Lightning Coach Nichols Says Team Feels Obligation to Fans

February 2, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Louisville Lightning News Release


The Louisville Lightning have set an attendance record in their previous two games at Mockingbird, and the team itself is taking notice. The fan support has sparked the team in close games, and Lightning fans have another opportunity to break their own record this Friday against the Detroit Waza.

Lightning coach Ted Nichols spoke earlier this week about the fan support, his thoughts on the win over the Ohio Vortex, and what he's expecting from his team the rest of the season. Nichols says the record crowds have mad a huge impression on his players.

"As a coach and a representative of the team, we were very grateful to all of the fans. It looked like an incredible evening outside of the pitch and on it. Our guys were really juiced and motivated before the game even began because of the fan support," the coach said earlier this week. "I told our guys to look over at the stands and ask themselves if they ever dreamed of playing in front of such a crowd in Louisville. I was really grateful and proud of what we had. I was especially happy to give the fans a victory," he stated.

"We feel a real obligation to the fans. They come out and support us no matter what, and I can honestly say our players take notice and fight hard to get them wins. The attendance, the crowd noise, the opportunity to meet the fans after the game....our players absolutely don't take that for granted."

Nichols said the team is getting closer to becoming a more complete team with each game. "We're starting to learn, and we've been preaching possession for months now. We're learning that you can make 10-12 passes and look for the breakdown. Defenders get frustrated, and that's when you make your move and penetrate," he said. "We're playing very difficult balls off the wall and expecting our strikers to make plays there. We played all the balls to our targets' feet, and they were able to hold the ball, and we were able to create offense from there. From the first player to the 14th player, they were accountable. We had a really good lineup out there."

The coach said last week's player of the week Adam Boyer was impressive, as was Jerry Chavez. The duo combined to lead all scorers in last weekend's victory over the Ohio Vortex. "Adam plays hard and with great energy every game, and he tends to push up more, and that creates more offense. He's excitable, but he cares a lot about winning, and you see that in his effort," Nichols said of Boyer.

"I think Jerry, coming back from the break, is starting to show in positive ways. That midfield is important to us, and John Michael was phenomenal as well. He's starting to play upwards more and come at the opponents' defense with great pace. I don't know if anyone can take the ball away from John Michael's feet. People are making the right plays around him also. Our midfield was great and I was really impressed with Hayden and Jerry."

The Lightning got the services of Frank Peabody back after he missed time due to injury, but Nichols said he's confident no matter which keeper is in goal. "One great quality about goalkeepers is that you have to have a ton of confidence. Frank and Trey are both very confident, and the only thing that seperates the two of them is experience. I'd like to play Trey more, but Frank has that experience and we can't look over that," he said.

After missing a number of players in recent weeks, Nichols said he expects to be close to full strength this weekend against the Detroit Waza. "Kolby will be out because of a tryout with Dayton Dutch Lions but for the most part, we'll have a full roster. Ryan McDonald is still probably out with that back injury, but he keeps working to get back."

Nichols said his team will be ready when the Lightning host Detroit Friday. "We need wins, and we need to keep it going against the Waza this weekend. We're confident and we know we're improving with each game also. Detroit is a good team, but we need fan support and we need to protect our turf Friday night," the coach stated.



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 2, 2011


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