The Silverfox Hustle Podcast
The hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle. The Silverfox Hustle is all about showcasing positive attitudes, great work ethics and consistent quality work. The Silverfox Hustle will be the vehicle that will inspire, motivate and share positive stories through its extraordinary guests. Host and creator, Shasi, is a former professional football player and now a coach developer as well as a commentator and pundit. He shares all the values and beliefs of the Silverfox Hustle. Enjoy the journey and stories! Cheers!
The Silverfox Hustle Podcast
Silverfox Hustle SPL Preview - Albirex Niigata FC
Fresh off a challenging season that saw them finish outside the top three for the first time in five years, Albirex Niigata is rebuilding with purpose. Assistant coach Jaswinder Singh joins us to reveal how the club plans to reclaim its position among Singapore's football elite.
Jas offers a candid assessment of last season's struggles, explaining how an extended four-month pre-season led to player burnout before competitive matches even began. The transition to a more localised squad required significant tactical adjustments, contributing to their disappointing sixth-place finish after losing eight of their first ten matches.
What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Jas' insights into Albirex's recruitment strategy. For what appears to be the first time in club history, they've supplemented their traditional Japanese contingent with Korean players. Centre-backs Cho Eunsu (described as a "physical beast") and Kim Taeuk bring defensive solidity, while forward Lee Dong Yeol has impressed in pre-season physical testing. The standout potential star? Japanese playmaker Takumi Yokohata, a 22-year-old number 10 who "sees passes others don't see."
Tactically, Albirex is evolving while maintaining their signature possession-based style. Jas hints at a new team shape that improves transitions both offensively and defensively, addressing last season's defensive frailties. The psychological approach is equally interesting – there's "pressure off" this season since they're no longer defending champions, allowing them to play with more freedom.
Want to know if Albirex can challenge for silverware again? Jas diplomatically sets a top-four finish as the realistic target but tellingly notes this squad has "the same feels as our previous championship teams." For Albirex fans and neutrals alike, this promises to be a fascinating season watching this blend of Japanese technique, Korean physicality, and local talent take shape.
This is the Silver Fox Hustle Podcast. Hello, we are back on the SPL preview. This is season 25, 26. And in the house today is the assistant coach for Albrecht's Niigata. But before that, click on the follow button. We are out everywhere on Spotify, apple Podcast, youtube and even TikTok, so share the love with your family and friends. And again, like I said, we are continuing with our SPL preview. We've done a couple of clubs already and now we are with Albrechts and in the house here. I gotta say that their head coach, shige he is under the weather at the moment, so we've got his assistant coach, jaswinder Singh, in the house. Jas, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 2:I'm good. I'm good. It's been an interesting start to the pre-season, so I'm excited to get things going, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you speak about pre-season Jas After last season. How was the break? Was it a mini break? Did the players all then go? Went back to Japan? Obviously there are changes, right, so how was the break?
Speaker 2:We had about a month and a half off from the end of the season. We restarted in 1st of July, so it's been six weeks or so off. Everybody left went home to spend time with their families, the Japanese as well, the foreign players as well, and then, of course, us Singaporeans.
Speaker 1:And obviously lots of planning to do. Even if it's a so-called break, I'm sure there's loads of planning to be done as well. And just before I think I had a chat with you Just before coming on, as in recording I asked you so what is it with Elbrex now? Is it back to all Japanese, all local? But you know it's still all local.
Speaker 2:Outfit Dajas yeah, it's still a local outfit, it's just with the rule changes it looks very foreign based again.
Speaker 1:Okay, but yeah, local club, right, right, great, great, great to know that as well, and I'm hoping and I'm hoping to see some very good young players coming up as well, and I know you've been working with the under-21s last season, so hopefully you get some good players coming up if they do get a chance. That is right Now, before we start talking about the preview and this season itself, let's start talking a little bit about last season, and you were there as well, you know. I think that's great that you were there, so that at least you can, you know, handle these questions as well. You know you lost eight from the first 10 matches and those were some big losses as well, you know. I think I can remember against LCS and even BG Tampines.
Speaker 1:I think what happened, you know, and obviously something. I think what happened, you know, and obviously something huge happened before that the change right, because Elbrex decided to go all local and then with the foreigners coming in, just like any other local clubs. So tell me what happened and was that? Did that play a huge role in that poor start that you guys had?
Speaker 2:So I think last year, because of the change in the schedule when we started in May Instead of the usual February, march, so I think that was a big gap between the break, break was a very big gap for all of us. So we started very, very early. We started in January, so that's about a 4 month pre-season. So for us I think A lot of the players came in we started in January.
Speaker 2:So, that's about a four-month pre-season. So for us, I think a lot of the players came in, we were working hard and at some points I think it's about burnout as well. It's a bit of periodization there to go with and I think it's just too long a wait. So, by the time the season came around, the pre-season friendlies came around, we were already starting to. The stability wasn't there completely as well. And then with the change of going localised and lesser foreigners, it took a while to get adapted to, right right.
Speaker 1:And I just wanted to ask you as well was it as simple as the club trying to adapt all local players coming in to the Japanese players and it must have been really hard and was it tactical as well? Did you guys make mistakes along the way, tactically as well, when you played against the big club and maybe you thought that you could go the same way? Albrecht always played, but this time with the locals. Was there some tactical problems?
Speaker 2:I think there's various reasons this could have happened, but, for example, I think, yes, we are used to the Japanese players pushing through almost everything, so I think there's certain aspects of that coming through as well, and it took us a while to get going, to get adapted to the whole thing. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1:And obviously Shige took over right and I thought he steadied the ship for a bit there. We thought that he could have gone probably a little bit further in terms of position, but I thought the start put paid to those dreams of getting further ahead. And last season you guys in the end finished sixth and that was the first time out of five seasons that you finished out of the top three and I thought, obviously you guys were disappointed. You scored 55, conceded 71. And I always speak about this Whenever you concede more goals than you scored, it's always going to be a problem. So, yeah, and looking forward to this season, how has it been? Was there a plan? Just looking at these stats, obviously, and the way you guys played and the way you guys started, was there a plan from Shige to you know?
Speaker 2:yeah, so touching on last season first yeah, so when Shige came in he studied the sheep for sure.
Speaker 1:Because he had a plan.
Speaker 2:He had an idea Of what he wanted to do, so he Everybody Got Caught, got on board with it, and afterwards it took a while, of course, but Right out of the door Everyone's excited. We started doing things A little differently and the results started to show.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But I think the niggling problems that were that were already, yeah, on the surface Started to rear its head After a while, you know.
Speaker 1:Name me one niggling problem, if you may. No, no, it's interesting.
Speaker 2:You've managed teams before as well, so when players are unhappy, yeah. When a new coach comes in, they start to get excited about things. But, after a while they start to figure out if things are the same or any different, and that's when the excitement goes down and the problems start coming out. So I think that's something he had to get through, and then he had a better idea because, again, those weren't the players that he picked. Yeah, true, right, true, true.
Speaker 1:Now, I just want to touch on the players that he picked. Yeah, true, right, true, true. Now I just want to touch on the players that you guys have retained. I mean, I mean not all, but, but these are the players that I thought that were really good last season and and even the year before. Right, hasan for one. Yeah, uh, you've got a side fridaus.
Speaker 1:Yes, uh, amy yeah hazik, who I thought had a very good season last year when he came on. I think too he was brilliant. And I can't miss out Shingo Nakano, your top scorer last season. What an acquisition. Last year it was for Albrechts. You know Shingo Nakano, so tell me about these guys. Was it easy retaining these guys, especially Nakano?
Speaker 2:I think Shingo had a few offers Locally, I'm not sure. Okay, I think he had a few offers, but I think he decided to because he came in halfway through the season. So his achievements are even more impressive, if you think about it. So he came in halfway and then I think he's looking. He's still young. So he's looking to see how much more he can push through.
Speaker 1:You know, put looking, he's still young, so he's looking to see how much more he can push through you know, put himself on a better platform recruitment wise, obviously, and was there a clear, distinct type of players that Shige wanted for this season? And did he obviously go back to Japan from his contacts and what not? Was there a clear type of group of players that he wanted for this season?
Speaker 2:Yep, he has a clear game model he wants.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:He has an image he has shared with all of us staff members and even the players as well.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So he has a good idea of what he wants to do. So each player, I think it's handpicked for each position.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like even now, jared Gallagher coming in Yep, he fits the gameplay perfect.
Speaker 1:Okay, let's talk about the local players. Then that's coming in for Albrecht. We spoke about one, jared, obviously a DM. He plays in defensive mid Danish Kayum as well from LCS.
Speaker 2:He played for Young Lions as well.
Speaker 1:Melvin Singh is back from NS right. Yes, so tell me what these three players can do for Elbrex in terms of the local players.
Speaker 2:So something we need to understand is these young players.
Speaker 1:They are a very exciting group of players.
Speaker 2:It's a different generation from when we played or when you coached as well, you know. So they're very driven, they're very determined to make this successful and they're not just looking at oh, I want to win the SPL, I want to make it in Singapore as a professional player. They're looking at can I go to Thailand, can I go to another country abroad? You know, this is where our young players today.
Speaker 1:They're thinking like this and so these guys you know we talk about Gerard and Danish as well, and I think Danish is pretty exciting as well, and they are probably looking to be in the shopping window. I think that's what you're trying to say as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean with the current influx of players going overseas of course, I think any player is interested in those things, but I think they're looking to advance their careers. You know, okay, okay.
Speaker 1:I just want to let's get talking about the foreign players, the foreign lineup, Because I think I'm quite excited. You're just going through and I don't know whether this is the first time that you guys have brought in Koreans. I don't know Albrecht's in the history, Maybe you know we talk about Japanese and Koreans being together and whatnot. Right, Probably I think so. So let's talk about Center back Cho In-soo, Right, and he's from FC Rukyu and he's 21 years old. Tell me what he brings to the table.
Speaker 2:He's a physical beast, right, he's one of those that you know. He can bash his way Through things. You know, he's got a good left foot.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And young as well, so he can play Multiple positions.
Speaker 1:Not just at centre back.
Speaker 2:And he's always playing With a smile on his face, you know.
Speaker 1:Beautiful. And another centre back who's also a Korean, from Yokogawa Musashino. He's 27, by the way. He's also a centre back and he's Korean, as, by the way, he's also a centre-back and he's Korean as well Kim Tae-yook.
Speaker 2:How about him. Kim is a really really big personality.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:He knows what he's doing. He's older than the rest, so he's got a bit of experience on his head, you know, and he's a very, very big boy, all right.
Speaker 1:Another centre-back is Kome Lida. He's Japanese, by the way, and he's from university, right, and he's 22 years old as well. So you've got I don't know. He's just from what I think, probably you're trying to show up the defence a little bit before doing anything else. Is that right? And how is this Lida, so like you?
Speaker 2:mentioned, we conceded quite a few goals last season, so I think that's a priority for all of us, and Komei is a very vocal player, similar to a few of our Japanese captains down the road previously. And yeah, he brings that voice, you know, beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 1:And you know, as we go along if I've made any exclusions, obviously, because I think we spoke about this as well the number of foreign players in the side right. Just add on if you think that this guy is worth mentioning. We've got a goalkeeper, takahiro Koga. He's a goalkeeper and he's 26 as well, from FC Osaka. Is that something lined up? Thinking of Hassan, 26 as well, from FC Osaka. Is that something Lined up? Thinking of Hasan, and again, hasan to me, is still the best Local goalkeeper In Singapore. And he's what? 42 this year, 41, 41 this year. And is there something Behind Shige's Thinking?
Speaker 2:So you actually know Koga Because he was. He played for us In 2021.
Speaker 1:And 2022.
Speaker 2:So he was Goalkeeper the year before too. So I think, with Hasan, he's still incredible, he's still that leader in that position in the country, but I think, with Koga coming in, it's a bit of a push for Hassan as well to maybe for them to keep pushing, going forward.
Speaker 1:You know and I think it's a very good point you made, because, also, koga is only 26. He's like he's got like another 10 years of because he's in that position right, and I think that's a very good acquisition as well and he knows the territory as well. I'm excited to talk About this forward. Lee Dong-il, also a Korean. How is he Jas? He's 21 years old. Only he looks powerful.
Speaker 2:By the way. Yeah, he looks Very, very strong. So far, in all of our Pre-season testing, he has stood out Physically. I'm starting to think it's a Korean thing, physicality wise, but no so. Lee Is a Is a life wire.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's Trying to do A lot of things At one go and it would be An interesting push For Shingo.
Speaker 1:Any Any foreign Player. You think that who's Probably you know Up there Someone I haven't Foreign player? You think that who's probably you know up there, someone I haven't mentioned, and you think that maybe this guy is someone to watch out for, maybe this year?
Speaker 2:I think number 10.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what's his name?
Speaker 2:Takumi Yokohata.
Speaker 1:Right yeah.
Speaker 2:I think he's something special, that one.
Speaker 1:He's a CM.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and from.
Speaker 1:Kyoshi University. He's 22 years old. He's special. He wears the number 10.
Speaker 2:Yep, he wears the number 10. And he sees something special. He sees passes, others don't see.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:He's small in stature but very nippy, very quick and very, very smart, beautiful.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know. I think Albrechts has this track record of you, elbrex has this track record of you. Know players can leave, but the players that come in, I'm sure out of 11 that starts you'll see 5. You know Japanese players who are. This guy could be good for us. You know that kind of thing in the shopping window as well for other local clubs. And how do you guys do this? Is it based on scouts in the universities or how do you guys do this in terms of context?
Speaker 2:So in the six years I've been at the club so I've seen a whole bunch of really, really talented players Kodai Suboi, doi, roya Taniguchi these guys coming through. So you see, when you see them on the first day there, you know, you can feel it and how they do. This is, I think, the club has its own network of scouts in Japan and Shige as well. So it's constant back and forth with the scouts and videos and even when they go over to go and check the players out. So I think that Constant Looking for these players.
Speaker 1:It's important. Brilliant, brilliant and Any more inclusions Coming. I think the season Is starting soon, with the Community Shield this coming weekend. Anyone you think Local players as well Any local players coming in?
Speaker 2:I think we're already full. I don't think They've announced everybody, but I think we're already full. We have been preparing For weeks.
Speaker 1:So how has pre-season been in terms of matches, friendly matches Did you guys go away or just stayed in Singapore all the way? We stayed in Singapore?
Speaker 2:the whole way because players were coming in at different times so we were mostly localized the entire time. Now, pre-season has been great. I think Everyone's involved, everyone's tuned in and, like I said, because it's a shorter time, so everyone's starting to, you know, excited about the season. Everyone wants to push through and have a better season Than last year, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Without giving too much away, obviously. What specifically have you guys been working on, you know, in terms of tactics or formations? Is there something Specifically throughout From Jan or from the start Of the pre-season?
Speaker 2:So we have Been working on Our new team shape Alright, okay, so it's a bit different From previously, but the way we play Is starting to change A little.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we still have that intensity that Elbrick Brings into the game. We still have that Possession football that we like to play. But I think we're even Getting better on transition now. In terms of counter attacks or even in defence. So we've been working On these little things here and there Especially the defence.
Speaker 1:Beautiful. I asked you about the player to look out for and you mentioned the number 10. Right, is there any local players you think that Probably Need to number 10, right, is there any local players you think that probably need to step up this season? You know, because I spoke to Robert at Haugang and he said that Farhan Zulkifli is one that, for him himself, you know, I think he should stand out this season. You know, at least try to. How about you guys at Elbrex?
Speaker 2:You mentioned earlier about Hazik.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I think Hazik is going to have a year.
Speaker 1:What is he like, by the way? Trading wise.
Speaker 2:He's a young boy that just gives his 100% all the time he is adapting to different positions, so I think this season especially, it's something that fits him perfectly.
Speaker 1:Beautiful.
Speaker 2:With his pace and stuff.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So I think this is going to be Maybe his breakout season, and so I think this is going to be maybe his breakout season.
Speaker 1:And I asked you before this in terms of what can we expect in terms of football and you spoke about the things that you worked on what can we really expect from Albrechts this season? Because we're all excited, obviously, every single time it's a new season, it's expectations. Obviously, last season, when you guys started out, you Obviously last season, when you guys started out, you guys were the Defending champions. This season, what can we expect? Football wise, you know, and the fans as well. What can they expect? And people watching.
Speaker 2:I think, compared to the previous seasons, this season's a bit of A pressure off situation. Ah Okay, because pressure's on.
Speaker 1:LCS.
Speaker 2:Right, we're not the defending champions anymore, right, so we can have a bit more fun with it. Okay, we can have a bit more fun with it. Okay, you know, and I think the way we want to play, it will be fun for the, for the fans, it will be fun for the, for the neutrals. Let's say Right, and I'm not gonna give anything away Technically, but I think I think it's gonna be fun. Right, it's gonna be High tempo football, so yeah.
Speaker 1:From what? From what you are saying? I'm just thinking about a little bit more direct, a little bit more efficient than what you guys have been doing. And again, I'm not saying you guys were inefficient, I'm saying that there's lots of possession before, but I don't know. I just get the feeling that it's going to be a little bit more direct this time, and I think that there's so many ways to skin a cat game and I think that's one way as well right now. Don't be sitting on the fence just, and obviously you are not speaking for yourself, you're speaking on behalf of the club and coach Shige as well. What are the targets for Elbrex this season?
Speaker 2:I think, in comparison to last year, I think we want to be competitive okay that's the most important part. I think we want to make sure our home is safe first, Like we want to protect ourselves first.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That's the most important part, I think getting our game model out there, getting the way we want to play, get stability on play, all these things coming in. I think that's important.
Speaker 1:Right so of course.
Speaker 2:Yeah, nobody's going to say they want to join a race and not try to win it right, but I think that's our priorities first.
Speaker 1:What's realistic? You finished sixth last season. What's realistic, I don't know, man.
Speaker 2:I think we should be in the top half.
Speaker 1:Top half, which is top four, listen, and it's very difficult pre-season when you look at other teams. I'm talking about when you look at other teams Exactly, you take Lion City Salahs out of the way yeah, and then you've got the other teams right, and no disrespect to the other teams as well but then there's a pack right, yeah, and it's about taking one game at a time as well. Winning games, that's the most important. You can't even like a loss because you only have 21 games this coming season, right? So who do you think are your closest challenges?
Speaker 2:so over pre-season we've seen a few teams and we've been competitive right, who looks good, by the way us yeah, and who do you think looks so far? I think in three pre-season games it's pretty much the same. No one's giving away their secrets. No one's using the full team to start off. Everyone's mixing everything right. So, it's hard to say.
Speaker 1:Fair enough, so it's a top four. Then I get the message right, nice.
Speaker 2:But I would say that it has the same feels as our previous championship teams, you know it has the same feels in terms of the way the team is built.
Speaker 1:The environment. It has those little feels, nice, nice, brilliant before we go, jas, and a message for your Albrechts fans, because I think your Albrechts fans are one of the best in the league right and week in, week out, every single game, and you've got the Pom Pom Girls and everything. I think they are brilliant. So any message for the Elbrechts fans and for the team as well this season.
Speaker 2:I think it's a season to be really, really excited about, because there's a lot of things changed that have changed over the off-season. The players coming in, they're excited, I think the Singaporeans and the foreigners as well. I think it's an interesting group of players. It's something I think, like you said, we have great fans.
Speaker 2:And they've been behind us Every year. So I think this year, I think the players are going to need the fans a lot, lot more Than before Brilliant, just this year. I think the players are going to need the fans a lot, lot more than before.
Speaker 1:Brilliant. And just thanks for being here on behalf of Coach Shige and send him our wishes, because I think he's under the weather right now, and send him our wishes and good luck to Elbrechts as well. You know, I think, good luck for the league season as well as the Singapore Cup. Obviously, you, obviously you're playing in that, and we will keep a lookout for the number 10, takumi Yokohata, and it's from you as well. So, yeah, so thank you again for being here on the SPL Preview. This has been the latest episode of the SPL Preview with Albrechts Niigata's assistant coach, jaswinder Singh. We'll see you again for the next episode and don't forget, click on the follow button on any of the platforms that you are watching or listening to this from till the next episode. I see you next time.