I think I said to you Snoots at the time Mbete was probably very nervous. Age group internationals and academy matches don't necessarily prepare young players for the jump into competitive men's games in front of a demanding set of supporters. If all goes well early doors then there seems to be no gulf to cross, but a couple of mistakes and a few jeers - especially if you've come from the blue-blooded City squad of pampered young stars - can destroy a player's confidence and suddenly the more he tries to put it all right, the more it goes wrong.
Sorensen is young, give him time, and find the ideal role for him. if he doesn't play well in a game it won't be that he likes playing badly ..... he'll be hating it more than you. The only coaching he needs is to feel valued and to know that one mistake won't be the end of life as we know it.
When a team plays unexpectedly well and cruises to an easy win like you did at Bolton, there is often a reaction. The players will expect to do just the same next time out, and when it doesn't start happening for them, sometimes they can't figure it and just go downhill. One game does carry over into another. If you'd banged in even a lucky goal in the first minutes against Northampton you'd probably have cruised along in a similar vein to Bolton and won easily. Northampton resisted. They needed a win. Your team's confidence proved fragile. They all know they are players with weaknesses. That's why they are at Huddersfield rather than passing to Lamine Yamal. They are vulnerable, but if you dwell too heavily on their shortcomings that is all you are likely to see. To get the best out of a top Division One player like Koroma you need to concentrate on, and play to the things he can do very well, rather than hoping for a miracle cure for his weaknesses. (And yes I really do think Lonwijk is potentially a gem!)
Sorensen is young, give him time, and find the ideal role for him. if he doesn't play well in a game it won't be that he likes playing badly ..... he'll be hating it more than you. The only coaching he needs is to feel valued and to know that one mistake won't be the end of life as we know it.
When a team plays unexpectedly well and cruises to an easy win like you did at Bolton, there is often a reaction. The players will expect to do just the same next time out, and when it doesn't start happening for them, sometimes they can't figure it and just go downhill. One game does carry over into another. If you'd banged in even a lucky goal in the first minutes against Northampton you'd probably have cruised along in a similar vein to Bolton and won easily. Northampton resisted. They needed a win. Your team's confidence proved fragile. They all know they are players with weaknesses. That's why they are at Huddersfield rather than passing to Lamine Yamal. They are vulnerable, but if you dwell too heavily on their shortcomings that is all you are likely to see. To get the best out of a top Division One player like Koroma you need to concentrate on, and play to the things he can do very well, rather than hoping for a miracle cure for his weaknesses. (And yes I really do think Lonwijk is potentially a gem!)
![[Image: 2ZJuVRk.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/2ZJuVRk.gif)
