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Tappa's coaching style and yesterday's practice.
Well, I saw 1 1/2 practice sessions recently. Tappa scrimmaged with the 2nd team yesterday. The day before they split up into smaller groups using a smaller field. Tappa directed traffic as he played. Yesterday, Bradley Stewart was the one shouting corrections to the players and making subsitutions.
The players got on very well with both coaches. Tappa high-fived the players and joked around. It seems like he was under no danger of the players losing their respect for him. And the respect was there when he had the ball. It was not wise to go rushing in when Tappa had the ball.
The only time you may realise that Tappa was a coach and not a player was when he huddled with Bradley from time to time.
The scrimmage itself was impressive. I have been to other practice sessions where some poor football is played. Yesterday scrimmage was tight - good ball movement for the most part, and decent shooting from some. Crosses still sucked generally, I thought, with Chris Walker being the main culprit there.
Shelton had his way with Kerr in goal, but Kerr did not look particularly convincing. Ricketts, on the other hand, did not have much to do. Shelton is faster in real life!
The rivalry and competition between players was healthy. Shelton battled Oneil Thompson on many occasions. I think Bigga proved tough to beat, even if he had to resort to some illegalities. Austin is a terrier and a terror in midfield and protected the ball well, even while looking careless.
Fuller opened the scoring against Kerr but hesitated on other occasions. Just not a real goalscorer for me. Try him at midfield or not at all is my view. Great ball handling skills, but we know that.
And I heard again that he and Shelton are not friends. I don't have a problem with that but it should not be demonstrated on the field. Sadly, that might be the case.
Pepe? He held his own. Did not appear particular slow as some would expect. Marshall was strong in the air and firm on the ground.
Generally, the players looked fit and ready.
By the way, Demar Stewart is a Mack Truck. I wouldn't tackle him any time soon. The other Demar is a handful of energy.
I get the feeling that the players will play their hearts out for Tappa. Let's see what happens later.
The players got on very well with both coaches. Tappa high-fived the players and joked around. It seems like he was under no danger of the players losing their respect for him. And the respect was there when he had the ball. It was not wise to go rushing in when Tappa had the ball.
The only time you may realise that Tappa was a coach and not a player was when he huddled with Bradley from time to time.
The scrimmage itself was impressive. I have been to other practice sessions where some poor football is played. Yesterday scrimmage was tight - good ball movement for the most part, and decent shooting from some. Crosses still sucked generally, I thought, with Chris Walker being the main culprit there.
Shelton had his way with Kerr in goal, but Kerr did not look particularly convincing. Ricketts, on the other hand, did not have much to do. Shelton is faster in real life!
The rivalry and competition between players was healthy. Shelton battled Oneil Thompson on many occasions. I think Bigga proved tough to beat, even if he had to resort to some illegalities. Austin is a terrier and a terror in midfield and protected the ball well, even while looking careless.
Fuller opened the scoring against Kerr but hesitated on other occasions. Just not a real goalscorer for me. Try him at midfield or not at all is my view. Great ball handling skills, but we know that.
And I heard again that he and Shelton are not friends. I don't have a problem with that but it should not be demonstrated on the field. Sadly, that might be the case.
Pepe? He held his own. Did not appear particular slow as some would expect. Marshall was strong in the air and firm on the ground.
Generally, the players looked fit and ready.
By the way, Demar Stewart is a Mack Truck. I wouldn't tackle him any time soon. The other Demar is a handful of energy.
I get the feeling that the players will play their hearts out for Tappa. Let's see what happens later.
Thank you!
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