ZEV TAUBLIEB BLOG

Zev is in England training with Fulham FC, the third summer in a row they have invited him back. below zev will give an account of his time in england, how training is going with fulham, the week in a life of a trialist training at a professional club, and other bits that might inspire and prepare other players wishing to play in england with a pro club - read on.

Gary brazil - zevs coach	fulham fc badge	clint dempsey - fulham fc

 

August 8th, 2010

Hello all.

My name is Zev Taublieb, and for the past two years I have been training with Fulham Football club. I just landed today in England to go play with Fulham a third time. I am very excited and cannot wait to see what is in store for me. Today I just relaxed, ate, and checked out the town. I would like to give a huge shout out to my parents for helping me organize this opportunity, my brothers who have inspired so much, Andrea, the person who I am staying with while I am here in England, and to the Lansbury's, who contacted their cousin in England to see if she knew anyone I could stay with. Sara Bodle McAlpine is the Lansbury cousin who directly connected me with Celine. Also, I would like to thank Dan Metcalfe because Dan is the one who took me to Fulham and is the reason why I am here this year. There are many others who I owe shout outs too, but I have to get to bed. Talk soon.

 

August 10, 2010

Finally, after itching to get to the football world in england again I finally got to train with Fulham. I was coached by Mark Pembridge, who played for Everton, Fulham, Sunderland, and many other top clubs. I enjoyed his session and I learned a lot. He is very experienced and knowledgeable. You can tell from his demonstrations that Mark was a top player and still is obviously extremely talented. After training I saw Clint Dempsey, Eddie Johnson, Andy Johnson, Danny Murphy, John Pantsil and Simon Davies. I went up to Dempsey and told him I was American and training with Fulham. He was very nice and listened to every word I said. I also told him that the same person who makes his orthotics makes mine. Dr. Liebeskind is a foot doctor who works with all the U.S. National team players and happens to be the doctor I go to if I am having foot problems. I am still surprised I did not slur my words while I spoke to him. I found out that Simon Davies takes the same train as me. I am going to see if I can try to catch him on the way to practice or on the way back home.

Talk soon.

Mark pembridge - ffc coach	fulham fc training ground	eddie johnson - fulham fc

after training i got to talk with clint dempsey - he is an amazingly nice person

August 11, 2010

Today, I travelled with Fulham FC to Colchester University to play Colchester United Football Club. It was about an hour and a half away, but we went on what they call a really nice "coach" (which is a bus). When I am in California, I usually travel to La Canada from Malibu four times a week so going to this game was like going to practice. I did not play for the first half, but I played for the whole second half and scored the winning goal with about 15 minutes left in the game. At half time, the score was 3 to 3 . when I came on the field i scored to take the win for fulham with a 4 to 3 scoreline. I hit a half volley from the top of the box. I saw the keeper was off his line so chipped it right over him. I was wearing the number 4 jersey, which is Pantsil's number who plays for the first team. Wearing the Fulham kit and scoring a goal for Fulham was a truly and amazing, incredible, and fantastic feeling. On Saturday, I play Nottingham Forest at the Fulham training ground where the pitch is literally perfect.

talk soon.

colchester united fc stadium	colchester united fc badge	john pantsil celebrating a win wearing the number 4 jersey i too won the game in

 

August 13, 2010

I apologize for not writing to you for the last couple days I have been very busy. I am going to tell you what has happened day by day since then. On Thursday August 12, on my way to training, I saw Simon Davis on the same train as me. I tried to talk to him, but he was on his phone the whole time. I did not want to bother him because I see him almost every day and I did not want to have any negative vibes with anyone.

Simon davies - ffc	fulham fc	hampton fc

On Thursday, I also had a game against Hampton FC. We won 6-1, I started and got an assist and was instrumental in a couple other goals. I took all the corners and free kicks and off of two of my corners we scored which made me feel even better. I love the players and their work ethic and they are starting to love my style of play as well.

i love the players work ethic	A Special place to be fulham football club	Fulham FC Academy Players

After the game Mark Pembridge gave the team a very inspirational speech. First he asked each player how we thought we played and if we deserved a spot against Nottingham Forest (who we are going to play on Saturday). There are 27 kids on the team and only 18 were going to be chosen to play against Nottingham Forest. Every player mentioned something they could have done better and everyone said they thought they deserved a spot on Saturday, except for me. I said "I know I deserve a spot on Saturday". Confidence is key to success, but confidence is much different then cockiness. Dan taught me that cockiness is when you think you are great and you don't need to listen to anyone else’s advice. Being confident is knowing that you are great, but also knowing you can improve. Then he told us that all of us don't know how lucky we are to be at Fulham Football club and have the talent we have. Pembridge said he was not as fast or as skilful as some of the boys on the team, but what he did have was the desire. Desire is something that cannot be taught no matter how good a coach you have. They told us that if we want to become a professional footballer, which is a job that can support yourself and a family, you have to have the desire. The speech really moved me. I know I have the desire and I won't stop until I reach my goal, which is to become a professional footballer.

desire is a must to reach your dreams	mark pembridge inspirational

Before the Hampton FC game I got to see the first team practice. They were amazing. Their first touch was always perfect which in enabled them to do everything in no more than two touches. Their transition from going forward to back again was incredible. They treat each practice like a game. If the ball goes out of bounds the players get back and organize as quickly as possible. Just like Dan says, it is no time to rest it is time to get into position and talk to your teammates to make sure everyone is doing their job. I saw them do a little scrimmage at the end of the practice. Dempsey stood out more than anyone. He scored a great goal where he flicked it up and volleyed it in to the corner. After the scrimmage Simon Davies and Eddie Johnson (American player) practiced some volleys. The coach would throw it hip high and the players had to hit the volley first time from about 15 yards out. Every time it was Davies’s turn he would score 4 out of 5 his shots. The players hit the ball into the same corner every time and the keeper still could not get to it. Then they did the same drill again, but they had to take a touch before they hit the volley. Davies’s first touch would be with the outside of his boot then he would volley it into the corner. Johnson's first touch before the volley was with the inside of his foot. Before they hit the volley they do little feet just like Dan always tells you guys to do. Their technique is perfect every single time. Dan coaches the exact things that they do in England which is why I feel so comfortable when I am playing here. If you boys and girls listen to Dan and do what he says you could all have a future in this amazing sport.

eddie johnson-halfvolley	clint dempsey - volley	simon davies - volley

August 14, 2010

On Friday August 13, we just had one training session from 10:30 to 12:30 because we have a game tomorrow. Before each practice I would get there at 9:30 so I could go in the gym and do some extra stretching. We started training with some keep away and my team won every time except for once. Then we played a short sided scrimmage. The coaches chose two players who were on trial to be captains. Each player the trialists picked went to the other team. So each trialist chose players they did not want on their team. I thought from a coaching point of view that was a very interesting. After training he told us who made the squad for the Nottingham Forest game. When he called my name I wanted to jump with joy. I did as best as I could to not go out of control. I managed to stay calm until I left the training ground. Once I left I let my excitement get the best of me and literally danced all the way home.


It was finally Saturday August 14, and today was game day. I left to Motspur Park to get ready for my game, when an extraordinary thing happened. As I got to the training ground I saw Dempsey and Johnson in a BMW driving to a parking spot. Johnson was driving, but he had to go somewhere before he parked the car. Dempsey was getting out of the car to go to the other side when, he spotted me about to walk past him. I couldn't scream and yell that Dempsey was in front of me because everyone else see's him every day. As I am walking by all cool, calm, and collected he comes to me and shakes my hand. I was amazed that HE REMEMBERD WHO I WAS. I couldn't believe what was happening. He asked how I was doing and I said I was fantastic, just like I told everyone who asked how I was. (Who could not be fantastic when you are training with the Fulham youth Academy). Then I asked him how he was and he said he was good and told me to keep working hard. He treated me just like anybody else. Fortunately I was in a calm, cool, collective mode otherwise I would have been jumping around like a crazy maniac. After this extraordinary moment I went to get ready for my game against Nottingham Forest. A week before the game the Nottingham Forest coach said to my coach Pembridge, that their team is the best team they have had in the past 10 years. It was a close game and we tied 2-2. They had more possession, but we had better chances. Personally I thought I did pretty well. I won a lot of tackles, switched the ball well, and I was communicating more than anyone.

August 16, 2010

Hello all,

Yesterday I just had one training session for two hours. Their belief is if you work hard and get done what you should get done during training then you don't need to train every hour of the day. After practice I tried to go kick a ball around for a little longer and the coach told me to rest. To me this is very interesting, more effective, and very similar to the DMS11 philosophy.

August 17, 2010

I was fortunate enough to see Dempsey again. I asked him a question that had been on my mind since I had landed in England. Fulham told me that because I am American the only way they can sign me is if, I get married to an English girl and become an English citizen, or I have to play 75% of the First team US national team games. When I saw Dempsey again I asked him what he did. He said that he had only played 60 percentish of the US national team games. He told me the way he got signed was had he went to tribunal, and asked them to vote on whether he could get a signed. Obviously they voted yes.

Today I got to play against the U18 Australian national team. Before the game I was very excited and very confident. I had played against some of the top teams in England and had played well. I had no reason to be scared or worried. I got the ball a lot, always looked to play forward, switched the ball, played quick free kicks (which they love), and talked a lot. I took all the free kicks and corners which showed them I am very confident. We ended up winning 2-0.

August 18, 2010

This morning, I just had one very hard training session. Like John Wooden would say, "Don’t mistake activity for achievement". The session was very intense, but they kept in mind that we all had played a game the day before and they did not want any of us to get injured.

After training I was on my way out of the Fulham training grounds when I saw Dempsey again. He asked where I was going and I told him I was going to the train station. He then asked if I wanted a ride!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly could not believe what I was hearing. I was about to get into the same car as CLINT DEMPSEY!!!!!!!!!! . The ride is only about 3 minutes long, but on the way we exchanged a lot of words. Actually I did most of the talking. I was so excited I could not stop asking him questions. He told me he played for the Dallas Texan's and played on the regional team, but had never been on the national team until he got to College. When he did get called up it was with the U20's. Dempsey who is arguably the best US football player ever did not start getting noticed until he was in college. When I got out of the car he told me to trust my gut even if things are not going right or don't seem like they are going right. That is what he said he did and it worked out well for him. He also said to just keep working hard day in and day out and good things will happen. What was the most amazing part of the car ride with him was, when I got out of the car he waited until I crossed the street to the train, before he left. He is not only a very talented footballer, but he is also, a genuinely nice person.


August 19, 2010

Today, we just had training from 10:30 to 12:30 we did possession and a little game at the end. Like every day I went to training early so I could do extra stretching in the gym. We train hard throughout the whole session so without proper recovery methods one can pull a muscle very easily. While in the gym Mark Schwartzer came in to do some exercises. It was amazing to see him exercise right next to me. He works incredibly hard and stays focused the whole time. Right now there is a lot of gossip whether or not he will go to Arsenal. It is a little bit weird to read in the papers that he might be leaving when I see him almost every day when I go to training.

The first exercise we did during training was very similar to Dan's Ajax Triangle drill. The coach tried to trick us by giving us complicated movements (but he did not fool my group). Afterwards we went to playing possession. It was not any different from what I have done with other teams in the United States except for the communication and enthusiasm. On the defensive side, all the players communicated to the best of their ability to force the other team to make a mistake. If you know who I am you would know that I tend to communicate a lot, so I felt like I was at home. All the players give there all which makes the session even more fun and intense. The coach expects a lot from these lads. I suppose that only makes sense since they are all on the team to one day become professionals. With this in mind you can understand how much pressure there is on these players to perform well. During the games I could feel the pressure the players had. If I did not perform well it would not only make me look bad, but the team. At first it was somewhat difficult to deal with, but as I kept training with them and playing games I knew I had the capability to compete at this high level. In Southern California there is a lot of pressure too, but these players in England are doing a job. If they are not playing well then they will get cut. The other aspect to keep in mind is trialist are coming to training almost every single week trying to prove they are better than the guys on the team. If you are a player on the team you not only have players on the team who want to take your spot, but also players who are desperate to get on a team.