Homenetmen 11-a-side Football is Back!

Homenetmen has once again braved the elements and formed an 11-a-side football team. We have moved to the true form of the beautiful game having for some years adopted its smaller cousin (5-a-side) as a more accommodating substitute. You could consider it the longest training session in history.

In any case, with a relatively inexperienced squad, we have managed to actually play some pretty decent football. As the current thinking behind our team is of longevity, and considering that whilst we were playing 5-a-side football our squad never amounted to more than 14 or 15 players, we currently have registered with the league about 25 players. As a result rather than looking to play football in the cultured style of Johnny Smiths, getting the ball on the floor, triangles and good movement have allowed us to actually look like a decent outfit. Naturally there is much to do, but the spine exists for a very good team.

If I were to be brutally honest we have two main flaws in our play. Firstly, as individuals we are definitely one of the best teams in the league. Pace, power, understanding, dribbling, passing and shooting are skills that many individuals frequently exhibit. The only drawback is that we sometimes play too much as individuals and need to extend the 5 or 10 minutes of great team football during a match to 30 or 40 minutes. If we do this then we will be extremely difficult to beat. On the other hand we must also be wary of complacency and arrogance. Sometimes knowing we are good makes us become lazy in doing the ugly parts of football such as tackling back, hassling and harrying and covering team mates. The second weakness we have is attitude. We are too nice! Football is a contact sport. Aggression is a major part of the game. We are too often too nice. I am not saying we should kick players, but we need to show that we can mix it up. Let the opposition know we are about. It makes a big difference to how teams will approach us.

As this is the first season, we are not looking to win trophies or the league or anything of that sort. Our one intention is to make sure that we learn how the game is played, play it the right way and become a consistent and effective team. When this has been achieved we can look to move to a higher standard of league next season and really see how far we can go.

So far this season there are many positives to take. Our team in general is moderately fit, we have not lost a game due to lack of fitness. We have a pretty young team which in time will grow and become very good. There is competition for places which always serves to challenge each player to do their best. Most importantly there is very little bickering, which has become synonymous with Armenian teams over the years. There is a genuinely healthy atmosphere within the team and when the dressing room is chirpy the team usually plays well. A few more social outings however would go down well.

The team itself is grateful to Homenetmen vartchoutyiun for the faith they have shown in us and the support they have given. The only thing I would say is that despite the early kick off time on a Sunday morning, we would appreciate some support from family, friends and Homenetmen members in general. We have the largest organisation in the whole of the league and yet only team members are present to support. So if you wake up early on a Sunday morning and feel like coming out to support please feel free to do so. Navasartian has quickly become our local and even if the burgers are not brilliant the beers are cold (no offence Rob)!

We look forward to seeing you!

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Source:- Coach Sarkis Seridarian

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