23 Oct 2017 02:09:08
Hi edd, After the games this weekend I wanted to throw out some points for discussion.
There has been a mindset which has grown over the years that English managers are inferior to their foreign/ continental counterparts and yet now we have 2 'top'foreign managers in Koeman at Everton and Klopp at Liverpool having been given huge budgets and yet managed to assemble squads of players which are obviously not fit for purpose. let's not forget Koeman played at the very highest level and yet seems absolutely clueless. I would also question training regimes, as a Saints fan having to watch our players leave for bigger clubs, which I do not blame the players for, who wouldn't want to double your wages or play for Utd or Liverpool, so many of these players seem to have regressed, Lovren who's partnership with Fonte at Southampton was impeccable and yet at Liverpool he is a total mess. Clyne before his injury looked a shadow of his former self yet was a regular in the England team at Southampton. Luke Shaw and Schneiderlin at Utd, Schneiderlin in particular was majestic and yet at United struggled and now at Everton looks a mere shadow, compare this to players who have gone to Spurs Alderwireld and Wanyama have gone on to another level and Pochettino has done a brilliant job and what a team he has created. Damiel Levy has to be the most astute chairman around, his record in the transfer market is incredible. This post was made really to dispel the popular thinking that we have to have continental or foreign managers to succeed.

{Ed001's Note - it is not about training, though style of play does have a lot to do with it and pressure. Lovren went from playing for Southampton, defending deep with protection from midfield, to playing a high, with fan expectations of victory every week and no protection from midfield. Plus he is playing alongside Matip, who clearly has no idea about defending or defensive positioning and in front of probably the worst keeper in the Prem.

The main problem is lifestyles, none of them are as focused on their football now. Shaw ballooned in weight etc. They have the wrong attitude. They have been given huge contracts at top clubs and think they have got everything. Spurs have avoided similar ills with lesser contracts and so players still see, like Kyle Walker in the summer, themselves as having to earn a big move. They are still hungry for more. That keeps them focused on their game.}

1.) 23 Oct 2017
23 Oct 2017 05:29:34
Hi Ed Thank you for the excellent response.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome. You do have a point, but there are very few British coaches around who have shown themselves to have the ability to succeed. Clement, for instance, plays terrible, dire, defensive football. Great coach but not a manager. There is only really Dyche that is doing enough to say 'he deserves the chance to show what he can do' but his pragmatic approach and constant whining about foreigners and how he is not getting recognition will put off any club looking for a manager.}

2.) 23 Oct 2017
23 Oct 2017 11:42:20
Hi Ed, So in Liverpool and Lovren do the back four not get enough protection from the midfield or has his performance level dropped off so much?
Regards Vs
Ps thank you and all the other guys for your hard work.

{Ed001's Note - I would say both. He is not getting protected but he is also incredibly inconsistent. One week he will dominate and bully the opposition centre forward, the next game he misses everything he goes for. Though, so far this season, he has not had the dominating weeks! At first I assumed it was down to the back injury he was carrying, but he says that has cleared up now, so I have no idea what to say about his performance yesterday. It was rank amateur stuff.

I have been wondering if he has lost focus on football, with him talking about having been robbed by the use of chloroform on him and his family. I can see how that would prey on your mind for a long time afterwards.

Thank you mate. We really appreciate the thanks, honestly it makes it worth doing it.}

3.) 24 Oct 2017
24 Oct 2017 09:39:48
I love these itk posts from Eds. The info on the likely future of the football world given earlier this year (I think) was fascinating. More please!

On players big moves and then deteriorating, you do see this in the business world too. It must be something in the human psyche. I’ve seen so many people strive for success and achievement and when they get that promotion they think they’ve “made it” and performance drops off. Poch just doesn’t allow that to happen. Take Sissoko as an example. He hasn’t looked that bad to me, but the fact that he’s not playing to HIS full potential is not enough.

On Luke Shaw, I heard a few rumours that his lifestyle at Saints wasn’t great and he has a soft spot for fast food. When he was playing every week it wasn’t a problem but when he isn’t he piles on the pounds. Long term injury didn’t help obv. Not sure if there’s any truth in that but it makes sense.

Dyche has a point about the wholly different approach from the media towards British coaches. Allardyce suffered the same. Apparently he played a long ball game at Bolton, missing out the midfield. Strange that Jay Jay Okocha was player of the year (twice? ), as a midlfielder. Then gets West Ham United promoted at the first attempt and they couldn’t wait to replace him! I’d have either one of them at Saints in a heartbeat.

{Ed001's Note - thank you WS. On Allardyce, I think more of the problem is perception. Initially he gets in and does go more route one than usual while he sorts things out at the back. He did evolve at Bolton over time, but his rep had been established.}