First things first. This is NOT a doom and gloom thread. A few days ago I asked the question on some thread or other about how the team would respond to Michael Laudrup given the fact that he is a very different character to that master of blarney Brendan Rodgers. From an article in today's Evening Post, Gerhard Tremmel has touched on this very point. He makes the point that the squad is taking time to get used to life under ML and he particularly mentions the English speaking contingent as finding it difficult to get close to Laudrup. He goes on to say that this might well be down to Laudrup being a little "shy" with our language and hints that some are struggling to make the adjustment to life under the new manager. Tremmel speaks of the need to get used to the new training methods and says: "I feel there is a different atmosphere now". This is in direct contrast to what Joe said yesterday about Rodgers, saying that his man management skills were excellent; that he relished the relationship with him and that this was a major reason for joining him at Anfield. Naturally things will seem different at first under a new manager but I wonder if the situation has been exacerbated by the cosy relationship that Rodgers had developed with the players. Whatever his faults, he was very good at fostering team spirit and obviously had a strong bond with the squad. If you like, he portrayed a young father figure who was as much a friend as a boss to his players. In vivid contrast, Laudrup seems far more detached (which he will be initially, given that he is a complete stranger to most of the players) and is interested only in the performance from his players and little else. He doesn't have the layers of personality that Rodgers possesses which basically means he cuts out the bull**** and tells it how it is. For me that is an admirable trait but I wonder if it has come as a bit of a culture shock to some of the players, who have become accustomed to training in a relaxed atmosphere under Rodgers. There is no doubt that this way of working engendered a great team spirit that was a major factor in our success these past two seasons. I am hoping against hope that we do not lose this and, whilst I think that that will not be the case in the long run, we do need to see it as soon as possible in my view - a happy ship is a good ship. It was my one major "doubt" about Laudrup's appointment to be honest. There was no doubt that his playing ability, his experience, his contacts and the worldwide esteem in which he is held, admirably equipped him for the job but, knowing Rodgers' close relationship with the players, I did worry about the transition period. What do you guys think?
Brendan's 'autocratic style' was always going to create this void. The problem with an autocratic manager can be that some players become dependant on 'the leader'. Laudrup is far more a 'persuasive management style'. Both have equal merits and negatives. Time will tell and the players do have to learn to adapt.
When I met ML at the Centenary Dinner he was every bit as open and pleasant as one could be and as you have witnessed in press conferences. I think his command of English is excellent, but he has his own ways about him. He is not BR, he's not going to blarney and again as you have witnessed in press conferences he keeps it simple but is clear in his thinking and is not averse to calling it is as it is. When he praises it's not going to be effusive but you can take it tat he really means something. Same on the flip side, if he has to make a correction or adjustment he's going to be more direct about it. In interviews he has repeated his intention to be honest with players as to his evaluation and their immediate role, and has stressed that players will be given the choice to stay or leave based on their personal / professional needs and aspirations - I don't knw what else he could do. He also has the task of raising the quality of the squad, which is going to mean new faces that will have to blend, and old faces that will be marginalized or leave, in and of itself that will be disruptive. Allen's leaving is, in a club of our size and small town approach, a disruptive event - waves will settle but Allen's departure will be felt as a loss by some in personal terms not just football. ML is going to ruffle feathers as changes are made, as they would be with anyone else. However, these are professionals, making very good money. They need to adjust and get over whatever "missing" of BR that they have. BR was probably much closer to the warm and fuzzy end of the spectrum than the norm. Whoever we hired was not going to be cut the same way. Personally, I got tired of Cap'n Fantastic every week giving me the same line regardless. A more direct approach will be refreshing.
Yankee, same here. Rodgers' insistence on praising the players in his interviews, no matter how bad they were, was vomit inducing at times. I much prefer Laudrup's approach. The question is, will the players? Tremmels' interview strongly hints that some members of the squad are finding it difficult right now but they do need to sort it out quickly as we don't want it impacting on our early performances.
Ivor ... I think that Curt's role here is going to be key in bridging whatever connection is missing between ML and the player. But Curt is not of the same mold ad manner as BR either.
Good post, ivor. Think this has been touched on before and the fact is players are professionals who just have to get on with it. No two managers are going to be the same and they know that. I agree that team spirit is important but I think you can still have that with Laudrup's style. It must be remembered that like most managers Rodgers had his favourites and sometimes his team choices were questioned on this board. I wonder what Dobbie would have to say on this subject, but one has to question why Tremmel is commenting publicly on this anyway. Curious. For me, what's more important is having a manager who can 1: Attract good players here at the right price. 2: Get it right tactically on the field of play. 3: Progress us as a club. I'm hopeful Laudrup is the man to do that. No flannel. Just results.
We've had three players join us from La Liga because they wanted to work with ML .... I feel pretty sure it wasn't for the money. So that has to say something positive.
It may have got to the point last season ,that the players even when not playing particularly well had praise heaped upon them ,whether that was a good thing or not only the players know it could have got to the point that they may have questioned what was being said was genuine .We all react to praise whether deserved or not but being honest with someone has to be a given .Rodgers did create a aura of togetherness which the players responded to but they are professional and therefore should act accordingly and it i think when Mr Laudrup speaks then they listen
Its going to take time for Mr laudrup to understand how we do things in this country. I mentioned a few weeks ago that i heard that the players dont like the new training programme but i think it will settle down once all parties get use to one another. ML is very different to BR in that he is not use to being so close to the players like chums. ML has always worked that the manager keeps his distance and commands respect......also his english is not exactly perfect. The actual team spirit though is great and as the weeks pass im sure ML will understand how managers and players are very close in this country....
The team spirit is changing and will continue to change due to the differing philosophies of ML and BR. ML prefers smaller squads to the one he's inherited. He likes to pack his squads with competitive, hungry, motivated and self critical players who are in the squad on merit not by default. Laudrups coaching philosophy; Lean, mean, fighting machine. Contrast Rogers' preference, larger squads surrounded by senior players. These guys help him disseminate his knowledge throughout the squad. He is an approachable, likeable guy with the gift of communication. Rogers coaching Philosophy; Meddles for everyone. Some of our players I propose have been slow to take up the fight required by ML. I proposed that some have become a little soft under Rogers and Laudrup's hard nosed, perform or your out approach, is upsetting the comfort zones of those on the periphery of the squad. When Rogers left, some of our senior players safety nets went too. They now have to, speed up, compete, perform and fight for their place if they want to continue their journeys with us (a BR standard quote). Add 3 new (quality) signings with 2 more to come, and it is inevitable that there will be a few fearful and upset squad players and this I'm sure, will have an adverse effect on our current team spirit. This year will separate our Men from our boys, it will split up the squad we have with more departures, some painful. Monk, Tate, Dobbie, Lita, Situ, Obeng, Sinclare!? (still don't believe the reports) and a few more of the kids. Personally, I think we will have our lean machine in 2013 and we will remain in the prem, but, I don't think we'll recognise too many of its cogs.
"Personally, I think we will have our lean machine in 2013 and we will remain in the prem, but, I don't think we'll recognise too many of its cogs." This
Well im not too sure about ML and his lean machine, it could end up costing us if we get many injuries, BR looks to be a far better organised coach that makes sure he has everything covered incase we need the extra covers. ML is sailing to close to the wind for my liking....but time will tell....I would rather be safe than sorry at the end of the day...
ML sailing close to the wind, how so buddy? I think he's doing a great job. Life was a lot easier for us all a couple of years ago. Rogers inherited a good squad and he gave us the confidence to achieve and took us as far as he could. The problem with the Rogers era is now evident for us to see. We believed in him too much. We talked about him and not our players, we thanked him for the success but he stood on the shoulders of those who went before. We gave him too much credit. Rogers was fantastic for us, we all fell for his rhetoric and we thought the romances would last. He was our heart and future we all loved him but the sh*t left us for a dirty old whore, devastating us all. Because of this grand deceit, ML inherited a disparate group of shell shocked players. He has had to cope with our loss on behalf of the team and us fans. He had to cope without Taylor, Sinclare, Allen with GB, Siggy and Caulker, gone for good, and he endured, with the rest of us, the Beorwolfian saga of Allen. In response he's signed 3 decent players (for a steal), sent words of caution to the squads periphery to perform or go, and begun to build his own squad with an innate fighting spirit needed if we are to survive in the toughest league in the world. As far as I can see he has created opportunity from this adversity. So I disagree with you entirely my friend. ML is not sailing close to the wind but is making good headway whilst weathering the storm.
most certainly , whether one particular love child gets as much game time this season remains to be seen
I would love to know what ML said to the players at half time today, we were piss poor first half but the players had the look that they were fighting for their lives second half! Much much better performances all around, faster closing down, people making space for one another in every position. My guess is he told them something along the lines of 'Perform now in this half or I'll bring in someone else who will'. Whatever he told them worked wonders.
Well maybe Laudrup doesn't have the blarney of Rodgers, or his artificial social skills, but whatever he said to them half time in the dressing room worked, so for me he's doing his job, though his touchline presence was almost none existent, which is something I don't like, and hope that changes, with regard to the new signings, Chico looks the best, and is a good transfer, De Guzman I'm not so sure of at the minute, but Michu looks to be a good transfer too. Schechter getting his debut, was a surprise, hope he pushes Graham well. Stuttgart had us on the ropes first half, and our midfield was none existent, thank goodness for Leon! I like Okazaki, he looked good warming up before the game, and looked good when he came on too,, would love to have him playing for us. Thought that it was a great show of humility and respect, when the Stuttgart players and coaching team went over to their fans, and shook hands with their supporters, and chatting away, that really did impress me, maybe our players can learn from that! By the way we were shocking first half!!!....................
I agree with everything in that post, well said. Although I think Laudrup was on the touch line a fair bit more second half than he was first.
