Just reading Gary Neville's biog (I know I know) but what has struck me is his honesty about his own ability and that the Fergie Fledgling years were about hard work and team ethics ie how winning was instilled into them from a young age. They were told Liverpool were the fancy dans and fancy dans didn't win anything. They all knew the ethos and they dared not step out of line. Result a team that wins not individuals. I suspect this is what Lambert is trying to do. Upgrades are fine but only if they fit the ethic
Fair enough, but I'm not sure we've a Scholes or beckham no matter what the ethos! It's actually a serious point. I think lambert draws inspiration from Dortmund. But they've got a massive advantage: German kids are technically much better and far more numerous than English youngsters.
I prefer not to take a view until I've seen them in the flesh, as it were.
Quote from: Matt Collins on July 24, 2013, 09:25:48 PMFair enough, but I'm not sure we've a Scholes or beckham no matter what the ethos! It's actually a serious point. I think lambert draws inspiration from Dortmund. But they've got a massive advantage: German kids are technically much better and far more numerous than English youngsters.I kinda disagree there. I think there are plenty of good, young, English players. I think the reason you dont see many Dortmunds (in Germany or England) is its bloody hard, requires a very special coach, time and a lot of patience. Amazingly we are potentially in a position to follow that path and we actually have a fan base and owner who are willing to have the patience. Think about it, last season lambert benched our best player, put us in the relegation zone, presided over the most humiliating defeat in our premier league history ,had us knocked out of a cup by Bradford , brought in a spurs offcast and a French League two player as his "fixes" in January and yet we STILL didnt turn on him.His new signings are also likeable guys, even Benteke arguably the one with the worst attitude seems to be pretty affable and enthusiastic when playing, the rest always just look delighted to be there. This club is all in for the project, I am loving it.
Which English youngsters would you compare to gundogan, reus, gotze, kroos, muller, draxler, etc?Our youngsters have bombed out of every tournament this summer and previous summers. I think we've a bit of a crisis going on personally