"Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:18 pm
Really interesting article. There's obviously more to Coleman than many on here thought!
Revealed: The inside story of how the Welsh football team turned themselves into a force to be reckoned with
07:00, 31 March 2015 By Chris Wathan
From anthem lessons to Elton John, Chris Wathan lifts the lid on the changes behind the scenes that have seen Chris Coleman's side prosper
Wales are edging towards something very special.
Unbeaten in their Euro 2016 campaign and boasting the brilliance of Gareth Bale – not to mention a top class support act of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and others – and finally the nation is starting to believe again that the end of the exile from the biggest stage is within our grasp.
Here, Football Correspondent Chris Wathan lifts the lid on the painstaking attention to detail and tireless work that has given the Dragon back its roar...
THE MANAGER
The circumstances in which Chris Coleman came into the job are well known but, for some time, were also underestimated.
Realising the progress and popularity engineered by the late Gary Speed, Coleman tried to pick up the pieces by changing little but ultimately struggled.
He made mistakes, both in terms of games and preparations but slowly both he and the squad adapted to find a middle ground that all are comfortable with.
Even before results had turned around, players spoke publicly of their fondness for Coleman while in private, they questioned his critics, which may well have swayed the FAW when deciding to renew his contract.
Coleman’s openness has been warmly received by players, the former defender anything but aloof with captain Ashley Williams recently mentioning how there is a sense “he is one of us” while others have spoken about how he is a leader and someone who they want to play for.
Those inside the camp have talked about his excellent skills of delegation that have allowed a high-level support team to get on with their jobs. Regular meetings take place, with Coleman said to speak last at a meeting, not setting an agenda but taking on all points before deciding on a way forward all are happy with.
As part of that, he has allowed assistants such as highly-qualified technical coach Osian Roberts to have a significant impact as well as Championship manager Kit Symons, with his bold tactical set-up in Haifa praised.
He has encouraged a policy of communication and honesty with the staff adopting the New Zealand rugby ideal of it being better to stab you in the belly than in the back to ensure that high standards are met.
His relationship with Williams – the man he made a big call in appointing captain after seeing the role affect Aaron Ramsey – is superb, the pair often speaking away from Wales duty where players’ views are sought to ensure the wider team are all involved in the direction the side are taking.
Several youngsters have been blooded – such as the currently injured George Williams – to extend the depth of the squad to be called upon for the campaign.
And he has done much to nurture the team spirit with his capping of long-time squad member Shaun MacDonald as a late sub in Israel notable in a bid to show that even players on the periphery feel part of things.
THE BACKROOM
It is here where some of the biggest changes have happened, turning the Wales camp from the often-mocked amateurish set-up into one that rivals anything at the top level. Gary Speed began much of the groundwork in introducing some of the improvements and demanding a larger support team, which now travels everywhere with the side.
Analysis has a huge role, with attention given to the opposition well in advance. Training footage is pored over with the statistics in terms of heart-rate and distance covered in keeping with what top-level players expect as the norm at their clubs.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects has been the medical and sports science improvements, with particular work done in the relationship with the players’ clubs.
Both Speed and Coleman realised the vital need to earn the trust of the biggest clubs with Wales’ key players in order to reduce the pressures of pull-outs that have blighted so many previous campaigns.
Work has been done to recruit top-class backroom staff with experience at top clubs; masseur Chris Senior is at Arsenal, Adam Owen has been at Celtic and Rangers while head of performance Ryland Morgans, highly rated by the squad, occupies the same role at Liverpool.
Communication has been seen as integral, staff working late into the night after the Israel win to feed reports on every player back to the clubs where every training session has been logged, including heart-rates and individual work done.
The detail – believed to be greater than home nations rivals - allows clubs to then understand fully what work they have done with Wales and avoid club v country issues which could jeopardise players’ participation.
It has already seen rewards, with Real Madrid’s immediate communication of Bale’s injury before the November game in Belgium allowing both teams to work together while it was notable there was not a single withdrawal after the original squad was named for Israel, a rarity in recent times.
It is significant, too, that as the FAW’s budget means they are not the biggest payers, the backroom staff are involved mainly because they want to be part of things and thus encouraging all to go the extra yard. The backroom team meet up every six weeks, even when on club duty, to ensure the focus of the national aim is not lost.
THE MENTALITY
The aim has to be to create a Premier League environment to match the Premier League players throughout the squad and thus inspire performances of that level and above.
Much has been done to take away negativity within the camp. The FAW were aware that, as often recorded by stars from previous generations, the set-up was not of the best standard and so they have responded by taking away the chances of complaints and excuses. Issues over travel have been limited, charter flights are now standard with players taken directly from the plane to a waiting bus to avoid lengthy delays in airports, even managing to beat hold-ups in security-aware Israel.
Hotels and training bases are carefully selected while the demands of the modern player are met to avoid any chance of taking them out of their routines.
Coleman brought in performance psychologist Ian Mitchell – highly regarded for his work with Swansea City – after describing him as the final piece of the jigsaw.
He has done much to help players and staff embrace the challenge of qualification while remaining very aware of the quality they have, with a self-assurance showing on the pitch. It was notable in the build-up to the Israel game, players refusing to duck the significance of the game but not appearing daunted by it, either.
Media messages are carefully considered to maintain a group mentality while the focus is permanently on the next 90 minutes. Last week was front-loaded with tactical information so it didn’t become lost in the noise and excitement of the occasion.
Positivity is reinforced, security advisor and Cardiff City operations chief Wayne Nash visited the Sammy Ofer Stadium 24 hours before kick-off, reporting back that the pitch was much-improved after concerns over its condition on a previous visit with the pictures quickly circulated to players, so they knew they could play the kind of football that helped them to a 3-0 win.
The TogetherStronger motto has been taken on board, imagery with messages of ‘We can create history’ and ‘Believe’, including players proud in Wales shirts, all around hotels home and away.
The players have bought into it, coaching staff citing the attitude of senior players not involved in Belgium – such as James Collins and Sam Ricketts – as a huge boost to ensuring the collective spirit shines through.
THE TEAM SPIRIT
The bond between the players has stood out all campaign.
Much has been formed by the long time they have been part of a group; nine of the 14 who took to the field in Haifa having been in Under-21 squads together at some point while five who played also started for the senior team that took on Azerbaijan in June 2009.
Many are genuine friends and all enjoy each other’s company, with that respect flowing to the field where there is no one player bigger than another – even if Bale’s ability makes it seem that way.
Efforts have been made to build on it and create a club spirit. The move was made away from the Vale Hotel to St David’s to allow players to have a sense of freedom around Cardiff Bay, yet there is an encouragement they accept to spend time together.
Coffees and teas are taken at the hotel rather than in rooms and table-tennis tournaments are regular with Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey the stand-out players.
David Edwards leads the way in the hugely-enjoyed darts championships while Ben Davies and Tom Lawrence couldn’t be beaten in the X-Box Fifa 15 games that marked the build-up to this recent clash.
And one of the most memorable scenes in Israel was seeing several players strum away on James Collins’ guitar, Hal Robson-Kanu joining in and Owain Fon Williams belting out Elton John’s Your Song at 4am after a famous win.
The world’s most expensive player chatting away about guitars with the goalkeeper for League Two strugglers Tranmere; that’s an example of the strong friendship that shows itself on the pitch.
THE PRIDE IN THE SHIRT
Many feel it should be a given and in many cases it is but work has been done to ensure it continues.
All of the side sang the national anthem at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, it now being a mandatory part of being in the national set-up, from Osian Roberts' Under-16s upwards.
It means that players coming through show their pride and togetherness without any notion of self-consciousness.
Players are reminded of the teams of the past and Welsh history in general in a nod to the nation they are representing.
Booklets on Welsh history are left in hotel rooms while the remembrance of events such as Senghenydd and Welsh service in the First World War formed part of recent camps.
Staff members are required to sing a song of their choice from time to time, one member belting out the stirring Welsh language Yma O Hyd following by an explanation of its poignant meanings.
And, in a quirky idea, players stay in hotel rooms not designated by number but by famous Welsh personalities accompanied with a photo on the door, with Wayne Hennessey staying in the ‘Shirley Bassey Suite’ and another in the ‘Tommy Cooper’ room.
It’s all working...
Revealed: The inside story of how the Welsh football team turned themselves into a force to be reckoned with
07:00, 31 March 2015 By Chris Wathan
From anthem lessons to Elton John, Chris Wathan lifts the lid on the changes behind the scenes that have seen Chris Coleman's side prosper
Wales are edging towards something very special.
Unbeaten in their Euro 2016 campaign and boasting the brilliance of Gareth Bale – not to mention a top class support act of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and others – and finally the nation is starting to believe again that the end of the exile from the biggest stage is within our grasp.
Here, Football Correspondent Chris Wathan lifts the lid on the painstaking attention to detail and tireless work that has given the Dragon back its roar...
THE MANAGER
The circumstances in which Chris Coleman came into the job are well known but, for some time, were also underestimated.
Realising the progress and popularity engineered by the late Gary Speed, Coleman tried to pick up the pieces by changing little but ultimately struggled.
He made mistakes, both in terms of games and preparations but slowly both he and the squad adapted to find a middle ground that all are comfortable with.
Even before results had turned around, players spoke publicly of their fondness for Coleman while in private, they questioned his critics, which may well have swayed the FAW when deciding to renew his contract.
Coleman’s openness has been warmly received by players, the former defender anything but aloof with captain Ashley Williams recently mentioning how there is a sense “he is one of us” while others have spoken about how he is a leader and someone who they want to play for.
Those inside the camp have talked about his excellent skills of delegation that have allowed a high-level support team to get on with their jobs. Regular meetings take place, with Coleman said to speak last at a meeting, not setting an agenda but taking on all points before deciding on a way forward all are happy with.
As part of that, he has allowed assistants such as highly-qualified technical coach Osian Roberts to have a significant impact as well as Championship manager Kit Symons, with his bold tactical set-up in Haifa praised.
He has encouraged a policy of communication and honesty with the staff adopting the New Zealand rugby ideal of it being better to stab you in the belly than in the back to ensure that high standards are met.
His relationship with Williams – the man he made a big call in appointing captain after seeing the role affect Aaron Ramsey – is superb, the pair often speaking away from Wales duty where players’ views are sought to ensure the wider team are all involved in the direction the side are taking.
Several youngsters have been blooded – such as the currently injured George Williams – to extend the depth of the squad to be called upon for the campaign.
And he has done much to nurture the team spirit with his capping of long-time squad member Shaun MacDonald as a late sub in Israel notable in a bid to show that even players on the periphery feel part of things.
THE BACKROOM
It is here where some of the biggest changes have happened, turning the Wales camp from the often-mocked amateurish set-up into one that rivals anything at the top level. Gary Speed began much of the groundwork in introducing some of the improvements and demanding a larger support team, which now travels everywhere with the side.
Analysis has a huge role, with attention given to the opposition well in advance. Training footage is pored over with the statistics in terms of heart-rate and distance covered in keeping with what top-level players expect as the norm at their clubs.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects has been the medical and sports science improvements, with particular work done in the relationship with the players’ clubs.
Both Speed and Coleman realised the vital need to earn the trust of the biggest clubs with Wales’ key players in order to reduce the pressures of pull-outs that have blighted so many previous campaigns.
Work has been done to recruit top-class backroom staff with experience at top clubs; masseur Chris Senior is at Arsenal, Adam Owen has been at Celtic and Rangers while head of performance Ryland Morgans, highly rated by the squad, occupies the same role at Liverpool.
Communication has been seen as integral, staff working late into the night after the Israel win to feed reports on every player back to the clubs where every training session has been logged, including heart-rates and individual work done.
The detail – believed to be greater than home nations rivals - allows clubs to then understand fully what work they have done with Wales and avoid club v country issues which could jeopardise players’ participation.
It has already seen rewards, with Real Madrid’s immediate communication of Bale’s injury before the November game in Belgium allowing both teams to work together while it was notable there was not a single withdrawal after the original squad was named for Israel, a rarity in recent times.
It is significant, too, that as the FAW’s budget means they are not the biggest payers, the backroom staff are involved mainly because they want to be part of things and thus encouraging all to go the extra yard. The backroom team meet up every six weeks, even when on club duty, to ensure the focus of the national aim is not lost.
THE MENTALITY
The aim has to be to create a Premier League environment to match the Premier League players throughout the squad and thus inspire performances of that level and above.
Much has been done to take away negativity within the camp. The FAW were aware that, as often recorded by stars from previous generations, the set-up was not of the best standard and so they have responded by taking away the chances of complaints and excuses. Issues over travel have been limited, charter flights are now standard with players taken directly from the plane to a waiting bus to avoid lengthy delays in airports, even managing to beat hold-ups in security-aware Israel.
Hotels and training bases are carefully selected while the demands of the modern player are met to avoid any chance of taking them out of their routines.
Coleman brought in performance psychologist Ian Mitchell – highly regarded for his work with Swansea City – after describing him as the final piece of the jigsaw.
He has done much to help players and staff embrace the challenge of qualification while remaining very aware of the quality they have, with a self-assurance showing on the pitch. It was notable in the build-up to the Israel game, players refusing to duck the significance of the game but not appearing daunted by it, either.
Media messages are carefully considered to maintain a group mentality while the focus is permanently on the next 90 minutes. Last week was front-loaded with tactical information so it didn’t become lost in the noise and excitement of the occasion.
Positivity is reinforced, security advisor and Cardiff City operations chief Wayne Nash visited the Sammy Ofer Stadium 24 hours before kick-off, reporting back that the pitch was much-improved after concerns over its condition on a previous visit with the pictures quickly circulated to players, so they knew they could play the kind of football that helped them to a 3-0 win.
The TogetherStronger motto has been taken on board, imagery with messages of ‘We can create history’ and ‘Believe’, including players proud in Wales shirts, all around hotels home and away.
The players have bought into it, coaching staff citing the attitude of senior players not involved in Belgium – such as James Collins and Sam Ricketts – as a huge boost to ensuring the collective spirit shines through.
THE TEAM SPIRIT
The bond between the players has stood out all campaign.
Much has been formed by the long time they have been part of a group; nine of the 14 who took to the field in Haifa having been in Under-21 squads together at some point while five who played also started for the senior team that took on Azerbaijan in June 2009.
Many are genuine friends and all enjoy each other’s company, with that respect flowing to the field where there is no one player bigger than another – even if Bale’s ability makes it seem that way.
Efforts have been made to build on it and create a club spirit. The move was made away from the Vale Hotel to St David’s to allow players to have a sense of freedom around Cardiff Bay, yet there is an encouragement they accept to spend time together.
Coffees and teas are taken at the hotel rather than in rooms and table-tennis tournaments are regular with Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey the stand-out players.
David Edwards leads the way in the hugely-enjoyed darts championships while Ben Davies and Tom Lawrence couldn’t be beaten in the X-Box Fifa 15 games that marked the build-up to this recent clash.
And one of the most memorable scenes in Israel was seeing several players strum away on James Collins’ guitar, Hal Robson-Kanu joining in and Owain Fon Williams belting out Elton John’s Your Song at 4am after a famous win.
The world’s most expensive player chatting away about guitars with the goalkeeper for League Two strugglers Tranmere; that’s an example of the strong friendship that shows itself on the pitch.
THE PRIDE IN THE SHIRT
Many feel it should be a given and in many cases it is but work has been done to ensure it continues.
All of the side sang the national anthem at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, it now being a mandatory part of being in the national set-up, from Osian Roberts' Under-16s upwards.
It means that players coming through show their pride and togetherness without any notion of self-consciousness.
Players are reminded of the teams of the past and Welsh history in general in a nod to the nation they are representing.
Booklets on Welsh history are left in hotel rooms while the remembrance of events such as Senghenydd and Welsh service in the First World War formed part of recent camps.
Staff members are required to sing a song of their choice from time to time, one member belting out the stirring Welsh language Yma O Hyd following by an explanation of its poignant meanings.
And, in a quirky idea, players stay in hotel rooms not designated by number but by famous Welsh personalities accompanied with a photo on the door, with Wayne Hennessey staying in the ‘Shirley Bassey Suite’ and another in the ‘Tommy Cooper’ room.
It’s all working...
Re: Elton John, Anthems...
Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:06 pm
BlueGog wrote:Really interesting article. There's obviously more to Coleman than many on here thought!
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ar_twitter
that was a brilliant article
Re: "Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:25 pm
All sounds good if yma o hydd doesn't get anyone filled with national pride then nothing will.
I did notice that there were more singing the anthem than usual but was unaware that this is something set up from the junior levels which I think is brilliant. It's not often there is such a good feel good factor within welsh football so whoevers responsible should be applauded. The management team which I have had my doubts about seem to be doing everything right behind the scenes even before the results on the pitch started to pick up. Well done to all and even if this was this is another false dawn the fact the players are turning up regularly and showing pride and commitment in the shirt is Very encouraging
I did notice that there were more singing the anthem than usual but was unaware that this is something set up from the junior levels which I think is brilliant. It's not often there is such a good feel good factor within welsh football so whoevers responsible should be applauded. The management team which I have had my doubts about seem to be doing everything right behind the scenes even before the results on the pitch started to pick up. Well done to all and even if this was this is another false dawn the fact the players are turning up regularly and showing pride and commitment in the shirt is Very encouraging
Re: "Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:51 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed reading that piece and the work which has been done so far is testament to the efforts of Chris Coleman and the late Gary Speed, reading about the pride in the shirt and the camaraderie among the players is a pleasure. 
Re: "Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Wed Apr 01, 2015 1:19 am
Now that's a management structure! None of this is accidental. Careful thought has been put into every aspect of the players' lives in and around international games.
The togetherness has been exemplified by the singing of Ar Hyd Y Nos and the well reported get together after games.
Coleman and his team of colleagues deserve a huge amount of credit.
I would also like to think that they picked up the baton already in motion after Gary Speed's tragic departure.
Now let's do our part as supporters in backing them 100%
The togetherness has been exemplified by the singing of Ar Hyd Y Nos and the well reported get together after games.
Coleman and his team of colleagues deserve a huge amount of credit.
I would also like to think that they picked up the baton already in motion after Gary Speed's tragic departure.
Now let's do our part as supporters in backing them 100%
Re: "Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:47 pm
Credit to the management team and the players, it sounds spot on.
The attention to detail reminds me of the GB cycling team and their success. 'The aggregation of marginal gains' they called it - if you do loads of little things right they add up into quite a big thing.
Let's be honest, it's a big contrast to how Cardiff City are run.
The attention to detail reminds me of the GB cycling team and their success. 'The aggregation of marginal gains' they called it - if you do loads of little things right they add up into quite a big thing.
Let's be honest, it's a big contrast to how Cardiff City are run.
Re: "Elton John, Anthems...Welsh football team turned"
Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:21 pm
carlccfc wrote:I thoroughly enjoyed reading that piece and the work which has been done so far is testament to the efforts of Chris Coleman and the late Gary Speed, reading about the pride in the shirt and the camaraderie among the players is a pleasure.
Lets not forget Tosh who got the ball rolling bloodying youngster after youngster
I really hope we qualify, im not where near as confident as most but maybe i've seen us fail to many times.