TRANSFERRING rugby coaching and managerial philosophy to the football changing room is working a treat for new boss Alex Smith at East Cowes Vics.

With his experience of coaching players at all stages of development and approach he takes to it, it is no accident Vics have done a 180-degree turn in their Wessex League fortunes under him — going six games unbeaten after looking odds-on to slip through the relegation trap door.

Less than three weeks ago, Vics were cut adrift — six points away from their nearest rivals Whitchurch United, who had three games in hand on them.

When Vics lost 2-1 at home to bottom side Fleet Spurs, fans feared the worst.

But the reaction from his players has been phenomenal since, beginning with a surprise 2-2 draw against high-flying Hamworthy Rec, which ignited confidence from nowhere.

They then won at Ash United — Vics' first win in 21 games.

Two wins and two draws later — the latest result, last Saturday's remarkable 0-0 with Division 1 title favourites Andover New Street (match report on page 86 of the County Press this week) — and Vics are out of the drop zone.

This afternoon (Saturday) Vics have a crucial six-pointer at Whitchurch. A win could see them rise three places.

In a radio interview on Sunday's Wessex League Football Show, Smith lifted the lid on what has changed at the club since he took control on December 7.

The 32-year-old former Cowes Sports coach said of Vics' turnaround: "From being a real dogfight, it's in our hands. 
"It'll be tough with games coming up against teams around us, but the lads are in a really good place. 
"Our mindset has changed. We can compete anywhere and can get results — but we have to be at our best."
Smith says he has the balanced squad he needed after bringing in seven players.

"I watched the 7-1 defeat to Fawley. The lads needed structure and guidance.

"I brought in ex-Cowes player Callum Chase as captain and a few younger players I've coached and can trust, plus a few who've stepped up from the Island League."

When chairman Mark Greenslade offered him the manager's job, Smith wasn't interested initially, but changed his mind 24 hours' later.

Smith's experience as a football and rugby coach has shaped his approach to management.

"Rugby has made a massive difference to me as a coach and the way I communicate and deal with people — and it's helping the squad."

Smith has handed responsibility to the players on and off the pitch, forming a 'leadership group' of seniors to give them a voice and ownership of their team.

The importance of unity and freedom of speech has helped, he says.

"They have a real voice. They're men. They're not paid. They're not superstars and we talk things through together. The lads enjoy responsibility and having a say. They feel valued and I get much lot more out of them.

"When I arrived, there was unity, but low confidence and poor results. All of a sudden, a few results makes the difference.

"We don't have the depth of squad other clubs have, which is why we have to fight for everything.

"At half-time, we sit quietly, we drink, we breathe, then they speak to each other, feed things back to me and I try to bring things together.

"It's not a dictatorship. I don't have all the answers, so together we try to figure things out — much like in a rugby changing room.

"We want to know what players in key positions think and how it looks out there on the pitch. The players enjoy that."