|
 Buffalo City FC finished up their season on the road this past weekend, so Stephen Brandt and Mike Share sat down for their last managers chat of the season. Mike raps up the season, and talks about who his footballing father is. Also Mike talks about some new projects for the upcoming off-season. And as a special bonus Mike reveals his all-time starting eleven.
How does it feel to have your first season completed as a manager?
It is very mixed feelings. I feel we have let ourselves down as it came down to one game and then we would be sitting here talking about the play offs. Many people say to me what an achievement it is to finish second but second to me is like finishing last. We played some great and entertaining football (soccer) but in the end you have to win all the games even if it is ugly. A win is a win. I am looking forward to next season, already we are rebuilding and we have some fantastic projects in place.
Do you think we could have played the 3-1-3-1 system all year and been undefeated?
I think the 3-1-3-1 system worked very well for us. Every game is different and we try to prepare the players for formations and systems they use in Europe. Our last game against Pocono we used the 3-1-3-1 and it really changed the game. As the coach it is my responsibility to make sure our system is correct.
 Those two Erie matches really did us in for the playoffs, outside of bringing in a new team to play against Erie, was there really anything we could have done to win those two games?
They did, but I have to congratulate Erie. I have many people say that we were the better team and that we play the game differently but in the end they beat us and that is the end of the story. Sadly this happens in the sport. Not always the best team wins. One thing I have kept on saying is that the Erie players wanted it more and it really showed when we played them as most of the second and third 50/50 balls were won by their players.
Now that the season is over with, what was the best match we played? (and why)
I would say against Pocono in the second half, the first half was the worst we played all season. But to come back from 2-0 down in the first half and the way we did it was great. One thing we need to work on next year is being more consistent throughout the whole game.
 Every manager comes into the season with expectations for the players, did anyone surprise you when you saw them play your system?
There has been a few players that really have caught my eye. For example Dominic Oppong is becoming a very good player. We changed his natural position and he has become a strong defensive mifielder who is equally good going forward. The more I saw and worked with Dominic the more my expectations grew from him as a player and it has showed in the previous two performances he has raised the bar each game.
So what's next for the club? Anything in the off season that the fans can be looking forward to?
The club is working on some fantastic projects which we hopefully can announce soon. The youth team system is being set up which I am really looking forward too. I am a big believer if the club wants to progress and move forward that it is through their own youth system.
We have a very dedicated group of fans that come to EVERY match, how has that been for you?
I can easily say that our supporters group is the best in the league. They have come to all of our home as well as away games. I was not sure what to expect fan wise in America but I can say that without any doubt that our fans could give any fans a run for their money. The club would like to thank all of our fans for the support they gave us this season.
  As you look back on your career, are there any managers you would have loved to play for?
Yes I would have loved to have played for Maradona I always joke to my Dad that Diego is my real father and that my mother two timed him. Because I am too good of a footballer to be his son and not too mention too good looking. On a serious note Mourinho is a great coach and I would have loved to play under him even just being around him to learn from him. Also he says what he wants and I respect that.
Who is the Father? Or Father No 2?
Why is it in soccer that some of the greats can become a manager and be successful (Cruyff, Mardona, etc?)
 Well I think the question should be the other way around, why is that some of the greats can not be great managers? Cruyff was a great player and a good manager which is rare. But Maradona still has to prove himself as a manager. Don't get me wrong Diego is my favorite player from all time but as a manager I am not sure if he will be great. Look at Ferguson he was not a good player but he is a great manager. Mourinho is in the same boat. Maybe it is that players who were not as gifted as great players are better managers because in their careers they always have had to work hard to play at the highest level where players like Maradona would just turn up as things came to him easier. Also I think many Managers have difficulties understanding that certain players have to work hard at things that might have been easy for the manger when he was player and this can be very frustrating to a manager like Maradona. Also you can not play certain styles of play with lesser players. Sometimes when you are used to a lot it is difficult to be in a different environment. In England we say "Once you have had caviar you can not go back to sausages".
If you could put together a dream team starting eleven of the greatest players who would they be?
I would play a 3-4-1-2, my goalkeeper would be Peter Schmeichel. My back three would be Beckenbauer, Maldini and Cafu. My midfield would be Cruyff, Ronaldo, Gerrard and Gascoigne. My forwards would be Maradona playing behind Rooney and Torres feeding the ball to the forwards and linking the midfield and attack.
Rooney Torres
Maradona
Cruyff Gerrard Gascoigne Ronaldo
Maldini Beckenbauer Cafu
Schmeichel
Some people are saying the Newcastle is down for the count, that they'll never bounce back into the EPL again, do you share that belief?
 I do not know who has been saying this but they have no clue. Why would Newcastle not get promoted? They have some of the best fans in the world (toon army) a top class stadium. Yes they will lose out on a lot of TV money but gate receipts will still be the same or close to it. Also they will lose a lot of players but lets be honest, it is not Newcastle's loss. If the players were not good enough to keep the club in EPL then they will not be good enough to take them back to the EPL. Yes it will be difficult and maybe Newcastle will take a year to recover before they can think about promotion but lets face it many player if not nearly every player outside the EPL will want to play for the club. If it was up to me and the club came calling wanting me to play for them then I am sure everyone in Buffalo would forgive me to accept the offer. So if you are reading this Newcastle you know where I am!
What's the best match you've ever been apart of?
That's a difficult one. Every game is different. You always want to win every game you are part of wether it is as a player or coach. I can say the least favorite game I have been apart of was the Erie home game, we should have beat Erie and the referee really ruined the game. Also getting sent off as an player was the icing on the cake. The best game as an manager is got to be the Pocono game. To be 2-0 down with only the second half to play was a great performance to come out winning 3-2 especially also because of the circumstances prior to the game.
Buffalo City Football Club is Buffalo's premier soccer organization since 2008. Combining a winning tradition on the pitch with a standard of excellence within the community, BCFC remains the height of achievement in professionally run sport. For more information please visit www.BuffaloCityFC.com
|
