By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Was this the first time this season that we have seen Marti set the team up in his preferred 433 formation?
We saw two fullbacks operating as nature intended, a three man midfield of Varane, Morgan and Field with a flexible front three of Frey beating the daylights out of people with Chair and Smyth in support.
Is this what he meant all along? Because, if so, I like it. With senior players returning and injuries being managed, this might be the template.
Thought Marti was cute giving Colback a few minutes to let the crowd know he was on his way back into contention.
Clubs have deliberately moved on players with issues forever - and, usually, all concerned are acutely aware of the facts.
The 'seller', for want of a better term, will emphasise on-pitch benefits for a low, low price ('I'm cutting my own throat here, mate...'). The 'buyer' thinks they can 'fix' or simply tolerate, the off-field issues, reap the on-field benefits then cash-in quick off the back of a successful period.
We shifted Joey fcking Barton to Marseilles, for crying out loud. You cannot tell me Marseilles weren't aware of his utter bellendary prior to his comedy Frenchman routine. We only bought him in the first place because we thought we could fix / tolerate him off the field and reap some sort of benefit on it. Ditto players like Armand Traore or Kieron Dyer (whose issue was physical).
Sometimes it pays off - Sam Field or JCS had injury trouble but, with the right handling, have shown more here than at any of their former clubs and we wouldn't be without them.
I think Numpty's point was more about the human side of football. I agree with your point - we cannot know what is actually going on and, in many ways, it would be inappropriate for us to do so. I took the piss earlier, and maybe that was out of order, I don't know. Richards is a better player than I ever could have been and, as out of condition as he is, he still makes me look like Jabba the Hutt's obese lock-in brother.
But to address Numpty's wider point, I believe he is correct - sometimes what we think of as harmless can cut deeper than we intend. I see the 'player' is a commodity to be traded or judged against others based on an arbitrary scale defined by the needs of a specific team or formation. However, the 'person' is not the same thing. Richards the player is a cartoon; Richards the person is a brother.
Apologies if I went off on one and misrepresented either of you. I will resume my unending barrage of nob jokes.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
