For Bay United captain Finlay Milne (white shirt) protecting the keeper is at all times the cornerstone of any defence. PHOTO/FILE
The fastest way to lose traction in sport is to lose touch with what's happening ... and that's well before the team runs on to the park.
It is one of the oldest maxims of leadership where those slipping on the armbands or holding clipboards have their ear to the ground and are receptive to criticism, even if it reflects poorly on them.
Astute captains certainly aren't the types to bear grudges or throw a teammate under the bus when things go awry but are, instead, those who assuredly seek accountability.
Thirsty Whale Hawke's Bay United captain Finlay Milne knows all about credibility that commands attention but also compels others alongside him to perform their tasks with passion.
But what happens when Milne finds himself out of the equation because he's either injured or serving a suspension, as he was in the last round of the Stirling Sports Premiership match when Bay United lost 1-0 to Waitakere United in Auckland?
"It's one of those things that's part of the game," says the 27-year-old from Palmerston North, who lives and works in Napier as an Inland Revenue Department employee.
"You don't like it and it's not good for the team so you try to avoid them [cards] but none of my suspensions has been about misconduct, in terms of inappropriate behaviour or anything like that," says Milne, before returning to lead the boys out against Eastern Suburbs for a 2pm kick off tomorrow in their first game at Bluewater Stadium since beating Wellington Phoenix 2-0 in round seven on December 4.
He emphasises some offences aren't premeditated but something as heedless as a mistimed tackle is enough to shorten one's time on the park.
The centreback casts his mind back to last summer when he missed a game against high-flying Auckland City, which was neither scripted nor ideal.
Milne received a straight red in the last game before Christmas, the high-scoring 6-4 defeat away to the Hamilton Wanderers. He suspects it was justified.
Defender Sean Liddicoat also missed out in the 1-0 loss away to Waitakere United last Sunday after having collected two yellow cards in the clash against the Wanderers.
"I hate watching games that I can't play, whether it's through injury or suspension, so it's pretty difficult," says Milne.
"It was probably a little easier because I wasn't there to see it unfold."
He was at his Napier home, hooked to a drip feed of Twitter and texts to keep the finger on the pulse.
"You want to be involved and be there with the lads, which neither of us could be, so we weren't part of it at all."
Any thread of communication with fellow players, coach Brett Angell and fans becomes imperative.
Tomorrow, the visitors have the edge after pipping Bay United 1-0 away in round two on October 30.
The newcomers, who boast the likes of former Bay United striker Sean Lovemore and captain/defender Ross Haviland, are sitting in third place on the premiership ladder, two adrift from pace setters Auckland City on 19 points but tied on 17 with Team Wellington and Waitakere.
Canterbury United are on 16 points in fifth place and Wellington Phoenix U20s come in at sixth a point below.
Bay United are seventh on 13 points but, significantly, the six above them have at best lost no fewer than three games compared to Bay's five.
Equally glaring is Eastern Suburbs' intentions of making the playoffs, reflected in last rounds 1-all stalemate with Team Wellington.
Bay United, Milne feels, are still within striking distance of entering the top-four but treating the Auckland franchise with the regard they deserve is important.
"If you don't respect any team in the league you'll get caught up. If you look at some of our losses, it probably can be put down to not respecting your opponents enough."
Conversely, in some situations, he believes it's a case of showing oppositions too much respect.
The prescription is a healthy dose of confidence and belief to impose themselves for a favourable result.
Part of his dossier, in marshalling defenders, is to ensure goalkeeper Joshua Hill doesn't end up doing too much whether he's there or not.
"You just have to trust the depth of the squad and the preparation because we all learn to defend the same way.
"Whether it's me there or someone else, we should be able to do a similar job."
The biggest factor, he says, in succession plans is compromising the collective experience in the back line, especially when the team are up against oppositions whose defence is equally adept or marginally superior.
Slip on the armband and the individual assumes the mantle of conductor to ensure everyone's humming from the same songsheet, as it were.
The Bay United back line against Waitakere last Sunday comprised Martin Canales Ramos, Nile Walwyn and Fergus Neil.
"It makes it difficult when you adjust but, yes, from a leadership perspective I can't be out there but Cory [Chettleburgh] was captain so you just need others to take control of things."
Milne says his troops dictated terms with possession and territory against Suburbs.
"But we didn't really create enough chances because they defended quite deep as a unit.
That was frustrating because it felt like we had the better of the game."
Jumping back in the saddle tomorrow is vital as "it's really a must-take three points".
The heatwave will play a part but Bay United have been working on their conditioning through those variables post-Christmas to enhance their ability to last 90-plus minutes.
He is mindful Eastern Suburbs have a tendency to play "direct", using the likes of Lovemore's agility for through balls to make Beefeaters scramble in defence.
"When you've got speed like that, you can't help but put the ball up there quickly."
Eastern Suburbs are equally adept at putting up the shutters with the likes of Haviland marshalling them although Milne is a little in the dark about any personnel changes after Christmas.
"There are familiar faces to be catching up with but we won't be treating them nicely on the field."
Logic suggests the ex-Bay United pair will have some inside knowledge on what lends credence to Angell's philosophy.
But Milne hastens to add Bay United tend to periodically massage their ideology of success to remain a dynamic and sustainable force in the premiership although there's no attempt to put up smoke screens to throw rivals off their scent.
"We're probably one of the teams who have stuck to our style of play throughout the season," he says.
Familiarity will simply boil down to who can contain the other's system the best.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: John Rowbury.
Assistant referees: Gareth Sheehan, T Pedley.
Fourth official: Anthony Riley.
Hawke's Bay United: 1. Joshua Hill (GK), 2. Sean Liddicoat, 3. Kohei Matsumoto, 6. Alex Palezevic, 7. Cory Chettleburgh, 8. Finlay Milne, 9. Facundo Barbero, 10. Sam Mason-Smith, 11. Saul Halpin, 12. Ross Willox, 13. Ethan Dent, 14. Martin Canales Ramos, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 17. Fergus Neil, 22. Daniel Mulholland, 26. Ruben Parker Hanks (RGK).
Coach: Brett Angell.
Eastern Suburbs: 12. Silvio Rodic (GK), 4. Ross Haviland, 6. Tom Davis, 7. Tim Payne, 8. Moses Dyer, 9. Sean Lovemore, 10. Sam Burfoot, 11. Armin Pasagic, 13. Jordan Vale, 14. Andrew Blake, 15. Henry Chikere, 18. Tristan Prattley, 20. Derek Tieku, 24. Calvin Opperman, 25. Michael O'Keeffe (RGK), 36. Fabien Kurimata.
Coach: Malcolm McPherson.