Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Tony Boucher on March 20, 2012, 02:51:00 PM
-
More good stuff from Charles!!
From Yahoo Sport:
N'Zogbia bemoans Villa role
Charles N’Zogbia has admitted he is unhappy with his role at Aston Villa, and has had communication problems with manager Alex McLeish.
The winger, signed for £10m from Wigan last summer, has failed to make a significant impact at Villa Park, and has not been an automatic first-team choice this season.
In an interview with L’Equipe, the Frenchman explained: “I was bought for 11.3 million euros (£10m) and I am not playing. I still think I make the right choice, but speaking about the game, it doesn’t fit.
“I’m not exactly jubilant. I like to go forward, but here they ask me to defend more than attack.”
N’Zogbia also responded feistily to McLeish’s suggestion that he should focus more on football than expensive cars.
He said: “If I get paid, I can do what I want with my money. He’s not my father to tell me what I should do. He doesn’t know where I come from.
“McLeish and I had problems of communication. We discussed it, and we put our bad feelings to one side.”
-
Well I don't agree with these comments, but he does look a lot better when he's going forward.
-
Imagine a Man United player saying the same about Fergie?
-
I said this from day 1.
N'Zogbia (and he's not the only one) has had his creativity stifled and been told to hold a certain position.
Look how much better he was in a poor Wigan team that liked to be positive.
-
Good player. Played wrongly. Still needs to learn to shut his gob.
-
Imagine a Man United player saying the same about Fergie?
Aye.
But Ferguson can wave umpteen medals in a players face.
All Fucking Eck can show is a League cup win and some Scottish tinpot shit.
-
I said this from day 1.
N'Zogbia (and he's not the only one) has had his creativity stifled and been told to hold a certain position.
Look how much better he was in a poor Wigan team that liked to be positive.
Damn right he should hold his position. At Wigan he was the best player and could go walk about as there were 7 or 8 players behind him holding their position. Here he's a left winger and needs to do things for the team as well as himself!
-
Zoggy needs to attack when we are attacking and defend when we are defending. It is not rocket science!
-
He's got previous with behavior like this has Charles. He may be right to an extent,its not gonna help the team. If we could get our money back,id flog him in the summer.
-
More good stuff from Charles!!
From Yahoo Sport:
N'Zogbia bemoans Villa role
Charles N’Zogbia has admitted he is unhappy with his role at Aston Villa, and has had communication problems with manager Alex McLeish.
The winger, signed for £10m from Wigan last summer, has failed to make a significant impact at Villa Park, and has not been an automatic first-team choice this season.
In an interview with L’Equipe, the Frenchman explained: “I was bought for 11.3 million euros (£10m) and I am not playing. I still think I make the right choice, but speaking about the game, it doesn’t fit.
“I’m not exactly jubilant. I like to go forward, but here they ask me to defend more than attack.”
N’Zogbia also responded feistily to McLeish’s suggestion that he should focus more on football than expensive cars.
He said: “If I get paid, I can do what I want with my money. He’s not my father to tell me what I should do. He doesn’t know where I come from.
“McLeish and I had problems of communication. We discussed it, and we put our bad feelings to one side.”
Shouldn't that last bit read; "We discussed it, and we put our bad feelings to one side. - Then I went moaning to the press again." ?
-
I'm not saying he should completely neglect his defensive duties, I just think he needs a wee bit more freedom to be creative.
He's never had the sort of freedom that Ashely Young was allowed.
But he ain't going to get that with McLeish.
-
It may come when AM has a chance to mold a more solid defence and midfield, but we'll see on that.
-
Firstly I don't think N'zog should be going to the press with this, but I personally think he want's to be at and likes being at Villa and if used correctly he could be a potent weapon and here lies the problem he seems to play as a glorified wingback rather than winger where he flourished at the DW and thus helped break him into the full French side. So even though he's wrong to do this publicly I think what he's saying is correct.
-
It may come when AM has a chance to mold a more solid defence and midfield, but we'll see on that.
I don't think he can mould a fucking blancmange, but we'll see on that.
I agree with all others though that N'Zogbia shouldn't be blabbing, it really needs to be kept 'in house.'
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
I like Charles as a player, but he should do his talking on the pitch.
-
Maybe when he and his agent were busy discussing how much his wages, bonus and signing on fees were going to be they should have taken a bit of time asking AM what role he would be expected to play in the team. Or watched a couple of DVD's of Blues games from the previous two seasons.
-
I started a thread earlier in the season about his overall play and attitude, yet another example of this, i'm far from mcleish's biggest fan but surely he realised he was a ****** after he messed him about at Blues?
-
Well to be honest, if your boss wants to stifle you and pay your wages for your nice car, hard luck. You could always ignore him when you're on the pitch.
-
Imagine a Man United player saying the same about Fergie?
Aye.
But Ferguson can wave umpteen medals in a players face.
All Fucking Eck can show is a League cup win and some Scottish tinpot shit.
And several relegations, you forgot to add that bit.
-
Well you can't really blame a player for not wanting to go to Blose. I imagine Boba Fett had similar thoughts about going into the Sarlacc pit.
However, N'Zogbia should be prepared to defend as well as attack. If he wants an easy life he can fuck off and play somewhere else. Ashley Young is a perfect example of putting effort in in both halves of the pitch. N'Zogbia is capable of it, I just hope he gets his shit together but I don't find this blathering very encouraging.
-
N'Zogbia has talent, but not enough to defend such a questionable attitude. The little money we spent last summer could have been spent better, it seems.
He'll surely claim that he has been misquoted by the French press tomorrow, mind.
-
I'm sure that Iniesta and Xabi and Pedro, would all like to only attack and do no defending, but they realise it is an important part of the game, and want to work at their game to be better players.
N'Zog is a good player, but like a lot of modern day footballers, he seems reluctant to want to work at his game.
-
N’Zogbia has definitely been stifled this season. He looks a totally different player to the one who was at Wigan.
That said he can’t say he and Mcleish have talked it over and put it behind them and at the sametime be moaning about his situation.
Why do all the French speaking players love talking to L’Equipe when they feel they are being hard done by and then seemed shocked when it gets reported over here. I dare say N’Zogbia will come out in a British newspaper later this week and say it was all lost in translation.
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
Too right he was. And still is, I suspect, for Man United.
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
Too right he was. And still is, I suspect, for Man United.
Yep. Young is streets ahead of N'Zogbia as a player and team man.
He's angling for a move and it seems fairly obvious to me he will be off in the summer if McLeish is still our manager.
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
Too right he was. And still is, I suspect, for Man United.
Yep. Young is streets ahead of N'Zogbia as a player and team man.
He's angling for a move and it seems fairly obvious to me he will be off in the summer if McLeish is still our manager.
He's not the only one.
-
Paulie, if you mean the fans I think you could be right.
As for the players, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see somebody come in for Ireland if he maintains his form at the end of the season. Maybe Gabby too though I'd have thought he would stay put (unless it's Man Utd or silly money at Chelsea).
-
Paulie, if you mean the fans I think you could be right.
As for the players, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see somebody come in for Ireland if he maintains his form at the end of the season. Maybe Gabby too though I'd have thought he would stay put (unless it's Man Utd or silly money at Chelsea).
Both to be honest, Rig.
It'd be frustrating to have put up with Ireland's uselessness for so loing but then flog him when he shows a bit of form (assuming he stays in form till the end of the season, obv).
I guess with him, it depends what kind of money he's on.
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
I like Charles as a player, but he should do his talking on the pitch.
Point very well made Percy. Ash worked his bollocks off every game.
Way I see it, if working hard for the team is good enough for Barcelona players, then it shouldn't be too much to ask of our Charles.
-
We'd be a lot better off with more consistent attacking players than Ireland and N'Zogbia. Both have quesionable attitudes. Both are very talented, but far too inconsistent.
We need attacking players more like Dempsey and Kevin Nolan. Not brilliant, perhaps not as technically gifted as Ireland and N'Zog, but consistent. They makes goals, they score goals, regularly!
These are the sorts of players that McLeish should be bringing in, because they fit into his style more. I don't think he plays in a way that has a place for mercurial talents. I know that 1 game in 5 they might do something exceptional and win a game, but frankly we're better off with more solid, harder working players who'll give you 7/10 every week and actually impact the scoreline in our favour more regularly.
I'm very surprised we bought N'Zogbia in the first place in retrospect, but saying that, having sold Young and Downing, McLeish's hand was probably rushed somewhat.
But for me, I'd ship off Ireland and Zoggy and use those funds to bring in a couple of more reliable, hard working indivuduals. We may well end up turning into a bunch of 1-0 merchants and not be very exciting to watch, but if we have attacking midfielders who deliver consistently, then McLeish can get better results. Certainly, Benty would love to get more help. We need players who don't disappear from games. Much as I'm no McLeish fan, he's not being helped much by the two players who should be picking up the pieces that Young and Downing left behind.
-
Get rid of any discernible quality and fill the team up with hard working cloggers seems to be the plan. Oh joy.
-
Yes if we lose N'Zog and Ireland, i'd be concerned. We need to have quality and technique in our side if we are ever going to improve. I hope Mcleish has some kind of epiphany and realises we will only ever move forward if we adopt a passing approach, and it'll help commercially as more fans will want to watch.
-
Get rid of any discernible quality and fill the team up with hard working cloggers seems to be the plan. Oh joy.
I dunno if that's even our plan though. It'd make too much sense for McLeish to do it right, after all, Zoggy was his call.
But look at it this way. Nolan and Dempsey in our side wouldn't set the world alight, but they'd get 20 goals between them.
How many do Zoggy and Ireland have between them? How many more will they get this season.
I'm resigned to ugly football, I just hope Eck has the sense to get the players who'll get us results in turn. Perhaps one flair player could make us tick, like Merson did under JG. Our football was poor, but he could always brighten a game.
-
Imagine a Man United player saying the same about Fergie?
You can't compare Eck to Fergie. Look at the disrespect Ronaldo showed when subbed Fergie just waved it off, it's all about man management. Mcleish bought N'Zogbia knowing he is a disruptive character when things aren't going his way.
-
Ashley Young ma) have been given a bit more freedom, but he's also the hardest working winger I've ever seen.
Too right he was. And still is, I suspect, for Man United.
Too right, he probably is.
N'zog needs to get working and prove himself to the fella who had the courage to back a lot of money on him in the first place. He can not blame his performances on anyone else.
-
In honesty, I'm not keen to take anyone's side on this. Whilst I think N'Zogbia may have been stifled by McLeish I don't really think N'Zogbia should be mouthing off to the press and he should follow instructions regardless of his reservations around these.
-
If Charlie was as effective on the field as he is at mouthing off in the Press we'd have a very good player on our hands.
-
It may come when AM has a chance to mold a more solid defence and midfield, but we'll see on that.
I don't think he can mould a fucking blancmange, but we'll see on that.
Very good.
-
I think he's right and is regretting coming to us. It would be a waste to see him with the shackles off next season playing for someone else.
-
Kevin Nolan? Jesus wept. Keep him and Carew in the other claret and blue.
-
Imagine a Man United player saying the same about Fergie?
Aye.
But Ferguson can wave umpteen medals in a players face.
All Fucking Eck can show is a League cup win and some Scottish tinpot shit.
More than any other manager who would want to come and manage Villa has achieved.
-
First I think a lot of people get Player Highlight Disorder. Yes he has talent but you need more than that and that is attitude. Get Rid
-
Charlie by name, Charlie by nature - if you ain`t prepared to work for the team then **** right off.I have also noticed the number of cars he has -seems a different one each week in his spot at VP. Overpaid tossers really get my goat - how dare a manager tellhim what to do ..after all he`s only on, what £50 per week!
-
I'm resigned to ugly football, I just hope Eck has the sense to get the players who'll get us results in turn.
That approach to football isn't going to put bums on seats is it.
-
I'm resigned to ugly football, I just hope Eck has the sense to get the players who'll get us results in turn.
That approach to football isn't going to put bums on seats is it.
It will if we're winning.
-
I'm resigned to ugly football, I just hope Eck has the sense to get the players who'll get us results in turn.
That approach to football isn't going to put bums on seats is it.
It will if we're winning.
True, start winning games and the picture changes very quickly, start winning games and looking like we are a force again and the picture looks even brighter.
-
Let's be honest. If we were top of the league now after winning every game 1-0 the ground would be sold out for the rest of the season.
-
Let's be honest. If we were top of the league now after winning every game 1-0 the ground would be sold out for the rest of the season.
It was a bit like that under Gregory, It worked for Arsenal under Graham, and lets face it Leeds were pretty dour but selling out.
-
I could live with that.
-
As an after thought, I think it is now more difficult to grind out results on the basis of nil goals against in this era.
-
If he's not happy, ask for a transfer so all the citeh's and United's can buy him off us as we were dead lucky to steal such a talent from under their noses. When he starts playing half decent for more than one game in a row or maybe two, he can perhaps make his views known, but until then he should shut the fuck up.
-
I could live with that.
Me too. Success at the end of the day is what we want. We could be playing like Brazil and losing 3-2 every week and you'd be getting poor crowds too.
However, I think the opposition to McLeish's style of play is rooted (and forgive me I am speaking in broad brush strokes here as I have to go to work) in the growing realisation in the wider game that it's not all about brawn. The best way to neutralise your opponent is to keep the ball away from him, thus saving your own energy levels so that when you lose possession you have it in the tank to chase and press to win it back.
My fear is that this lesson is increasingly being learned in the Premier League (look at Swansea), and the more English teams come unstuck against in the continent, the more likely we are to come up against this style in the coming few seasons. I don't see any evidence that we are moving in that direction. Rather I think we are now worse than ever with the ball despite having players like Ireland and N'Zogbia in the squad.
-
I think I started a thread here during MON's time asking what's more important - winning football or entertaining football. Of course the two are not mutually exclusive, but the poll came out in favour of winning, but not by a huge margin.
In reality though, I think the crowds would be there and the forums would be where the moaning took place!
-
I could live with that.
Me too. Success at the end of the day is what we want. We could be playing like Brazil and losing 3-2 every week and you'd be getting poor crowds too.
However, I think the opposition to McLeish's style of play is rooted (and forgive me I am speaking in broad brush strokes here as I have to go to work) in the growing realisation in the wider game that it's not all about brawn. The best way to neutralise your opponent is to keep the ball away from him, thus saving your own energy levels so that when you lose possession you have it in the tank to chase and press to win it back.
My fear is that this lesson is increasingly being learned in the Premier League (look at Swansea), and the more English teams come unstuck against in the continent, the more likely we are to come up against this style in the coming few seasons. I don't see any evidence that we are moving in that direction. Rather I think we are now worse than ever with the ball despite having players like Ireland and N'Zogbia in the squad.
I think that's the essence of it. Also the reality is that we play a poor style and don't have any success with it, so those things in combination are not very appealing.
-
If we can find more consistency in our decent patches of play, then we could play reasonable football. Lets face it, goals are what football fans want to see. We want to see more goals. If McLeish is to be successful here then he'll have to sort out our defence, midfield and attack.
We know full well he's a defence first manager. That's getting there. Once the midfield is done the attack sorts itself really. We'll score more and should get the better of the majority of the bottom 13-14 sides on any given day. Our home form most certainly should improve.
But yeah, we don't have the players, and can't afford it to play a game like Arsenal but if Eck gets the right players then we'll get better and most importantly win more.
-
Sure enough, he's playing the 'not quoted right' card
sportinglife.com
N'Zogbia, in a media statement released by Villa, said: "I would like to clarify because I have not been quoted correctly.
"The most important point is that I'm very happy to be an Aston Villa player. I appreciate that the manager brought me here and I want to repay this by performing well for the club.
"We have been performing well as a team in most of our games and I'm happy to be playing my part. I want to contribute.
"This is a big club with a proud history and I have a great desire to help the club to win.
"That is the attitude the manager wants to see in all of the players here."
N'Zogbia added: "I know now that he (McLeish) did not say this about me (preferring cars to football).
"He was saying this about every player but he wants players to win football games and think about cars and everything else after this. This is my attitude also.
"We spoke together after the game against Newcastle and we have put this behind us.
"I'm focused on our game against Arsenal this weekend at the Emirates which we will be trying our best to win. We believe in one another."
-
Let's be honest. If we were top of the league now after winning every game 1-0 the ground would be sold out for the rest of the season.
It was a bit like that under Gregory, It worked for Arsenal under Graham, and lets face it Leeds were pretty dour but selling out.
Yes, but grinding result after dour result will only be accepted if we actually achieve something. Doing that to just finish in the top half does not an attractive proposition make.
-
Very few teams can actually grind their way to the top with dour 1-0 wins. The way modern football is, the way teams defend in numbers nowadays means that you have to be good at holding the ball and working through defences: you can't rely on set-pieces, counter-attacking and a solid defence. People say Mourinho's Chelsea did that, but while they weren't the most fluid team you've ever seen they were ruthless in their methods of breaking down defences from open play and in keeping the ball to protect leads. That's the very least attacking you can be at the top, and it still requires great technical ability.
-
I find not happy with the role most frustrating comment from footballers. FFS N'Zogbia it does not matter what role you have been asked to play. When you have the ball it's yours go and do something with it. Show us how good you are instead of moving sideways and backwards and than losing possession.
-
Ha ha ha, this:
This is a big club with a proud history and I have a great desire to help the club to win.
... are we supposed to believe the media department didn't write that?
-
Pravda strikes again.
-
McLeish latest comments - sportinglife.com
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the best is still to come from winger Charles N'Zogbia but insists there are no problems with their relationship.
N'Zogbia took exception to comments made by McLeish after a game where he was quoted as saying the former Wigan player preferred cars to playing football.
But the misunderstanding has been resolved and N'Zogbia has recently shown some of his best form since his £9million summer move to Villa.
When asked about his relationship with the player, McLeish said: "Listen, I'm quite a laid-back manager. If the players are doing it for me on the pitch, then it's not a problem.
"They will get in the side, it's as simple as that.
"I was supposed to have said something about Charles spending money on fast cars. I've no reason to single Charles out for that and I told him that. I was talking about players in general.
"Charles realises that now. It was after the Bolton game when I was really pleased with the performance and I was doing a rallying cry to all the players to be winners.
"I said 'think about being a winner first before you reward yourself with a fast car'.
"I'm like Charles, definitely. If I had the money in my day that these guys are earning, I'd have had fast cars because I love fast cars."
In terms of N'Zogbia's performances, McLeish said: "I think there is more to come from him. I'm certain Charles would agree with that, his final cross, his final pass, his finishing.
"All these things he is capable of producing. I am sure his moment will come."
-
I think I started a thread here during MON's time asking what's more important - winning football or entertaining football. Of course the two are not mutually exclusive, but the poll came out in favour of winning, but not by a huge margin.
In reality though, I think the crowds would be there and the forums would be where the moaning took place!
The football under MON could've been better without a doubt but I'd say the main problem under him was that we didn't win many home games during a season.
Crowds were still really good despite that though.
-
McLeish latest comments - sportinglife.com
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the best is still to come from winger Charles N'Zogbia but insists there are no problems with their relationship.
N'Zogbia took exception to comments made by McLeish after a game where he was quoted as saying the former Wigan player preferred cars to playing football.
But the misunderstanding has been resolved and N'Zogbia has recently shown some of his best form since his £9million summer move to Villa.
When asked about his relationship with the player, McLeish said: "Listen, I'm quite a laid-back manager. If the players are doing it for me on the pitch, then it's not a problem.
"They will get in the side, it's as simple as that.
"I was supposed to have said something about Charles spending money on fast cars. I've no reason to single Charles out for that and I told him that. I was talking about players in general.
"Charles realises that now. It was after the Bolton game when I was really pleased with the performance and I was doing a rallying cry to all the players to be winners.
"I said 'think about being a winner first before you reward yourself with a fast car'.
"I'm like Charles, definitely. If I had the money in my day that these guys are earning, I'd have had fast cars because I love fast cars."
In terms of N'Zogbia's performances, McLeish said: "I think there is more to come from him. I'm certain Charles would agree with that, his final cross, his final pass, his finishing.
"All these things he is capable of producing. I am sure his moment will come."
this just shows what a complete knob mcliesh is
-
How?
-
Because whatever he says is wrong. It just is.
-
McLeish latest comments - sportinglife.com
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the best is still to come from winger Charles N'Zogbia but insists there are no problems with their relationship.
N'Zogbia took exception to comments made by McLeish after a game where he was quoted as saying the former Wigan player preferred cars to playing football.
But the misunderstanding has been resolved and N'Zogbia has recently shown some of his best form since his £9million summer move to Villa.
When asked about his relationship with the player, McLeish said: "Listen, I'm quite a laid-back manager. If the players are doing it for me on the pitch, then it's not a problem.
"They will get in the side, it's as simple as that.
"I was supposed to have said something about Charles spending money on fast cars. I've no reason to single Charles out for that and I told him that. I was talking about players in general.
"Charles realises that now. It was after the Bolton game when I was really pleased with the performance and I was doing a rallying cry to all the players to be winners.
"I said 'think about being a winner first before you reward yourself with a fast car'.
"I'm like Charles, definitely. If I had the money in my day that these guys are earning, I'd have had fast cars because I love fast cars."
In terms of N'Zogbia's performances, McLeish said: "I think there is more to come from him. I'm certain Charles would agree with that, his final cross, his final pass, his finishing.
"All these things he is capable of producing. I am sure his moment will come."
this just shows what a complete knob mcliesh is
How exactly? I think he comes across quite well here and appears to have handled the situation quite well.
-
McLeish latest comments - sportinglife.com
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the best is still to come from winger Charles N'Zogbia but insists there are no problems with their relationship.
N'Zogbia took exception to comments made by McLeish after a game where he was quoted as saying the former Wigan player preferred cars to playing football.
But the misunderstanding has been resolved and N'Zogbia has recently shown some of his best form since his £9million summer move to Villa.
When asked about his relationship with the player, McLeish said: "Listen, I'm quite a laid-back manager. If the players are doing it for me on the pitch, then it's not a problem.
"They will get in the side, it's as simple as that.
"I was supposed to have said something about Charles spending money on fast cars. I've no reason to single Charles out for that and I told him that. I was talking about players in general.
"Charles realises that now. It was after the Bolton game when I was really pleased with the performance and I was doing a rallying cry to all the players to be winners.
"I said 'think about being a winner first before you reward yourself with a fast car'.
"I'm like Charles, definitely. If I had the money in my day that these guys are earning, I'd have had fast cars because I love fast cars."
In terms of N'Zogbia's performances, McLeish said: "I think there is more to come from him. I'm certain Charles would agree with that, his final cross, his final pass, his finishing.
"All these things he is capable of producing. I am sure his moment will come."
this just shows what a complete knob mcliesh is
Bollocks.
-
Whatever anyone thinks of him as a manager and his tactics I think the guy handles himself with total dignity and shows respect to everyone. Maybe that's one of the things that winds up the people who despise him.
-
McLeish latest comments - sportinglife.com
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish believes the best is still to come from winger Charles N'Zogbia but insists there are no problems with their relationship.
N'Zogbia took exception to comments made by McLeish after a game where he was quoted as saying the former Wigan player preferred cars to playing football.
But the misunderstanding has been resolved and N'Zogbia has recently shown some of his best form since his £9million summer move to Villa.
When asked about his relationship with the player, McLeish said: "Listen, I'm quite a laid-back manager. If the players are doing it for me on the pitch, then it's not a problem.
"They will get in the side, it's as simple as that.
"I was supposed to have said something about Charles spending money on fast cars. I've no reason to single Charles out for that and I told him that. I was talking about players in general.
"Charles realises that now. It was after the Bolton game when I was really pleased with the performance and I was doing a rallying cry to all the players to be winners.
"I said 'think about being a winner first before you reward yourself with a fast car'.
"I'm like Charles, definitely. If I had the money in my day that these guys are earning, I'd have had fast cars because I love fast cars."
In terms of N'Zogbia's performances, McLeish said: "I think there is more to come from him. I'm certain Charles would agree with that, his final cross, his final pass, his finishing.
"All these things he is capable of producing. I am sure his moment will come."
this just shows what a complete knob mcliesh is
Which particular part of it are you referring to? Looks like the case for the prosecution is on the ropes.
-
McLeish said: "...let's win football matches first and then enjoy the trappings of that. His (CN'Z) form in the last couple of seasons at the end of the campaigns has been generally very potent."
-
There's nothing wrong with what McLeish has said about Zoggy in that interview. If anything, he's been more patient with him than some managers would.
I sometimes wonder how he'd look playing just off the main striker.
-
There is nothing wrong with what McLeish says in that interview, and generally, he is good at saying the right things. The only missteps have been some post-match interviews where he has (seemingly) praised hapless performances. I can understand those who have an issue with McLeish because we haven't won more matches than Bolton and Blackburn this season, but not because of what he said in that interview.
-
There is nothing wrong with what McLeish says in that interview, and generally, he is good at saying the right things. The only missteps have been some post-match interviews where he has (seemingly) praised hapless performances. I can understand those who have an issue with McLeish because we haven't won more matches than Bolton and Blackburn this season, but not because of what he said in that interview.
I've noticed that AMc usually over sells our performances which is a classic fergie tactic. For every fan that was at the match there are many more who are not. These people often gain their info from the newspaper reports and most journalist will base their analysis on soundbites and quotes rather than any genuine analysis.
Whilst I hate it when Fergie does it - and Amc - I can see or understand what they are trying to do, as saying the truth "we were shit" could easily become tomorrow's headline.
-
... I've noticed that AMc usually over sells our performances which is a classic fergie tactic. ... whilst I hate it when Fergie does it - and Amc - I can see or understand what they are trying to do, as saying the truth "we were shit" could easily become tomorrow's headline.
Whilst I can understand the "gild the lily" approach there are two dangers with the approach - (i) the players start to believe the BS and find it more difficult to raise their game when they need to; (ii) the fans stop believing any of the stuff that emits from the manager's mouth.
McL could have taken the line: "We know that we were sub-standard against Wigan and have worked hard to improve on that. The game at Blackburn showed in parts how well we can play. The game against Fulham showed that maintaining good levels of performance and never giving up reaps its rewards against teams in good form."
Honesty without disparagement.
-
I think overselling performances is a tactic most managers dabbles with. As Dante points out, if you admit that the team was shit, you put extra pressure on yourself and destroy what little confidence is left in the players. As a manager everything you can do to create some breathing space to do your job is a sensible endeavour.
Thus, I believe most managers thinks the optimum is to portray performances to be better than they were, but not to the extent that they look completely out of touch, or that the discrepancy between what is said to the press (and the fans) and what is said privately to the players become so big that they lose credibility.
I don't think McLeish is a particular culprit in this regard.