The pre-match huddle. Has it lost its impact and/or its effectiveness.
When did we actually start doing it ( that will be a test for mad john !! )
What do the players actually say to each other?
They have just spent 15 to 20 minutes together in the dressing room, have they not spoken to each other then ?
Personally I think that it should be done away with. There are only 2 occasions when I have seen the huddle have some effect.
First away to Oxford when we actually did a huddle after 90 minutes when we had a win after possibly not the best performance, and the second by QPR at the vic at the start of the second half.
We had matched them in the first half but they came out and completely did us in the second half.

agreed - it's just for show. They must only be going through the motions- if they haven't said what needs to be said in the dressing room then it's a bit too late by then.
It's now just something people expect to see - what's the point of that really?

Keep the huddle! - In fact it could be tactical genius to also use it before corners and goal kicks!!


It's probably the biggest cheer all game (except goals).

And I like that when the huddle finishes and everyone (well maybe not everyone) gives out that big spartan like cry of "Come on!!!" just before the kick off. Love it.

We need more of that "Come on!!" spirit. Maybe we could also get the rest of the team to run out of the tunnel and all do that "Little Jump + Hand Clap" that Ben Clark does.


Opposition would be bricking it.......

I have a theory that the huddle is for show primarily, but important nonetheless - what really happens is that one of the team has the job of telling a short joke during the huddle to relax all the players.

I imagine Darrell Clarke was the main man, but in more recent times Barker will have done it.

It's a communal 'we're up for it' statement followed by 90 minutes thinking up excuses for Poolsworld.

maybe its a time for Ritchie to say his piece if Danny doesnt let the players have a say in the dressing room?

Just a thought like

I think there are things far more critical than a huddle to grumble about.