Agree what you say about Mowbray, when he was here Ba looked like a player now he just looks lost as to what to do.
Threatens to be a good player without actually going through with it. He's behind Jobe and Rigg for me.
Absolutely. I wonder though why some players seem to need constant reminders of what to do. Ba, seems to me, to have regressed and gone back to make some pretty poor decisions. Decisions I have no doubt he has been told previously should have been X or Y. Maybe he is one that needs a lot of TLC, Mowbray was brilliant at that. I do always worry a bit though about players who seem to take a step forward then back again. The really good players seem to own a lot of their own development and dont need telling numerous times.
Yep,always makes you wonder how much of it is the physical fitness and skill development....and how much of it is their mind. Our football world is,and always has been, littered with people with wonderful ability,but a weak mind,as against those with limited ability,but a strong mind.
The mind is probably the most important factor that makes up a top footballer, plenty of athletes and technicians around, but combining those with a great brain is the sign of an elite player.
It's really interesting this. The mind is often complicated....how to deal with things around. I remember,I had a connection to the club back in the 90's which gave me lots of inside info.......pre social media,I'm happy to say!.....when I was being told that a very young Michael Gray was destined for the first team,his ability was great,but it was his temperament that was first class,nothing phased him,he stood out. As it proved...I've never forgotten that conversation.
I have been lucky enough to coach in professional academies. I would say mentality is the main differentiator in that environment. Those with that determination to give every last effort sign pro contracts more often than not. You can wander round academies these days and they are overloaded with lads who are technically great, have fantastic skills and look every inch a footballer. Then you watch a few games, or a difficult training session, and the weaknesses show and it is often desire. They might be being dominated 1v1 in a game and they take a backward step not a forward one. It might be they are being asked to do something unnatural to them and they grimace in training. You can get under the skin of some and get them to react and up it. Some though just dont have it in them. What bugs me a bit about it all is generally speaking academies take kids in young and it is usually based on technical ability. The days of height and pace are largely behind us. I can watch a grass roots game for say u13s or 14s and there can be a lad who is head and shoulders above the level. His attitude can be unreal. He could flourish in an academy but he has missed his chance as academies dont often take an older lad in. But arguably attitude is only something you can judge when lads are a bit older and start to want football more than computer games etc. It strikes me as a bit short sighted. My experience of those lads I see is they go into semi pro football at a very young age. I have recommended loads to local clubs to me over the years as they come out of the u16 age group. Plenty have been playing mens football at 17. That becomes their pathway to the pro game, but arguably that pathway is much too ignored now by pro clubs. Mainly because there is this glut of lads dropped from academies who drop down the pyramid. I am largely in favour of academies but they are creating an imbalance in football in my opinion. Anyway, rambling now, sorry.
No apology at all necessary marra. Thanks for a very insightful and intelligent perspective. The vast majority of us on here love football beyond an explainable passion.....it's a large part of our lives..... and it's always good to hear the views of someone as involved as you are.
Hopefully he’s introduced on Sunday and makes an impact. I rate him, have done since he first arrived here but feel he needs to influence games more.
There's a couple european teams looking at him, he is rated across Europe so I won't be surprised if someone signs him on loan for the reminder of the season
Shame it hasn’t worked out here, never really got a solid run of starts, clearly has talent though think he’ll still have a decent career
Watching him for the u21s the other night I just don't see it. Lacks that first few yards of acceleration that you need to make space and that will always hold him back at this level, also his shooting leaves a lot to be desired, a keepers dream for a centrally placed shot at mid height. Maybe there's a league that is more forgiving to his style of play?
Must be an attitude thing. He certainly looked like he has that in the fleeting first team cameos last season. Won’t judge on shooting as I’ve seen messi and Ronaldo pass them to the keeper at times and the score a worldie! Sad really that it’s not working for him. PSG had very high hopes for the lad! They’re normally decent at spotting talent
I think he has the talent but needs to be in a slower league, I think a league like the Belgium, Dutch, Switzerland leagues could be good for him
