Rochester Combine - First Day

As a player I took another step to returning to the professional pitch by participating in the Rochester Rhinos soccer combine held in Buffalo. The Combine was held at the The Sahlen's Sports Park http://www.sahlensportspark.com/ an indoor facility in Elma, New York from January 5th-7th. I went up on the 4th of January with two friends, Nicholas Lynch and Ricky Griffin. The ride was a little treacherous as the snow came down but we made it safely. The schedule was demanding, given that I was not in the best of shape. I'm not sure who was coming off the Xmas season. One session at 2pm on the 5th, two sessions on the 6th and one session on the 7th was good enough to bring in some serious lactic acid and sore muscles. In any case we were up for the ride, rough as it may be.

First Session:

When we arrived the Head Coach of the Rochester Rhinos, Bob Lilley, broke down exaclty what the set up would be. We would be broken up into three different teams of 12, black, red and yellow. We would each play two games, thirty-five minutes each. So each team would play a total of 70 minutes. The teams were asked to play specifically in a flat 4-4-2 formation, with the central midfielders playing alongside each other as opposed to a diamond. I was placed on the black team and given the number 7 jersey. I was not nervous heading up to the try outs as I've been to combines and try-outs before. I also knew that Coaches are interesting creatures and you could be picked for a number of different reasons. Yes, you have a say by how you play but, its only one factor. So I wasn't nervous, I would play my game, have fun, return with atleast one story and give it my all. But as everyone got together on the pitch and we warmed up I began to feel a little butterflys.

We were playing the first game, against the yellow team. I would start out on the left phlank. The initial sparring was patient and our team began well. I was not in the best of shape so I decided that I would really pick and choose when I would apply serious pressure on the opposition, when I would get forward and having gotten forward, when I would get back. A game that I like to refer to as the Arshavin Ghost, ultimatly I was using my brain to compensate for my lack of lungs and legs. I would make sure though that I was always an option for my left back and central midfielders. My first touches were simple and shrugged of the initial nerves. I kept possession well, found my footing and patiently waited on an opportunity to show my best attributes.

Moments:
I played very quickly, my decisions were swift resulting in me using 1 and 2 touches. Eventually, the ball drifted into our central midfielder who picked it up and I had ghosted out wide left into the final third. The ball was played perfectly out to me on the floor and I controlled it on the run as the right back approached. I took one touch to dress the ball with the outside of my right foot before rocking violently to my right with a step over, pushing it forward with my left and gliding by the defender. I crossed with with my next touch off the left dangeroulsy on the floor. Neither defender or striker getting to the ball as it rolled in and out of the box. (The defender came to me a minute later and was like: "Good move!" LOL!!)

A second opportunity arose when the same thing happened, the ball being played from the midfield out wide to me on the left, isolated with a defender. This time I opted to go inside. I attacked the defender before dropping my shoulder to the left and cutting across him. However, I fired directly at the keeper.

The game really came well to me as another moment came, this time I had ghosted centraly as the ball was being built up on the right side of the pitch, when it came across. I received a pass from the central midfielder. I was inside now and the ball coming a little behind me, I recieved the ball facing the right side and turned, spinning 180 degrees caressing the ball with my right foot, so that I was now facing the left. I looked up to see a midfielder on the run and played a through ball with my left foot between the right central defender and the right back. The streaking midfielder was through but unfortunately failed to control the ball.

We were really dominating the Yellow team and we eventually scored from a set piece situation. I also probably should have scored from two crosses. As I began to get more offensive, I began to disregard my defensive responsibilties. Eventually, one of our strikers broke into the box and crossed on the floor. I had made a strong run into the box but was a little too late. This happened on two occasions and would have been great for me to have grabbed a brace. That would have really done well for my arguement nevertheless our team won 1-0.


Second Game
We actually had to play the very next game, so we had a drink and were back on the pitch. We didn't start well in this case as the Red team proceeded to possess the ball really well. Knocking it 1 and 2 touches around our team. I think we were a bit tired but in any case we pushed on. I didn't have as sharp as game as my initial 35 minutes. Our team was struggling as the red team possessed.

I lost the ball a few times and eventually switched to the right. And I had a decent opponent in Kwame, an American born Nigerian, who probably had one of the better showings at the combine. He was strong, fast, technical and got forward well. I once again disregarded my defensive responsibilities luckily the red team failed within the final third. On a few occasions I was able to receive the ball on the counter. I was able to touch it by Kwame down the phlank and cross once again dangeroulsy. I cut the ball back but there was no one coming in late as our strikers crashed to the near and far post.

My last moment came with the final play of the game as once again, I received the ball out right, 1v1. This occasion I decided to go inside, attacking Kwame with two step overs, before dragging the ball inside, shrugging off two challenges and curling the ball outleft with the outside of my right foot.

We tied this game 1-1 despite being outplayed. We had scored from a through ball to one of our strikers. He some how got of a rifle of a shot that flew into the roof of the net. The best goal of the entire combine and a good word for his claim on a contract. The red team equalized in the last minute off a set play. Burning.

Strategy and Psychology
Psychologically I was very focused as I didn't know who the competition was so I anticipated really good players and wanted to be at my best. I was a little nervous but really focused. Another factor was that I wasn't in shape, so I had to be even more focused as I knew I couldn't run as much as I would like. I knew I had weapons in my arsenal, specifically speed and skill but way too often I allow the game to come to me. Whatever the hell that means. In this case, I was intent on using my weapons strategically. I would save my energy and only when the opportunity was clear would I bring out the speed and skill. I wanted to be at my absolute best upstairs because I knew I didn't have the legs and lungs. I wasn't at my best so I had to make sure I was smart. I wasn't looking to make my name everytime I recieved the ball. I wanted to have moments where I would specifically stand out. The plan was well executed as the game was kind enough to present itself favorably.

Overall
The first day was very well even though my play declined as the day progressed. I was often out of position defensively as I didn't get back after attacking, something that Bob Lilley straight up said to me. I did lose the ball on a few occasions as well. I didn't score or have an assist but with 2 dangerous crosses, 1 shot, 1 through ball, twice getting dangerously into the box and decent possessional play (plus we didn't lose) I would give myself an 8.5 on the day.