Episode 59: Cardiff City's Attention To Detail; w/ Josh Morris

Welcome to the 59th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Josh Morris as he shares what it’s like to be an analyst and why they’re important to football teams. In this episode, he shares how he got into the business and what drove him to pursue the career. He also shares what he’s noticed in a player’s mindset, from those who have already played in premier leagues and those that play in lower divisions, and makes it a point to talk about how it’s very important to keep changing a player’s mindset into growing further and avoid being complacent. Being an analyst, he also has his share of observations in a player’s psyche which is something that comes naturally with the kind of focus he has for the game. So much information to unpack in this episode so be sure to stay tuned! 

A day in the life of an analyst:

The main job description entails that Josh studies the games of opposing teams on Cardiff’s schedule, the nuances of taking note of the oppositions play, relaying that to players without overloading them, and properly executing them on the field or it will all be for nothing. Josh is sure to take note of the strengths and weaknesses of another team but to be able to relay that to the Cardiff dressing room is another matter altogether. They plan out their training routines accordingly to prepare for the opposing team. Communication with the team managers is more than crucial but also he shares how sometimes, it’s important for analysts to set aside their pride for the training regime that the manager decides on with respect to the hierarchy of the team.

The growth mindset: 

He shares a story that was often told by Sir Alex Ferguson to the Manchester United players, the story about three builders with very different views about the job they do. One is focused on the pay, one is focused on the work, and the last being focused on showing his grandchildren the grandest cathedral he helped build. Of which the growth mindset is displayed in the person that looks forward to being part of something great, something bigger than making money or just looking for something to do, which Josh uses as an analogy to the growth mindset and effectively displays how a person’s motivation is basically a display of what they are able to give for the team.

About Josh Morris:

a BSc (Hons) Football Coaching and Performance graduate, is an Assistant Performance Analyst with Cardiff City Football Club's 1st Team. Shortly after graduating, Josh was employed full-time at Cardiff City, assisting Head Analyst Graham Younger with the everyday duties involved with the in-depth analytics of a professional football club.

Josh undertook an analysis role for the USW Football 1st Team as part of his third-year placement on the course. He also used the knowledge gained from the Video Analysis module on the course to gain work experience in analysis roles with the Welsh Football Trust and Cardiff City Academy. It was this work experience that led to his current full-time role.

Outline of the Episode: 

• [00:02:21] Cardiff football club and Josh’s role as an analyst
• [00:05:45] Josh’s journey to becoming an analyst
• [00:12:10] How Coach Owen became a part of South Kent
• [00:20:54] Different teams, different demands
• [00:27:19] Changes in the analysis system over time 
• [00:38:02] How analysts ensure execution 
• [00:49:08] The changes in the players from an analyst’s...

Episode 58: Creating A Dynasty w/ South Kent's Owen Finberg

Welcome to the 58th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by  

Owen Finberg, and shares about what makes a prep school, specifically South Kent Prep School, unique from all the others, and how it provides a unique experience for playing football. 

They talk about the culture of South Kent and how the program is both attractive and repelling at the same time due to its competitive nature. Coach Owen also shares some of the biggest pieces of his 18-year career and how it affects his style at present. Coach Owen shares how he makes a player a part of the team and his psyche of choosing or looking for players before having them join South Kent. A lot more to unpack in this episode so be sure to stay tuned!

The South Kent difference:

Coach Owen shares how prep schools are usually more diverse and also require teaching flexibility since they not only have the traditional grade 9-12 but also another additional year to prepare their students for college. 22 different countries are represented in their community this year and that not only opens up the players to different playstyles but also open to different ideologies and cultures as a person. Coach Owen shares how this is an extraordinary learning experience for a young person, having access to a lot of differences that would have been only available to them if they were to travel.

In terms of athletics though, South Kent prides itself in its competitiveness which causes both being sought after and being avoided by prospects. They allow the prep students to play college-level soccer and they make sure that prospects know what they’re getting into. What they’re going to have to provide as well as what they are going to earn from being a part of South Kent. Coach Owen also shares how they help the students develop a broader outlook as well. Focusing on what’s in front of them is important but they also make it a point to make the players see where they’re going and have a vision of the future, while being a healthy part of the community.

About Owen Finberg:

Coach Finberg joined the South Kent School community in 2004. 2021 will be his 18th season leading the Cardinals Soccer Program. He came to South Kent School after four successful years as head coach at West Nottingham Academy in Maryland. 

Coach Finberg prides himself on providing personal attention to each player,  accountability to high expectations, and professional training on the field and in all aspects of the development of elite student-athletes. He strives to help players live up to the team's core values of development, excellence, and class in all they do. Instilling these characteristics and the individual attention that each player receives has led to many successes for our players and teams on The Hillside and beyond.

Outline of the Episode: 

• [02:25] South Kent, a traditional prep school
• [09:11] Coach Owen’s career and background  
• [12:10] How Coach Owen became a part of South Kent
• [17:08] Becoming a part of the community
• [20:19] Dealing with mixing different age groups 
• [24:42] How Coach Owen builds a team
• [31:37] Building relationships for young players
• [36:30] The rewards of what Coach Owen does
• [41:25] What makes the program stand out and successful
• [47:40] The highlights of Coach Owen’s career
• [51:59] The competitiveness of the program

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Episode 56: Solving The Million Dollar Soccer Problems Through Healing w/ Seth Alan Taylor

Welcome to the 57th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Seth Alan Taylor, working in mental and emotional health, Seth specialized in working with elite athletes. He works mostly with soccer players as he also used to be a player and a coach while also being a life coach. In this episode Seth shares that elite soccer players need to be psychologically evaluated differently than those in other careers. Sports psychology as Seth shares is tricky in a different way as there’s very specific details in their environments that could pose a threat. Seth talks about how there’s also the constant pressure for senior players to accomplish as much as they could in their “prime” as the world of professional soccer players often feels like a pressure cooker with an ever ticking clock. That and many other examples of how Seth helps players in this episode so be sure to stay tuned!

Closing the gap between capabilities and manifestation:

Seth shares that in a nutshell, what he does is get the players that he works with to understand their capabilities and manifest it. Seth shares that there’s a lot of instances that players may or may not already know what they can do in the game but ends up underperforming because of all these mental stresses, one big example is the fear of being injured, as it is the biggest risk as a professional athlete.

Suffering enough to realize the need for help:

At one portion of the chat, Seth shares that there’s a huge demographic of people who need help, and a small percentage of that group realize that they need help because they are suffering too much. Meanwhile another part of the population is okay enough to not realize that they need help. Seth shares a great quote from Carl Jung saying “no one comes with consciousness without suffering” which was the precipice of his answer when asked how many players he thinks need help.

About Seth Alan Taylor:

Seth Taylor is a dynamic new voice in the world of theological thought, addressing difficult topics such as belief, philosophy, mysticism, and the roots of addiction. He holds an M.A. in Theology and Culture from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in Seattle, Washington, where he lives with his wife and two children.

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Outline of the Episode: 

• [00:02:34] Seth’s background and what he does
• [00:14:11] Understanding the trauma
• [00:23:07] Seth’s history with soccer    
• [00:32:08] Tips for players going through trials 
• [00:39:27] The illusion of “missing a window”
• [00:46:00] How to respond to people undermining the game
• [00:49:01] What Seth noticed about how players deal with injury
• [00:54:27] Defining the identity as a soccer player
• [01:05;02] Realizing the need for help
• [01:12:11] How Seth handles working for a team
• [01:16:57] What Seth considers when athletes say they need a break
• And many more!

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Check out Seth: https://sethalantaylor.com/

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Episode 56: Taking Sheffield City FC Global

Welcome to the 56th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by guests from the Sheffield City Football Club! Ash Greenwood, Daniel Simpson, and Ryan Hartle. They share their plans on expanding over to the US and why the next move is to grow bigger outside the UK. Building the club from the grassroots level, Ryan, Daniel, and Ash share that the goal is to promote the advocacy that football is for everyone. Preparing for the differences in the cultures of the game between England and the US is one thing, but getting to fit into the existing structure of the game in another country is different altogether. Nonetheless, they think that community involvement in the football club is just as crucial as it is anywhere. The culture of communicating and getting volunteers for the football club is just one of the many practices they would like to bring over, if not empower, in the US. More on the migration between systems in this episode so be sure to stay tuned! 

Taking SCFC global:

Ash, Daniel, and Ryan share that they have already studied the differences between football and American soccer which is not only about the playstyles but also the structure of the system, the ladder that players can get to climb. Collectively agreeing that the American system is a little confusing unlike in England, they prepared by studying the hierarchy of different leagues and how to grow promotion-wise. Setting up structures that will fit into the American culture of soccer.

Having said that regardless of age, gender, playing ability, etc., everyone should have the opportunity to play football, Ash recognizes the fact that it’s all in the mindset of a person. They agree that the proper motivation to keep playing is important and knew that they had to be the ones creating this culture of willpower and drive in order to create an energetic environment for the players. 

About the Sheffield City FC:

They are about to start competing in their inaugural season, as a Football Club. Chairman Ashley Greenwood set up the club in 2020 through the lockdown with managers Ryan Hartle and Daniel Simpson, from starting with just 2 U8's teams over the last year the club has grown so much to it has junior teams to the ladies team U23's, Reserves and in their men’s 1st Team who will start their first-ever season in the Men's County Senior division 2.

With big aspirations and plans in place to shape the club for a push towards the football league, the club is now looking towards finding investment to secure capital to help them achieve their goals of getting up towards the football league.

Outline of the Episode: 

• [02:08] Introduction of Ryan, Daniel, and Ash
• [06:58] The motto is “football is for everyone”
• [13:37] Differences in managing different teams
• [21:23] Starting up in America
• [27:25] The difference in the systems 
• [34:30] Importance of community involvement in a football club
• [39:17] How it's different from the rest of the world
• [43:42] The mentality is what matters 

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Episode 55: Didn't Touch A Ball For 6 Months Now He's A Professional w/ Sergiu Anton

Welcome to the 55th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Sergiu Anton who shares how coaching is definitely his passion and that it will be so for a long time, but is haunted by the thought that he didn’t do more with his professional career as a player. As a kid, Sergiu always has been interested in playing as a pro, and after a short professional career from 2016, he’s decided to delve into coaching. In this episode, Sergiu shares more about his journey of how he started his career and why he left, and also what ultimately urged him to come back. He also speaks about different hurdles that came his way within his career and also his insights on the different paths a young player could take to reach a high-level playing field. Stay tuned in this episode to learn more about Sergiu’s thoughts on the career in general and how he plans to continue! 

Coming back home to his goal:

Sergiu shares how there’s been a series of nightmares that kept him thinking how he hasn’t reached his peak with his professional career yet. He is in love with coaching, helping develop young players especially since he values the development in the youth but the very human need for growth came to him in the image of playing professionally again. Now being a part of a team in Romania, Sergiu shares his experiences especially regarding having to take in the negative sides of training as well, just to be able to take full advantage of the opportunity he’s gotten. 

Being good enough sometimes doesn’t land you a spot: 

Sergiu shares how teams often have players that they invest in at a young age which makes it difficult for other players to get into ar team. He shares that the logic he sees behind it is that teams have been paying for a home-grown player’s training and they’re younger and more coachable. These advantages youth players have make it difficult for a player that has already experienced enough to develop their own play style. Young players have also spent years becoming acclimated to the clubs environment making it difficult for outsiders to break into the team.   

About Sergiu Anton:

Founder of Kitchener-Waterloo's ROCA Technical Soccer Training. In October of 2020, ROCA relocated to London, England. Providing the highest level training to youth footballers and professional players. 

Appeared in nine games in 2016 and started two in the midfield. Recorded one assist and also started two games at the U SPORTS championships. Had five shots and three shots on goal in the regular season. Won OUA silver medal and finished sixth at the U SPORTS tournament.

Appeared in 15 games in 2017 and started one in the midfield. Scored one goal, the game-winner in the season finale against Windsor for the first of his career. Recorded five shots and three shots on goal. Appeared in all six playoff games. Won OUA championship and finished fifth at the U SPORTS tournament.

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Outline of the Episode: 

• [02:44] Going back to playing and the psychology behind it
• [14:05] Getting into a club and building his career from there
• [18:15] What Sergiu wishes he knew at the beginning of his career 
• [22:22] The doubts and the harsh realities he’s experienced 
• [31:56] What path would Sergiu would have chosen to get

Episode 54: Neymar's Perfect Chaos with Luca Sarno

Welcome to the 54th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Luca Sarno as they discuss the documentary series, Neymar: The Perfect Chaos. He makes the important point that he sees Neymar as a footballer and examining him through that lens makes him very disappointed because of how much respect he has for Neymar’s talent and skill. But after watching the documentary, Luca expresses his empathy towards Neymar as a person. Ideas flow back and forth as the two discuss the symbolism that Neymar eludes to of the “Joker” image perhaps suggesting that Neymar is battling with multiple sides of himself on a personal level. More on the psyche revolving around the documentary and the difference of the documentary from Neymar’s reality in this episode so be sure to stay tuned! 

The psyche of the characters, documentary, and audience:

Luca shares how Neymar portrays himself as this nonchalant and strong persona but the reality portrayed in the documentary gave light to how Neymar is actually handling his mental state and how the constant pressure of the people looking at him has affected Neymar in an unhealthy way. Being compared to other football players that are at the peak of fame and under constant public attention as well, Neymar was different in the way that he was being seen, Neymar acted as if he did not owe what he does to the people that talk about him. Although, as much as he portrays that image, Luca explains how this specific symbolism of the Batman and Joker painting in his home is emblematic of how Neymar actually cared about his public image. 

Heavy lies the name:

Neymar Jr. being named after his father who is also a decorated athlete, his father has been, whether unconsciously or not, a source of pressure but nonetheless, Neymar Jr., as Luca shared played on a higher level than his father and in some respect, Luca sees that Neymar’s father now telling him what he should do with his career and run the family company may have been fuelled by jealousy. The way that their relationship dynamics progressed from that of father-son to business partners. Neymar Jr’s disconnect with his father due to the desire for him to be a part of the company. Understandably, Neymar Jr’s desire to focus on football instead is a universal desire that players have in them, especially with football being a highly emotional sport. 

About Luca Sarno:

Semi-professional footballer originally from New York. Can play CM, CDM, CAM, LM and RM. Great at reading the game, moving the ball through the thirds, breaking down the opposition. Has great understanding of when to play short and when to play long, has very good range of passing, and excellent ball control. Also has European, American, and eligible for Trinidadian citizenship.

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Outline of the Episode: 

• [00:01:38] About Luca Sarno and his career
• [00:05:07] Neymar Jr. before and after the documentary
• [00:13:22] The mentality and society as observed by Luca 
• [00:21:19] The restrained vulnerability exposed in the documentary 
• [00:28:19] The flaw of one of the best players of all time
• [00:34:33]  How the reality of football is portrayed in mass media
• [00:41:20]  Understanding why there’s heat on Neymar
• [00:48:14] Luca’s insight on Neymar’s switch from Barcelona
• [00:58:22] Luca’s reaction to Neymar’s relationship with his father
• [01:06:57] The circumstance between Neymar and Neymar Jr. 
• [01:17:32] Where the disconnect may have started + challenges in the field

~

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Welcome to the In The 11 Podcast with Brendan Griffiths. This is the show where we reveal what it takes to be in the 11 at the highest levels of professional football.

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Episode 53: An American Making Waves In Southeast Asia a chat w/ Jonny Campbell

Welcome to the 53rd episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Jonny Campbell where he shares how football allowed him to experience playing in South East Asia which Johnny did not even plan on before. Raised in Tennessee and going to East Tennessee State University, he never really expected to be playing on the other side of the world, so far from home, especially when he was able to keep in close proximity with his friends and family during college. Johnny talks about how he was able to build up his career despite being in not-so-optimal situations for a budding professional player and later on got into teams that are way different from his home. He shares more about his experiences in Cambodia and other countries on this episode so stay tuned!

Building a Jonny Campbell: 

Jonny shared a lot about his career after college. Being the only one who got into a team after college, he was in an environment that could have used some leverage. He also shared about how some of the teams that he went through training with were not that solid of a career path due to different circumstances. That said, Jonny definitely had a lot to share about how he maintained his composure and still moved forward in his career and lo and behold, even got into playing in Cambodia amongst other countries as well in Southeast Asia. 

A career in Southeast Asia:

Jonny actually got to Southeast Asia with a connection that invited him over to play in Thailand. The universal language in football helped him get by on the field but the language barrier for his daily life would have been more difficult had he not experienced being in Spain before. He learned about the technical prowess of most Asian players that makes up a lot of the physical difference from western players generally. 

About Jhnny Campbell:

After his senior season with ETSU in 2013, Campbell started playing for the Philadelphia Fury, who compete in the ASL. In 2014, he signed his first professional contract and made his debut in September with the Fury. He decided to pursue a move into the USL in 2015. He started the year in preseason training with Seattle Sounders FC 2 (S2), but later in the year signed a contract with Charlotte Independence. Johnny joined PKR Svay Rieng which clinched the title for Metfone Cambodian League in 2019. The team then recorded 25 games unbeaten which is a record for Cambodian football.

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Outline of the Episode: 

• 
  
• [01:49] Jonny’s background before Southeast Asia
• [04:41] How college jumpstarted his professional career
• [07:09] The learning process after college
• [17:57] Maintaining the focus despite the doubts
• [23:14] Jonny’s experiences on his first season  
• [26:17] Moving on from Charlotte and starting out in Asia
• [29:57] Playing in Thailand in an attacking position
• [34:45] Unique differences between Thailand and US
• [38:42] The jump from Thailand to Cambodia
• [41:43] What makes Southeast Asian football culture unique 
• [46:00] The trials of being in a smaller club
• [52:31] What’s next for Jonny 
• And many more! 

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Episode 52: From The NESCAC to Old Trafford; w/ Khari Stephenson

Welcome to the 52nd episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Khari Stephenson, a former top-level player in The USA, Sweden, Norway and Jamaica and he shares the story of his professional career and life in retirement from football in this episode! Brendan acknowledges that Khari took a less traveled route than others whose goal is to make the pros. In this episode, Khari shares more about his experiences coming from Division 3 which is an unusual move for someone planning to pursue football. 

The practicality of the career path:

The risk-reward of a pro career is a huge thing for Khari. He shares that salaries are a lot less, and players only get paid during the season. Regardless, he prioritized making a name for himself before salaries as the goal has always been to play pro since the age of 4. With his degree as a plan B, he knew he had somewhere to go if ever football didn't work out, but with that security, he only became even more prepared to pursue football as a career, being there for the love of the game was his motivation.

College and league difference: 

Brendan and Khari share that there’s a big difference between playing in college and playing pro. The pace was faster in the league and the players have to constantly be getting fitter. Being on the same team means having the common goal of winning but there’s also the individual aim of everyone to be seen. Khari and Brendan both agreed to the aspect of competition within the team when they knew they had to make a name for themselves. 

About Khari Stephenson:

Upon graduating, Stephenson was drafted 27th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire. He did not make the Fire team, however, and was traded to Kansas City Wizards for a third-round 2005 MLS SuperDraft pick. Stephenson played very little for the Wizards in his rookie season, finishing the year with no points, having played only 44 minutes over three games. He became a starter in the playoffs, playing in every game and even scoring a goal on the Wizards' run to the final.

Stephenson remained with San Jose through the 2012 season before being released following the 2012 season. He subsequently entered the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft and became a free agent after going undrafted in both rounds of the draft. On 22 February 2013, he was signed by Real Salt Lake. He played one season in Utah; however, he was not retained following the season.

Stephenson signed for his old club San Jose Earthquakes on 11 March 2014. Stephenson scored 2 goals during the 2014 season. On 6 August 2015, Stephenson was loaned from San Jose to San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League.

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Outline of the Episode: 

[02:22] Khari’s background and experience

[06:32] The Division 3 difference

[10:56] Playing for Division 3 and Chicago

[14:15] Sustainability of a pro career

[18:08] First year in Kansas City

[20:59] The decision and experience with playing overseas

[31:32] What goes into determining a player’s career

[37:06] Representing your country in the sport

[43:04] Khari’s Norway experience and injury story

[49:54] Khari’s advice

Episode 51: A Story Of MLS Moments And Doctoral Dreams w Seyi Adekoya

Welcome to the 51st episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, Brendan Griffiths is joined by Seyi Adekyoa where they chat about how sports psychology just might be the next step for Seyi In this episode Seyi shares what you would probably experience if you’re going to pursue a degree while putting in effort for your love of the sport. Seyi talks about the decisions he had to make to be able to balance, if not to focus on just one path that’s been presented to him. If you’re stuck on the same fork in the road as Seyi’s been then this episode will definitely give you ideas and inspiration on how to better handle your situation so stay tuned! 

Balancing classes and training:

Right around the time that Seyi was getting pumped to go pro, his classes were starting to conflict with his training schedule. During that time, Seyi knew that he had to make a decision and focus on one road only. In the end, he’s decided to pursue football always with the intention of returning to finish his degree. He shares more about his future plans for his education and his soccer career, more on this episode!

Psychology and Soccer: 

Seyi shared that he was working with a life coach during a good part of his soccer career, and having his own background with psychobiology, he understands the importance of the psychological state of the players, coaches, and a  team. Seyi shares that a psychologist he worked with also worked with Oklahoma City Thunder and that there are insights from the therapist that has affected Seyi’s perspective on the game, on himself, and on his career. He shares that working with the therapist has been helpful to better understand things like how an athletic person is not always a good fit for the team. 

About Seyi Adekyoa:

Seyi signed a homegrown player contract with Seattle Sounders FC, making him the ninth homegrown signing in club history. On March 26, 2017, he made his professional debut for USL affiliate club Seattle Sounders FC 2 in a 2–1 loss to the Sacramento Republic. Adekyoa scored his first professional goal on April 2, 2017, playing for Sounders FC 2 in a 2–1 win over Timbers 2. Adekyoa made his first start for Seattle Sounders FC on May 31, 2017, in a 3–0 defeat to the Columbus Crew. His release from the team was announced on April 3, 2018.

In June 2018, Seyi moved to Danish Superliga side Vendsyssel FF. In January 2020, he moved to Maltese Premier League side Balzan. He returned to Denmark in October 2020, signing a contract until December 2020 for the third-tier Danish 2nd Division club Thisted FC. On April 1, 2021, Seyi joined the USL Championship club Phoenix Rising FC. On August 6, 2021, he moved on loan to the USL Championship side OKC Energy for the remainder of the season.

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Outline of the Episode: 

[00:01:44] The small world of soccer

[00:04:41] Seyi’s experience with playing in an MLS Academy

[07:32] How did Seyi come to decide which path to take

[00:13:21] The difference between playing for the academy and UCLA

[00:19:22] The tough conversation and resolution

[00:23:50] Seyi’s thoughts upon being signed as a homegrown player

[00:28:20] Seyi’s experience with an MLS club and after so

[00:36:20] The changes in Seyi’s mindset as he tried to advance his career

[00:40:07] Adjusting to the local and football culture in Denmark

[00:47:12] The move to Malta

[00:49:21] The difference between a coach and a sports director

[00:54:09] What to look forward to with an opportunity in Malta

[00:58:38] How the pandemic affected Seyi’s career

[01:00:47] Going back to the US and signing to Phoenix

[01:07:38] How Seyi handled having an injury

[01:11:00] What’s a...