October 01, 2008
CVI Questions with Coach Gary Smith: Undefeated in September
Coach Gary Smith has gotten the Rapids back on track and took some time out for CVI from a phone interview.
I. How is preparing MLS players for a match different then preparing the English FA players?
Coach Smith feels that it is not that different. It's about working toward the same thing - winning football. The Rapids had lost confidence and that happens in both places.
He feels the differences however are the preparations that you need to take into account for travel, weather conditions for a summer season, and planning for fatigue accordingly.
II. The team looks cohesive, positive, and motivated to win since you’ve taken over. What reasons do you attribute to the turnaround from the summer.
He said when former coach Fernando Clavijo left, there were a lot of players that felt they had underachieved. When a manager moves on, it suggests that the team hasn't performed and a lot of players had a point to prove.
There has also been additions to the group like Cory Gibbs and players coming back from injury that have made an impact.
Generally there is an atmosphere where players are getting chances to play and are seizing the opportunity. Players that were performing below par, have seen this as an opportunity for a clean sheet and a new platform to work from.
III. Mehdi Ballouchy was traded for a fan favorite, Kyle Beckerman, and subsequently hasn’t drawn the backing of the fans. Do Mehdi a favor sell Mehdi to Rapids fans.
Mehdi is one of the most talented individuals that he’s seen in a long time. He has wonderful balance and he's very intelligent with ball. Looking at the final goal in New York, his final pass was extraordinarily good.
On top of that, the fellow is very driven and has tremendous athletic ability as well. He is the most unsung players in the group this season and he's at a point now where he’s got his opportunity and he’s not going to let go.
IV. Before you took over the team, the Rapids captured 5 of a possible 27 points on the road. You’ve accomplished 6 of a possible 12. When you’re not at DSG Park, what’s your philosophy for road results?
He believes he had an ideal opportunity to see the team in the initial six months. The personnel changes didn’t help and there was a feeling that going away players felt negative.
He thinks now they are the front foot. With how they played against Dallas and New York, which they were fortunate to get results in both, it's more apparent that players are more hungry to win a game on the road. It's a different mind set.
V. Last season, Colin Clark was a break out player for the team and this season it appears Nick LaBrocca is the break out player. Tell us more about Nick and what he brings to the team.
Nick has proved over the season his true worth as a team player. He certainly is not the most talented and certainly not the most physically gifted, but he is great team player that brings confidence to the group. He is extremely important to the group by bringing what the team needs to win. Nick offers good energy, good discipline, good understanding, and quality in a young body. His future is bright, and by getting more minutes then anyone else, reflects how high he is thought of.
VI. Is there a manager or a philosophy you have subscribed to or has influenced your style and approach to coaching?
Smith says the style aspect would be along the Arsenal route, where the team is gifted with the ball. But you need time to put a team like that together.
In terms of style influence on him, he says Martin O'Neil, who he played for in England. Also Terry Burton, manager at Wimeldon was a good first team coach that had a huge influence on him on the practical front. Finally, working with Tony Adams at Wanders has been good for the situation he's currently in, has been very helpful.
We thank you coach and look forward to a difficult game against Houston. Here's the rise of the Rapids!!!