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Invicta Dynamos head coach Karl Lennon reflects on their 2023/24 season after play-off quarter-final exit

05:00, 11 April 2024

Invicta Dynamos head coach Karl Lennon believes they will be better off for the setbacks they’ve experienced in the past season.

Lennon himself has learned plenty from a season which has seen them finish a place lower than they did a year ago but have picked up more points.

Invicta Dynamos' head coach Karl Lennon Picture: David Trevallion
Invicta Dynamos' head coach Karl Lennon Picture: David Trevallion

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Assessing the past season, which ended with a play-off quarter-final defeat to Solent Devils last week, Lennon said: “We all know that the potential within our team was significant and there is no question the ability that we possess was probably worthy of a place better than where we finished but you are only as good as your results aren’t you?

“Whilst the ability is there, nothing is a given, you have to take it, and I think we were not good enough in big moments that came to us in the course of the season and ultimately the table doesn’t lie.

“I have learned a lot and more so around the emotional part of players, this year more than last year, where I thought we had quite a stable room in terms of character and ability, this year I think we have been a bit more wobbly, which isn’t good, but then that is down to me to manage that better moving forward.

“While it has been a difficult year, no question, and we have had our incidents that have really shaped our season - and I don’t think a lot of them have been brought on by us, I do feel that we will be better for it, you have to be.

“A drop on a place (in the table) from last year but we’re two points behind the team in fourth and that is not a million miles away.

“We made more points than we did last year so that shows progression. We are two or three results off being up there in second or third, not a million miles away, and across the last two years we have beaten everyone in this division and a couple of the results have been really impressive.

“I know that is is not a personnel issue, the guys are good enough, it is more around application and resilience and things like that, that is only something that comes with experience and if you have a younger squad - and we do have a lot of younger players - it is not that easy to guide through that.

“What I have seen is that some of them are really capable of managing their emotions very well, some of them less so, it doesn’t mean that they are bad players, it’s just that there is work to be done on that part of their game and that is life, it is a constant evolution of emotional development.”

Lennon has now had two seasons as head coach of the Mos and is keen to continue, saying: “I have loved every second of what I’ve been doing, regardless of the results, I have loved working with the players.”

A statement from the Mos said that: “Despite the disappointing way our season concluded we are immensely proud of Karl, our back-room staff and our team.

“The season has been a long and winding one with ups and downs along the way, but they have remained unified and have really given their all, week in and week out.”

Lennon has identified where he feels they can improve for next season and said: “I have identified areas of strength and weakness and I know exactly what I need as a coach to be better next year and then it is matter of making that happen.

“We know where we were short and where we were strong and I think knowing what you are is the most important thing to start with.”

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