Monk, Ash, Gower & Tate, are the ones that went to Huw Jenkins, though Britton was there also, but he was dragged along as an unwilling party, so to speak, All are surplus to requirements if you ask me, except for Britton, who really didn't want to be there in the first place. Ashley Williams should concentrate on his game, not get dragged in by has been players, who form no part in Laudrups plans! the way I see it: Monk: Days are over, move please to Bristol, or hang up your boots. Tate: Missed his opportunity, due to racing a Golf Buggy. Fatal for us to play him anymore. Gower: Where the hell do I start? Please can we move him on. Williams: Looking poor with every game this season, deadly at passing back to Vorm. Needs to shut up and concentrate on his game. The Old Guard, not bowing out gracefully, needs sorting by Huw and Laudrup firmly, we can do with out this disloyalty............
Concur Dragon. I think this transfer window will see more additions if we can prudently add them from a financial point of view and if so the senior players you mentioned will be further marginalized, moved or released. We need players with talent in their 20s that can lay claim to selection for the starting eleven. The seniors you mentioned have no legitimate claim and might struggle to make a top championship team ... which is why they didn't jump out in August. For me they either have to be good squad members or be gone. Ash clearly needs to clear his head of whatever has been his problem, focus, get super fit (hopefully shake off whatever injuries may have been having an impact) and reassertion himself as the guy we have been able to rely on. Of course combating this is that all teams and forwards in the league have now done their homework and now his weaknesses.
I had sympathy for Ash when it was published that he was carrying an injury, but if that was the case then surely he should have missed the Wales games to get fit for the club that pays his wages?? The fact he played for wales perhaps means that this"injury" is a bit of an excuse?? Im still firmly supportive of him though, i think he will get better for us but it has proved to many including other clubs that he is a player that thrives with the right support and talent around him and not a player that will automatically improve a defence on his own. He has had some big games for us over the years and we should not forget this, the period of adjustment with new players around him has exposed him and made his form suffer, we need to give a bit of time to adjust like we are giving ben davies and chico time to adjust,defending after all is a collective thing
I still think that the language barrier is proving a problem. Communication, and CLEAR communication at that, with your team mates is vital, no more so than at centre back. A few limited phrases and gestures can only take you so far but the good news is, they can only get better as Chico's English improves. I can't see Ash becoming fluent in Spanish any time soon. There again, you never know......
The point is this Exiled! Let's take Monks case, Laudrup has been up front and frank with him from the start, stating that he does not figure in his plans, Bristol were after him, but no he didn't want to go, "I'll fight for my place in the team" was his response after Laudrup had evaluated him, and decided he was not going to use him (not hard to understand anyway), but now he's not content to sit on the side lines, and so starts complaining to Jenkins regarding Laudrup methods! I don't care how long they have been here, this cannot be tolerated, seems Jenkins has put him in his place anyway, and hence why we had that Swans media statement from Monk, good enough I say. The Old Guard have had a good enough innings, time for Monk to get his coaching badges or move on, if he can't do either, then at least shut up, when on the bench!.................
I hear you exiled, but is it more important to have a squad with senior players who don't have a chance of making the first team and holding on to them for sentiments sake, or a squad of players genuinely competing for each position? I know which I'd prefer
When ML was first appointed he clearly stated that, as he was new to the Premier League, he would be relying on input from the likes of Curtis and the senior players. That is not to say that he would slavishly follow any advice that was offered. He is his own man with his own ideas and he was recruited by the Board to implement them. Obviously there were certain factions that disagreed with the path which he has chosen. Tough! They are paid to play and Laudrup is paid to manage. The PL apart, his experience far outweighs that of anyone else at the club and was gained at a higher level than any of them can aspire to. The only thing which might have a bearing is that Laudrup played and trained in the company of world class players and he would have to factor in the reality that our squad can in no way replicate what they offered on the field of play. Perhaps these guys had such ability that they didn't need the same level of fitness as lesser players - we all know that sometimes superior strength and fitness is the only way that enables lesser talented players to compete with the better guys (no disrespect but Stoke and Norwich are examples). Personally, I have always believed that all professional footballers should always be as fit as possible, so if that is one of their gripes, I do have a little sympathy. But I believe it goes deeper than that into the realms of tactics, shape and movement etc. In that case the players should keep quiet and get on with their job leaving the manager to do his.
Fair points Exile, i do disagree with them non the less. The only thing that matters is the team, thats what Laudrup said and that is spot on. He has told certain players that they do not feature in his plans but has also said he is happy if they want to stay and fight for their place, im not sure what more the guy needs to say really, he is the manager and he is the guy getting sacked if results are ****! Personally i think some of the senior boys have dined out on their prem success far too often, tate and monk needed to be absolute 100% on their game in the ccc to have parity, in the premier league they will only compete when the opposition has an off day or is not 100% commited, its harsh but true, they had a season's grace last year under rodgers who IMO took a massive gamble in keeping them. This year we will have no chance if these boys play regular, if they are not likely to play regular,why keep senior pro's ongood money sitting round doing nothing?? Every player gets released or moved on, lower league players that punched above their weight in CCC and Prem league(in their limited games)and were fortunate to be surounded by talented footballers all the way from L2 to the prem league.
Dragon - for me its more believable that Monk was there talking to Huw about Laudrups methods (if all this is true of course) on behalf of a number of players (cos thats his role), rather than cos he was unhappy about not being picked. Also if hes got grievences about the training methods then its a good thing that he airs them, after all the intention is to better the team. Laudrup should be open to hear about that but he has final say of course. by the way im not sentimental about these players, for me Monk, Tate and Gower can do a job in the less important cup games and for emergency cover like we needed recently, however in no way do I see them as regulars. Maybe a loan move would be a good thing but I definately see the likes of Monk or Tate in future roles as coaches/ambassadors using their wealth of experience for the club. my main issue is that we dont lose the continuity that has served us so well
So if its not from a hack in the mirror or mail its not worth talking about ? I see .... Now there is a blinkered approach.
I don't disagree with any of that Exile, but on reflecting on Monk and Tate, firstly Monk has a fitness issue's these days, on top of the fact he's not the most athletic of CB's, his strength has always been his intelligence of the game, and he did struggle in the Championship when not on top of his game, and to me that's his maximum level, Bristol on loan would have been good for him to have gained some fitness too. With regard to Tate, It's my view that he missed the boat last season due to his Golf Buggy injury, as not many mangers would have kept faith with lower league players, for their first campaign in the Premiership Sun, so to me Taty lost his chance, with the Momentum from the Wembley final, but I would love to see both given Coaching roles in the club!....................
