmill run.

    Tuesday Morning: Same as Monday / Lunch: Same / Evening: Club training.

    Wednesday Morning: 30 minute run / Lunch: Same / Evening: Club training.

    Thursday Morning: 10 minutes juggling, 20 minutes dribbling exercises, 10 minutes one touch, two touch/ Lunch: Same / Evening: Club training.

    Friday Morning: 60 minutes run / Lunch: Same / Afternoon: Swim

    Saturday Morning: Club training and then leave to England.

    Sunday: Trials day at FootballCV.

    Monday – Saturday: Wimbledon.

    Weeks Reflection , , ,

    Weekly Review 1st -7th February

    February 7th, 2010
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    So following on from today’s other post,
    I had a rocky week this week. Only trained on Tuesday and Wednesday as I got a slight strain on my knee from doing some stretching exercises on Wednesday night. Going through the days here were the key points..

    Wednesday:
    Passing against bench exercise with more pace.
    Need to have quicker legs in trampoline sprinting exercise.
    Following and man marking has to be better for defending.
    Awareness and one touch passing was good.

    Saturday’s Game:
    The Big Thing That Needs Improvement:
    - Taking players on one-on-one, especially with left foot. [I was playing on the right and left wings and was far too slow with taking the ball up, passing and taking players on].
    - Shooting was appalling. 2 shots on target, 3 shots way off target.
    - Crossing with left foot needs way more improvement.
    - Getting back for Tackles, and especially slide tackles were great.

    Now, I also have noticed how much training really does relate to games. Everything, the way I pass the ball, how fast I take the ball up the field, how fast for me it takes to get back to defend. I somehow thought that when you’re in a game situation it’s different but really it’s exactly the same. My coach was saying this before, but I didn’t really understand it until now.

    I also find that the things you learn while watching games really does make a difference to how you play, from the way you position your body to where you pass, yeah all I have to say is that watching lots of premier league games has made me smarter in football :)

    Two weeks before England, I have to buckle down right now and prepare properly because if i’m not at my best at 100% before going, than how will I really know how I measure up to these english players.

    Stay tuned for more.

    Weeks Reflection , , , , ,

    What’s My Motivation?

    February 7th, 2010
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    I think there comes a time in every successful person’s life when they ask what the purpose of their goal will do for them and others. I’ve asked myself the same question this weekend. I haven’t felt motivated to eat right, to train more and get up early in the mornings and do extra stuff at the gym or at home. In the game this weekend I didn’t feel as though I gave it my all because the motivation wasn’t there. That’s why i’m asking myself now.. what’s my motivation?

    I’m thinking about it, and I know that ultimately, being a professional sports athlete (especially a footballer) would be an hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience that only a few people in the world being in the position would experience. What would it mean for me?
    The Difference between being a businessman and a footballer is that in football you acheive goals as a team. In business you are only one person to do something, an entrepreneur to acheive something. In a team, people who have worked extremely hard everyone is fighting for one thing that affects the lives of others in joy and celebration. You are judged by what you have done. If i’m a great footballer than billions will listen because fans relate more. If  i’m a great businessman than only millions will listen. Billions will change the world. Millions will not.

    This is my Ultimate Footballers Experience:

    Luxury
    - Private Planes
    - Luxury Hotels
    - Finest Facilities in the World
    Life
    - To be apart and relate to things that only a few people in the world could ever experience as comes with playing in a world class team.
    - Thousands of hours of work defined in a moment of amazing and mesmorising joy that is experienced with the millions of fans around you.
    - Prove to myself, that I myself is the only obstacle to achieving my dreams.
    Others
    - Affecting the lives of tens of millions of people for the better, by helping them acheive a goal that is talked about forever. Whether that is winning the champions league or world cup.
    - To be seen as simply a man who had dreams and became successful by acheiving those dreams.
    - Football is the world’s game. Billions of people watch and support the sport and that is something that cannot be questioned. I, becoming the worlds figure of success and changing the world into a success oriented place communicating through the medium of football. Where people will be happier and more successful themselves.

    These quotes are by champions and remind to keep on track of my goal:

    Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever – Lance Armstrong

    Every single day I wake up and commit to myself to becoming a better player. Mia Hamm
    Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world. That is the ultimate salute to my life. Pele.
    The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when no one else is watching.
    Pain is weakness leaving your body. USMC.

    If I am still standing at the end of the race, hit me with a board and knock me down, because that means I didn’t run hard enough.

    Confidence, Concentration, Goals, Success, Determination , ,

    Mascherano on close control

    February 2nd, 2010
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    Just watched Hull City v Chelsea, 1-1 disappointing if we want to win the title.

    So the biggest problem in training for me today was keeping the ball under close control. Javier Mascherano talks about how he keeps the ball under close control, another good video from nikefootball.

    • Keep on your toes.
    • Be aware of the players around you before receiving.
    • Take the ball away from the closest player, away from danger.

    Uncategorized , , , , ,

    Weekly Review 25th – 31st Jan

    January 31st, 2010
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    Hmm.. what to say about this week.
    Going through the days I found

    Tuesday:

    • More determination to do better in long fitness exercise in training

    Wednesday:

    • Long passing accuracy can be improved
    • Left foot finishing needs improvement
    • Short touches with the ball again needs more improvement

    Thursday:

    • Running at high pace needs to have more smaller touches for more control

    Looking at what i’ve wrote the last few weeks, working on having smaller touches looks like the biggest concern. So next week i’ll focus on keeping smaller touches! I wish I could work on this stuff at the oval near my house, but it’s snowed down like crazy the last few days.

    So I Couldn’t train on Saturday or today because I slightly sprained my toe, hopefully it gets better by tomorrow.

    It’s probably because i’ve kicked my mini ball all around the house alot this past week before school and after trainings. What Will Smith said about “working when the other dude is sleeping” has made me think and realise that to go where I want to go I gotta “work on my football skills while the other dudes are sleeping” .

    Fresh new week from Monday, I got a game on Saturday to top it off. Lovin it.

    Weeks Reflection , , , ,

    New Video

    January 30th, 2010
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    This was actually taken back in November but it’s only now i’ve edited it and stuff. Anyway it shows some OK bits when I was kicking the ball with my Dad on a Sunday arvo for about half an hour. Dad’s a useless keeper. Also has some ‘inspirational photos’ and such. Anyway here you go:

    Confidence, Concentration, Goals, Success, Determination , , , , , ,

    Believing you will suceed will make you succeed.

    January 26th, 2010
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    So last night after watching Will Smith’s video on wisdom, I became really motivated. I have this red, mini football I got from my club’s Christmas party.  I set a unreasonable target for myself that I would get 100 juggles with this mini ball by the end of the night. I could barley do 10 or 15 kick ups to start, my record was probably about 20, but I never stopped believing that I wouldn’t get 100 and eventually I got closer and closer until around two hours later YES! I got over 100 juggles.

    So basically what seemed like an impossible task to start wasn’t actually impossible at all, it was just a state of mind.

    I have also just come back home from a pretty hard fitness training, I hate them so much but I have realised that in order for me to become one of the best players that ever lived I need to have tough mental challenges for myself and so things like that is good for me and now I am enjoying it, that while i’m going through physical exhaustion that the exhaustion is just a state of mind, by body telling me that I can’t keep going. But in truth I can and like Will Smith says “I’m not afraid to die on the treadmill” ha ha :D

    Confidence, Concentration, Goals, Success, Determination , , , , ,

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