At this stage of the season, players sometimes face accusations of being ‘on the beach’ following subpar performances, a sentiment no manager wishes to associate with their team.
Frankly, a dip in motivation can pose a significant challenge for managers leading teams positioned mid-table, where the perceived stakes are low.
Clubs often incentivize players with bonuses for avoiding relegation. However, in some instances, I’ve observed a decline in performance post-guaranteed safety (typically around 40 points) and subsequent bonus payouts.
This mindset rarely extends to managers. The Premier League’s prize money structure, with substantial differences between finishing positions (e.g., eighth versus 12th), ensures clubs remain driven to maximize their final standing.
Even a mid-table finish can inject additional funds into the transfer budget for the upcoming season. Whether directly utilized or not, these funds contribute to the club’s financial stability.
Players, however, may not share this perspective. Managers face the daunting task of sustaining the intense focus demanded over the preceding months, particularly when tangible goals appear to diminish.
Financial incentives often prove the most effective solution. While Premier League players command substantial base salaries, allocating a greater proportion towards performance-based bonuses (wins, appearances, league position) could incentivize consistent effort throughout the season.
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Emery praises ‘fantastic’ Tottenham after defeat
Another point of contention, especially among fans seeking favorable outcomes from other matches, is the prioritization of certain games by managers.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery’s decision to make seven changes for their Premier League fixture against Tottenham drew criticism, with some alleging a focus on the Europa League tie against Nottingham Forest over fielding the strongest possible lineup against Spurs.
Regardless of Emery’s rationale, such strategic choices are not unprecedented. Last season, both Manchester United and Tottenham appeared to prioritize the Europa League, with diminished focus on domestic competition.
During my tenure at Stoke, I consciously prioritized certain matches, particularly in the early Premier League years, prioritizing top-flight survival over cup competitions.
While unpopular with some fans, as we solidified our Premier League status, I became more confident in adopting a risk-based approach to team selections.
One instance involved our Europa League knockout tie against Valencia. My team selection for the away leg, featuring numerous changes from the home leg (which we lost 1-0), drew heavy criticism.
We subsequently lost 1-0 in Spain. In retrospect, I made a significant error – that lineup should have been deployed in the home game, as their performance was markedly superior!
Historically, clubs like Blackpool and Wolves faced Premier League fines for making wholesale changes to their squads, under the leadership of Ian Holloway and Mick McCarthy respectively. These changes involved fielding numerous squad players in matches that directly impacted other teams.
However, regulations have since evolved. Since 2010, clubs can select any player from their designated 25-man squad without penalty.
Therefore, Villa and Emery will not face repercussions from the Premier League. However, the same may not hold true for disgruntled West Ham supporters!
Goals in each half from Raul and Roberto Soldado left Stoke a mountain to climb when they faced Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Austria in 2007
The managerial role is perpetually demanding, regardless of a team’s current objectives. Even in the absence of immediate competitive stakes, future planning remains paramount.
Towards the end of each season, I would commence planning for the upcoming pre-season. This typically involved a training camp in Austria, ideal for altitude work, followed by a two-week stint on the east coast of the United States, featuring matches in high-humidity conditions.
Of course, as the season concludes, self-reflection on both individual and team performance is crucial.
However, for me, this process was brief. I always believed that the foundation laid during the summer months dictated the trajectory of the following season, with recruitment being a critical component.
I wouldn’t delay these preparations until the season’s end. Instead, I would be actively working to secure the best possible signings within the club’s financial means.
Many deals, both incoming and outgoing, would be agreed upon before the season concluded. However, these agreements remained fragile, subject to interference from rival clubs pursuing the same targets.
This process is continuous. By the end of pre-season, a new cohort of players would enter the market, initially demanding inflated wages but eventually becoming more realistic as the transfer window progressed.
I recall a manager who delegated pre-season responsibilities to his coaching staff, only resuming work a week before the season began. He characterized the preceding period as a “phoney war,” whereas my active involvement commenced in April.
The end of each season also entails the difficult task of releasing players, both young and experienced. Delivering this news was never easy, but I always approached it directly.
It’s important to remember my extensive experience in lower leagues, where players often do not earn the substantial wages previously mentioned and can experience significant financial hardship upon release.
Releasing young players can be particularly disheartening, dealing a significant blow to their aspirations. For senior players with families, the prospect of unemployment and reliance on welfare is a real concern.
I always preferred to inform young players of their release in person, a practice that reminded me of my early days as an apprentice at Bristol Rovers and the moment I received my first professional contract.
Don Megson was the manager at the time, and the club had just earned promotion to what is now the Championship.
I’ve previously discussed my fondness for my apprenticeship at Bristol Rovers and the stark contrast between that era and the experiences of young players today.
One constant remains: some teams invariably have little to play for towards the season’s end. Clubs unable to secure promotion or facing relegation would often utilize these opportunities to provide playing time to younger players.
Rovers excelled at developing youth talent and frequently utilized these games to blood promising young players – a group that once included me.
Pulis was still a teenager when he broke into the Bristol Rovers first team
Around the age of 18, even after turning professional, I would regularly return to Wales to spend time with childhood friends.
Having recently begun dating Deb, now my wife, my weekend social activities were evolving.
My parents were pleased with my relationship with Deb, believing it would benefit my career. However, I still occasionally socialized with my friends from home. One particular Easter stands out.
Rovers had a Saturday home game in which I wasn’t involved. I travelled back to Wales and took Deb out for dinner. On the way, I encountered my friends from Pill, my hometown area in Newport.
After a few drinks, they convinced me to play with them the next morning in a semi-final of a Sunday League cup competition. I was assured I wasn’t violating any rules, as I wasn’t yet a fully fledged professional. Eager to play, I agreed, assuming it would be my only game that weekend. I was mistaken!
The following morning, a wet Sunday, Deb drove me to the match venue in the valleys. We won on a waterlogged, sloping pitch that remains vivid in my memory.
I returned home to catch a train back to Bristol. The distance from Temple Meads station to Eastville Stadium was considerable. On that day, I and other Welsh players ran back to the stadium because the first team was traveling to Wolves for an evening kick-off on Easter Monday.
Our usual duties involved cleaning boots and packing the kit. However, upon arrival, the manager instructed me to retrieve a suit from my lodgings, as I would be traveling with the team to Molineux.
While it wasn’t uncommon for a young player to accompany the senior squad for experience, upon reaching the hotel, I was informed that I would be starting the game alongside veteran defender Stuart Taylor in the back four.
Molineux was packed that night, creating an incredible atmosphere. A remarkable strike from Steve Daley ultimately secured a 1-0 victory for Wolves.
My preparation for the game, featuring a match on a sloping, waterlogged pitch the previous morning, was certainly unconventional. However, I believe I performed adequately.
This experience underscored the unpredictable nature of a career in football, and indeed, life itself.
Tony Pulis was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.