men’s
gallagher-premiership
With 23 fresh additions to the roster, Dan McFarland openly concedes he is unsure of what his revamped Newcastle Red Bulls team can accomplish during this campaign.
Having joined the North East club during the summer off the back of a Japanese Top League championship victory with the Kobelco Steelers, McFarland is working to shape a roster he hopes can lift themselves from the bottom of the Gallagher PREM standings.
Given that the Red Bulls have managed a mere four PREM victories over the last three campaigns, the challenge ahead is immense; however, McFarland is candid enough to avoid establishing impractical expectations, comparing the endeavor to a start-up business.
“We are essentially dealing with a start-up enterprise here, aren’t we? The sport itself was a start-up when it initially embraced professionalism. So it is incredibly exciting. Uniting so many fresh faces represents a massive obstacle in a sport that depends so heavily on team chemistry,” he remarked.
“I can’t recall this occurring very often. Perhaps with Moana Pasifika?
“For us, success is about witnessing our on-field development, our style of play, and our effectiveness within that system. As for what we can actually accomplish regarding our victory tally in the division, I have no idea.
“I doubt anyone has the answer. But we are certainly going to discover it,” he continued.
“My focus has to be on addressing the key issues from the moment we arrive, with team unity and bonding being top priorities that we must develop rapidly, although the modern game is highly intricate.
“In my view, laying down the groundwork is essential. That presents a challenge for instructors who prefer focusing on the minutiae, as they thoroughly enjoy deep technical details. We will begin with straightforward, core concepts.
“This does not imply our play style will be uninspiring. Quite the contrary, but we must establish the fundamentals properly to foster on-field chemistry. It is about working from the ground up.
“Ultimately, Newcastle has struggled to secure victories over the past four years. This is a highly driven group of young athletes, but our potential ceiling remains a mystery.”
