Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The events of the past week have only reinforced the fact that football is a results based business, and that your ability as a manager or player is judged solely on a match day.

I am not suggesting that such a judgement is an unfair one, and indeed it is one that will most probably remain as consistent in the football future as it has in the past, and is in the present.

While the significance of a match day has remained untouched, there has undoubtedly been a big change in how both coaches and players prepare for this judgement day.

In my own experience, the differences were only evident in terms of the tempo and intensity of training and the individual ability of players as I progressed to better teams and leagues.

This was until I signed for Falkirk and the club began to base itself at the . I consequently embarked upon a significant strength and conditioning programme, made possible by the facilities and staff available at the University.

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This was always going to be the easiest or most difficult blog I have written, depending on the outcome of .

It is fair to say, however, that I did not appreciate how hard it would be to articulate the emotions felt after our defeat.

in any manner is heart-breaking but when you consider the nature of the majority of our performance, the numerical advantage we gained in the second half and the fantastic opportunity we had to win, then the pain is almost indescribable.

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Every aspiring young footballer dares to dream of the success they will achieve if they're lucky enough to turn professional.

If you are Scottish, then will inevitably feature prominently in these dreams; with visions of pulling on the dark blue jersey of the national side the ultimate aim.

If this eludes you, then a cup final victory surely follows as the next best thing, and, for all the players at , this weekend provides us with the opportunity to realise that ambition.

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Good players can play in any position is one of those idealistic football theories that is very rarely proven to be correct.

Of course, players should be aware of the tactical implications and football ability required to play in different positions within a team but it is only natural that the skills and attributes they possess will restrict them to being able to playing one or two roles, or in the more versatile cases three or four.

Versatility is vital in today's SPL as teams operate with smaller budgets and consequently and therefore managers will be delighted to bring those capable of filling a number of positions to their club.

There is however a downside to being one of those players labelled as versatile in that it can sometimes be more difficult to cement a permanent place in the starting eleven as you may only be seen as back up to a number of players.

What is more impressive is those players who are used in different positions from their natural or usual role, and then go on to become a regular and major success in their new position.

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