In this episode of Deep Dive Drive, recorded on my morning commute, I talk about something I feel is often misunderstood in modern football — the true pathway into men’s football.

Too many young players are chasing steps.

Step 1. Step 2. Step 3.

Always looking up the pyramid instead of understanding where they actually are.

This episode is about the football apprenticeship — starting at the bottom, earning experiences, and learning the game from the inside out.

I explore:

• Why rushing the pathway can actually slow development
• The value of playing where you can learn, not just where you can say you play
• How young footballers need to develop their football senses — seeing the game, hearing the game, feeling the environment
• Why men’s football is as much about understanding spaces, people, and pressure as it is about ability

This isn’t about lowering ambition.

It’s about building foundations.

If you’re a young player, a parent, or a coach trying to navigate the transition into men’s football, this episode will challenge the idea that faster is better — and reinforce why experience is the real teacher.

Raw thoughts. Real pathways. One drive at a time.