Show Transcript
Episode 8 – Brian Stock – Football Intelligence

Brian Stock – Football Intelligence   Brian Stock  For me that I think sometimes players need guidance, and I think they need direction. But also you need to give them the licence to ask questions. And I'm very much a manager or coach that likes to be honest and open. And if there's certain aspects to the game that needs to be improved, and I think it's only fair that you tell the players or give them a rationale why's that? Maybe you've made a tactical change or personnel changing.   Joe Partington  Welcome to leave no doubt, a podcast brought to you by evil form that explores all areas formance within football, from the biggest lessons from the best players in the game, to diving into nutrition, strengthen conditioning and psychology with the lead practitioners. We are here to help you maximise your potential improve your game and leave nothing to chance in your football performance. Welcome to leave no doubt I'm joined by Weymouth manager Brian stock Stuckey. Thank you for being here. Pleasure. Oh, good. Hey, feelin. Yeah, well, good.   Brian Stock  Yeah. Not too bad. Thank you.   Joe Partington  Let's get into it mate. straightaway, I wanted to, I want to start with a conversation about football intelligence. I mean, I've not really spoken to any other player about the reason why I'm gonna start talking about with you is because obviously, having known you as a player, is something that you really stood out as having a lot of. So really, I want to ask you, what is football intelligence? And in your opinion, how important is it to have that in the modern game?   Brian Stock  I think my earliest memory of that job probably comes from when I was in the youth team, and I had thrown into school, as a manager. He, he coached in a totally different way. Very much thinking outside the box, and he gave us players the licence when we crossed that white line to make our own decisions, and then educate obviously postmatch so he is certainly for for my type of player and the fact that I wanted to get on the ball, make things tick, be creative with my with my football, intelligence, and sometimes it certainly comes from the coach giving you that licence to try things. And, you know, I had shown as a coach for my youth team, and then as I broke into the first team at Bournemouth, and then I followed him to Doncaster Rovers, so I play quite a lot of my football on him. And when you look at the likes of myself, Cole Fletcher, anyhow, Jason Tyndall, Steven purchase, all guys that have come through his guidance. And now, obviously, having successful coaching or managerial careers,   Joe Partington  can you give us more of an insight into what those sort of training sessions look like? I mean, I was a youth team player, probably at the back end of Shona, just schools journey here, Bournemouth. And to me at that age, I was, you know, I couldn't understand what was going on, obviously, but you'd experience for a long time.   Brian Stock  We had we had called our players that would come to the club, especially try this, and they would never have been introduced to the way that we would think that would be anything from a warm up session, how we'd be drilled and organised and let the players work things out, and the things didn't work out, he wouldn't give you the answers, you'd have to try and work them out. And sometimes that communication between us and new players or new trial lists, that became almost common knowledge with us knowing that we needed to help them. And there might be times where that would reflect in a game of football where we need to find the answers. And we need to find the answers as a team. And sometimes we would come up with maybe one or two things that would maybe change the formation or change the tactics or you know, we would maybe consider speaking to the manager and almost make decisions and the way that we wanted to play our football. I've not necessarily myself certainly seen that type of football played ever since really, and it was it was a team particularly at Doncaster Rovers, where we played free flow and attacking football and the probably the one thing you didn't concentrate on, which was set in stone was what we did when we didn't have the ball. And that really gives us a platform to to then express ourselves with the ball. Certain things in training, he would he wouldn't necessarily say I'm obviously I'm a central midfield player, but he might focus on fullbacks and he'd have players, you know representing fullbacks in in his training session and it gave us an understanding of what might that look for a fullback or if he was a defender, whatever the position might be, you know, he gave an all round education in form Patients, you name it so that if we needed to flip formation, or if we had a player out or if someone had to fill in, you know, we had that education.   Joe Partington  So for us specifically, before having worked with him, had you any understanding of what football intelligence was?   Brian Stock  No, if not really, I think that probably came later on in my career, when I had other managers who maybe solely focused on the 11, that would walk out on the pitch. And if you didn't do it, or if you weren't doing your job, you'd be out the team and someone else will walk in. And sometimes you wouldn't necessarily get the answers to why you've been left out the team and were shown keep going on about Shawn, but he was a pivotal role in my in what my career was, would look like. And we would focus on even analysis before and after we'd get into groups, we get into units, we, this has all come into play. And even though sometimes I would go wait in national duty, and we wouldn't even have that analysis of in depth as to what Shawn would put in and the team would put in. So I do think he was way ahead of his time, I really do a lot of stuff, the way he got us to think was a really, really good education at such a young age for myself.   Joe Partington  And in your role. Now, obviously, as a manager, do you think the manager telling you or asking or educating his players to be intelligent is really important? Or do you think there's a way that people can develop their football intelligence without a manager who promotes that?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I think there's for me that I think sometimes players need guidance, and I think they need direction. But also, you need to give them the licence to ask questions. And I'm very much a manager or coach that likes to be honest and open. And if there's certain aspects to the game that needs to be improved, then I think it's only fair that you tell the players or give them a rationale wise to maybe you've made a tactical change, or personnel changing. I think I'd like to think that I'm honest and open. And I think if you're like that, as a manager, I think you allow the players to make mistakes. If they make too many mistakes, obviously, there comes a point where you have to say, look, you know, this can't happen anymore. Because it's a detrimental effect to the team. And as long as players understand what the manager wants, I think if you give him that free flow and attacking creativity flair, especially in a final foot, to go and express themselves, knowing that they've they're not going to get shouted at by the manager for trying to be creative. I think that gives them the platform then to go and express themselves   Joe Partington  is the sub obviously, for people who don't know, obviously, listeners, when you played as in that centre, midfield role, you read the game incredibly well, you were super talented on the ball. Was there anything you were doing away from the manager that was helping you to develop this? And what I mean by that is, when guys aren't at football, can they develop this intelligence by watching the game,   Brian Stock  I think that's probably hit the nail on the head there. I think quite a lot of what I've done away from football was probably at a young age as well, which was watch videos, plays in your position, how that might look like in terms of what your own football team or teammates might, you know, happen on a daily basis. I remember looking at Paul Scholes and the way that he moved the ball so quickly, one touch to touch aspire to be like him, obviously, nowhere near his levels. But like I said, he's a player that I aspire to be. And I think if you if you look back on your analysis of your game, ask yourself questions. What can I do differently? If you're unsure about something, you know, go to the coach, go to the manager, ask for feedback, do it in the right way. I think it's important that players ask questions rather than keep that inside because if you never ask the questions, you never have the answers and have the freedom to go. And like I said before, express yourself.   Joe Partington  Do you think there's a difference in I know you've seen different levels of played in the championship, you've been promoted out of Ligue one, you ended up obviously dropping out into the National League. Do you think there's a difference in the levels with football intelligence? And the reason why I asked that is if guys are looking to improve and they're looking to go up the leagues and move into higher clubs. Do they need to be intelligent to do that?   Brian Stock  Yes and no, I think there's there's definitely an aspect of the intelligent what I found when I left Burnley wanting to hiccups along the journey which led led me to sort of moving back down south and enjoying it and have it and what Louisville which turned out to be actually more successful and enjoyable than I expected. But I felt going from a championship promotion site to then playing football in National League self. I think a lot of players, the higher you go, the more proactive they are on the move, if they don't necessarily get the ball that, you know, they're constantly on the move, creating space for others, whereas I felt that when I went down the lower leagues, and especially for a midfielder like myself, that would probably like to play one or two touch football, I was finding myself that I was taking a touch, and then the play would move. I'd say that was probably the biggest difference. But then the aspect of that is that the contact time that you with a club like Burnley every single day to then only go in two times a week. So that's tough. And for players and teams, to get that cohesion, to understand where to be, you know, James Hayter springs to mind because I linked up with James at three different clubs, and he was always in a place at the right time, wherever that'd be scoring a goal or for me playing in behind it, you'd recognise where the space was, and nine times out of 10, I would have that relationship with James Hayter where I knew it would where he would be. And when you sort of come away from that, it's difficult, but it's trying to adapt to try and adapt with different teams, different managers formations, even pitches, I've gone from wearing hold football boots, for probably two or three years to then having to buy a pair of studs, you know, but that's, that's what you know, the pitch determines so loads of different aspects. But I think if your attitude spot on, and you can understand what, you know, the reasons why the team might play that way, or why haven't done that way. I think that's the key.   Joe Partington  I want to try and break it down a little bit more what you're talking about, because obviously it guys at higher levels, won't maybe listen to this podcast to improve, you know, they're at that level for a reason. Hopefully the guys who are at nonleague level, listen to this and can take something from what you're saying. So the two nights a week, obviously, a lot of people are playing part time football. Is that enough for them to develop and improve? And if not, what in your opinion, might they be doing to help themselves? And then we're talking about football intelligence still?   Brian Stock  Okay. Well, I mean, on behalf of of Weymouth Football Club, where I'm currently at the moment, we understood that we needed more contact time, wherever that covers football intelligence, it probably does in the background, because we're constantly having contact time, the players are having, going from last year having sort of seventh or eighth place to this year having 17 players on a Wednesday session. So for us, we've increased that content time, which will only help in terms of football intelligence. I think having a platform to be able to view your own footage back, we had the pleasure of that with a platform called HUDDLE, where players have their own logins can can go in can see their own performances, opposition, that sort of thing. But I think if you look back on that and think to yourself, I could have done that better, or I could have been in that position. But then does that dictate what it might look like as a team? So again, it's maybe something that you could do in terms of writing down questions for the manager for the coach and say, Look, if I'd have done this differently, how would this affect the team? Or how could I get my player on the ball or my turn on the ball? Those are the sorts of things I think having an identity with the team that you're playing in as well will help because if you're a team that wants to play direct, you know, how did that affect me as a defender? Or if you're a footballing team that how can I get those players on the ball? How can I gain space and time but I think if you identify that, if you ask the manager coach that I think that will help.   Joe Partington  What in your opinion can guys do in their own spare time away from training because I understand as a manager, you want more contact time with the players, but for the majority of their daily week, they're not in your presence. They're not being given your you know, they're not conversing with you? How can guys obviously leave the football environment and still develop?   Brian Stock  I mean, again, I'm talking on behalf of of our of our squad, we've inherited a good bunch of lads. Two weeks ago, we had Wednesday's session where we felt is more beneficial for the lads to have a day off, given that the demands of what we went through the previous week. And yet, I'd say probably six, seven, maybe even eight players were off doing their own thing. We're at a local park, getting together working on a bit of sharpness. Maybe some more individual aspects might be heading that we've not covered for the week, understanding what you might need to do to prepare yourself for the game.   Joe Partington  I mean, it seems as if you've created that culture here at Weymouth, where guys would obviously want to improve they want to learn collectively. If for whatever reason I know it, obviously, that non league level that you've experienced, there are some players who want to do that. And there's probably a lot of players who want might not want to? How can the guys who want to do that in an environment where not everybody's buying into it managed to improve? I think   Brian Stock  it's that definitely comes down to the individual. And I think sometimes players have that perception of if the, if the group aren't doing it, why why should I do it, and I think if they can see past that, and understand that you're doing everything you can, whether that might be gym work to be as strong as you can, whether that's fitness work, so that if you do get called upon or, you know, the games, demands on the physicality and the running is getting, you know, heightened every single season, sports science is coming into play now. So you're looking at the distance and high speed run, and all those sort of aspects that come into the game. And something that not not necessarily was I introduced to especially early part of my career, but certainly to the latter part of my career, it was it was a main focus at certain football clubs where, you know, sometimes even team selection would would be based on how far you run. Personally, that wasn't necessarily my ethos, and it isn't my ethos here, but it's a marker of, of maybe players not necessarily hiding within training or games, maybe doing that little bit extra. And it's, it comes into sort of almost like key performance indicators. So that we know that when our full backs are coming into a game situation, they no need to hit a certain amount of high speed running because they're a key to how we want to play and you know that education now be can can be transferred from player, sorry for manager to player even more so now. But it all goes back down to sort of the player understanding and asking questions.   Joe Partington  You've lived in, or played in an era football were probably at the start the word busy, was used as a bad thing. And if anybody was seen to do extra or go beyond what was what was being asked of them, that was, you know, that was ridiculed by their teammates or, or whoever. Whereas now in modern day football being busy is is almost the bare minimum, like you can't get away with if you want to be successful without being busy. Is that something that you saw change as you were playing? And obviously now rocking in going into your coaching roles?   Brian Stock  I think most definitely, I think preseason was deemed to be do what you want for the summer. And then will you lose your body for free preseason? I think at every level now. I think players look after themselves even in the offseason, I do think it's important that you have downtime, because I think it's especially the higher you go the demands, and the intensity and the mentalities is so heightened that you do need to have a break. But even players still look after themselves now. And I think it's, you know, definitely pivotal in terms of trying to hit the ground running. I know, clubs will, you know, back in the day, they're really curious about giving you so much time off. But I think I think clubs are a little bit more relaxed on that now because they know that players look after themselves. And I think especially in particularly with our law, you know, the players will come back fit strong, almost ready to hit the ground running. So sometimes, preseason was probably one week, two weeks of building yourself up. Now, you could probably do that after two or three days.   Joe Partington  As a player, you know, we're going to touch on it again, you've not only achieved success, you know, you've achieved numerous promotions, if at that high level for a long period of time. Obviously, the premier being promoted to the Premier League with Burnley sticks out in my mind. But you've also been around top elite players, guys, we've obviously gone on to play in the national teams and you know, at the top of the Premier League for a long time. What do you think it was about you and these other guys that allowed you to be so successful during that period of time   Brian Stock  mentality. And I think it's easy to say the word mentality because it covers such a broad spectrum. And there's so many ups and downs as a footballer, there's so many disappointments that can come from anything from injuries to suspensions to find yourself out the team and somebody coming in taking the place dealing with that the number of new players coming into the club, a whole variety of things. And if the if the mentality is there to take the rough with the smooth, then I think you learn to deal with the highs and the lows a lot better. And I think given given the fact that those disappointments can affect performance, I think if you can understand what it needs to take to be able to overcome that. improve yourself as a player. And you know, I've seen it from quite a few players where they've been very, very talented. And you know that just that little piece of mentality that understanding that being left out a team what it needs to do outside of the game. What you need to do in training? Do you need to do that little bit of extra running to make sure that you're called upon? You're ready to go. I've seen a lot of plays, you know, fall short on that. And the ones that have the long careers, the ones that play for 20 years, are the ones that have that strong mentally,   Joe Partington  you said mentality, obviously, really quickly, then. How did you develop your mentality? Can you remember any moments when you were you when you were young, where that was challenged,   Brian Stock  you had 100%. And I think, as a youth team player, it took me a long time to understand what it took. And, again, I was fortunate enough to have Shawna Driscoll that stuck by me, I signed a long term contract of nearly five years, with Bournemouth at a young age and matron was my manager at the time. And it took me a while to understand what it took to become a footballer. But I think because at the longevity of my contract, it gave me time. Although that could have been cut short, given some some of my behaviours along the way. But I think you need to learn quick because, you know, there's so many players out there that are willing to take your opportunity to play in that team. And if you're, if you're a choose not spot on, day in, day out, whether that's a training session, whatever it might be, whether that's a sub and a revert back to a comment with, again, with Sean Driscoll, he seems to be the topic of my conversation. But again, a major part of my education is that even as little as being a substitute, making sure you're the best sub so that's prepared with your with your shin pads on, you're warm, you're ready, you understand set pieces you've rolled in, maybe they've sort of done a little bit of homework on where he might come on and the pitch. So that when you do come onto the pitch already, and again, I see so many times I've had it myself where I turned to a Serb and you know, he's not warmed up, and I don't put this up on, or he hasn't got his pads on. I'm just not ready. I have him instead. Because he's ready and he's prepared to go on and make an impact.   Joe Partington  There's a lot of pressure, I think now on young players, especially as we see so often are this 16 year olds made his debut or this 17 year old has made his debut guys are making debuts at such a young age now, that if you're getting to 1819 and haven't had a first team experience, people are now questioning like, Is this for me or the football as a sensitive these days, as as you've said, like, it's how important do you think it is to realise really early that I need to develop thick skin if I'm going to be successful,   Brian Stock  really important. And sometimes when when players and I've seen it, again, it's particularly in management, because you deal with contracts and negotiations, and you see players from Premier League clubs on mega money. And, you know, I've seen it where players will be released. And there'll be going from 1000s a week to trying to find a contract. And that contract might even be 234 100 quid a week, whatever the whatever the figures might be, but the Gulf in wages from what that comes down to it, again, is a tough one to take. People don't understand how how tough that can be on young players. And sometimes those players might have made their debut first team football in the Premier League, and they find themselves at the club a year later. Again, mental health is so important in this game. And it's important to understand that and recognise that as clubs, and as managers. And it's easy to say, Oh, you need to have a strong mentality, but that needs to be educated that needs to, it needs to come from from from the manager from maybe, you know, psychologists to understand how can we build that mental health? How can we understand what it takes to build that thick skin? And if we do get left out the team? How do I react in that way? It's easy, easy enough to throw your toys out the pram because you think you should politely but you know, what would it look like as a manager's point of view and if you see a player react in a positive way, do an extra in training. Maybe in as little as shaking hands with players that are in your position to say that all the best. I'm here as a teammate, but ultimately, I still want your place. But from the outside looking in, we want to do well as a team. And I think that's, again, a major part of what I want to create in terms of the environment at this club.   Joe Partington   I mean your experience as a player now moving into management, would you say then that the psychology of football outweighs physical and technical attributes? Or would you put them on a par with each other?   Brian Stock  Again, I think that reflects in different positions in the pitch. I think it's important to understand and recognise that as an individual and I think if a player can have that relationship with a manager and vice versa Understand, think or use a striker is a great example. Obviously, they're there to score goals. Simple as and if they're not scoring goals, how can I support that? Because he might be working really hard for the team. But you know, confidence might be low. But if I leave them at the team, how does that affect that player? Have I lost that player? These are the sort of questions you need to ask yourself. But if I go to him, and I say to him, Look, you know, I'm going to bring you out the team for this reason, or I'm going to keep you in the team. And you know, just keep going, keep shooting, I still got belief in you, and instil that in the player and give them a rationale to whatever your decision might be. If you leave them out. And you don't tell them why then, you know, what's that player thinking? So I think it's important that as a coach, as a manager, and even as a player to recognise that and ask questions, and try and build that relationship. And I know not all relationships will be the same, some people will fall away from the wayside, or players will leave and players will come and go. But I think that'll be key.   Joe Partington  being effective is something I'd quite like to talk about with, especially obviously at Bromley at the moment, we've got a couple of really talented young players, who, at the age of 1819, want to do everything amazing, but they can't it's obviously not possible. When you're a young age, you found how how you could be effective pretty early, you know, you understand your game, and off the back of that you have you know, you're ultimately really successful. How can how important is it? And how can young guys now realise what they're effective at? And use that to obviously progress in the game instead of trying to do everything at once?   Brian Stock  So good question, because I'm actually currently going through that with one or two the players in my team at the moment. And, and I think it's important that they recognise what is their key performance indicator. Certain areas that are pitch for certain central midfield players, especially the higher you go, you need to be quicker on the ball, you need to take less touches. And then if we break lines of our passing, and we get it to players in between the lines or in wide areas, and you give them the freedom to then go and express yourself. And I think they understand that. And if you don't tell them that and they keep giving the ball away time and time again. You as a coach or as a manager, you need to recognise that. And I think as players if they can do that as well, if they can ask the questions and maybe go to a manager and say look, what is it you want from me? Do you want me to score goals for me to get in this position? You know, what, how can I affect the team? How can I fit my individual performance?   Joe Partington  Some of the guys written down some of the names of guys that you've played with that have obviously gone on to play top top level. So guys that Danny things Billy sharp and Kieran trippier just three of probably many that have obviously gone into play at the top level those three guys really stand out. Is there anything that those guys were doing or that you noticed about them because you played with Danny and Kieran trippier before they were playing at the top of the Premier League? Was there anything that you saw in them that you know that basically, you saw as being why they were allowed to go on and reach the heights that they have done?   Brian Stock  That there comes a point when when talent takes over, and Danny ings and Kieran trippier very, very talented players with the ball. And you know, they had the platform at Bernie and they had direction and when you look at the quality that Kieran trippier had with the ball in wide areas, even at fullback areas, playing them behind, which was which was a key. A key pass that Bernie were really effective with him behind. You know, his consistency was excellent. And you know, Danny's attitude, absolutely spot on. And again, a talented player, very, very talented player. It was no surprise given the talent that they had. They went on to bigger and better things when I was playing with them as teammates. In terms of attitude, yeah. Dennings had it in abundance. Kieran trippier learned quickly but like I said, I think I'll go back to my my original comment and say that they were almost destined to play higher because of how much quality they had individually   Joe Partington  touching back on new mate the summer I spent a bit of time with with Lee Bradbury on a golf course. You know discussing all sorts of discussing different players in his time obviously is haven't manager. And he said when we spoke about you, he said you were his best ever sign it by a mile is what he said. I'm interested to know, obviously, like you've touched on, you go from a promoted Burnley team of going into the Premier League to haven't set up what were the immediate differences between the two levels? Because on the opposite side of that, obviously a lot of guys at non league level now we're going to aspire to play it at that high level that you did. What What are the obvious differences? And what are guys at those lower levels? What do they have to do to match up what the top guys are doing?   Brian Stock  I mean, when I left Burnley, there was a part of me that was a little bit depressed, and one or two things didn't, you know, fell through, I'd agreed to join a club, shook hands that fell through. And on the basis of that I also turned down probably three or four other Football League clubs. So at this point in time, finally come first and I had three children at the time, and I had to put them before me and my career, they supported me for such a long time that I felt that it was a time that I had to pay a little bit back and we moved back to the south coast and I joined have it more at Louisville, and I missed out on a preseason. And I think that's probably although no one likes to do a preseason and run it really does set you up for the season. And I missed out on that. And I felt my first year I haven't a water Louisville was filled with frustration. I remember getting sent off a few times yellow cards. And that was purely down to a not being fit enough and frustration. Players winding me up from the opposition managers referees decisions, inconsistency pitches, all the things went into the mix, and it took me quite a while to adapt. And when I understood that it was never going to be the perfect game that I was used to at Burnley on nice pitches and we're going to play free flowing football. And it might have to be like a roller sleeves up maybe fight to Linda earned the right to try and play that, you know, these are the sorts of things that I had to learn even at the age of of, I think I was around about 30 to 34 2014 I left Burnley. So once I grasped that and understood what it took, I worked hard as a manager. And I think the biggest thing for me, which is why probably Lee Bradbury made that comment was the fact that I never wanted a manager or player to speak badly of me. And I never want to leave my career on a downer. So setting standards in training day in day out was probably my my biggest thing. And I do believe that those experienced players if they do get to that level, and they don't set those standards, it gives everyone an excuse to lower this. And I think after the initial disappointment of relegation that haven't and then go and double promotion, that was certainly part of my mindset. And I think that rubbed off on all the team and we had a group of players pushing in the right direction,   Joe Partington  that first season that you've just obviously give us given us an insight into there, but how you felt it's probably quite common, obviously, with a lot of guys that are playing at that level. Certainly frustration. And, you know, I see a lot of guys who have different perceptions of themselves. And when you watch games, and when you see, obviously people that you're playing against that attitude of frustration is quite common. How challenging was it for you that year? Obviously, to get your head round, you know, the level that you were at, obviously, off the back of what you're used to? And how, in your opinion, couldn't guys who were feeling similar, similar stuff, get over that?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I mean, my frustration was taken out on other players. And a lot of stuff never necessarily gets picked up the protection isn't isn't as high end as it is in the championship when you got cameras watching you and you can look back on it, and the protection isn't the same. So I almost took the bait from some of the players. I'm not afraid to admit that but trying to deal with that frustration. It does come with experience. And I think sometimes that does get the better of younger players. It's just how you try to channel that frustration and understanding what from the outside looking in how would that look from somebody that might even be coming to watch you play? I know when I go to watch football games, and people make a mistake, it's how they react. And I'm a manager and a coach that's huge on transitions. And if our transitions in our team aren't good enough then you know we become an open team and when I look at players and I look at how they react to certain mistakes if that's an instant reaction that they're gonna go winnable back they forget the mistake or supporters forgetting mistaken and funny enough, they'll clap they'll clap the player for gonna go and make a challenge when realistically they're given a ball away under no pressure. You know, it sounds weird, but it's everything that a manager wants to see in a player and even a teammate and even a supporter wants to see that that endeavour that attitude to go and do whatever you can to even rectify that mistake.   Joe Partington  You saw the difference in level really quickly is training at an elite level. I'm talking about obviously the Top of the championship Premier League attainable for guys at these lower leagues.   Brian Stock  Most definitely. And I think the reason why I say that is because especially when you come to the back in the career, I found it tough at Burnley to sort of almost keep up at the levels of some of the younger players coming through. And I've been fortunate enough to see from a number of different levels as a player, definitely a number of different levels as a coach, even from the from the youth all the way up. And obviously being in that AFC Bournemouth environment, having the pleasure to see 20, freeze eighteens and first team. So I've seen I've seen quite a lot of football on that side of things. And when I've come into Weymouth, and we have trials come in, you know, some of those trials are out running players that are already in our squad, you know, we had a, we had a trial this other day that is running way ahead of, of off some of our so called finger plays. And you know, like I said at the start, I'm not, I'm not a manager that is solely about how far you run. But like I said, it's an indicator it's in certainly in certain areas that are pitching for any player that's looking to try and progress their career trying to sort of improve trying to get into that full time environment, if they can do all they can so that they're prepared to hit the ground running, whether that'd be a trial or or even a team taking a chance on a transfer. I think if you're prepared to do that, and make an impression that'll stand you in good stead.   Joe Partington  I know you're huge on technically gifted players, obviously, you look for talent, but how much of a benefit is being fit. And they've obviously just said that it's not all about running. But the talented guys with the ball sometimes, you know, we've both seen it feel like they probably don't have to do as much. But what is the benefit of being fit?   Brian Stock  I think it's really important, especially nowadays, I think it's it probably was never looked at back in the day never really had that GPS never really looked at the stats and that much depth and with sports sites, improving all the time, even to the lower League clubs as well. Now quite a lot of those sort of teams have the GPS first. And I think it's I think it's really important because it stands out. And I think if you're fit, and managers can see that, and they can see that you're playing 46 games a season rather than maybe 2425. These are the things that go through managers minds thinking, well, if I'm going to pay this player, this amount of money, what am I going to get back in return? Is he going to be fit for the whole season? And I know sometimes yes, there is a an element of being unlucky with injuries, contact injuries, or muscle strains, whatever there might be. Definitely looking at how many games you can play, and then understanding the reasons if there was a circumstance, okay, well, you know, can we work with this player? And how many players? How many games? Are we going to get out of him? And can you train on a basic, regular basis? I think it's something that we've done quite recently, we've looked at the percentage of how many players are available to train and how many players are available to play games, particularly in preseason is something that we've monitored quite closely. And then it might mean that now we've got 23. So we give that player a little bit more time to maybe gain their minutes in that. So it's, it's like I said it's vitally important.   Joe Partington  Are there obvious differences as you step up each league? So the pair of us obviously, you're managing and I'm playing in the National League at the moment? Are there obvious differences between the two Ligue one championship and Premier League? How can guys prepare themselves for that jump if they get there?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I think I think it's in particularly our league, I think the work rate is I don't think there's many teams that can carry plays in particularly in our league, and the ones that do carry players, you know, they're probably paying them a lot of money a week, and the higher you go from, from from, from the Outlook, it probably looks like they're not working hard, but trust me, you know, every single player up and down the country will be working extremely hard. And I appreciate the fact you might have one or two luxury players that don't necessarily cover the ground, but those are the ones that are costing 100 million pound a week. And you know, they like like I said, so only certain teams can carry those type of plays. And in particularly the lower you go, it's very rarely that work, right, and fitness levels and things like that. Not applied by the manager or the coach.   Joe Partington  And when we talk about technical things, being able to obviously the contact with the ball, what the sort of differences we're looking at from you know, from technically gifted players, when you obviously that we've spoken about when you were Burnley to haven't what a legal team what are the obvious differences with with the technical ability?   Brian Stock  I think it goes down to the manager and what how he wants to play football. You know, there's is not disrespectful to somebody that's not necessarily technically gifted, but somebody might be an organiser, somebody might be understanding his strengths and weaknesses, it might be a defender, that will be an excellent defender first and foremost. But the team might not necessarily want to play out from the back. But he's in that team for that reason. And he understands that responsibility, whereas you might be in a football team, where that central defender might not necessarily understand his responsibilities in tournament in trying to play out but I think whatever the level, the club, the manager, if you understand what's needed from you, I think that will, like I said before that will stand you in good stead.   Joe Partington  Before we move on to I'm going to ask you some questions from a player's perspective to a manager that I think are quite common, might not really get spoken about, to be honest, to put players in a better position to understand how, how you might feel. I just want to reflect on your playing career, really, and ask you if there's, is there anything you did? Or any moments that you had? That now you're a manager that you think you would have done differently as a player?   Brian Stock  I'm going to say no, because I don't have any regrets. I think every single whether it'd be positive or negative, every experience that I've had, I've always, I've always learned from, and I think, I think, especially for low league players, I think it's important that they understand that if we've lost six nil, why have we lost six nil? Or if we've won five nil? What have I done well, to win five nil? And I think, if you understand that, and I was always a player that understood, I could probably relive 90 minutes in my head straight away. Because I had that understanding. And as soon as somebody said, Oh, but I didn't, I would remember that. And if I'd need to look back on it, I probably go to almost a minute to answer because I understood as a player, when that happened in the game, I don't know that that's a common thing for players or not. But I almost used to relive the game straightaway. And especially at nighttime, I would never stop thinking about it. And I think what if I'd done as a player individually, I knew my strengths and my weaknesses. And I knew that I wasn't a player that could take probably more than two or three touches. So I needed to move the ball quick, I needed to be aware, I needed to be breathing on the ball, always look for the ball. But I have an understanding of that. If I start to take two or three touches off or give the ball away, alarm bells would start to ring. That was an indicator for me.   Joe Partington  So off the back of your playing experiences, what would be your best piece of advice for young players just starting out in the game?   Brian Stock  My best bit of advice would be talent, no doubt, gets you spotted. And attitude will 100% keep you there. And if you have that, and talent to match that as well, then that will stand you in good stead. And I think if they understand that, that when not necessarily you're in the limelight, or you're on the pitch because you're getting judged on a Saturday. Are you at home? Are you doing everything you can to give yourself the best possible opportunity? Are you going to bed on time? are you sacrificing going on nights out with your mates? Are you drinking the right stuff eating the right stuff? Are you feeling at the right time? Are you recovery ready to go again. And if you say if you can honestly put your hand on your heart and say you've done everything you can then I don't think there's anything more that you can do, especially as a young player. I know that when I was young, I didn't do I didn't tick all those boxes. I suppose I got lucky one or two times I had a bit of faith kept in me because my suppose my talent got me spotted and my attitude wasn't keeping me there. And I had to learn quickly to understand what it took for me to stay at that level and improve and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to rectify one or two mistakes that I made early on in my career and and really try and give everything I had and I'll never forget the car journey going down from Southampton to Bournemouth in my car and having some motivational music, almost saying to myself, I've got I've got to make sure I smash this this has got to be that because it's now Now I never you know and I did everything all right. I live like a monk for six months. And yeah, I did everything I could to give myself the best possible opportunity.   Joe Partington  I want to dive in on just a little bit of detail you've given us there because I think it might be really refreshing for people to hear when you say your attitude was challenged. What do you mean what what happened?   Brian Stock  So I got given a basically a three year deal on a two year deal. So for me as a young player, 18 years old thinking I've made it going on nights out, drinking and I shouldn't be drinking. Not necessarily live in my life, right? Those are little things getting into trouble Oh, one or two things that I was, you know, I don't mind saying this now because I, you know, I got banned from driving, and I was coming into training in my car. And these are the things that the manager understood a sore player in me. It gave me the time, it gave me all the reasons that I was doing wrong, and tried to put them right. I moved from Southampton back into Dix. I lived in Dix, with with with a fantastic couple called Audrey Nimbus, who really, really put me on the straight and narrow, and I know they're responsible for quite a few players for doing that as well, some big high profile players like Jermaine Defoe, for instance. And I think that gave me a platform then to then say, right, well, my nights looking, I'm training, I'm coming back home, I'm eating, I'm drinking, I'm drinking the right things, obviously. And the only time I was allowed out of the house was to go to bingo with the landlord. So, but it was brilliant, because I shared those moments with him. And again, I was be I was able to then wake up in the morning, and I was good to go to train.   Joe Partington  Right? So let's get into your opinions as a manager, then just for the for the benefit of any players watching. I know your opinion is obviously different to one of the managers so so it's pretty unique. But the first thing really I want to ask you, quite simply, is what makes players attractive to managers   Brian Stock  reactions to disappointments or given the ball away work rate without a doubt. I don't, I can't remember a player ever really getting taken on because, you know, they've got a poor work, right? I think that stands out. And and obviously, it comes down to individual brilliance. But that doesn't necessarily mean that every position on the pitch, if they're an organiser, if they're vocal, if they're maybe encouraging, or maybe giving constructive information to players. But for me, if I'm watching a game, and I'm watching an individual, and particularly I'm looking at their mannerisms, and what are they doing, necessarily when they haven't gotten a ball. Sometimes players think that that that Limelight is not necessarily on or spotlight is not on them. But for anyone that's watching, especially myself, you'd be looking at every single thing they do, whether that's a recovery run, whether that's a reaction progress, whether that's taking the plate, wherever it might be, wherever the scenario might might unfold, is how they react to it.   Joe Partington  Something my parents, or especially my dad always told me was somebody, every game, somebody's always watching, whatever you do, someone's always watching us to drill it into me. So that I would play with that in my mind, like, Ah, yes, I've made a mistake, but like someone's watching me, do well, the next time or somebody's watching me do this. How appropriate is that statement? If somebody was watching,   Brian Stock  I agree. And I think that probably came into my coaching. More so when I was in the academy at Bournemouth and educating the players, younger players, the under 14 under 15 is exactly that. Exactly, you're spot on with your comment. Because whether that's somebody walking a dog on a field, that is the fire of or someone else that you might be a scout, whatever the scenario, but you never know what his opinion matters to somebody else. Because even if it's just an opinion to one other that that will spiral, especially in the football game that is a small community in football. And if I'm ever going to sign a player, I don't just sign it off of me just gonna watch him, I'll speak to his mates, I'll speak to his his coaches, previous clubs, any teammates, it won't my signings will never be just off of what I've seen on a football pitch, because it's key that they have the right character to come into this environment in particular at Weymouth. But going back to your initial point, I think, if players have that mindset, I think they'll do nothing that will stand them in good stead.   Joe Partington  So how much the players need to understand that they can't just turn it on and off whenever they like, they've got to be on it all the time. If they want to be successful, if they want to move up if they want to, to gain levels and achieve success, that obviously somebody's always watching is an appropriate comment. But that even when no one's watching, that they've got to be still doing the right stuff.   Brian Stock  Yes, but I think I think even particularly even more so when the going gets tough to still stick to those principles, whether that's doing stuff away from from a training ground or wherever it might be having that mindset to be able to keep going, whether it's the positive or negative or whatever it whatever the scenario might unfold. I think it's important that they understand that and they stick to those beliefs.   Joe Partington  You've just touched on it there a little bit, obviously haven't spoken about it. But can you give us an insight into what the process of trying to sign a player looks like from your perspective?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I mean, it's been difficult for over the last sort of 12 months with COVID. And not being able to get the stadium. So quite a lot of that would be done on on clips, I do find that quite a lot of players will do something in training on a game knowing that that's going to go in their in their show real, fully aware of that. But if we were to sign a player just on on a show reel, then you know, you're putting a high risk involved in that transfer, especially at the high you go. Everything will go into the mix, like I said to you, we'll look at attributes, we'll look at what they're like, away from the training ground, I know for a fact that there was a high profile player that I played with, I won't mention names. He was all due and all set to sign for another Premier League club, and it fell through because of what his home life was like. And he had to really rectify that in order to either keep his career going or get another move off the back of it. You know, he certainly did that. Like I said, I won't mention names, but he's gone on to have a fantastic career. But I do think that that is is definitely key.   Joe Partington  I'm glad you've touched on show reels, because it's somebody that I've wanted to ask you for the benefit of everybody watching and listening is these days, obviously a modern day football, social media are so big. You see, like young players now that feel like social media is mandatory and, and showing clips of things that they've done is, is important. When people will put together obviously show reels and highlights of what they've done in matches to show themselves in positive light. How much do you see of that as a manager? And and is that important? Like if I'm trying to get a trial with you, obviously at Weymouth? Do I need to show reel to be able to show you look like I'm capable of doing this before you you accept me?   Brian Stock  I wouldn't say it was it was important, I would say it would help to get that introduction into into the player in the manager. Once a player, obviously, if we're if we're talking in terms of a player sign that a team and you put a higher highlight reel of all the good stuff that you've done the week before. And then the following week, you have a nightmare. But then if you're exposing yourself to social media, you know, you're exposing yourself to comments from from the public. And we had we had a scenario last year where a player appetite played particularly well, in fact, the man of the match one week, and then the following week had an absolute nightmare. And it was all very well putting a good clips on but are you going to put me back clips on the following week? No, there's simpler? The simple answer is no. So if you are going to do that, if you are going to expose yourself, then you know, you need to understand that when the going gets tough and not necessarily performance is as high as what it was the previous week. You need to have thick skin and understand that those comments or opinions, but they can't affect your performance.   Joe Partington  The opportunity of a trial is something that's quite relevant now. Because you know, a lot of guys at lower levels, don't now just get bought or signed for if they want to progress up the ladder, people are going to invite them into train. What's the process of a trial? And on top of that, what sort of things you looking for in a trial? Is that what what impresses you when guys come in and trial?   Brian Stock  I like this question. Because as a manager, I see this side more than I ever have done. And there's so many agents out there that is frightening. And they try and contact you on every single platform going. And you know what, what there's one player in particular stick sticks out in my mind, who messaged me himself, and just said, Look, this is me. I can send you my CV if you want. Just looking for an opportunity. And I like that. And I like the fact that he's taking the time out to do that himself rather than rely on an agent because agents just put that out to everywhere. And there's there's no, there's no what's the word I'm looking for sentiment behind it. It's almost like you're just sending it out just willy nilly to every single and if you get if you get someone that takes the bait that happy days, whereas I really thought that you know, don't get me wrong the kids sent me is his highlight reel and I thought yeah, he's got he's got talent and boy and why not just take a look, invited him in. And his key. Absolutely keen and whatever may happen with him, I don't know. But he's taken a time out himself. The platform's LinkedIn. You know he contact me via that. Not to say that I'm going to accept licence Have invitations on LinkedIn. But you know, he took he took that process and done that himself. And like I said, there's loads of agents out there just trying to get hold of all the players. And not to say that's not the right or wrong, but sometimes you need to say that, you know, how are those agents, how are those agents approached and managers because sometimes they get just lost in the archives. And sometimes that opportunity for a player might get lost off the basis of it.   Joe Partington  I'm not going to suggest that plays hide behind agents, because, you know, having a keen interest on on agency myself and having worked with with a good guy for a long period of time, I know that that might not always be the case. But how comfortable the guys are players, whoever it may be, have to get with trying to reach out to managers and have conversations with managers themselves. Instead of just expecting that to be done by an agent or by even by parent or by somebody else on their behalf.   Brian Stock  It's difficult, and it's difficult for players to have that first initial contact, trying to get through the gatekeepers hard in terms of trying to get into the manager, I fully appreciate that. And I go back to your initial point about agents, don't get me wrong, there's some fantastic agents out there that really care about the player that will pick the phone up with the players, and be there to support them through the good and the bad times. There's also a lot that aren't. And unfortunately, some players have sort of two or three agents within a short space of time. Because if that agent can't get a club, or they don't fight for that player, it's where's the next player, and they don't understand what's needed, whether that's just a support, whether it's an arm and a shoulder, even if it's a fact that listen, I'm sorry, but I've tried all I can for this player, but I simply can't get you a club that very, very, very rarely happens.   Joe Partington  So to just touch on on that, then hat. So how comfortable do guys need to be with with approaching and we're gonna get into it a little bit deeper in terms of the manner in a conversation with a manager. But being brave enough, as you just touched on that, you know, the guy reached out to you via LinkedIn, which I'm not promoting that everybody does. But thanks, how? How important is it for people to be comfortable doing that?   Brian Stock  Yeah, it does. It takes a brave player to do that. Because they're probably be thinking, what does that manager think? Again? Am I am I am I just going to be one of the 1000 players that are trying to get a contract service or even a trial somewhere? And I'm not saying that's that that is the way to go? I really ain't. But what I'm saying is that when you asked me that question, and I see a player that wants to try and take care of his own career, I admire that. But in the same sentence that how does that look for every single other player out there? Because that's going to be tough for every single player to try and find a trial. In that sense. Yes, the lead was quite local. And, you know, he was, it could get to the training quite quite easily. But that might not necessarily be the same case as the rest of the players. But trying to find an agent that's good, that cares that will do everything you can is probably the key to that.   Joe Partington  Something I've heard a lot from managers that I've obviously worked with, over the years, and somebody that I've only really understood, the older I've got, as managers will say, it's not personal. And I always never really bought into that when I was young. I can't we must not like me for this reason, or that reason. If it's not about my, you know, if he doesn't like me for my football, then I took that personally, I was quite sensitive. Whereas when you get a bit older, obviously, you know your game is you are sort of effective as we've spoken about you, you become effective. And when a manager says it's not personal, I've only really truly understood that it's it's not an attack on somebody's personality, but or an attack on their football was just for whatever reason, you don't see the player being of benefit to you in that one particular game, maybe. How much of a true statement for guys, obviously, trying to get an insight into a manager's thoughts. How true of a statement is it's not personal?   Brian Stock  Well, I can only talk on behalf of myself, obviously. And I can only remember one time last year, where I felt that one player really deserved the opportunity to play and I left them out. And I'm sure individuals will think differently, no doubt because you're never gonna keep a score of 2025 27 players happy we had to, you know, obviously last year we had to furlough players and things like that and trying to keep the squad happy is tough. But when it comes to like being personal, I'd like to think that if you're honest and open as a manager, and then if the player then can understand that and then the reasons for the manager if that marries up to what you think as a player. Then I think that statement becomes true. I think if a manager says you're not doing this, this and this, but then there is no evidence, then I think that become a potential clash between the player and a manager. I think if a player can ask those questions and ask why. And as long as obviously, if a manager is approachable, and understand, maybe ask the probably the pivotal question is, okay, I respect your decision, what have I got to do to get back into your team? And I think if they asked that, and they put that into the position of the manager, then they say, Well, I've done this now, when we're not playing. And unless it becomes personal, then that might be that the time to leave the football club, I don't know. But if you if you do all you can, in terms of asking the right questions at the right time. On that point, if I, if I announced the team, I like to concentrate on that team and whoever is not necessarily in the team or understand have to support that team. If there's a player that I've left out on a Saturday, because he's played on the Tuesday, and I need to give him a reason for it, so I get peak performance out of him on a Saturday, then I will tell him, but sometimes, ultimately, if a player has an issue, I find it difficult that a player comes to me straightaway, because the focus then becomes on the team. And if you're not a team player, you won't be part of my squad. So there is a time and place I think there's times where to let things settle, you might be heightened. Emotions might be running high, because you want to play. And I think if we sometimes letting the dust settle, and then actually having a conversation about that, I think that will probably sometimes help that might come on a couple of days later,   Joe Partington  the way you frame the question that you just said, There's is something I wanted to touch on? Anyway, so so I'll touch on it now, you said, What can I do to get in the team? Is there a difference between a player saying what can I do to get in the team? And why am I not in the team?   Brian Stock  I definitely think there isn't a difference. Because there comes a point where if you're doing all you can because you've asked that question, and you're still not getting that opportunity, then you can maybe back that question up with Why Why am I not in a team? Because you said I need to do this? Isn't this yet? I've still not getting that opportunity. So I do. I do think there is two different questions. But I think the timing of them are pivotal. And I think if you can ask why you need to do it because you're not doing the right things that the manager wants. And then as long as you can say, Look, I've done this, I've come on I've scored I've assisted or whatever, whatever the scenario might dictate. Sorry, in terms of an individual, then I think you have every right to say why.   Joe Partington  Recently in a conversation with with Tom Lockyer, I don't know if it'll, I won't give it all the ways I'm not sure if it'd be released before or after this. But he, when he was a youth team player, he basically had so much anxiety about speaking to his manager, who we felt was being unfair to him at the time, that he questioned whether or not he wanted to continue playing or not. In the end, the conversation that he had with his manager and that conversation, obviously, he goes into quite a lot of detail. But he said the actual conversation wasn't as bad as what he built up in his mind. And as a player, and obviously, in your experience as a player. having a conversation with a manager can make you feel anxious, it can you know, that building, building a conversation up in your mind. For me, especially when since I've been playing was always a difficult thing for me that, you know, my dad would say, Oh, I'm just gonna talk to the manager, right? And I think I don't get it like it's talking to the manager is not easy. Like, it's not a simple process. How can players who feel that way, get over that feeling? And approach a manager to you know, it might be whatever they want to talk about with that manager? But how can they get over that feeling of feeling anxious about it?   Brian Stock  I think that's a tough question to answer because I think it all depends on what sort of manager do you have. When I first got my first contract male matron was a very stern, tough manager to approach and I felt exactly the same. And although I wasn't with Mel matron for too long, because we want to just go to Kovar. He invited questions. So he had that almost Question and Answer sort of ethos that he wanted players to ask those questions. So from the age of 15, to the age of 24, I had I had, I had nine years of asking questions, and what if and what can I do better and the feedback that I got from from Sean as well, like he was always feeding back to me as a manager. Whether that be like a report, we'd have DVDs or the games, you know, whatever that whatever that scenario might be. But as a manager, I think it's important that you especially, for instance, if we're doing a warm up and I'm not necessarily leading with appears maybe going in or acting with one or two of the players putting an arm around the shoulder and engaging with the player rather than the player having to engage with a manager. I think that's important. And although you know, it's not something that you you would do, constructively, it's something that happens sort of almost naturally. And sometimes you're not necessarily get around that player and he might be feeling left out. And he might be feeling of what the manager is not spoke to me. But he spoke to the other striker who's playing in front of me. And he'd be thinking of when he's going to start on Saturday, you know, that's a natural feeling to think. And I think everyone would be lying if they didn't think that. But it's, it's almost trying to, can you engage with a manager as well, can you because sometimes, it won't be done on purpose that, but psychologically, you'd be thinking that, you know, so I think it works in both ways. I think the manager can be proactive with that. And I think also the players just go and ask questions. And if you if you don't get the right answers, or, you know, there's no harm, because even though you might not necessarily get the right answers, many times that players will come to me or even as a player, and I see them coming on the bench, and then all of a sudden, the next steps, the player that's kicked up a fast have actually gone knocking on the door, that happens quite a lot. Because you're in the players mind, he knows that you care he wants you want to play those, I think I think that that will definitely help a player to understand the manager and where he can improve,   Joe Partington  is there a wrong way to approach a manager,   Brian Stock  I think the initial thing for me a wrong way, is not reacting in the right way. And, and maybe losing a training session, because you're soaking. And your attitude is not spot on, that sticks out like a sore thumb to meet because we had a scenario where that happened last year, and he got left out of the squad entirely without even an explanation. And that I didn't feel that deserves an explanation. Because if you're going to react in that way, then then it's only going to be used that's going to basically be punished for that on your own actions. I think if you all depends, again, on the manager, if you if you ask constructive questions, like I said to you like, well, you know, if you're questioning one or two things that a manager decision, you know, you could potentially be stepping over the line on his authority or his own decisions. But if you understand that, what your coach or your manager might dictate, then I think you have every right and if you don't get the right answers, then, you know, psychologically, you're in the manager's head as well.   Joe Partington  A piece of advice that I sometimes give to young players that I play with, when they have the difficult decision, I don't know whether to approach the manager about why I'm not playing. And for whatever reason, the manager ends up saying look like, you're not in the team because of this. My advice to them usually is to include the manager in the process of them trying to learn in the process of them doing their exes and training, because I feel like that will endear the manager towards that player by being involved in the process of them improving. Instead of saying why aren't I in the team? How can I get in the team and then involving the management? That process is much better in my opinion, or in my experience as well? Is that true? Or or?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I think so. I remember like I said to you, I've had nine years at Bournemouth where I had questions asked us questions asked as approachable manager. I then signed for Preston, and the Billy Davis and I made my debut on cloud nine, honestly, high fives all over the place, going home to my family, everyone celebrating new contracts signed a five year deal. Absolutely on cloud and they come in to train on a Monday morning and all the clips are basically on me and what I did wrong. So I've gone from there to rock bottom straightaway. All the players tried to pick me up Don't worry that ways this and then I find myself not start one of the games. So I went to the manager and questioned the manager. While I'm on a plane, having known that for nine years, I've always that's all I've ever done. And his response was don't think you're gonna get rock up here. And and basically start you know, you're here under my guidance and I I was like, well, that's not what I meant. And I actually wanted to ask why am I not playing? So he almost put me down again down here. Confidence low, really, really low. felt I was asking a very valid question, but I've walked away feeling low. Now. Again, I'll call upon my own experience that where I've gone away Gone Home upset, sad, you know all those sort of emotions running from going from there on cloud nine to rock bottom. And I'm always remember one time walking infant training. It was literally a day or two later and Billy Davis comes to print and over to me and put his arm around me And he said, Listen, son, you're gonna light this place up soon, just make sure you keep working hard and showing the right attitude. And it went, honestly, it the whole weight lifted off my shoulders. And what a fantastic management, man manager, Billy Davis was really, really good, really, really good. And he had a really good group of players that he kept happy. And although although it sounds strange me saying that, because he's made me feel rock bottom, he's lifted me back up to a stage where I feel that I'm going to be called upon at any moment. And, you know, is a really good learning curve for me, because, like I said, I've gone from feeling really, really low. And from no action on myself, the managers took that upon himself to then pick me back up again.   Joe Partington  So again, we touch on with players, if for whatever reason, they don't get that from a manager, how important is it to be thick skinned enough that they get themselves through that moment?   Brian Stock  Yeah, and it comes with courage. And I think that's probably the key word to that. Because if you can pluck up the courage to go back in and ask questions again, then, then hopefully, you'll get the right answers. Again, choose the right time to do it. I probably didn't necessarily pick the right time to do that. Again, I will learn and react from that as a player. But if you can pluck up the courage to ask valid questions, I think that's key to it, don't make sure you're prepared when you're going into that intellect confrontation with a manager because it can be a daunting place. And if you can back up your questions with what it might look like from previous performances or training. An example might be why did why did you bring me off? What was the reason for that? Was that a tactical change? Or was it just a personal trainer? Did I do anything wrong to make your decision? And obviously your then your conversation then becomes a debate on his response on his response. And I don't think you ever want to get into a position where you become arguing but if you come in with with valid questions, and prepared for that, for that confrontation, that I think that will stand you in good stead in terms of where that conversation might head   Joe Partington  to finish mate to leave this fresh in listeners minds. What are the most important things, in your opinion, all players need to be doing to give themselves the best possible chance of being successful?   Brian Stock  Yeah, I've Well, I think, obviously, over the course of this, we've probably touched on quite a few of those aspects. I think just doing everything you can to to be the best you can never have enough. They never, never wake up one day and think to yourself, right? Well, you know, I'm gonna take it easy today, or I'm not necessarily going to do things right. You know, these are all the sorts of things that when I look back on, you know, I could have probably potentially have done better, I wouldn't say that I tick those boxes every single session. But the older I got, and I understood that. I think for for a young player. Understanding your point, knowing that there's always somebody watching, I think that's probably key because I think, even if that's a teammate having that respect for that player, because he works day in day out, never has an off day. If it might, if it means that that players Korean might not necessarily be at that club. Again, there's a reference point for somebody else, you know, like I said, when I sign a player, I'll speak to the manager speak to the assistant manager, I'll speak to like his friends coaches will look back on the whole of his career or look back on certain games teammates that might have played against him. I've done that on every single player that I've signed this year. And I think if players can understand that, I think I think that'll give them the best opportunity to maybe not necessarily happen straight away. But over the course of maybe 12345 years, I remember at Bournemouth go into Richard Kelly saying how's he gonna move? How's he got this move? And I'm like 2324 And I think I'm playing really well. And you think it's never going to happen and then bang I'm on a plane I'm either going to Preston and why we're going to Manchester am I going to Swansea because free clubs have put in a bid for me and it happened literally flick of a switch when I didn't at least expect it. So I think that's probably I think that's probably the biggest thing of my career. And every single time I had moved lined up to go to Southampton read in banks or PACs at the front door never happened never ever happened when I went out when I most expected it. Those moves never happened and when I when I went to Burnley I thought it was gonna happen but it took ages and ages and ages and then suddenly I'm in the car gonna Bernie because it's they're good to go. So I think I think that for me as a player aspiring to play at a higher level. Never underestimate how much hard work dedication and your attitude We can get you   Joe Partington  listen by enough. I've admired you for a long time but you know that was a great conversation really insightful and I'm you know, I'm hoping a lot of people are going to learn a lot off the back of it so very much. It means a lot hope you've enjoyed the episode to buy in stock as much as I did. Please remember to subscribe, like and review this show. And head to the E perform website to sign up for world class football specific information to improve your game every week for free. I'm Joe Carsington. See you soon