Dave Kitson podcast interview

BostonRoyal · by **BostonRoyal** » 02 Jun 2026 09:13

An interesting new podcast interview of Dave Kitson, including his time at Reading, what was unique about the club's culture at the time, and the lessons from successful football clubs that apply to business. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t ... 0770343878

Extended-Phenotype · by **Extended-Phenotype** » 03 Jun 2026 15:40

Decent. I think people forget that managing a team also involves managing the players as people. You foster good relationships between the players and they can exceed expectations. A bit of unrest or bad feelings and it can fall apart regardless of how good individuals are.

Listened to a recent interview with Steven Gerrard on the Golden Generation, and the takeaway there was that there was just no management of the players as people. Everyone just isolated and harboured their club rivalries. It’s not easy to play football with people you don’t like or know very well. If they were socialised better in the England squad, perhaps they would have actually achieved something.

Makes me think about the difference between last season and the one before it. Something didn’t feel right last season, and more than players simply not being very good.

Forbury Lion · by **Forbury Lion** » 03 Jun 2026 15:53

Extended-Phenotype wrote: ↑03 Jun 2026 15:40Listened to a recent interview with Steven Gerrard on the Golden Generation, and the takeaway there was that there was just no management of the players as people. Everyone just isolated and harboured their club rivalries. It’s not easy to play football with people you don’t like or know very well. If they were socialised better in the England squad, perhaps they would have actually achieved something.

You'd assume all the players in the England squad wanted the same things for the team, So I'm surprised the Captain didn't sit them all down and bash their heads together.... maybe the biggest managerial failing was not appointing the right captain to bring the players together or hiring the right number 2?

I remember Alan Pardew appointing Martin Mad Dog Allen as his number 2, He played a large part in bringing the team together as one and creating a good spirit.

stealthpapes · by **stealthpapes** » 03 Jun 2026 16:05

Extended-Phenotype wrote: ↑03 Jun 2026 15:40 Decent. I think people forget that managing a team also involves managing the players as people. You foster good relationships between the players and they can exceed expectations. A bit of unrest or bad feelings and it can fall apart regardless of how good individuals are.

Listened to a recent interview with Steven Gerrard on the Golden Generation, and the takeaway there was that there was just no management of the players as people. Everyone just isolated and harboured their club rivalries. It’s not easy to play football with people you don’t like or know very well. If they were socialised better in the England squad, perhaps they would have actually achieved something.

Makes me think about the difference between last season and the one before it. Something didn’t feel right last season, and more than players simply not being very good.

Tangent first. Yeah, this is one of the things Southgate really got spot on as manager. Turned the group of players into a team, repeatedly. Robson did this in 1990. What gripes me is that, at the time, we were told there was no problem when it was clear to anyone with a pulse that there were deep issues within those England squads.

Reading history post. 100% agree with Kits here: he was there as it all fell apart in 08/09. Some players from the good years, some with their head turned, replacements who were not good enough. I’d dare say his return from a big money move out contributed in its own way.

Reading now post. Yeah, Selles absolutely gelled that side of misfits and broken things into a squad. Hunt kept the balls in the air. Of course it would be affected by Hunt’s removal. Of course it would be affected by starting the summer with seven players. Of course, this is why it all needed a bit of patience.

Just from my own experiences, it’s easy to pretend there’s team spirit when times are good. It is when things get challenging that people’s real characters are revealed.

And as an aside, it’s one of the benefits of those first few weeks of preseason. You’re all rusty. Half of you have a wee bit extra. It’s a team bonding experience through the medium of Type 2 Fun.