The nine days before preseason were enough for O'Neil, who was almost always present at the training ground, personally overseeing the players in various drills.
During breaks, he would instill tactical ideas into the players and discuss individual positions and technical development with each of them. He was also very patient while explaining, always waiting for the players who hadn't yet mastered English to catch up.
The young players all possessed extraordinary talent, especially those he had personally chosen. Robbie Savage, Neil Lennon, Jackie McNamara, Steve Finnan, Theodoros Zagorakis, and Richard Wright were among those he believed had the potential to make a significant impact.
He emphasized the importance of seemingly simple aspects of the game, highlighting how even the smallest details could have a significant impact. Perhaps it was simply his sincere dedication to spending every day with the players that made an impact.
