Archie Brown Makes a Bold Statement for the New Season

As Fenerbahçe continues its preseason preparations in Austria, one of the team’s key players, Archie Brown, spoke to the club’s television channel. The successful fullback, who shared his thoughts on a wide range of topics—including the training camp, the atmosphere of unity and camaraderie within the team, and Head Coach İsmail Kartal’s playing philosophy—emphasized that they possess all the elements necessary to succeed.

“I haven’t let up physically at all”

Archie Brown began the interview by noting that he continued his workouts in the gym immediately after last season and has been training nonstop to be ready for the new season, saying, “First of all, thank you for inviting me to this interview. To be honest, I didn’t take a break from my training at all during this off-season. I kept up my training and workouts consistently. It’s also worth noting that for a soccer player, getting back into shape—or regaining that fitness—can be difficult two weeks after the league ends or during a two-week break. That’s why I kept training during the break. I worked out at the gym, went running, and rode my bike—I kept up my routine. I’d say it was just a mental break, but physically, I didn’t let up at all. I think I arrived fully prepared for this training camp as we kick off the season,” he said.

"We’ll be playing with a new system and a new philosophy of the game"

Following the conclusion of the two-week preparation period ahead of the new season, Brown had the following to say about the training camp:“Overall, I’d say we had a good training camp. Topuk Yaylası followed by Austria—I’d say it was a good mix. When starting a new season, it usually goes like this: we begin with running and do running drills. But we’re lucky that, with our new coach, we’re doing a lot of team drills as well. So I think we’re fortunate in that regard, and that’s something I really appreciate. Of course, we’re also gradually touching on tactical aspects with our coach, and he’s explaining his tactical approach to us. We’re continuing our work in this regard. After all, it makes sense for us to do this because we’ll be playing with a new system and a new philosophy of the game. So, addressing these tactical aspects and working on them is, in my opinion, very valuable. So far, I think the atmosphere and environment have been good. I can say we’ve had a good training camp. There are players among us who have returned from their national teams, and my Turkish teammates have also returned from the national team. Overall, I can say we’ve had a good training camp, that everything has been going smoothly so far, and that we’re making good progress."

"The ideas our coach has shared with us are very clear and very precise."

Archie Brown also shared his thoughts on Head Coach İsmail Kartal. The English soccer player said, “As for our coach, I can say this: the ideas he’s conveyed to us are very clear and very precise! So when he explains his ideas, he does so clearly, which makes the situation even clearer. As players, we understand exactly what he means when it comes to what roles we’ll play, what responsibilities we’ll take on—whatever he’s trying to convey in that regard. In fact, I think that ever since we started working with him a few weeks ago, we’ve been able to understand what he wants and what he expects from us. “At the very least, our coach has clearly communicated to us what we need to do regarding our playing identity. This, of course, creates a positive atmosphere,” he added.

“I think training camps are very effective and beneficial”

Brown, noting that training camps contribute to the sense of unity and camaraderie within the team, said, “In my opinion, training camps are very important. Because you end up spending a lot of time with your teammates—you really get to know each other well. When you go to Europe or other places, and especially when you’re constantly traveling, as I mentioned, you spend a lot of time together. I place great importance on this, and I think it’s very important: the more camaraderie and communication you establish off the field—and the more you can sustain and strengthen that communication—the closer it brings you together on the field. “That’s why I think training camp sessions are very effective and beneficial,” he said.

Speaking about the importance of being able to make decisions both offensively and defensively, the yellow-and-blue player said, "As an offensive fullback, the most important thing is that when you move into the final third or contribute to your team offensively, you create an advantage for your team in that area, do positive things, and are able to get back in position. It’s very important to regain your position after moving forward. Having that ability—possessing that capacity—is, in my opinion, very important. Similarly, speaking in offensive terms, when you push forward, you need to create scoring opportunities or help your team in that regard. I believe I’m a player of that caliber. I can say that connections are very important when I move into the third zone. Therefore, you need to be able to make those connections. I also place great importance on this: making the right decisions—both defensively and offensively—is extremely important. You can do great things when you get into the final third, but you have to make the right decisions: knowing when to cross, when to pass, and when to shoot—you have to execute these very well and make those decisions effectively. That’s why I’m also working on the offensive side of the game. Of course, this decision-making is just as important on defense. Because a mistake you make doesn’t have the same consequence as a mistake made by a center forward. After all, if you, as a fullback or defender, make a mistake at the back and the opposing team is well-prepared for it, you can be punished. “So making decisions on the defensive end is also very important. Your communication with the back four is crucial, and your communication with the midfield is crucial. That’s why I can’t give you a single reason, but in general, making the right decisions is the most important thing,” he said.

“A club of Fenerbahçe’s caliber should be able to compete for every trophy and achieve that, because that’s the kind of club it is.”

Archie Brown, who explained his desire to perform even better this season despite his 5-goal, 7-assist performance last season by saying, “I want to improve all my statistics,” shared his expectations for the new season as follows:“As for the new season, I can say this: I’m excited personally. I have to say that this is a huge community. Fenerbahçe is one of the biggest clubs in the world! Therefore, the adaptation period is very important for new players. For me, that adaptation period is over, and this is my second season. I know the league, I know the team, and I know my teammates better. So I think that adaptation process was beneficial for me. I want to emphasize this again: I’m excited. If we do the things we’ve discussed, if we act with humility as a team, if we can achieve what we set out to do as a team, and if we can enjoy our soccer—which, in my opinion, is the most important thing—then we can win trophies. A club of Fenerbahçe’s caliber—a club this big—should be able to compete for every trophy and achieve it, because that’s the kind of club Fenerbahçe is. I hope that when we look back on the date we’re talking about, we’ll be able to say, “We talked about these things, and they came true.” “We were able to make this happen; we were able to achieve this”—I hope we can say that. But of course, to achieve these things, you have to work very hard.”

"We have all the elements needed to succeed"

Archie Brown concluded his remarks by delivering important messages to the fans: “My message to the fans is this: we want them to always stand by us, support us, and be patient. We want them to believe in us because with belief, we can make anything possible. We have a great team, along with a great coach, a great stadium, and great fans. So we have all the elements we need to succeed. As always, my request to them is that they support us. We’re ready for the new season," he said.