LISTENING & LEARNING AS LONDON GAMES BECKON  2nd October

From Noel Butler TSN.

 

John Herdman is listening to the Women's national team. "We sat with the players in the introductory meeting and I said that before I can start coaching, it's about understanding you as a group, as people, as a team, as Canadians. Now what are your strengths, what do you stand for as a group, what do you want to look like on a world stage?," Herdman told Montreal radio station the TEAM990. "There's no point in me sitting here as a coach and describing my vision and philosophy because at the end of the day, it's you as a group that are going to play the games." The players weren't at all shy in offering up their opinions.

 

 

"The feedback came through loud, really loud that they felt that over a period of time, they had lost their physical presence on the pitch that they were renowned for," said Herdman.

 

Herdman recollected facing Canada in 2007, which he described as a very powerful physical team and compared them to the team he faced at the Cyprus Cup in 2010. He felt they were not even remotely close to the same force. They were technically more orientated, they built up a possession game, they defended deep and dropped off, which allowed teams to get momentum against them." This sounds like a very precise scouting report of the Canadian team that showed up at this summer's World Cup Finals.

 

That was then, but this is now. For January 2012's qualification tournament in Vancouver for next summer's Olympic Games in London, the team is looking to reshape itself under a collective vision. "They want to be seen as a powerful, strong, physical team on the world stage, but most importantly that they can play," said Herdman. "It's just getting the balance between both styles really; physical and possession. Being able to pressure early, and use their physical prowess and at the same time, when we've got the ball, being able to settle on it and control the tempo."

 

Herdman was quick to admit the gulf in class that he was used to from his previous job coaching New Zealand. Invariably his his squad there was comprised of young untested players on the world stage. "Here you are dealing with some solid professionals, people with hundreds of [international] caps," added Herdman. "The team's accumulated over a thousand caps and when you come into a dressing room like that, it's different. You know there's a different approach, a different understanding and I guess you can get things done a lot quicker. And I think that was the exciting thing working with the players."

 

And, speaking to that collective vision he added, "They were very responsive. I set out my stall very early, and said this is going to be a collaboration. I'm going to help you get the best out of yourselves and you've just got to help me work with you."

 

The new head coach had his self-described 'baptism of fire against the US in Kansas, "I think you can imagine that as a new coach coming in, you're picking a team that you've not met before and you've got five days to go out against the U.S. who were smarting from that World Cup loss in the finals. So I was a little nervous going in, but the girls certainly made us feel welcome."

 

The fist US match finished in a 1-1 tie, but it was Canada who finished the stronger. The team clearly demonstrated through the 90 minutes they can and will compete with the best. For the second USA match, in Portland, Herdman will not be sending out the same 11 as he did in Kansas last Saturday. "We'll make a few changes to the line up. I think it's important players that have committed to this tour are given opportunities. We'll keep momentum going, but also keep providing opportunities for some of these young players."

 

Speaking of opportunities, Herdman was more than delighted that the qualifiers will happen in front of the Canada team's own supporters. "I think the CSA have done a great job by securing the qualifiers in Vancouver. It's going to give the public a great opportunity to see these girls in action."

 

He was more than emphatic in praise of his new team. "These are powerful, confident women. They are a real credit to their country. I mean, some dressing rooms you can walk in and sometimes it's hard to fathom what you've got in front of you. But I think we've got an honest, caring and confident group of ladies here. And hopefully in the qualifiers we'll get to see a strong, confident Canadian team go on to the Olympic Games."

 

And just to think, Herdman has yet to experience training, preparing and playing with their heartbeat and captain Christine Sinclair alongside.