I presented the new system to the team later that morning. I walked them through the tactical diagrams, the video clips, and the specific roles and responsibilities. I explained the logic behind every decision, the reason for every change.
I told them that it was a risk, that it was a gamble, but that I believed it was a gamble that would pay off. The room was silent, the players listening intently, their faces a mixture of surprise and intrigue.
I confirmed that with our return to league competition, Reece Hannam would resume his natural role as team captain, a decision that was met with quiet nods of approval around the room.
The armband was simply returning to its regular home after Lewis Grant's heroic leadership in the cup run. The focus was on the new system. The players, buoyed by the confidence of their Wembley triumph, embraced the new system with an enthusiasm that was infectious. They trusted me. They believed in the plan. And they were ready to go to war for me.
