Until you instil an identity and style into the team, they can't be expected to perform. If this is not ingrained in their DNA from day 1, they won't understand what 'the Devils' Way' actually is.
In the past, we often had far less talented players on our Team's due to budgetary constraints. But win, or lose, our Team had a recognised identity...gritty, entertaining, never give up attitude. Why was that? Because our coaches had previously been players themselves and understood.
Our Guinness World Record Year gave us a very talented team... they won nothing that year (apart from that World Record!), deserved so much more but always entertained, knew how to play 'the Devils' Way' and took their lead from a true Devil in their player/coach, Gerad Adams. Ryan Finnerty was their Captain, Scott Matzka an Alternate Captain.....everything you need to know about great leadership