'A player's mindset is crucial on Muratti day'

All eyes will be on Vance as he names his squads for those two fixtures and for the first time since Guernsey FC's inception, it is safe to say that the pool of players from which he might pick his Muratti side includes more than just a couple of non-GFC players. With the dynamics of the GFC squad changing so much since the last Muratti was played in 2019 and the final members of GFC's initial golden generation gradually progressing to senior statesman or supporting roles in the squad, there is a strong case to be made for the inclusion of a larger proportion of Priaulx League regulars than we have seen in the last decade.

But given the fact that Vance will need to work much more with those players to bring them up to speed with the GFC playing style, team dynamics and tactical responsibilities as opposed to GFC regulars, is it realistic to expect that will really happen?

Furthermore, there is no doubt that Isthmian league football still represents a big step up from Priaulx league football which is effectively three levels below it in the English pyramid. As an example, to the naked eye some of St Martins' star performers this year might look physically and technically similar to some of the less-experienced GFC players if you compare their performances on the same weekend at Blanche Pierre Lane and Footes Lane respectively, but on the whole the standard of opponents at those two respective levels of football vary greatly.

The fact that Vance needs to select a Muratti semi-final squad on a weekend when GFC will also have a game will give him the chance to bring a few players into the fold and allow him to assess their attributes before hopefully progressing to the main event in May. Alderney are a stronger side now than they were in 2012 when Tony and I had to work together to ultimately pick two teams that both needed to win, but I can speak from experience when I say that the semi-final and the training sessions leading up to it were invaluable both in terms of taking a look at potential new faces and assessing the fitness or performance levels of more established names. The whole squad's contribution made it tougher for me to name the squad for the final but I got what I needed.

There is so much more than what we see as spectators that goes into a manager's team selections, and the performances of an individual in an entirely different environment don't always tell you the whole story. The player's understanding of his role in another team might have been developed over years, but they may not have the ability to adapt in a different system of play or with different teammates. In most league matches a manager can bring through a new face or tinker with a new system without too much fear or reprisal if it goes wrong. Muratti finals are not days to be tinkering with ideas unless you have a high degree of preparation, rehearsal and confidence in the plan.

The answers often lie not in the ability of the player but more in the mindset.

I was very fortunate to have a hugely talented squad on and off the pitch to work with 2012 and I used just one player, Craig Young, who was a Priaulx League regular and not a GFC player.

'Bongo' was an easy choice because he had everything I wanted in an player on Muratti day. An immensely talented footballer who could read the game, pick a pass and anticipate next phases before those around him. He was also a tough, streetwise lad who wouldn't take a step back when faced with a red shirt on Muratti day.

That's not just about physicality, he also had the resilience needed if things didn't quite go right for him initially, and that's critical for someone who played in a key area of the pitch just behind the front two. Many players retreat into their shells if things don't go their way, perhaps playing safe and backwards rather than being brave enough to keep trying to play forward and hurt opponents. Not only could he look after himself in a battle, he always wanted to get on the ball and play.

So the character and belief a player has might be the most critical factor when difficult decisions are made come early May. I hope Vancey and Fal have one or two Craig Youngs at their disposal when that happens.