Latest / A Level Playing Field / Melissa Andreatta: Building belief ahead of Czechia and the road to the World Cup I A Level Playing Field I Episode 31

Transcript

Melissa Andreatta: Building belief ahead of Czechia and the road to the World Cup I A Level Playing Field I Episode 31 · A Level Playing Field

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_01: A level playing field is a partner of Nutmeg magazine and they've given us a special offer for the new issue that we can share with you.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_01: The new issue includes an interview with one of Glasgow City's co-captains Lee Gibson, written by our own Alison McConnell, who's also a great piece on the chaos that Barry Smith saw during his time as Dundee Skipper, a series on Hart's title bid, Stephen McGimmons' brilliant breakdown of Scotland's World Cup Adventure, and an interview with Kelly Clark.
• 0:23
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• 1:24
  SPEAKER_01: Welcome to a level playing field.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_01: I'm Cheryl Smith.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_01: Joined as ever by Alison McConnell and with us today is Scotland manager Melissa Andreata.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_01: Mel, I think you are now our most high appearing guest, whatever way you want to say that, with three appearances.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_01: Which is pretty good.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, exactly.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_01: Three caps.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_01: Which is pretty good, but it's been uh it's been a wee while since we've had a chance to speak to you.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_01: So how how's your summer been?
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_01: Have you had a chance to kind of take a break from it all before getting back into this at the moment?
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: It's been a great summer.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um don't know if the Scottish folk feel the same, but I think it's been a great summer.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: I've seen lots of sunshine and blue skies, and the family and I got to have some wee breaks here and there.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: We did um, you know, three night, four-night stays away.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Um they're doing some jet two package holidays.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: So we quite enjoyed that and uh yeah, it's nice though now getting back to um routine and back to work.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_01: Do you need that kind of that break just to give yourself you come back in with kind of a fresh perspective and a bit of a renewed energy because it's gonna be it's gonna be full on, I guess.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I definitely do.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: I've always um felt that um taking some time away, and this time I've done it differently, like you know, sort of three, four or five-day mini breaks uh through the period of time.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um I find it helps me become more creative in that time.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: My brain slows down, I can um look at things differently and find other solutions or new ideas.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it really helps to freshen me up, and I always come out of those mini breaks.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, yeah, a more effective coach, I believe.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_02: And since the last time we spoke to you two, your partner and your your young daughter have moved over and are climatizing to Scotland.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_02: I I would imagine that that feels different for you too now that you're surrounded by family and you're properly rooted down in in Scotland.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, just so settled and yeah, definitely when you've got your family around you, you just um have that support um that you need when when things aren't um so tough uh aren't so easy.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: Um but on the flip side of that, you know, when you've had a big day at work and you come home um to a beautifully cooked meal, um, a little daughter who just wants to build blocks with you, uh, you know, it's just a good way to have some balance and um time with the family.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Mackenzie would have come as a as a wee Aussie, but she'll be going home with a scot.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: Have you noticed any of the dialect creeping on?
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: 100%.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: She only knows coups as coups.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_00: Um in Australia they are cows.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um she throws in wee um for a milk bottle, a wee milk bottle, we a wee milky, she will say.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um so yeah, she and just always wants to be outdoors, which might be a bit different, a bit unique.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but she loves being outside splashing puddles and um taking walks in the park.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: So um yeah, I think she's on the way to developing that accent and being a real Scottish folk.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_02: I would imagine for you, it just feels you feel more complete having your family here and not on the other side of the world while you were initially focusing on the job.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, 100%.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: It it feels way more natural now.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: Having said that though, I think it was important.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: It was a strategic decision to do it that way because it allowed me to just go all in on the team and getting to know players and staff and and um I I guess not have the distraction.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: I can't think of a better phrase right now, but it was important time for me to have with the the team, staff and players, and and now it's the right time for them to be with me and um for us to be together.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: So it's it's all worked out really well.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_01: We're sitting here obviously at the stadium at St.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_01: Mirrin with the game against Czechia is going to be.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_01: And Alison and I have both worked here loads of times when there's games on, and it when you get a crowd in here, it can be a really good, like a really crackling atmosphere, quite close to the pitch.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_01: Four stands.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_01: How much are you looking forward to that and how how vital is it that you can pack these stands as much as possible for that game?
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: So looking forward to it.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it's been a long time since we've been able to play in front of our friends, family, and the fans.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: So we're really looking forward to to doing that.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: And then on top of that, from all the memories and experiences that both players and staff have had uh here at this stadium, um, obviously uh around Scotland as well, um, at home, we know people are gonna come because they they're gonna get an exciting um night of football and a team that's gonna put on a show and a performance that we can all be proud of.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_01: We're happy with the decision that when it was made to bring the game here as opposed to at Hamden.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_01: Um, because like I said, this could this could be really, really great if if everyone comes in here and and gets behind the team.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, the focus for us is finding um a bit more consistency um and stability with where we're playing.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: And you know, we're just so happy that um St.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: Miran could partner with us um so early on so that we can build up the momentum, um create the visibility uh for the team that we want so that we can have you know the support and the experiences that we you know all have come to love and enjoy at a women's football match.
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_00: It's also the energy within the stadium.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_02: You come here, you've maybe 8,000 supporters in here, that energy then transmits onto the pitch, doesn't it?
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_02: 100%.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: Our 12th supporter, um, 12th um teammate in the stand.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: It's just that energy we feed off, and and equally I think um with such um you know an intelligent football community here, they read the moments in the game when we really need their support.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: We need them to be loud.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: Or um, so I think you know that energy is going to be high, and we need, you know, everyone in Scotland, especially in Glasgow, to come along and fill the stands to give us that support that we need.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_01: It's time for our player of the week, sponsored by Nutmeg Magazine, the home of brilliant football stories.
• 7:07
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• 7:11
  SPEAKER_02: This week's player of the week, sponsored by Nutmeg, goes to Mariana Speckmeyer for her heart trick as Hearts retained the Capitol Cup with their 3-2 win over Hibb at Easter Road on Sunday afternoon.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_01: That was our Nutmeg Magazine player of the week.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_01: For more great football writing and to order the latest issue, visit nutmegmagazine.co.uk.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_02: It's been 2019 since Scotland were last at our World Cup, as I'm sure you are well aware, and I'm sure that many of these squad members are well aware.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_02: But how much do you feel as though you maybe have to work on the mental side of that going into pretty big qualifiers because it seems as though there has been maybe a lack of conviction or a lack of belief when it's got to this stage in previous campaigns?
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: I think a lot of that work has already been done.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_00: The foundations of belief, confidence have been laid, and and now it's all about looking forward and using one of our super strengths, which is optimism, um, hard work, commitment, and sticking to what we've been doing that will put us in good stead for these upcoming games.
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_00: So that no matter what scenarios we face on match day, um that we know we're ready and we believe we're we can um meet the task head on and surpass what's needed to get the outcome that we desire.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_01: Something else that obviously has transpired since the last time we spoke to you was your captain, Caroline.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_01: We are nominated for the Ballon d'Or second time in a row.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_01: Just how huge really is that for this game, for her teammates, for people on the outside who maybe have only seen a game or not seen a game, that recognition, how huge is it?
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: Well, all I have to say is come, come to the game here at home at St.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Mirin and see for yourself the ability, the athlete that Caroline Weir is, because um then you you'll see exactly why she's been um nominated for this award again and is the only Scottish player um to be nominated back to back um consecutively uh for this award.
• 9:11
  SPEAKER_00: So I think um, you know, it's uh a credit to her, um, her consistency, her professionalism, and her commitment to being uh making her best even better each day in training.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_01: I would say as well, it's probably fair to say she's a player that does her talking on the pitch.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_01: Um we don't hear that much from her out and about before games and things like that, but you obviously know her very well.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_01: What is she like just as a person behind closed doors and with her teammates and things like that?
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: Well, behind closed doors, she's very funny.
• 9:42
  SPEAKER_00: She has quite um the dry humour and is very quick-witted.
• 9:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and you know what, it's not about the quantity of words that anyone says, in my opinion, but it's the quality, and when she speaks, it's considered, it's measured, and it's with quality, and people listen.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and it's the same for her jokes and her wit and her humour.
• 10:03
  SPEAKER_00: She um she gets the timing right all the time.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_01: And the the Ballon d'Or, obviously, that would be some some event to get an invitation to.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_01: Do you think she can get your ticket?
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_00: Look, plus one.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't say no, but I'm not expecting um the offer either.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: You know, what a special moment.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_00: First and foremost, um, you know, her husband, her family, um, her best friends of are the ones that have been there with her from the very start to, you know, the athlete and the footballer that she is now, and we'll want to share in that um that night um with with her.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: So um and and rightly so.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_00: So I I just you know wish her all the best um for the outcome of that and um hope she gets to enjoy the night and enjoy getting all dressed up.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_01: And from uh from Caroline Muir to Erin Cuthbert, obviously she's now the Chelsea captain.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_01: What does that tell you about her and her her place?
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_01: And I mean, she's playing in the best league in the world and a team that has achieved year-on, year on year.
• 10:57
  SPEAKER_01: She's now the skipper.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_01: How much does that tell you about her as a as a person, a player, and what what she what they think of her?
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: 100%.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_00: Uh again, credit to her and um the quality not off not only on the pitch, but off the pitch.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: The um development um to that level of leadership shows um her willingness to reflect, um, to uh think about others more than herself and and develop others along the way, support them yet challenge them to raise standards as well.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: I think she exemplifies what high-performing elite athletes are all about.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_00: And, you know, you mentioned Erin, you've mentioned Kaz, um Rachel McLaughlin is also being named captain at Newcastle.
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, all these players, um, it's just feels like it's the right time.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: They're all coming to this point in their careers and in their lives where things are lining up, where something special is happening, and um, I'm just so pleased for them that you know their hard work is is paying off, obviously, but um they're getting the the visibility um and the accolades that they they've deserved for a long time.
• 12:05
  SPEAKER_02: They they were all young players the last time that Scotland qualified for a World Cup.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think their maturity now, like they're at the prime point of their career, is that platform of the World Cup something that they're deserving of now to go and showcase what they've got, but also that they have the years behind them of of what it means to get there and how tough it is just to get there.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and I think one word I'll pick up on then you only ever get what you deserve.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: And we're all well aware that we really have to work hard to earn the opportunity, and um, that's what we're working hard at is earning the the qualification um to that um major tournament.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_00: And I think more importantly is that uh we just keep focusing on the things that we've been doing really well, our processes, our preparation, so that come that day, come that match, come that moment in the game when it all counts, that we are the ones that execute it and and make the most of it so that we're on the right side of um fate this time round.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_00: What would it mean to you to take Scotland to the World Cup?
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_02: Because essentially that's what you were brought here to do from the minute that you were introduced.
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_02: I would imagine that these games now almost were your focal point, like when you came in, it was Brazil almost from the the first minute of your arrival.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_00: It would mean everything because for two reasons.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: For two reasons, because it's been um a declared goal by the players, um, the organization to return us um to major tournament football.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_00: But the other reason is um I think with all the work that we've been doing, the progress made within the squad, um, externally as well, the visibility, um, aiming to sell out the stadium here at St.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_00: Mirin means that um we're going to leave this jersey and in an ever even better place.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: That more fans are gonna feel truly connected to the SWNT.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: Girls and women are gonna feel a stronger sense of belonging to the sport and to a team that represents them more realistically, more being more real.
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_00: And I think if um, of course I'm gonna be judged on getting us to a major tournament, but I I hope equally I'm judged for raising the visibility, the awareness, the connection to this SWNT team amongst um, you know, the nation.
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_02: That's the thing, because the challenge of getting there is formidable when you look at the path that you've got.
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_02: It is a formidable challenge, even you know, you negotiate this first one and then you know that that Sweden are waiting.
• 14:39
  SPEAKER_02: It's a monumental challenge to get past them, even just the in terms of the the belief given the renowned force that Sweden have been within the women's game.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_02: So everyone could could appreciate the complexities involved in qualification.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_02: But do you feel that this this squad is in a moment where they are not intimidated by it but rather embrace the pressure of it?
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_00: 100%.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: We we see all these as opportunities and um ultimately that um while we respect everyone, we have, I think in all our games you've seen how we've carried ourselves and performed, um, no matter who um has been opposite us.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um we respect them, we've done our homework, we've done the training, we've done the work, but we fear no one, and we don't need to fear anyone because what the stats, um what the rankings don't tell us is the future, the potential.
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_00: It's always looking in the rear view at what you've done, um the results, not what the potential is.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_00: And I think we can all see the progression of the team in performances on the pitch, performances with club as well, where this team's heading and that belief is growing alongside it.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and the understanding of how we want to play and what it means in different moments of the game is getting stronger and stronger each day and in each match.
• 15:56
  SPEAKER_00: That yeah, it's it's almost like this perfect storm of coming together at the right time, but um it will only matter that we can get the job done in key moments on match day, and that's what we've got to keep focusing on, making sure that we're ready, prepared, and we believe that we can do our job, play our part in those key moments.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_02: How much does it help you that you have been up and close at our World Cup that you were involved in 2023, that you know the standard and you know everything that it entails?
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_02: How much has that experience helped you now coming into this stage?
• 16:26
  SPEAKER_00: It definitely has helped.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_00: I've really leaned into those experiences, and where it's really helped me is the level of detail and preparation and the work that has to happen between camps in order to make sure that camp is really smooth, it's really calm and performance oriented, and for the players it almost feels like just a red carpet's being rolled out, and they walk in and can just focus on what they need to do to perform.
• 16:50
  SPEAKER_00: So I think that part of it has really helped me to make sure that as uh you know the leader of the program, that that's where I drive standards and preparation um for those camps to be um as performance oriented as possible.
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_01: Well listen, it's been fantastic to speak to you again.
• 17:09
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you so much for your time as always.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_01: Just before we go, what would you say to anyone listening to this who's a Scotland fan or maybe thinking about coming to the game and not quite sure we want this place packed out for that game, so important for the players.
• 17:22
  SPEAKER_01: What what's your message to them?
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_00: You do not want to be that person that goes to the office the next day at work and hear all the stories, the DJ, the dancing, and be the one that's missed out on it all.
• 17:34
  SPEAKER_00: And the football is gonna light you up.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_00: Don't be that person sitting at the desk hearing about all the great stories, and you've missed out because it was a bit rainy or a bit cold.
• 17:44
  SPEAKER_00: Be there.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: This team will put on a great show.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely perfect.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_01: Perfect message.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_01: No, thank you so much for your time, as always.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you to Alison and thank you to you for listening.