[video=youtube;qYJ08qldA28]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYJ08qldA28&feature=player_embedded[/video]
FFS. Stop reading what a couple of people have said about him and give him a chance. Judge him by what you see in league games, it's the only fair way.
I hate to mention this but Mannie Mayuka's goal was almost identical to Tadanari Lee's only goal for us. I just hope he scores a few more crackers like that!
Sorry FLT, but if almost everyone who has seen him play for Lyon multiple times says he's a liability then what's wrong with bring worried? It's not writing him off, everyone's giving him a chance to improve and switch on mentally but it seems quite blinkered to suggest it's foolish to be worried about players who have a lot to be worried about.
He was a liability last year; he was a fixture before. Relying on me scares the bejeezus out of me, but he's certainly capable of being a major asset.
From what I've read on here, there is you and the Croat fan who have seen a lot of him and both have reservations, which is fair enough. I just get the feeling that a lot of the others are jumping on the back of your say so. I'm not disrespecting your view at all, but I will make my own judgment when I see him. I know what saints fans are like and before we've even started the season, I can see a swell of anxiety towards Lovren that will end up with him being persecuted after his first error in a league game. Each time you post, you back it up based on what you've seen. I am reading a lot of other people doubt him without mentioning that they've seen him a lot before. Maybe it's just me being a grumpy old git, but I'm prepared to wait and see.
A lot of people also doubt him because the Lyon fans wanted him out of the club so badly because he sucked for them.
That's fair enough, I think there are a few others who are in the same boat, like Mikey for one, but I understand your point. It's fair to say, though, he's not exactly the most popular figure with the Lyon fans, there were some particularly unflattering Internet threads in the months leading up to his departure. But still, I'm not so passionately against him that I want him out the door and I'd still put him in my provisional first team for next season - the turn around Jos had under Pochettino compared to his Prem run under Adkins gives me hope!
Even if Lovren's not that great, he's probably better than both Fonte and Hooiveld and, realistically, it's hard to get a better CB than him based on our current position; a player bad for a decent CL team could be good for a top half Premiership team - he still got a fair few games under his belt for Lyon.
Not arguing with you. The staff think he's someone we needed and I'm happy to say that they know a lot more than any one of us. I'm sure he'll do very well for us and I hope he is given all the opportunities he needs. I just wanted to explain why some people are taking his signing with a side of sceptical sauce. For the record I also have Guly's name on one of my shirts.
Nicola said in his Sky interview that he didn't expect to get Lovren but there was some trouble at Lyons...he seemed to think it was coup to sign him. Lovren has every incentive to do his best for us. Let's wait and see...doubting someone's ability can be self-fulfilling as that is all you see. Every player makes mistakes...mustn't twitch when Lovren inevitably does.
I keep watching Mayuka's goal back, so pleased for him, you can see how much it meant to him. We really need him to get a competitive goal so he can get his celebration out, we don't see enough gymnastic celebrations in the PL these days. He got two chances today and buried them both convincingly, we need to find a way to get the ball to this lad in good positions and I think he has a part to play.
I was looking forward to that celebration when we signed him. I think the goal may prove a weight off his shoulders. As you say, now for one that really means something...
