JT learns on job as he makes case for defence

JOHN Terry has given an intriguing insight into the work he is doing with Villa’s defence.

The former Chelsea man, who is five months into his new coaching career, is working as part of Dean Smith’s backroom team.

And part of that work is helping a back four which Smith wants not only to be watertight without the ball but also the instigator of the team’s attacking forays.

Terry admits it’s a big change from when he was learning the position as a youngster at Stamford Bridge but one that is in vogue in the current game.

And he says there’s one Claret and Blue star who is showing the way forward.

“We didn’t get too much coaching, individually or collectively, back in the 1990s and early 2000s,” said Terry.

“It was pretty much: ‘Don’t get it off the goalkeeper, squeeze up, go and compete, go and fight for it.’

“Now the game has moved in a completely different direction and teams look to play with their defenders.

“Tyrone [Mings, on loan from Bournemouth] is certainly one of those players comfortable on the ball, and we want them all to be comfortable.

“It’s about getting as high up the pitch as possible from his pass, with the least risk. That’s what we’re trying to work on as a group.”

Terry has worked under of the biggest names in football as a player, including Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Antonio Conte and, with England, Fabio Capello.

He has taken bits from every one to mould them into his own coaching style.

“It forms day-by-day. Sometimes I walk in from a training session and I’m disappointed in myself that, whether it be a passing or possession session, it doesn’t go as well as you think,” said Terry. “Like you always do, as a player and a coach, you always have to walk in from a training session and say: ‘How can I improve, what did I do right, what did I do wrong?’ Very much the same as a player. Sometimes you come in and say: ‘I’ve nailed it,’ but you have to write it down.

“It’s a bit like being at school, constantly learning, and I’m like a sponge at the minute. You have to analyse yourself.

“Seeing that side of it has been huge for me, and it’s a learning year for me. That’s what I want to take from it.”