Start with the absolute basics

Why getting the easy things right might make you exceptional

Jan 30, 2026

Something struck me as I was watching the celebrity edition of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Bear with me, this comes back around to football analysis in just a moment.

This is the show in which a dozen or so celebrities are put through a condensed SAS training course run by four ex-special forces soldiers, each of whom looks like the type of man you want on your side.

Without going too deeply into the show, which is surprisingly insightful, empathetic, and revealing, one of the instructors described what this special forces level of performance was all about.

I’m paraphrasing, but the basic message was this:

Doing the basics to an exceptionally high level.

That means the obvious stuff like handling a weapon and thinking tactically. But it also meant the little things. Like keeping your kit in good order, and your water bottle filled up.

The reason I noticed it was because I’d heard something like this before. This time from a former professional footballer.

What makes the difference between great and greatest?

Matt Sheldon is a (now former) professional player who has his own channel on YouTube (which is also insightful, empathetic and revealing). It’s aimed more at aspiring players than analysts, but in a recent video he described the difference between semi-pro players, pro players, and the very best players.

What set them apart?

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