Episode10 revolves around the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament, reflecting on the performances of teams and players. The similarities between the playing styles of top European club teams and national teams is evident as TIKI-TAKA has become dominant but so has the ability to counter it.

The potential for upsets by underdog teams and the difficulty top teams face in breaking down defensive opponents is now plainly evident. The pressure on Belgium after losing their first game is palpable and they are the only BIG Nation not to win their first game.

The conversation then touches on favourite games so far, standout individual performances, and the impact of VAR technology on decision-making as it has had to make some massive calls.

Gary and Dave discuss the use of pickle juice for cramps, and upcoming matches in the tournament & they also touch on the debate surrounding player injuries and the role of medics in decision-making.

The Euros are here and excitement is at fever pitch! With so many teams challenging for this year's title who will be victorious. Will England capitalise on previous tournament near misses? Can Spain recreate the 2008 & 2012 success? What about France, Italy or the hosts Germany? Its soooo exciting!!! (excuse Cat in the Hat reference!!)

This episode we preview the tournament as a whole by looking at the groups and who could likely progress and have a coursory glance at some players that we've been fortunate to wkr with who are competing at the Euros! From England to Hungary, Austria to Slovakia its a melting pot of EFL and EPL players throughout the nations!

And what about Bellingham - is this is tournament to shine? Perhaps its too early but for a player who has in four years risen from Birmingham starlet to Galactico Champions League winner, surely its just another step on his rise to G.O.A.T.

Join us as we reflect on the competition and how we think it will go!

Summary

In this episode of Whistleblowers, Dave and Gary answer questions from listeners. They discuss how to deal with a 'bad egg' in the dressing room, the challenges of the close season for players and managers, and how to create a high-performance environment. Dave shares his best 11 and best squad of players he has worked with. They also discuss the use of medicine and tablets during games and the drug testing process for players. Finally, they give advice to aspiring football managers who haven't had a typical playing career.

Takeaways

• Dealing with a 'bad egg' in the dressing room requires understanding the player's perspective and finding ways to address their frustrations or concerns.
• The close season can be a busy time for managers, with player contracts and transfers to handle, but it's also important to find time for rest and family.
• Creating a high-performance environment involves fostering a culture of continuous learning, passion, and a drive to improve.
• A high-performance environment can exist at any level of football, regardless of resources, if there is a shared goal and a commitment to excellence.
• Dave's best 11 and best squad include players like Robert Green, Thomas Helveg, Adam Drury, Peter Crouch, and Dion Dublin. Building a successful football team requires a combination of talent, strategy, and teamwork.
• Tablets given to players during games can provide pain relief or help with stomach issues, but their effects may vary.
• The drug testing process for players involves random selection and urine samples after the game.
• Aspiring football managers without a playing career can still succeed by putting in the hours, learning the craft, and finding opportunities in clubs or academies.
• Passion, dedication, and continuous learning are key to a career in football coaching or management.

The close season in football is a time for rest and preparation for the upcoming season. It is a period where players and staff take a break, plan holidays, and make decisions about player retention and recruitment.

The close season also involves the departure and arrival of staff members, such as coaches, analysts, performance and medical personnel too. So theres plenty for the club to be getting on with - no longer closing down and the 'back in 2 months' on the door!

The medical team plays a crucial role in supporting injured players during the summer, ensuring they receive the necessary care and rehabilitation. The close season is a busy time for managers, who are constantly in contact with agents, players, and sporting directors to negotiate deals and make signings.

During the conversation, Gary and Dave discuss the challenges and experiences of managers and coaches during the close season. They talk about negotiating transfers, the importance of player meetings, and the planning and preparation for pre-season.

They also touch on the interactions between football professionals during holidays and the opportunities for additional learning and qualifications during the off-season.

Have you ever had a question that you'd like to ask the manager or head coach of your club? Or even one for a Head of Performance (less likely we know!!!)?

Ok... so outside of the normal 'why did you pick X player?' or 'What were you thinking in that game?' there's so many questions that we've answered over the years on a wide variety of topics - some really simple ones as well as more complex queries that we can't always answer - unless we want to get into trouble!!

So now is your chance to pitch us with those burning topics that you need answering! But rather than just simple answers we give a little more context and expand on the subject a little to give more insight and more related aspects!

We'll crowdsource the questions, select the best or most interesting ones and give you some answers!

First episode of a new feature of BreakingLines where Gary and Dave field listener's questions on a variety of topics from 'How do we plan a double game week?' to 'How do clubs make bids for each other's players? Enjoy the show!

It seems to happen every year at every club. Sometimes its benign and there's no real effect; a few squad members who normally have limited game time that might effect the subs bench, but perhaps no real impact on the team. Or...

...its senior, important, vital cogs in the team machinery who are all struck down at the same time and the season goes from one of immense promise and potential to a tough season, possibly staring at disaster. An injury crisis can play hell with the best laid plans of everyone at the club!

So we need someone to blame done we - that's what it's about surely?!

Normally the medical department are the ones getting the brunt of the ire from all corners as some fans, coaches, executive and athletes seek the reason behind why the crisis is happening! But most of the time the medical department is just picking up the pieces from situations not of their making!

The performance and coaching departments are far more influence in how the athletes are prepared and maintained. Is the training appropriate, is the preparation work adequate to keep the squad resilient, is the periodisation of the season appropriate? The coordination of performance and coaching has a huge bearing on wether the crisis is, really, a crisis!

And of course the athletes must take their share of the responsibility - they need to work hard, rest well, eat correctly and ensure their recovery time is used appropriately - not too much extra curricular activities!!

So join us as we discuss how an injury crisis manifests and what we can do about it - if anything!!

Every season the fixture calendar is sprinkled with those large occasion games that are very much a different take on your run-of-the-mill league games - derby games, playoff matches, relegation six-pointers or giant-killing cup fixtures whet the appetitive of players, coaches, clubs and fans as the season proceeds.

Yet for the manager or head coach they provide a different challenge beyond the electricity and excitement of the fixture. Navigating your way through a specific fixture is laden with both opportunity and jeopardy! Win and you are a hero; lose and your standing on the terraces and boardroom can be severely - or even terminally - undermined!

Join us as we take you through the whistle stop tour of how a management team may choose to approach such games and how they strategise to come out with the best possible result from the fixtures.

In days of yore a Sheriff had a wide range of duties - mostly on behalf of a king or other powerful figure or landowner - that they oversaw to ensure that things were done as they were supposed to and peace and order was maintained.

The modern elite football club is a huge organisation where the front and back office staff (as well as the players) are operating in a wide variety of departments and roles that give the team the best chance of success. And where traditionally all of the football departments' management was with 'The Manager', contemporary football clubs have chosen to follow a new model, that of the Sporting or Technical Director!

This episode of the Breaking Lines Podcast explores the different types of Sporting or Technical Director roles and the backgrounds and types of people who have taken on this exciting new position. From ex-players and managers, recruiters and administrators, they job sees people from a kaleidoscope of previous roles and careers.

Done well they can really benefit the Head Coach (the more modern title for the old 'manager' titles!) and those working in football departments - so much so in fact that the role itself may soon have its very own transfers! With Dan Ashworth having an alleged £20m price tag on his head to move from Manchester United from Newcastle United, are we now at a pivot point in the world of football administration?