It's an accurate statement, one that wouldn't be discouraging to the players if / when the coaches say it to them directly. The players aren't dumb either, they know how little experience they have going in and that in order to succeed, it will indeed be a struggle and hard work.
It be a lot worse if he was telling the players he thinks they have a playoff team assembled, it would confuse them, and hurt them if they did struggle. Blind optimis and blowing smoke is not a good thing to have. Saying things will be hard is actually not a negative mindset.
|