Q&A with Aidan Daniels, the Wanderers' most improved player

For anyone who follows the Halifax Wanderers, the difference in Aidan Daniels is striking.

He looked like he had lost his way during a tumultuous 2022 CPL season, a campaign which saw both player and club fall far below expectations.

But under new head coach Patrice Gheisar, he has looked the Wanderers' most improved player.

Last Saturday's version of Daniels was what fans expected when they learned of his signing: a creative, competitive attacking midfielder oozing football IQ on and off the ball. Although Callum Watson was heralded for his brace, pundits also highlighted Daniels' many impressive sequences.

It was his best performance in Halifax's kit.

And it also showcased how far the the 24-year old has come since last year.

Josh Healey of the Wanderers Notebook sat down with Daniels after training on Tuesday to talk about the power of confidence, playing for Patrice and football IQ.

JH: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me, Aidan. How are you feeling as a group after your first win on Saturday?

AD: Yeah, we're obviously very happy but we got another game this Saturday so I think we've enjoyed the win, reflected and now we're just looking forward to the next game. Obviously, it's a big weight off our shoulders. I thought we've been playing well, we just hadn't got the results. So yeah, it's really nice to put in a 90-minute performance and get the win and clean sheet.

JH: Obviously, you're a fella whose got a lot of professional experience compared to others players on the squad, many who have never played professionally. As a veteran, what are you telling the other guys who are kind of new to this to get through that hurdle towards your first win?

AD: It's just about being mentally engaged all the time and staying patient, working hard every day, putting in the work, even though times are tough and I think just being together as a group. We're going to win as a team, we're going to lose as a team so if we're down together, the only way we're going to get up is if we work together and push each other everyday. I think that's been showing in training. The level of competition has been amazing the last few weeks and our performances have showed.

JH: You had a start in the MLS and I think 130 games in the USL, how does that time mentally prepare you for the pressure of playing here?

AD: For me, I don't like to use the word pressure. I think it's just more of an opportunity to prove myself and showcase my talent and ability. All that experience has just shown me to keep working hard because at the end of the day, you've seen so many talented players not work hard and not go anywhere. Yeah, it's just being that guy whose had the experience and is letting guys know by being a positive reinforcement.

JH: So how are you feeling this year? Statistically, you're ahead of where you were last year but how do you feel? And is there something you're doing differently?

AD: Yeah, it's a lot more to do with my mentality. Pat's come in and taken me under his wing a bit. He's kind of given me a shake on the head because, you know, last year, I wasn't performing well. I was in and out of games. I think that this year I've stepped up and obviously, I'm doing better than last year. I've already got a goal and two assists, maybe three if you count last game . . .

JH: You should have three!

AD: (Chuckling) It's just a mentality shift . I spoke about it in a previous interview, Pat's opened my eyes to if you just run 10 yards, you won't have to run 60. It's that immediate work rate when you lose the ball and showing good body language. As you said, I am a bit of an experienced player so if the younger guys see me with good body language and I'm working hard and running back, then everyone else will. I think that just the little switch of knowing when to get back and sniffing out those moments, it's helped me a lot this year.

JH: I know the media can be guilty of looking at the scoresheet at the end of a match to say oh, Daniels has a goal and a dribble and whatever else, he must be playing well. As a player, what do you consider a successful performance when you're on the pitch? What makes you say: 'I had a great game.'

AD: I think, as an attacking player, I'm just looking at the creation of chances. Last game, I thought I created three or four pretty good chances for my teammates. As an attacking mid, that should be your goal at the end of it. And I hate losing the ball.  So I pride myself on not losing it but if I have a good percentage in the 80s or higher, I'm pretty happy with myself. Ultimately, at the end of the day, if I win, I'm happy. Sometimes, your touch may not be good, your passing, whatever. But if you're working hard and the team wins, you're going to feel good about it.

JH: So how far down the rabbit hole do you go looking at your stats post-game? Like, I know you review your video but do you break it down to the level of touches in the 18-yard box, so many successful crosses etc. Do you really look into that a lot or is it a clean slate for next match?

AD: For me, I think it helps. I try and set goals for myself every game. So playing against a team like Ottawa in a low block, I try to look for more crosses, more dribbles. It kind of helps me reflect on the game to say maybe I didn't play that bad or maybe I didn't play that good. It's another form of reflection.

JH: Nice. Last match, I wrote in my notes that you, Zach (Fernandez) and Lorenzo (Callegari) had great chemistry on the right side of the pitch. Can you speak to that chemistry?

AD: For Zach, me and him have had chemistry I think from the get go. I think last year when we played together on the same side, we were very good. And adding another piece like Lorenzo is crucial. For me, he's one of the best midfielders in the league. I think him being there at the base of the triangle dictating play, it allows me to get on the ball in better areas and allows Zach to run with the ball, which is his strength. I think you saw in the last game, everyone is kind of rotating around in different positions. At one point, we had Dan Nimick running up the pitch, you know what I mean? I think that just comes with Patrice's style and what he's implemented in our group. There's not set positions. If everyone's in a good position and you have support and runners around the ball, you just play.

JH: It seems to me like a lot of the movements comes down to football IQ and reading the game. In your opinion, is that something you can teach people? From the outside looking in, it looks hard to make such split-second decisions. At the Wanderers Grounds, you've got 6,000 people watching you make a judgement call.

AD: You can always paint ideas. We do patterns of play in training to look at different ideas to break down different teams. In the moment, if you're on the pitch, you see something, you should just trust yourself and be confident. If you make a mistake, that's okay. You have 10 other guys to help support you and get the ball back. I've always thought to myself, if you play it safe, you're not going to get the assists or the goals. Once in a while, you need to take the risk and I think that speaks to the highest level of players. Kevin de Bruyne. Bruno Fernandes. All of these players with so many assists, you watch them play and they're always taking risks.

JH: Okay, I wondered if we could watch some video on some of the key plays you've made this season. You've been a big contributor offensively. Last game, for the first goal against Valour FC, what were you thinking as the ball is passed up the pitch on the right hand side and you rotate to receive it?

https://videopress.com/v/r6tdZvfu?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

AD: I kind of just checked my shoulder at the last second to see what side the defender is pressuring on. I see he's coming on the inside shoulder so I just try and plant both my feet quick just so he thinks I'm going to receive it and go backwards. In a split second, I see him overcommit and I just turn and run. I know there's space behind because I checked it over my shoulder before hand. After that, I'm in the space behind and am going directly there (towards goal).

JH: So when I was asking about football IQ, that was what I was talking about. You purposefully faked out their defender before you even receive the ball, right?

AD: Yeah, it's just knowing when to check the ball with the different spaces to play within. I think that comes with time and experience. But we have great coaching staff here that helps us with video looking at different players and how to receive the ball, when to check, when to run. They've definitely helped me with that this year.

JH: One of the things I've written a little bit about is your ability to make those feints, to lower the shoulder and drive. It's something that not all the players have confidence to do. I want to show you another clip. This is the first match of the season and Lorenzo creates a turnover in the final third against Ottawa. You get the ball. Walk me through this crazy drive.

https://videopress.com/v/PApFAGXO?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

AD: Obviously, Lorenzo does a great job to cut the split out. I take my first touch by the defender and there's so much space so I think I'm quick enough to get by most guys with the dribble. I see the space, so I keep attacking. I see Zach there and I know he can finish. I give him a nice little layoff and he has an incredible finish. We were all so happy for his first professional goal.

JH: Awesome. I really appreciate the insight. Looking ahead to the next match, how are you feeling playing your second game at home in a row?

AD: The travel in this league is crazy, especially for us being so far East. But being at home is the best. I always say we have the best fans in the league so playing at home is something we take pride in. It's nice to get that win for them and hopefully we get another one for them this Saturday.

JH: Last question. Is there anything you want to add?

AD: I don't think I need to say much about myself. I think the club has put their trust in me and all the guys here. I think with hard work, dedication and following Patrice's plans, we have seen we can play and dominate and win games on teams higher up the table than us. We're really only five, six points away from a fourth placed spot. We just need to keep the momentum going and stay confident. That's it, really.

JH: Great. Thanks so much Aidan and best of luck.

Editor's Note: This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC