MILEK JIVENS, CAPITALS COACH INTERVIEW

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MILEK JIVENS, CAPITALS COACH INTERVIEW
Topic Started: Sep 12 2009, 03:40 AM (359 Views)
dalien51	Sep 12 2009, 03:40 AM Post #1
Bench Player Posts: 223 Group: Member Member #4,436 Joined: October 15, 2007	Milek Jivens, PAWS London Capital Coach, Interview Friday 11th September 2009 A new look playing strip, a new additional sponsor, a settled, better prepared, playing squad and a Coach who not only believes they will surprise a lot of people this season but they will be capable of capturing the Play Offs Trophy…. D51: It has been confirmed that you will continue to Coach the Capital team for the new BBL 2009/2010 season. Was it always the plan to be a long term appointment? MJ: Yes it was. I am on a rolling contract here but we have a long term plan for me to build a structure whereby even after I leave a system is in place to continue on the philosophies we are trying to promote. D51: Will we see you making appearances on Court? MJ: I will be making cameo appearances until such time as I am comfortable how the team is performing but then I will be intending to purely be a Coach. D51: Do you intend to bring in an Assistant Coach? MJ: Yes I do. I do not want to give a specific name at this time but someone who has been connected to the Club has put themselves forward and we are looking at that situation right now. This will be purely as an assistant not a player. The key to the appointment will be that they buy into the Club philosophies. D51: If we could just look back at last season I think it is fair to say it was a difficult campaign for Capitals? MJ: Last season was a learning experience for everyone. I think we were the only Club to use predominantly English players many of whom were new to this league. Steve Bucknall left as Head Coach very close to the start of the season and so a lot of the player recruiting had to be rushed. We also suffered a number of injuries to key players at times when we were just beginning to make progress. I don’t think we lacked ability but at times we lacked the mental strength and belief that teams like Eagles have which makes them so successful. Part of the reason we didn’t pick up a win on the road was that we could be intimidated at times by big vocal crowds. But I myself have never been one to accept defeat and I know that we got praise as a team for continuing to battle on. We did win just the 2 games but it could have been more when you think about how well we played at Milton Keynes and Worthing away where we lead right up until the final moments. Also, we played really well away at Newcastle at the back end of last season and even lead at half time. Again, it was just a psychological thing that meant we faded at the end of games. D51: Looking forward now to the new season how are the preparations going? MJ: We haven’t made a lot of noise about what we are doing but have quietly gone about our business. I have been to Italy scouting and we have recruited a new fitness trainer. We are going to be better prepared as a team and we are going to strive to instil a new belief and desire. I am very positive about the new season. D51: What are your plans for the playing squad? MJ: I want a settled squad of 15 including 5 from last term. We will continue to play with pace and agility but I am recruiting for a stronger inside presence. I am also looking at players who will be a threat at the 2 or 3 spot to compliment Ibrahim (Gariba). A lot of interest was shown in Ibrahim this summer but I am pleased he has stayed with us. The recruiting wont be so rushed but whoever we do recruit has to buy into our philosophies. We have a saying here “go hard or go home” and a belief that everyone should love the game. D51: How do you view your opening fixtures at home to the Heat and away to new BBL side Essex Pirates? I have talked to Brendan (Capitals GM) about making our home court a more intimidating place for opposing teams to play so we are determined to make a good start here. Guildford has a new Coach so we will have to see if they alter their style of play. We see Mike Martin as the main threat. I know it hurt him personally when we beat the Heat here last season and he vowed there would be no repeat. We are aware how dangerous a player he is for them. Tim (Lewis) was of course Assistant Coach here before joining Pirates. His team I am sure will play with a lot of energy and I know from working with him, that because of his previous association here, he will not want to lose to us. That said, it is a great opportunity for us to pick up a win on the road early in the season and maybe changing a few mind sets about us. D51: Finally, have you set any goals for this campaign? MJ: We are going to surprise a few teams. Most of all I want to earn respect. If we lose then I want the other team to have had to play at maximum to beat us. I don’t like to set targets or limits. But I am very hopeful we will make the play offs and if we do I believe that we are capable of winning them.



Billy Slim Club	Sep 12 2009, 11:35 AM Post #2
Sixth Man Posts: 333 Group: Member Member #158 Joined: July 17, 2006	Have you recruited a team navigator?



dalien51	Sep 13 2009, 04:05 PM Post #3
Bench Player Posts: 223 Group: Member Member #4,436 Joined: October 15, 2007	i forgot to ask that question!



Della	Sep 15 2009, 09:05 AM Post #4
Starter Posts: 810 Group: Moderator Member #6 Joined: July 7, 2006	Quote: We did win just the 2 games I believe someone owes me a beer, unfortunately I can't really remember who it was! Dave, was it you? I wonder what Capitals 'philosophies' are, that may have been an interesting question.



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