1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,067 Speaker 2: Well, we've heard from Walkland FC. The Wellington Phoenix open 4 00:00:15,067 --> 00:00:17,707 Speaker 2: their A League men's campaign in Western Australia tonight. They 5 00:00:17,747 --> 00:00:21,067 Speaker 2: take on Perth Glory from eleven forty five pm tonight. 6 00:00:21,107 --> 00:00:24,747 Speaker 2: New Zealand time head coaches gian Calo Ataliana who joins 7 00:00:24,827 --> 00:00:27,227 Speaker 2: US now John Calor. How ready do you feel for 8 00:00:27,267 --> 00:00:28,387 Speaker 2: the start of the new season. 9 00:00:29,587 --> 00:00:32,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, we're we're ready to go. Like it's been 10 00:00:32,587 --> 00:00:33,627 Speaker 3: a really good pre season. 11 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:36,867 Speaker 4: We've had good run of games now for a month 12 00:00:36,947 --> 00:00:38,787 Speaker 4: and now we just want to get into the season 13 00:00:38,787 --> 00:00:40,627 Speaker 4: and start putting our work to play. 14 00:00:41,187 --> 00:00:44,347 Speaker 2: What do you look for in pre season games that 15 00:00:44,587 --> 00:00:45,667 Speaker 2: gives you encouragement? 16 00:00:47,067 --> 00:00:51,947 Speaker 4: Well, obviously, you know, I don't make any bones about it. 17 00:00:51,947 --> 00:00:55,387 Speaker 4: I'm like a principal based coach that you know that 18 00:00:55,547 --> 00:00:58,667 Speaker 4: I try to do that through all the coaching and 19 00:00:59,107 --> 00:01:01,827 Speaker 4: all I'm looking for are markers and certain small like 20 00:01:01,947 --> 00:01:04,387 Speaker 4: KPIs within games to see if if we hit them. 21 00:01:04,427 --> 00:01:07,907 Speaker 4: And then what I really love about the games is 22 00:01:07,907 --> 00:01:09,947 Speaker 4: we're trying something and then we'll go back and then 23 00:01:10,547 --> 00:01:14,667 Speaker 4: we'll refitted to how you know what the system is, 24 00:01:14,707 --> 00:01:18,427 Speaker 4: and that's probably the most enjoyful part of the preseason 25 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:21,587 Speaker 4: is trying to bring this new style to life, and 26 00:01:21,787 --> 00:01:23,747 Speaker 4: it's it's been going very well. To be fair, I 27 00:01:23,747 --> 00:01:28,187 Speaker 4: think you know, it'll be hard heart in mouths sort 28 00:01:28,227 --> 00:01:32,427 Speaker 4: of you know, sort of moments this year because you know, 29 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:35,867 Speaker 4: we're doing some some different things, but what we've seen 30 00:01:35,907 --> 00:01:36,947 Speaker 4: so far has been really good. 31 00:01:37,267 --> 00:01:39,947 Speaker 2: Tell us about the changes you've made. You've signaled a 32 00:01:40,027 --> 00:01:43,107 Speaker 2: change of formation and you've just outlined there a slightly 33 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:46,307 Speaker 2: different way of playing. What are the foundations of your 34 00:01:46,787 --> 00:01:48,427 Speaker 2: of your different approach this season. 35 00:01:49,387 --> 00:01:51,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I'll give you a bit of backstory to it, 36 00:01:51,667 --> 00:01:55,067 Speaker 3: because I think it's important. I think most importantly, when 37 00:01:55,067 --> 00:01:57,547 Speaker 3: I took the job initially, you know, and I transitioned 38 00:01:58,427 --> 00:02:01,147 Speaker 3: from you know, I already knew the players. 39 00:02:01,267 --> 00:02:04,507 Speaker 4: I already knew their limitations, already knew what they could do, 40 00:02:04,627 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 4: and it was more about just building on top of 41 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:10,427 Speaker 4: what had been done for four years. So obviously I 42 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:13,387 Speaker 4: knew the foundation of the team and all I needed 43 00:02:13,387 --> 00:02:15,907 Speaker 4: to do was really steer it where I thought I 44 00:02:15,947 --> 00:02:18,627 Speaker 4: could take the team. It wasn't too much change. So 45 00:02:18,747 --> 00:02:22,027 Speaker 4: even like implementing the Christmas Tree, defending Lawer and so on. 46 00:02:22,347 --> 00:02:25,747 Speaker 4: There weren't things that I felt were too out of 47 00:02:26,227 --> 00:02:30,627 Speaker 4: norm and I was able to evolve it. But I 48 00:02:30,707 --> 00:02:34,187 Speaker 4: made the decision after that first season I didn't want 49 00:02:34,227 --> 00:02:35,747 Speaker 4: to play that way. I wanted to be a little 50 00:02:35,747 --> 00:02:37,107 Speaker 4: bit more on the front foot. I wanted to be 51 00:02:37,147 --> 00:02:39,107 Speaker 4: a little bit more fluid in the way we did things, 52 00:02:39,187 --> 00:02:41,787 Speaker 4: and I. 53 00:02:41,707 --> 00:02:43,027 Speaker 3: Try to evolve it last season. 54 00:02:43,027 --> 00:02:46,147 Speaker 4: But what killed me last season was, for a host 55 00:02:46,147 --> 00:02:48,787 Speaker 4: of reasons was the availability to players in pre season, 56 00:02:49,227 --> 00:02:53,227 Speaker 4: so building that foundation of the actual formation and trying 57 00:02:53,227 --> 00:02:55,467 Speaker 4: to evolve it. Maybe I did a little bit too 58 00:02:55,547 --> 00:02:58,947 Speaker 4: much too quickly, and then on top of that, didn't 59 00:02:58,947 --> 00:03:02,307 Speaker 4: have enough time. So if you look at the first 60 00:03:02,307 --> 00:03:04,787 Speaker 4: part of the season, even though we're getting results, there 61 00:03:04,787 --> 00:03:08,347 Speaker 4: were more results me plugging holes and trying to you know, 62 00:03:08,427 --> 00:03:09,507 Speaker 4: get us competitive to a game. 63 00:03:09,587 --> 00:03:11,267 Speaker 3: But we had noble solid corps. 64 00:03:11,587 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 4: So you know, when a recess at the end of 65 00:03:14,907 --> 00:03:17,347 Speaker 4: last season, and you know, we obviously had a lot 66 00:03:17,347 --> 00:03:18,107 Speaker 4: of we had a host of. 67 00:03:18,107 --> 00:03:19,427 Speaker 3: Problems that I need to saw through. 68 00:03:19,467 --> 00:03:21,587 Speaker 4: But one of the things that were really evident was 69 00:03:22,307 --> 00:03:24,467 Speaker 4: I was like, Okay, I need to actually give the 70 00:03:24,587 --> 00:03:28,027 Speaker 4: team a solid foundation now on what we're going to 71 00:03:28,027 --> 00:03:28,547 Speaker 4: grow for the. 72 00:03:28,467 --> 00:03:33,187 Speaker 3: Next couple of years. So you know, I've made no secrets. 73 00:03:33,187 --> 00:03:35,867 Speaker 4: You know, I'm going to go to a three four three, 74 00:03:35,987 --> 00:03:37,867 Speaker 4: and we're going to have certain principles that are going 75 00:03:37,867 --> 00:03:39,787 Speaker 4: to stick within the team now for the next couple 76 00:03:39,827 --> 00:03:40,107 Speaker 4: of years. 77 00:03:40,147 --> 00:03:41,187 Speaker 3: That are going to be the foundation. 78 00:03:41,867 --> 00:03:47,267 Speaker 4: So from that, if I fast forward, you know, let's say, 79 00:03:47,787 --> 00:03:49,227 Speaker 4: you know, a couple of years from down the track 80 00:03:49,267 --> 00:03:52,107 Speaker 4: and the team's doing well, then I can start manipulating 81 00:03:52,147 --> 00:03:56,547 Speaker 4: that shape, that foundation ideas and then do a host. 82 00:03:56,427 --> 00:03:58,387 Speaker 3: Of things, is which is what I did in that 83 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:01,187 Speaker 3: first year when I took over. So that's the thinking. 84 00:04:01,987 --> 00:04:04,227 Speaker 4: And I think having a reference point for the players 85 00:04:04,747 --> 00:04:08,347 Speaker 4: that they understand fundamentally who we are, how we play, 86 00:04:08,587 --> 00:04:11,427 Speaker 4: then all the other stuff is easy to execute. 87 00:04:12,027 --> 00:04:13,987 Speaker 2: So what are the key principles then of the way 88 00:04:14,027 --> 00:04:14,707 Speaker 2: you want to play? 89 00:04:15,947 --> 00:04:18,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I think the most important thing is, you know, 90 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:22,107 Speaker 4: we're going to press this season. We're going to be 91 00:04:22,107 --> 00:04:25,267 Speaker 4: a lot, you know, a lot more focused on keeping 92 00:04:25,307 --> 00:04:28,347 Speaker 4: the opposition in their defensive half. 93 00:04:29,587 --> 00:04:31,107 Speaker 3: That'll be our primary focus. 94 00:04:32,187 --> 00:04:34,427 Speaker 4: Still adding on principles of like the way I want 95 00:04:34,427 --> 00:04:37,507 Speaker 4: to build up in terms of you know, you know, I've. 96 00:04:37,387 --> 00:04:40,147 Speaker 3: Got I've got lo clear evidence. You know, I like 97 00:04:40,227 --> 00:04:42,587 Speaker 3: to be good with the ball, quick, quick. 98 00:04:42,347 --> 00:04:47,267 Speaker 4: Combinations, but there's a more focus emphasis now on final 99 00:04:47,267 --> 00:04:50,747 Speaker 4: third entries and so on. And the good thing about 100 00:04:50,787 --> 00:04:54,507 Speaker 4: this preseason and restarting really with you know, a good 101 00:04:54,587 --> 00:04:56,787 Speaker 4: chunk of players that have come in now is I've 102 00:04:56,787 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 4: been able to get those players that I feel like 103 00:04:58,787 --> 00:05:02,187 Speaker 4: fit the system more, whereas I had a crossover maybe 104 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:05,427 Speaker 4: over the last couple of seasons of the team that 105 00:05:05,547 --> 00:05:08,987 Speaker 4: was before and so on. So it's been a slow process, 106 00:05:09,027 --> 00:05:13,667 Speaker 4: but it's been it's been actually really like it's really 107 00:05:13,707 --> 00:05:15,667 Speaker 4: raised my energy levels. With the players that were brought 108 00:05:15,667 --> 00:05:19,147 Speaker 4: in will been very fresh and good for the group 109 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:19,547 Speaker 4: as well. 110 00:05:19,707 --> 00:05:22,987 Speaker 2: So the recruitment strategy was was directly related to I 111 00:05:23,027 --> 00:05:25,227 Speaker 2: mean the sounds obvious, doesn't it, but directly related to 112 00:05:25,627 --> 00:05:27,267 Speaker 2: the way you wanted to play the players you brought 113 00:05:27,307 --> 00:05:29,507 Speaker 2: and they fit the blueprint you're after. 114 00:05:29,827 --> 00:05:32,387 Speaker 4: Yeah, So like you if you look at a player 115 00:05:32,427 --> 00:05:37,427 Speaker 4: like color Amiento that I brought in, you know, traditionally 116 00:05:37,467 --> 00:05:40,587 Speaker 4: not a defensive player, but I've converted him into more 117 00:05:40,627 --> 00:05:44,507 Speaker 4: of attacking wing back and that suits you style. It's 118 00:05:44,547 --> 00:05:49,707 Speaker 4: just more about getting his defensive output and to the 119 00:05:49,787 --> 00:05:52,307 Speaker 4: level that we need. And you know, we brought in 120 00:05:52,387 --> 00:05:55,867 Speaker 4: Rami Nazurine. You know, it's a great pocket player. If 121 00:05:55,867 --> 00:05:58,067 Speaker 4: you're watching him, like really excited when he plays. Is 122 00:05:58,467 --> 00:06:00,787 Speaker 4: a nice player to watch. And I think we missed 123 00:06:00,787 --> 00:06:06,187 Speaker 4: that last season and the one that I thought, you know, 124 00:06:06,507 --> 00:06:08,747 Speaker 4: fortunately a bit of Australia. But it'll be back in 125 00:06:08,747 --> 00:06:10,707 Speaker 4: a couple of weeks, as Nicola Mille using it. You know, 126 00:06:10,787 --> 00:06:12,947 Speaker 4: I think if you watched him with Zi in the 127 00:06:12,947 --> 00:06:14,867 Speaker 4: first part of the pre season, I was so excited 128 00:06:15,347 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 4: because they were just different but the. 129 00:06:17,987 --> 00:06:20,907 Speaker 3: Same sort of player. But they worked really well together. 130 00:06:21,027 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 3: So I've been really happy with that. In terms of the. 131 00:06:24,587 --> 00:06:28,507 Speaker 2: Recruitment, just a couple of about this weekend, you've got 132 00:06:28,507 --> 00:06:31,067 Speaker 2: Tim Pain and Lucas Kelly hild returning from All Whites duty. 133 00:06:31,107 --> 00:06:35,947 Speaker 2: Presumably they just meet you in Perth. They've washed up, okay, 134 00:06:36,147 --> 00:06:38,347 Speaker 2: term in particular, will he will he be up for 135 00:06:38,427 --> 00:06:39,427 Speaker 2: ninety minutes do you think? 136 00:06:40,027 --> 00:06:42,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, we'll assess today, see how he is. I think 137 00:06:42,627 --> 00:06:44,187 Speaker 3: he came in last night, so I missed him. I 138 00:06:44,187 --> 00:06:47,147 Speaker 3: think he went straight to his hotel room. I saw Lucas. 139 00:06:47,347 --> 00:06:50,147 Speaker 3: He looked fine. A little bit yet lagged as expected, 140 00:06:51,707 --> 00:06:56,267 Speaker 3: but we'll assess today at training. They train this evening, 141 00:06:56,347 --> 00:06:58,027 Speaker 3: so it gives them a bit of time to recover and 142 00:06:58,027 --> 00:07:01,787 Speaker 3: they can sleep in so we acclimatize also here without 143 00:07:01,827 --> 00:07:03,907 Speaker 3: training towards game time, so we'll try to keep him 144 00:07:04,027 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 3: back with their body clocks. So hopefully that helps. 145 00:07:07,947 --> 00:07:11,627 Speaker 2: For guys like those two Rufer Luke brook Smith who 146 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:14,347 Speaker 2: have been in and around the all whites environment, Snow Sacred. 147 00:07:14,387 --> 00:07:17,307 Speaker 2: There's a World Cup next year. Do you talk to 148 00:07:17,347 --> 00:07:20,707 Speaker 2: them about their all whites aspirations or are they just 149 00:07:21,947 --> 00:07:23,747 Speaker 2: a byproduct of playing well for you? 150 00:07:25,467 --> 00:07:27,907 Speaker 4: I think I said this in my last interview, me 151 00:07:28,067 --> 00:07:30,787 Speaker 4: talking to them, I think does more is more detrimental 152 00:07:31,347 --> 00:07:36,707 Speaker 4: than it is a positive. They all those players that 153 00:07:36,707 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 4: are in contention put their own pressure on themselves. They 154 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 4: don't need me, you know, to double down. And you know, 155 00:07:42,427 --> 00:07:44,707 Speaker 4: obviously I've had conversations with the players in terms of 156 00:07:45,987 --> 00:07:47,227 Speaker 4: what targets are. 157 00:07:47,267 --> 00:07:48,827 Speaker 3: You know, we do that for all the players. 158 00:07:48,827 --> 00:07:50,187 Speaker 4: You know, we make sure that you know, we put 159 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:53,307 Speaker 4: a roadmap for the season, what's successful play? You know, 160 00:07:53,347 --> 00:07:56,267 Speaker 4: they all want to go to a World Cup. I 161 00:07:56,347 --> 00:07:59,227 Speaker 4: keep saying, everyone looks towards painting in ruff has been 162 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:01,867 Speaker 4: obviously the obvious ones because they've been part part of 163 00:08:01,907 --> 00:08:03,387 Speaker 4: the squad. But I like to think there might be 164 00:08:03,427 --> 00:08:05,227 Speaker 4: one or two players that no one's thinking about now 165 00:08:05,267 --> 00:08:07,707 Speaker 4: that will jump jump out in this season. I've seen 166 00:08:07,707 --> 00:08:10,227 Speaker 4: it so many times, and I try to give belief 167 00:08:10,267 --> 00:08:17,027 Speaker 4: to those players that anything is possible. You know, you 168 00:08:17,067 --> 00:08:19,987 Speaker 4: know the all whites as well. You know, they're probably 169 00:08:20,587 --> 00:08:23,107 Speaker 4: not getting the right run of results at the moment, 170 00:08:23,227 --> 00:08:26,947 Speaker 4: so sometimes that puts a little bit of in the 171 00:08:26,987 --> 00:08:29,267 Speaker 4: coach and the coaching stuff, and they might be looking, 172 00:08:29,467 --> 00:08:31,267 Speaker 4: you know, for different different options. 173 00:08:31,307 --> 00:08:33,467 Speaker 3: And I think for me the most important thing. 174 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:36,147 Speaker 4: Is we play well. We play a good style. Everyone 175 00:08:36,747 --> 00:08:39,187 Speaker 4: loves watching us play. You know, if we do well, 176 00:08:39,267 --> 00:08:41,147 Speaker 4: then you know, it'd be like a couple of years ago. 177 00:08:41,227 --> 00:08:44,027 Speaker 4: You know, Oldie comes out, you know has a breakout. 178 00:08:44,307 --> 00:08:46,667 Speaker 4: You know Poulsen comes out as a breakout for insurment. 179 00:08:46,787 --> 00:08:48,627 Speaker 4: So anything is possible. 180 00:08:49,627 --> 00:08:50,707 Speaker 2: Do you feel any pressure. 181 00:08:52,867 --> 00:08:55,707 Speaker 4: I think I felt more pressure last year in the 182 00:08:55,747 --> 00:08:59,027 Speaker 4: sense that was it the results that worried me. 183 00:08:59,067 --> 00:09:01,307 Speaker 3: It was more what was going on the pitch in 184 00:09:01,387 --> 00:09:04,387 Speaker 3: terms of performance that that really irked me. 185 00:09:04,507 --> 00:09:07,507 Speaker 4: But I actually probably felt even more the year before 186 00:09:07,667 --> 00:09:11,387 Speaker 4: because I'd win a game, I'm still getting smashed by people. 187 00:09:11,547 --> 00:09:15,147 Speaker 4: And then I realized I can't do anything right even 188 00:09:15,467 --> 00:09:21,827 Speaker 4: when I'm winning games. So look, I think for a 189 00:09:21,907 --> 00:09:26,027 Speaker 4: large pub the pressure is the own pressure you create 190 00:09:26,067 --> 00:09:28,667 Speaker 4: for yourself. It's not from anyone else. Like, you know, 191 00:09:29,587 --> 00:09:31,667 Speaker 4: I'm a workaholic, you know, I feel like I'm a 192 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:35,107 Speaker 4: perfectionist when it comes to work. So when something doesn't work, 193 00:09:35,307 --> 00:09:38,747 Speaker 4: it just compounds, and you know, I get very frustrated 194 00:09:40,227 --> 00:09:43,027 Speaker 4: and I give one hundred percent. And you know, I've 195 00:09:43,067 --> 00:09:45,867 Speaker 4: been very open about you know, what happened last season 196 00:09:45,907 --> 00:09:50,387 Speaker 4: as well, that pressure of trying to protect the team 197 00:09:50,507 --> 00:09:52,187 Speaker 4: actually probably did more harm to. 198 00:09:52,147 --> 00:09:55,267 Speaker 3: The team than than good. But I was able to 199 00:09:55,267 --> 00:09:58,107 Speaker 3: come away self reflect and this season. 200 00:09:58,587 --> 00:10:02,987 Speaker 4: I just get the feeling that with the group, you know, 201 00:10:03,347 --> 00:10:05,867 Speaker 4: they all have the same focus I do, and I 202 00:10:05,907 --> 00:10:08,267 Speaker 4: can't ask for anything else. I mean, you know, we 203 00:10:08,387 --> 00:10:11,507 Speaker 4: could lose the first four games this season, play unbelievably 204 00:10:11,547 --> 00:10:14,067 Speaker 4: well you know what does that mean? You know what 205 00:10:14,147 --> 00:10:16,147 Speaker 4: happens if we win the first four and we're terrible? 206 00:10:16,227 --> 00:10:16,907 Speaker 4: What does that mean? 207 00:10:17,027 --> 00:10:21,627 Speaker 3: You know? But for me, I just again, my focus 208 00:10:21,667 --> 00:10:24,987 Speaker 3: this season is as cheesy as it sounds. We want 209 00:10:24,987 --> 00:10:26,947 Speaker 3: to entertain, we want to be the best footballing team 210 00:10:27,187 --> 00:10:30,947 Speaker 3: in the competition. We'll do things that you know that 211 00:10:31,187 --> 00:10:34,067 Speaker 3: our fans will be very happy with and if we 212 00:10:34,147 --> 00:10:37,747 Speaker 3: win games, fantastic, you know. But again, you know it's 213 00:10:37,747 --> 00:10:39,707 Speaker 3: going to be a rollercoaster of a season. I'm looking 214 00:10:39,707 --> 00:10:40,427 Speaker 3: forward to it. 215 00:10:40,387 --> 00:10:42,147 Speaker 2: So am I, so am I? All the best against 216 00:10:42,187 --> 00:10:45,147 Speaker 2: Perth Glory. First up, Jeffy, thanks for chatting. We'll catch up, 217 00:10:45,187 --> 00:10:48,507 Speaker 2: no doubt, many times throughout the season. Thanks Fannie, thank you, 218 00:10:48,707 --> 00:10:51,547 Speaker 2: Chief Jihn calo A Taliano. They're the head coach of 219 00:10:51,627 --> 00:10:53,747 Speaker 2: Wellington Phoenix. So tonight take on Perth Glory in the 220 00:10:53,827 --> 00:10:54,387 Speaker 2: season April. 221 00:10:54,867 --> 00:10:58,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 222 00:10:58,147 --> 00:11:01,427 Speaker 1: to news talks it'd be weekends from midday or follow 223 00:11:01,467 --> 00:11:03,107 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.