New Spartans coach Lee Picton may be a chemistry student but his approach to football is by no means formulaic.
Performance Analysis Videos, Aggregation of Marginal Gains and a strong belief in sports science are among the elements he dispenses to achieve a potent mix aimed at footballing success.
But more of that later.
After a short time at Proctor and Gamble Lee decided not to pursue a career in science after leaving Loughborough University and he signed for Whitley Bay football club, who were playing in the Unibond League, in 1999. Two years later he moved to Ashington FC for three years before turning out for a couple of seasons for Morpeth. Lee then returned to Whitley Bay with whom he won two FA Vase Finals in 2008/9 and 2009/10.
Alongside playing football 36 year old Lee has been working at Monkseaton Academy as Head Coach for their football sides and coaching with Newcastle United’s Academy. The latter post finished at the turn of the year. As it turns out it was ideal timing in order to take up the post at Croft Park.
“Opportunities to work with clubs like Blyth don’t come up very often, “said Lee. “I have had opportunities to take on other jobs in football but I didn’t have to think twice about this job. It was too good to miss and my decision to go for it was instinctive. I’m just extremely grateful to Tom for the chance.
“I don’t see it as an issue moving from coaching juniors to dealing with players at Evo-Stik level. Developing players as individuals and teams is the same. Plus making the move successfully is the sign of a good coach. You need to empathise with your players and simply adapt your vocabulary and coaching content to fit. Plus I only stopped playing four years ago so I understand what players are looking for and what they need.
“My footballing philosophy is to play in an attractive, flowing, attacking way.
”The players have responded very positively to some new ideas I have already introduced. They’ve been really receptive and hungry to learn, both individually and as a team. In fact everyone at the club, the Board, backroom staff and the players have made me feel really at home from day one.”
Lee has used coverage of games by BSAFCTV, courtesy of Producer Jonny Hall, as a learning tool.
He commented: “We go over video footage of games in the Sponsors Room at Croft Park and analyse performances. The lads have taken to it well. It’s not a threatening experience; it’s about taking suggestions on board and developing. Performance Analysis Videos are one of the most powerful tools you can use.
“I’m also a strong believer in cycling’s Sir Dave Brailsford use of, what he calls the Aggregated Marginal Gains approach. Building improved performances on many, often small, changes can result in a massive difference. And in that respect we can use more sports science at the club and I will be discussing this with physio Chris Bell and Sports Scientist Anna Castiaux. Preparation including good nutrition and personal strength and condition issues is vital.”
Chemistry, Lee’s first career, has been defined as ‘the study of substances, their structure, their properties and the reactions that change them.’
It is easy to see the clear link to how he approaches football coaching.
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(This feature first appeared in the Spartans’ Matchday Programme)