Don’t think he was as young as these ones but Bernard Diomede was useful wasn’t he.
I was wrong many times like we all were, but I didn’t “buy” this fella at all.
But yeah in general, some of our recruitment at the time was just wild. The stuff we came up with, dear me.
From chasing Sanchez to choosing between Balotelli and Eto’o.
Go figure that train of thought.
Ian Graham has previously spoken about how the analysts weighted players in the French league lower than those with equivalent performances in some other leagues. It’s possible of course that has now changed will be interesting to find out.
1 Like
I think it depends on what kind of data. And it looks like we’re taking risks recently. All teams now have data teams, all players are tracked from a very young age, no hidden gems anymore, so we need to act sooner than before, and the data modeling is also evolving quickly.
2 Likes
I over rate them all because I want them all to be a sucess!
1 Like
That’s different, we all hope everyone turns out to be a success, it’s natural.
Oops, just found one I didn’t over rate and never wanted, Balotelli, just an unbelievable bad buy, Jurgen never had a bar of him.
1 Like
Yeah, agree.
Unfortunately, we were the last big club in his career that took the punt with him.
There were many players who apparently had “all the tools, but just if they had the right head on their shoulders”.
In most of these cases, I found out that even the tools themselves were overrated and it’s not only the head that was missing.
And ultimately, the head carries a lot of importance.
1 Like
As my old Rugby teach said famously said, well in our school anyways.
Yer like a bungalow lad, nothing upstairs.
Very apt for Balotelli.
2 Likes
It was a big talking point around the Academy back when I interviewed Frank McParland there. That must have been 15 years ago now at least.
6 Likes
New week, new break… I was a bit surprised and initially thought that they were older pictures of players on short trips this week, etc. I was somewhat astonished that they already had a few days off again. I don’t want to overreact, but it shouldn’t just be swept under the rug either .
1 Like
In a way I can understand a little mini break during a period where there is a week between games. We will be back to playing twice a week soon enough, so I can understand the potential benefit of getting some rest into the legs and having a little break.
However…
When the team has been struggling, as we have this season, having a break opens it up for criticism. One of the reasonable criticisms has been that we don’t look like we are coached as well as we might be, and for far too many games the system has been all over the place.
So having a week between games is an opportunity to do some important work on the training pitch to set us up as best as possible to maximize the remainder of the season.
I suppose when you are struggling the optics matter that much more, and you will be criticized.
Pep gave his players free from Saturday night until Wednesday afternoon.
It’s nothing astonishing, it’s normal.
4 Likes
It’s not normal!
1 Like
IMO the struggles this season have seemed as much psychological/mental as they have tactical, physical, etc. Maybe a little break can help reset and refocus the team.
7 Likes
Maybe yet they have just had a break.
Perhaps a good old piss up together would be a better idea?
Who knows?
It’s still not ‘normal’ whatever one thinks!
Yeah, there is no rule and not all clubs do the same things (in terms of a number of days, etc.), but it’s really nothing surprising if clubs are using free weeks at this point of the season to give a few more days off, ahead of busy schedules. For City, it might be the last one or two such opportunities to do that this season.
1 Like
Completely agree with that.
I’d add that we have seen an upturn in form and results in the last two-three weeks, and that definitely has something to do with the squad getting a bit of rest between matches at times.
Giving the general circumstances and a season run-in which could still be very hectic, I can fully understand the willingness to use a few days to recharge the batteries.
2 Likes
the difference between City and us is the pressure they are under, and the amount of players in the squad who have run the race before and won it…
in shorter terms… where they are in the cycle…
They are also trying to rebuild a good part of the team and prove they can win after a trophyless season. We’re not playing different sports. The schedules are basically the same (they are in 4 competitions left, we are in 3).
They’re not sent to rest a bit more because they have winners. It’s because different coaching staffs and medical teams judge it’s benefitial. Possibly even a need.
This is not Liverpool and Slot doing something outrageous or surprising.
Of course, as fans we can have an opinion even if professionals do the opposite.
Yes, it can be different from club/coach to another in terms of the moment, the exact amount of days, etc. It’s not a rule of course.
Lovren said recently that Klopp was a master of sensing and even surprising the team with the odd “go to Dubai or wherever for a few days, reset yourselves and come back fresh”.
Getting a few more days off in free weeks at this stage of the season is hardly surprising for some clubs having the last opportunity or two to do so, as they head into decision weeks/months, when things are won/secured or lost.
And it’s got little to do with experience in the squad and where they are in terms of cycle. It’s got to do with physical and mental requirements.