Depends whether you mean technique or decision making. I'd say that any footballer who

makes it as far as his 20th birthday as a pro must have muscle memory. Assuming that is the case then it can be a lot of things but essentially if you're talking about players who have been signed then it's a lot about scouting on a technique level. You're a little at the mercy of the technique they've learned and their development speed as changing established bad habits is extremely difficult - not impossible but often takes more practice time than teaching a blank page.

If they do have good technique and learning ability then it's about the system. And that might be the teacher, the system - some people have a mental block with one particular thing. But you're going to find out who has the muscle memory and the right techniques early on. One thing I see with us at the moment is that despite the possession philosophy we are not really pressing high for anything like 90 minutes. That's where players with a motor and speed like Watkins can be really useful.

You then always get into the old question of whether you choose the system for the players or vice versa. There's no right answer. Lambert chose the former, Webber and farke are choosing the latter. For a coach the latter is great because you are very comfortable in being able to teach all aspects of the system down to the technique. However you are taking a gamble on the players you bring in if you don't have the resources to replace everybody who doesn't work out in the new system.

But remember it took lambert quite a while to work out his best team when he first arrived. We just got away with it because we were in league one and had the luxury of players like holt, hoolahan and a developing chris Martin. It was a lucky escape from gunn as had theoklitos not played the worst game ever by a goalkeeper I doubt we'd have sacked and replaced gunn so early in the season!

And don't forget every manager ever has dropped Wes at the start of his first season! I think Farke is using him more than any before him at this stage of his tenure!

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Aug 20, 11:39:09