I finally got to play as a right winger

07 April 2013
Weekly Review 1st – 7th April 2013
Today we played against AFC 2. AFC is one of the more famous Amsterdam clubs and play in the Topklasse. I started frustratingly on the bench because I think the coach is worried about miscommunication with English. Luckily, I came on at halftime as right winger. Finally! I thought to myself and was ready to show what I could do in the position I want to play in. We were 2-0 down when I came on and soon enough 4-0 down. My moment came when I played a nice lobbed ball over the defence to one of our runners and he got onto it to score. So there we go, I made an impact and got the assist. I worked really hard overall, getting back and defending, aswell as trying to put some pressure on the defence, determined to win balls back and prove I was better than anyone else there. I think a few of my teammates applauded me for that. Unfortunately we ended up losing the game 5 – 1.
Earlier in the week. I was marking Bossman in a training game on Tuesday as he was playing left winger. I studied him. The way he dribbled was impressive. He makes you think he’s going to cut inside and then he goes outside, and then inside and then outside again. He goes inside, asks for the ball, passes back and then moves out again. That’s something I have to apply to my own game. I know he’s coming back from injury, but I feel I have many advantages over him, namely I can cross and finish better than him and I can get back and defend better than him, I’m more determined – I think my first touch is better than his and I really feel I can make a bigger impact than him. He’s 8 years older than me and played 150+ pro games, but if he can do it, surely I can too.
Felt a strain in my upper back ad was a bit weary to do anything on Wednesday. Club Physio checked it out on Thursday before training and it was completely fine to play with.. I initially thought it would take me out for a few days, but that’s why a Physio is so important for diagnosis!
I watched a Romelu Lukaku interview on youtube and it was kind of  interesting to hear what he had to say about his life. Lukaku has a very fixed mindset. Tunnel vision. He has a desire to be one of the very very best. He studies himself, and the way he responds to questions, etc – it’s very focused on achieving ultimate success. It reminded me of myself. But Lukaku was only thinking about his family and playing football. The difference between me and him is that I really want to experience a heap of things instead of just football, football, football – because becoming the ultimate person you can be that can relate and share their passion with lots of people, cultures and mindsets, you can’t be limited to only having done one thing in your life.

Goal Journal

Long term goals
Play professionally by end of summer 2013
Short term goals
1. be more explosive
doing this!
General comment: Really focusing my workout exercises on more dynamic, explosive ones. Focus less on the arms now.
2. make a real habit of scanning alot
Have to focus on this.
General comment: Not scanning enough and not making a real habit when I could really shine out of tight positions.
3. Ongoing – Find out what makes great players, great. What separates the “great” from the “good.

4. Defend better

1. Play the long ball forward, instead of a risky passback.
2. Don’t let the attacker run inside of your position. Running inside is the quickest way through on goal.
I definitely do this more. What I still need to work on now is communication and who should be marking who.
5. Build LinkedIn network
Added a few contacts..
6. Plan better.
I need to be more efficent about exactly what I’m going to do in my workouts, rather than just make it up as I go.
accomplished: be stronger off the ball,  quicker plays
Plan & Checklist – Did 13 hours. Next Week 17 hours.  
Monday: personal session + analysis of man city/utd
Tuesday: gym + u/23 + game analysis
Wednesday: personal session + gym
Thursday: club training + stay behind
Friday: damsko session + gym
Sat: rest
Sunday: game

U/23 game on Tuesday, expecting to start in that as a right winger hopefully.

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In 2009, I was an average soccer player with a dream. I started this blog to document my journey from local underdog to getting offered over $100,000 in soccer scholarships, a contract to play professionally and the experience of playing in Europe.
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