Being able to look back on that cloudy couple of weeks now I think I can get what Poch is saying, and I think it is what makes him an interesting leader.
He makes the point that with players’ futures being up in the air, it creates a number of problems. He can’t play players that may be leaving, because certain other players in those positions may question why they aren’t favoured if they are staying. And he can’t demand the focus he would usually demand, because he knows certain player’s heads are elsewhere.
We succeed when we play like we do against Palace, when everyone is on it, and Poch no doubt motivates the squad to that end. But I think there is something clever from a leadership perspective in hanging back a bit, not ‘using up’ all of your demands when you know it won’t have the most impact. Give players the opportunity to look outside, see that we are their best option, and let the window close. And then tell them that since they are here now, he demands the absolute highest of standards.
The difference between putting those demands in when certain players may not be here means you run the risk of those words carrying less impact. Some Managers may demand it regardless and I’d venture they struggle with longevity because they can burn the players out. Poch, by ramping up and down the intensity of his demands keeps it more likely that he will keep most of the group onside for as long as possible.
As a leader, he is thinking about the long term, and it’s arguably a what makes him a strong leader. Being able to look back on that dark period to the improved noises coming from both players and management, suggests everything is looking good again. His words now carry more impact once players know he has given them the chance to look elsewhere.
