Hi
I am the manager of our new U8s and about to sort out registrations. We have two teams and I have a dilemma.
Team 2 is where i have:
- fantastic, always scoring, should be in top team
- great player, fast, great defender and midfielder
- great player, great gk
- great player, can play anywhere
- great player, can play anywhere
- great player, great defender and gk
- grear player, can play anywhere
- can barely play, can’t kick properly, struggles
player 1 should really be in our top team, but his parents prefer him with the kids he’s played with for over a year and where he has the most fun with
players 2-7 play well together and with player 1 they make a brilliant team
player 8 is a lovely boy and was taken on in the U7s last season just before I became a coach but he simply can’t play very well at all. In every match he struggles, he can’t turn the ball, he goes in the wrong direction, he can barely kick the ball and his ability is just so far removed from even players 2-7, let alone player 1. When in a match the other kids end up having to do all the work as this kid can’t play and with only 4 outfield it’s down to 3 to play.
Other experienced coaches have seen player 8 play and have said he shouldn’t be in a team in matches as his ability just isn’t up to scratch. But he turns up, has a great attitude and enjoys himself and his family are wonderful.
do I
a) keep him because it’s about having fun at u8 and know that kids develop at different rates
b) tell parents that if he wants to stay they need to increase training - even just playing at home
c) drop him and state that we need a team with equal ability
