PSV was my favorite place of all the places we visited in Holland. What PSV represents is exactly what I truly believe about soccer.
The motto at PSV is "Youth is absolutely pure gold." The focus at PSV is to develop players to play at the very highest level. These players could play in the PSV First Team or they might be sold out to big European Clubs. While we were at the U14 training, it was pointed out to the group that one of the players on their U14 team was being watched by the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.
PSV has a vision on development of players which is unlike any other Dutch club. Areas of focus for PSV players are technique, insight, explosiveness, and personality. The PSV youth staff focus on different aspects for each of these areas of focus. For example, technique includes kicking, heading, handling the ball, moves, moves with change of direction, and receiving of ball under all circumstances. Each of these areas (technique, insight, explosiveness, and personality) are all outlined by the staff.
It was interesting to note that personality plays a huge part in the PSV development model. The PSV staff wants players who both enjoy and compete to win at all costs. When players are not good at a certain skill, they get uncomfortable. How do they handle the discomfort? What is their response to this situation? All these factors play a huge part in every player.
Another interesting aspect of PSV is their technical training. Each week, teams will spend one hour with a coach and work on their technique for an hour. The day we were at PSV, the U18 First Team was doing technical training on a small part of turf at their complex. This technical training helps every player to make sure that they keep working on proper technique of ball striking, dribbling, and receiving.
PSV, like the other Dutch clubs we visited, play 4-3-3. Every position on the field is identified and specific tasks and roles are given to every player. This serves as a road map for every player and it is very clear up front what players are expected of in their position.
We saw some very good training sessions while we were at PSV. While we were at their training center, we saw the 12s, 13s, and 14s train in the morning. Every session had a certain goal which the coaching staff was trying to accomplish during that session. For example, while we watched the 12s, their focus was finishing. The session started with patterns to goal with a back four followed by a possession game which worked on finishing to goal. The session finished with a game to goal.
I was impressed by PSV. Of all the clubs, I share a common philosophy with what PSV is trying to do.
After PSV, we headed off to Belgium to watch a Europa Cup game between Ajax and Anderlecht. I was looking forward to this game for a number of reasons. First off, I have never watched a European match live which I knew would be an awesome experience. Secondly, I was interested to see how the atmosphere of the stadium would be for the game. I was not disappointed.
It was a decent game which started pretty fast. Neither team was really sharp to start the game and it was kind of a bang, bang type of game. Once the teams settled down a bit, Ajax showed that they were up for the game. They started to pass and move much better and they were rewarded with a goal on a corner kick in the 32nd minute. The scored was 1-0 Ajax at halftime.
Out of halftime, Ajax kept going and Anderlecht never really found an answer and Ajax were rewarded with goals from Christian Erikson and El Hamdaoui. I was really impressed with Erikson. He is a rising star for Ajax and I was impressed with his awareness from the midfield position. He was constantly looking at his surrounding teammates and opponents and was looking for the open spaces. He was good on the ball and his technique was very clean. Maybe my Red Devils will make a run in for Erikson!!!!???!!! Let's hope!
After the game, we almost got in the middle of crazy Ajax and Anderlecht fans outside the stadium. Luckily, we avoided the altercation and no one was hurt. It was interesting to note that there was a huge amount of security for the match. Apparently European matches draw a lot of fan violence and security is very high at those games.
We headed back to the Holland after the game and all of us were completely wiped out from the long day.
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