NEWS - JANUARY: FUTSAL IN FRANCE

The period between christmas and new year saw the FDS boys take their first winter tour, to an international 'Tournoi' in northern France.

The journey to and from the tournament in Annoullin was different than previous tours in that we travelled by car. This was a new experience and also allowed the coaches to find out more about the players they were travelling with, which is a big part of our coaching programme.

We arrived at the hotel late afternoon on the Friday and paired the players off into the rooms they would be staying in. Unbeknownst to the coaches we were to have an evening meal provided by the tournament organisers, however as time marched towards 6:00 and concerned about the preparation for the following day we decided to head into Carvin to find somewhere to eat. We found a little bistro off the market square that served Spaghetti (an ideal fuel for the following day), however the owner spoke no English. The lesson and test for both coaches and players was one of communication if we wanted to get the right food.

We woke early the next morning to begin preparing properly for a 10:00 start at the tournament, and knowing that we had the biggest club of the tournament RC Lens, whose first team play in the champions league on a regular basis, to come later that day.

The format of the tournament was such that the games were short and sharp and therefore you had to start off at 100%, there was no playing your way in becasue by then the game was over. This would prove to be the most important lesson overall. Our first game proved that the preparation and motivation of the boys had been excellent with a superb 3-0 victory over Calais. The next game was to prove more difficult and also an important lesson in seizing the initiative in games! Having allowed a sloppy first goal, chasing the game allowed the opposition the space to score a second and they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

Another feature of the tournament was not to allow goals to change how you try to play. Having conceded the goal panic set in and we stopped doing things that would and had made us successful. England rugby used the phrase Thinking Correctly Under Pressure (TCUP), which was very appropriate. The next game was against RC Lens and the mood was very focussed beforehand. It ended up being the Jacob Cox show as he put in the sort of performance which showed why we believed he was the most talented player in the tournament! He was fouled for the free kick which Brady blasted in and then did the Maradona turn proud as he rolled a player before shooting well for Isaac to pick up the rebound.

The boys had shown excellent character in the game as well having taken the lead before being pegged back and put under pressure. It finished 2-1 and we went into lunch very pleased. Having refuelled and rehydrated we were well prepared for the next game and ran out very comfortable 2-0 winners with Stefan and Brady playing very well. After that we went into the next game knowing a win would put us into the championship rounds the next day. A key part of tournament play is dealing with the pressure when you have to win.

It was to prove a costly lesson as the boys were too rushed in their play and silly mistakes, like not marking goalside saw us slump to a poor 1-0 defeat. We would therefore be playing in the 9-16 play-offs the next day

Motivation is a massive thing in football. You have to be up for every challenge. On the second day we were not at our best as a collective, mostly because the players did not have the carrot of being in the championship rounds. However you need to make the most of every experience, and also every game provides you with an opportunity to do something excellent! In the first first two playoff games we were below par and before finishing with an emphatic win as we returned to the sort of intensity required if you want to earn your right to play.

The mood after the tournament had finished was fairly mixed, with much to think about and learn from. We returned to the venue for the final which was between two Russian teams. One was very effective the other was what you would expect from an Eastern European team, well organised and technically excellent. They were very interesting to watch.

The journey home was a tail of two cars, with Kristian's car getting some shut eye and Scott's singing solidly from Folkstone to Kettering. The tour has provided another valuable experience for the players which hopefully they will take into their football going forward.