Quote Originally Posted by MAD_MAGPIE View Post
Recruitment early is one part of the jigsaw, but as the above demonstrates and last season does it has to be the right kind of recruitment.

Many of those above were solid players with the right work ethic and a winning mental attitude. Also some had been captains at their previous clubs and were leaders. All the ingredients required for a successful side no matter what level you play at.

I watched Man City yesterday and whilst they have technically great players what they also have are players that are constantly hungry and keep going and going for the cause and force the opposition into problems. They are completely ruthless and do not ease up one bit.

Obviously the vast majority of teams are not to this quality but the key principles of winning the ball back, battling, fighting and having that hunger and desire which are all the mental aspects of the game can take you along way in the lower leagues. Many times last season we talked of the other team wanting it more. Obviously you do need that extra bit of quality as well and can’t solely rely on attitude and spirit alone.

I don’t know about non-league what is needed to get out of that level but imagine the basics of being organised, physical and strong physically and mentally with some quality for that level would be key.
Not that long ago, football seemed to becoming a game for 6 footers only - I seem to remember Mourinho even fielding a team in which everyone was over 6 foot. What Man City have done is reverse that trend with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Jesus, Sterling, De Bruyne, etc. These guys are just amazing athletes whose work ethic is amazing - same story at Anfield. Not sure it will be quite like that in the National League, though.