Big Fal's frustration at not finding cutting edge

WHEN was the last time you heard a coach from any sport say that he wished that his side had lost a match? Colin Fallaize is no ordinary coach. A terrific character in any sport, he demands and gains respect automatically from his charges.

But at the start of this football season, Big Fal cuts something of a frustrated figure. And although it's something of a misquote, that partly explains his wish to have lost a match this season.

Fallaize was talking before his team slumped 1-0 at home to Vale Rec in midweek. But as the sun beat down on St Peter's last weekend, he reflected on another two points lost as his team had given up a 2-1 lead against Sylvans and a further two points with it.

Now Saints can boast a season league record of two wins, three draws and one defeat.

And that reflects poorly on performances which, at times, have outstripped what the black-and-whites were doing when they won the Priaulx, against the odds, just two years ago.

'I really believe that we have a squad to compete for the Priaulx,' said Fallaize.

'But we've not been beaten and we've dropped six points. We would be better off having been beaten once and we would have lost only three points. Draws won't win you this league.'

Fallaize could also muse over how his team had dominated much of the game, but lost out to two opportunist strikes from Neil Clegg.

Goals have not proved to be a real problem this season - Dominic Heaume has been on fire, though his coach admits that he is not being played in his ideal position, Will Thompson has been a strong performer up front, showing a good ability to lead the line and hold the ball, and Liam Davey shocked a few people with his energetic and skillful performance when he came off the bench last weekend.

This from a team who won the Priaulx with a well-organised defence and an ability to nick one here and there.

Heaume is leading the attack and looking consistently dangerous. 'I'm not sure we are playing him in his best position,' said the coach. But the island man, who tends to play in midfield with a green-and-white shirt on, is making a difference to St Martin's performances, looking dangerous every time he gets the ball.

Davey, Fallaize added, was working hard at shedding the poorer side of his reputation and partly, he believed, because the training at Blanche Pierre Lane reinforces the need for discipline and a good attitude.

'We have got a system at training: it's a very basic system and we're sticking to it. We're making the best use of the minimal time we've got to work on things each week to achieve the maximum effect in the game.

'It's not rocket science, but we do it through all the senior sides, not just the first team. We have a squad, one squad, playing in two leagues and we take that into training.

'It's important to have a squad of 25/6 players that you fully believe in and nothing changes between the way the Jackson and Priaulx teams play. But to have that system, you need everybody coming to training.'

The development of the squad is the proof of the St Martin's system. The personnel may have changed considerably from the Priaulx and Upton-winning sides - not helped by Darren Le Tissier's cartilage problem which needs surgery and will put him out for weeks. Juniors such as Aaron Gallie and Ollie Smith are also starting to make an impact.

'It's a very different squad but it doesn't feel too different if you're involved with it. They are a superb bunch of lads - in a way they can be a bit too nice.

'I don't mean that I expect them to go out and punch people, but sometimes that means the decisions they take in a game could be a little bit more astute.'

Fallaize is also taking the team alone for the first time, after Colin Renouf moved away from a formal involvement in the club at the end of last season.

You will still see Renouf on the touchlines at Saints matches - though he will be on the other side of the pitch from the dugout - and still as passionate as ever, and, one feels sometimes, struggling to hold it in.

'At times I was like an intermediary with Colin, calming some of his passion and passing it on to the others so it didn't become too intimidating,' said Fallaize.

Perhaps uniquely in football, Fallaize felt a degree of sympathy for Sven-Goran Eriksson last week, particularly over the flack he took for allegedly allowing the players to pick the team.

'The media have been on his back but he's talking to his players. It's collective information. It doesn't mean he will necessarily do everything they say, but you get feedback and learn something.'

Fallaize trades on 'organisation, attitude, discipline and awareness'.

And, given the spate of draws he's experienced recently, a little bit of anger.

'We should be on maximum points and I'm angry about that, which is good.

'It's something we can talk about and something we can build on.'