Coach Kicks: James Clarkson (Houston Dash)

The magazine’s regular coaches’ questionnaire, taken by the coach who had just won Houston Dash their first trophy. His favourite thing to deliver is transition, and transition to goal above all, because he wants intensity in everything. The player who made the biggest early impression was Christine Nairn, one of his first signings, whose technical ability he calls phenomenal; Rachel Daly impressed him for her attitude and will to win as much as her technique. Asked which player from any era he would sign, he picks Mia Hamm or Michelle Akers as statement signings. His players complain most about the Houston humidity, and about him. He joined in training more this year after deciding to get fitter, and his advice to new coaches is that qualifications matter but hours on the grass matter more.