mercenaries

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Aren't you one that says Kolarov doesn't give a shit?? Interesting you talk about looking psyche of players....

Am I? Maybe have, he does or has previously displayed a nonchalant attitude on occasion but it's not a criticism I'd aim at his general play.

That average that was taken after the first 5 games was second only to Liverpool, that shows work ethic and we matched that average against Spurs.

There were other factors that cost on Sunday, lack of effort wasn't one of them. Labelling the players mercenaries after that game is just a lazy criticism.

[Bluemoon16]

At least we lost to the second best team in the league on a weekend that Barca lost, R. Madrid and B. Munich both dropped points. We still top of the league!

[aaron bond]

Aren't you one that says Kolarov doesn't give a shit?? Interesting you talk about looking psyche of players....

Am I? Maybe have, he does or has previously displayed a nonchalant attitude on occasion but it's not a criticism I'd aim at his general play.

That average that was taken after the first 5 games was second only to Liverpool, that shows work ethic and we matched that average against Spurs.

There were other factors that cost on Sunday, lack of effort wasn't one of them. Labelling the players mercenaries after that game is just a lazy criticism.

Our team included a lot of poor players - that's the main reason we lost. We had better players on the bench but Pep chose not to play them.

He fucked up. But hopefully he's realised that and we put out a stronger team against Everton.

[PrezIke]

this alleged conversation is surreal.

We were shit. End of story. This isn't complex, motherfuckers. We got bossed off the park. Bossed.

cheers

We were WHAT again?

I thought you knew your football, bro.

We were not great, clearly, but against a different team on a different day we could have won.

We did not have our best 11 on the pitch, and it baffles me how this is lost on some, and that we do not have to play Spurs every week and now have 1 loss, away, against a team in excellent form with a lot to prove who have played under the same manager for much longer than we have. We are a work in progress, in comparison.

Meanwhile, no one seems to really have an answer as to why Pep's team selection. Apparently everyone's baffled.

I have a possible answer I provided already where it may be that Pep may have even WANTED us to show that we are not as great as we think we are. He wants to use rotation for the long season and we came off of a game we had to come back from being down 3 times in a cup level atmosphere. He might have thought, give certain players a chance to prove themselves in a big game when we are still ahead. They did not pass the test (Fernando and Navas, and maybe even Nico or Kolarov and Zaba as fullbacks). I think Pep wants to show how we need to continue to make changes to the squad. Anyone still want Kolarov to get a contract extension now?

We have Jesus coming in January, who will give us better options in attack, and I am surprised at how quickly I am hearing Sane is a bust, when in his first performance or two many were raving about how exiting he looked.

This reaction isn't even knee jerk. It's as if we were delusional or something. I'm frankly baffled at some of what I have heard and read.

[gillie]

this alleged conversation is surreal.

We were shit. End of story. This isn't complex, motherfuckers. We got bossed off the park. Bossed.

cheers

We were WHAT again?

I thought you knew your football, bro.

We were not great, clearly, but against a different team on a different day we could have won.

We did not have our best 11 on the pitch, and it baffles me how this is lost on some, and that we do not have to play Spurs every week and now have 1 loss, away, against a team in excellent form with a lot to prove who have played under the same manager for much longer than we have. We are a work in progress, in comparison.

Meanwhile, no one seems to really have an answer as to why Pep's team selection. Apparently everyone's baffled.

I have a possible answer I provided already where it may be that Pep may have even WANTED us to show that we are not as great as we think we are. He wants to use rotation for the long season and we came off of a game we had to come back from being down 3 times in a cup level atmosphere. He might have thought, give certain players a chance to prove themselves in a big game when we are still ahead. They did not pass the test (Fernando and Navas, and maybe even Nico or Kolarov and Zaba as fullbacks). I think Pep wants to show how we need to continue to make changes to the squad. Anyone still want Kolarov to get a contract extension now?

We have Jesus coming in January, who will give us better options in attack, and I am surprised at how quickly I am hearing Sane is a bust, when in his first performance or two many were raving about how exiting he looked.

This reaction isn't even knee jerk. It's as if we were delusional or something. I'm frankly baffled at some of what I have heard and read.

The reaction is imo a bit ragified in so much as to start labelling our players mercenaries after 1 loss in 12 fuckin matches.

[Nigels Tackle]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

[Hazy2]

i was at Spurs even in the defeat I was content, Spent the evening with some Spurs fans and had a top time, Defeat at WHL was no shock to me.What is, is this failure to see the big picture, where we are and where we have come from, Cringey moaning fans who are clueless,,, FFS in the ground, panic stricken moaning fookers when a team gets after us, The Premier League is tough and if you are off it just a touch you more than often get done, I thought Spurs had energy, pace a desire that overwhelmed us for 30 mins, if we had got through that period we would have taken over IMO, After that we faced a team that was happy with C.A. No doubt if we were at home it could have been an easier Sunday, than it turned out. The better team won, get over it, Anfield is another place the same can happen and has for 20 years or more. You lose a few battles so what, we will win the war.

[PrezIke]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

[Nigels Tackle]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

the only extra bit of data you need is that we go missing when the going gets tough

[Foreverinbluedreams]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

the only extra bit of data you need is that we go missing when the going gets tough

The going got tough at the swamp in the second half, against the Hammers when they rallied, against Celtic too.

[Hazy2]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

the only extra bit of data you need is that we go missing when the going gets tough

Like the Derby, every player stood up, even Fernando came on and did a shift ! The Main Stand at Maine Road was full of whinging never happy old farts, The Colin Bell is similar. The reality is we have Owners that every fan would die for, we have the most sought after Coach in world Football, what in gods name can we find to whine about, then again this is MCFC we will find it, give us a second, I say cheer up boys it ain't ever gonna get any better than we have it.

[Nigels Tackle]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

the only extra bit of data you need is that we go missing when the going gets tough

The going got tough at the swamp in the second half, against the Hammers when they rallied, against Celtic too.

sorry but the rags are shit and celtic are a championship team and have you seen where west ham are in the league?!

[Foreverinbluedreams]

nothing to do with results
all to do with the manner of the performance
said it in every one of the last few seasons, i don't mind us losing. it's how we lose that gets to me.

I hear you Nige, but player psychology is complicated, especially following a match such as the one against Celtic and I think we may have been:

- a bit overconfident
-still not playing our best team
- Pep possibly experimenting for various reasons
- thinking long term
- Spurs being a more ready made product on the pitch than us
- probably a fitter squad than us now

The style pep has been trying to implement does not fit so well with Fernando and Navas. They are not skilled enough despite being useful players on most teams and not as poor as some make them out to be. Both have actually made positive contributions to the team in the last that has been documented here and it is odd how we sometimes seem to be so forgetful when we are in a pissy mood. However they are not good enough for us, as is the case with Kolarov and Zaba at filllback.

So many squad changes at once can be problematic and expensive and some fans would moan about how "the kids" would never get a chance if we signed ready made fullbacks/defensive mid instead of keeping Mafeo, Angelino, and Aliex Garcia around. Yes, they haven't played much but we are just into October and I suspect at least Aliex Garcia will get some game time soon.

Was our effort so poor against Celtic? This is one game. Last season was a completely different story and my nerdy side says we need more data to support such a hypothesis as there is something wrong psychologically with the motivation of the team when it could well be other factors.

"Relax wit Pep." - Rakim

the only extra bit of data you need is that we go missing when the going gets tough

The going got tough at the swamp in the second half, against the Hammers when they rallied, against Celtic too.

sorry but the rags are shit and celtic are a championship team and have you seen where west ham are in the league?!

That doesn't mean the going didn't get tough in them games though. I'd throw in the Swansea game too.

Pep fucked up, for whatever reason he played Fernando which put us on the back foot from the start. Marriner allowed them to foul persistently without brandishing yellows. They were rallied on by a boisterous home support. They got a lucky break to take the lead.

The funny thing is if Silva had put that chance away early doors,which he should've done, we most likely wouldn't be having this conversation/debate.

[Beefymcfc]

We're doomed, I tell ya!!!

[PrezIke]

Celtic have performed well at home in the CL against top opponents and played much better than a Championship level team against us last week. It was like their cup final, their fans were more keen to beat us given our proximity and national affiliation, surely, and helped their players be clearly well up for the game.

[Nigels Tackle]

Celtic have performed well at home in the CL against top opponents and played much better than a Championship level team against us last week. It was like their cup final, their fans were more keen to beat us given our proximity and national affiliation, surely, and helped their players be clearly well up for the game.

so you're saying they raised their game?

[MilnersJaw]

this alleged conversation is surreal.

We were shit. End of story. This isn't complex, motherfuckers. We got bossed off the park. Bossed.

cheers

We were WHAT again?

I thought you knew your football, bro.

We were not great, clearly, but against a different team on a different day we could have won.

We did not have our best 11 on the pitch, and it baffles me how this is lost on some, and that we do not have to play Spurs every week and now have 1 loss, away, against a team in excellent form with a lot to prove who have played under the same manager for much longer than we have. We are a work in progress, in comparison.

Meanwhile, no one seems to really have an answer as to why Pep's team selection. Apparently everyone's baffled.

I have a possible answer I provided already where it may be that Pep may have even WANTED us to show that we are not as great as we think we are. He wants to use rotation for the long season and we came off of a game we had to come back from being down 3 times in a cup level atmosphere. He might have thought, give certain players a chance to prove themselves in a big game when we are still ahead. They did not pass the test (Fernando and Navas, and maybe even Nico or Kolarov and Zaba as fullbacks). I think Pep wants to show how we need to continue to make changes to the squad. Anyone still want Kolarov to get a contract extension now?

We have Jesus coming in January, who will give us better options in attack, and I am surprised at how quickly I am hearing Sane is a bust, when in his first performance or two many were raving about how exiting he looked.

This reaction isn't even knee jerk. It's as if we were delusional or something. I'm frankly baffled at some of what I have heard and read.

The reaction is imo a bit ragified in so much as to start labelling our players mercenaries after 1 loss in 12 fuckin matches.

yeah it is a joke tbh, but apparently we don't get it.

[johnny crossan]

the badge means nothing to them
just a job
and today will just go down as a bad day in the office

This debate rolls on so here's a short poem on the subject posted on the Yaya thread, this time read by Alan Bennett who's added a few comments before and after. Very insightful I thought and a great piece of verse.

I'm definitely grateful to Yaya, mercenary or not, it's too easy to forget what he's done for us when we don't need him anymore and his powers have declined. Same goes for the players on the pitch at WHL who got us to where we are now. Bravo and Stones were the only new signings and they did fine but most of the rest had an off day, it happens.
Not too often we hope of course.

Watch on youtube.com

[johnny crossan]

FA Chief says 'We don't want any foreign mercenaries as England Manager" - only British ones need apply

[Mikhail Chigorin]

FA Chief says 'We don't want any foreign mercenaries as England Manager" - only British ones need apply

Quite so; you can't beat a good British mercenary.

Better by far, than all these 'Johny Foreigner' types.