Throughout his midweek press convention on Wednesday night, Florida soccer head coach Billy Napier addressed a number of key factors forward of their Week 12 matchup in opposition to the LSU Tigers.
Napier emphasised the significance of “expertise not being sufficient” and outlined how consistency, self-discipline and dedication are key for the Gators to succeed.
Florida’s skipper additionally addressed questions on gamers’ harm statuses, bowl eligibility targets and bettering defensive fundamentals as he units a transparent expectation for his staff to compete at the next stage this weekend.
Napier confused that these attributes, mixed with bodily expertise, would elevate their efficiency.
Listed below are the important thing takeaways from Napier’s press convention on Wednesday evening.
On the affect of turning into bowl eligible
“Properly, I believe you’re at all times pondering massive image, nevertheless it’s essential, prefer it’s a giant image, nevertheless it’s a bit of course of, proper? So one of many phrases I’ve been utilizing all week from the very starting of the week, is figure as should you’re on a sooner or later contract, and possibly you get to name the evening to return again. Possibly you don’t, you recognize.
“So, if we put together and practice and observe and have the self self-discipline, as if we have been at all times being noticed and we have been on a sooner or later contract, and if we do our job properly sufficient and at a excessive stage, you get the decision to return again.
“And, you recognize, let’s focus, be current. Let’s give attention to the work and the duty at hand. After which, hey, we’ll take a deep breath, eat an excellent meal, get an excellent evening’s relaxation. We’ll get the decision to return again and are available again tomorrow. So we’re utterly 100% targeted on LSU, nothing else issues. And you recognize, we simply did Wednesday.
“Hopefully we’ll get a callback tonight, and we’re going to point out up tomorrow and do Thursday.”
Replace on DJ Lagway
“He’s (Lagway) been with the ability to observe. Clearly he’s modified a bit of bit, however he’s making progress each day, he’s getting nearer and nearer to being ready to play. So I do assume we’re making a sport day setting by way of the therapy and modifications we’re utilizing, you recognize, simply to verify he’s comfy with that.
“So he did work at this time, and clearly, I believe he makes progress. Felt higher at this time than he felt yesterday. We’re hopeful that’ll be the case tomorrow.”
Hoping to play a lot better than their final sport
“What occurred this weekend will not be acceptable. It’s not ok, and we definitely know we’re able to taking part in higher. And look, we’re attempting to manage the issues that we are able to management.
“You realize, our communication, our alignment, our fundamentals and strategies, taking part in with the best leveraging protection, our effort and pursuit, after which in the end taking part in actually good scenario in soccer and making good choices.
“So we didn’t do a lot properly in any respect on Saturday. We received to do lots higher this weekend.”
If there’s been a drop off with LSU place gamers
“No, they’re nonetheless loaded. I imply, I believe they’ve received, not solely the gamers which can be returning, however a pair transfers (from) Alabama, Mississippi State, to not point out (Kyren) Lacy and (Chris) Hilton.
“I imply, the tight finish’s (Mason Taylor) one of many higher tight ends within the nation, however definitely the backs, the freshman again (Caden Durham) has elite observe pace, so the mixture of ability with the veteran quarterback (Garrett Nussmeier), though he hasn’t been a starter earlier than, he’s performed numerous soccer, and he’s been round there for some time.”
Replace on Montrell Johnson Jr.
“He’s (Johnson) been in a position to do extra this week than he did final week. So, you recognize, I believe he’s day-to-day and I believe in the end, that’s a place the place you could have a lower-body harm, you bought to be 100% proper to be as efficient as you wish to be.
“And positively for him, this one’s private to him, as a result of he’s from Louisiana, so he’s motivated. He’s practiced. Is he 100%? We’ll see. However we’re going to do what we’ve completed previously. We’re not going to place him out right here till he’s prepared.”
On the staff’s mindset final week vs. Texas
“I believe we had a parachute, you recognize, we went to battle with a parachute on our again, after which as quickly as issues didn’t go our approach, we pulled the parachute. And it was disappointing. And I believe we’ve received to problem the maturity of our staff, the consistency of our staff.
“We’ve got to be mature sufficient as rivals and to embrace that and play higher. So I believe it’s extra mindset than something in my view.”
Up subsequent for the Gators
The Gators host the Tigers in faculty soccer’s Week 12 on Saturday, Nov. 16. The SEC matchup will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and shall be broadcast on ABC.
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