Ślusarczyk: we can definitely do more

22 points and sixth place at the end of the fall round of the Central Junior League. This is the record the White Star's players have achieved in the first half of the season. "We realize that in a few matches we were visually the better team, we controlled the game, but unfortunately we weren't able to translate that into a positive result," explains U-15 coach Dawid Ślusarczyk, summarizing the first half of the season. He also outlines a clear goal for the spring round.

You earned 22 points in the fall round of the CLJ U-15 competition. What did the first half of the season look like from your coach's perspective?

In discussions with the team, we've come to the conclusion that the 22 points we earned in the fall season aren't enough. We definitely feel we can achieve more. Several factors contributed to our results. We realize that in a few matches we were visually the better team, controlling the game, but unfortunately, we weren't able to translate that into a positive result. In those matches, we sometimes lost, and sometimes ended in a draw, which didn't fully reflect our efforts and dominance on the pitch. These are the elements we need to improve in the spring season.

Which match, in the coach's opinion, was the team's best in the fall round?

Although the match against Sandecja ended in a draw, I think the first half was one of the best we've played this season. Everything on the pitch worked perfectly, both individually, as a group, and as a team.

We were well-organized, passed the ball fluidly, and our play was very cohesive. Unfortunately, the second half didn't go our way. Unnecessary nerves crept in, which ultimately affected the result. Matches like these are valuable lessons for us, as they demonstrate the importance of concentration and composure for the full 90 minutes.

For the coach and the vast majority of the players, this year's season marks their debut at the CLJ level. Where does the coach see the biggest differences compared to provincial competitions? And has anything surprised the coach at the CLJ level?

Indeed, this was my debut as head coach in the CLJ. It was also new for most of the players, although several had already played at this level with the senior team the previous season. These players displayed a remarkable composure and calmness before matches, which had a positive impact on the team. It was crucial for me to draw on the experience I gained as an assistant coach with the 2007 and 2008 teams, which helped me better prepare for this role.

The biggest differences between provincial competitions and the CLJ were primarily logistical challenges—longer travel to matches, which required special attention to recovery and physical preparation. This was new for the players. Another aspect was the role we often found ourselves in before matches—as leaders and favorites. The ability to handle this pressure during matches was an important learning curve for us at this level of competition.

When we spoke before the season, the coach said he was a bit concerned about the level of competition, which had been affected by the massive reorganization. What was it like in reality?

The level of competition is indeed lower than in previous years, which is directly related to the league's reorganization. Analyzing the results of matches between different teams, it's clear that very high scores were often recorded, indicating a clear disparity between the teams in the league. One effect of the reorganization is also the reduced number of matches against specific opponents.

This makes it more difficult to fully prepare for an opponent through rematches and observing their play over the long term. This situation has its consequences – on the one hand, these are matches in which you can impose your dominance, but on the other, they create traps. Matches against teams that defend strongly and limit their actions to one or two counterattacks can be exceptionally difficult. One successful opportunity by the opponent can lead to an unexpected result. This is a challenge that requires exceptional concentration and precision in executing tactical assumptions.

Last season, you also placed a strong emphasis on players born in 2011, who are playing an increasingly significant role in the team. What will be your philosophy for the spring season with players from younger age groups?

In fact, in the current season, as many as seven players born in 2011 had the opportunity to play in matches, due to the limited number of players born in 2010 and the impact of adolescent injuries on our team. However, it's worth emphasizing that the younger players not only performed well but often contributed a certain level of quality to the team.

Our Academy's philosophy is primarily to provide players with the opportunity to perform at the optimal level for their development at any given time. Too many matches in a challenging environment can be demotivating or lead to burnout, but equally detrimental are matches that don't provide the appropriate challenge. The key challenge, therefore, is finding a balance – providing the boys with both matches in more challenging conditions and those that help them build their confidence. We must also remember that every player, regardless of whether they are born in 2010 or 2011, needs the appropriate number of minutes to develop harmoniously.

It's our role as coaches to foster healthy competition and opportunities to compete for minutes at various levels of play. This allows us to create an environment that supports their long-term development.

What are your goals for the team for the spring round?

Our goal for the spring season will be primarily to stabilize our performance and play with a consistently high level of concentration and commitment in every match. From a results perspective, we want to get as close to the podium as possible and fight for it until the very end. However, we view the result as the result of a process that focuses on the comprehensive development of the players – both football-wise and mentally.

Our priority is to prepare them to compete at the highest level in every match. When it comes to the long-term preparation of players, our goal is to create training and sparring conditions that will allow them to meet the demands of the upcoming U16 season. We also plan to offer training opportunities for players with high potential with the U17 team to accelerate their development and prepare them for future challenges.

In the first half of the season, you often played inconsistently. Wins were often followed by defeats. What caused this inconsistent performance?

The inconsistent performance in the first half of the season was a natural part of our development as a team. Every match at the CLJ level presents us with new challenges, and experiences like lineup rotations and varied match scenarios teach us how to react to different situations. In many matches, the team showed enormous potential, but there were moments when it was difficult to maintain a consistent level throughout the entire match.

This is completely normal in the process of team building and individual player development. In the spring, we want to focus on stabilizing our form and drawing conclusions from our previous experiences, which will help us achieve even better results.