In their defence, Dortmund have suffered a lot of injuries this season - and they're only 7 points off 8th position. And yes, I would be rushing to buy them as they have demonstrated over the past few years their ability to challenge for the title and in the Champions League, despite being on a smaller budget than ourselves and having their best players poached every season by their biggest rivals.
But how do you quantify if someone has those attributes prior to signing, unless you work with the player day in day out? For example, just because a player like Adam Lallana runs around like a headless chicken doesn't mean he's harder working or more professional than say someone like Sami Hyypia.
Say way you can tell if a player is any good or not. Scouting! You can generally tell whether they're a team player by watching them.
Yes, you can tell if they're a team player by watching them but you were discussing behavioral characteristics like desire and mental toughness? That's if you assume players can only show that attitude by screaming and shouting, and waving his arms in the air - that's what Lovren did last season and fans assumed he that was the behaviour of a 'leader' or captain. Again, comparing to Hyypia, rarely got ruffled, always looked calm and composed but he was a quality leader.
It's an interesting debate - I was reading up on NFL recently and the tests that the young lads go through when they get drafted. Not only are they tested physically and technically, but they have to take a few aptitude tests and memory tests (to see if they remember the numerous players). It would be interesting to see how and if game intelligence can be tested in football...
No. Heart, desire and passion can be seen in the way they play as well as the way they conduct themselves. Question; how do you judge whether a player as heart, desire and passion...? I'd guess you watch them play unless you have access to Melwood?
But you make it sound that unless you're grunting and waving your arms around, and trying to gee up the crowd, then you're not passionate or have heart. Players can be passionate and show heart without it being 'visible'.
If the team is losing, it is clearly visible if a players has heart, desire and passion. If they continue to fight for the course and try to get the team back in the game rather than lying down for example. Simply working hard for the team is a sign. You used Hyypia as a example. I'd say he showed heart, desire and passion in the same way Carragher did, by the way he put his body on the line at all costs no matter if we were winning or losing. He showed that he cared and he would be prepared to run though that infamous brick wall for the Liverbird. As for the last line, that's just your interpretation. I never said players don't don't show those emotions lack them. I said I want players that clearly have them. By which, I obviously meant they show those characteristics when playing, that they don't hide or lie down when things aren't going right. they fight for everything and work hard for the team. There is no room for passengers. Do you want me to carry on with the cliches...?
I think there are some great exampled out there to use, and not defenders. Theirry henry, anelka, nani.... the list goes on... Ballotelli.... when things are going against you or even just when a cb is making life diffiult for your best player this is when this heart or desire crap does show. Lets all admit it we've all seen a forward hiding out wide in our time. They'll drift out wide right or left depending o ntheir favored side and hide away form the challenge. Real players want to be on the ball all the time to make a difference. This was suarez's most important attribute. lets not confuse it with a total lack of morals and a cheater's personality as well... he wanted to be on the ball he never hid. I think all the very best players have this attribute. Others look around for someone else to do it first then might join in. thats not leading..
And the same applies - a player can react in numerous ways if the team is losing. You can have the typical Gerrard way which is get on the ball and force things through. Or you can have a Xavi type player who keeps calm and not lose his head and to keep playing the ball and not letting emotion cloud his judgement. Don't get me wrong - I want players who react positively in different situations. But it's not a case of simple being able to 'scout' and watch a player. The trait runs far deeper.
Don't agree Jimmy, you can spot if a player is willing to work hard a great for the team no matter what. Maybe not from one game but I'd expect us to be scouting players for at least half a dozen matches, preferably more.
Today's rumours include... A £25m bid for Wilshere. I think Henderson and Wilshere are the new Gerrard and Lampard I say: NEXT.
Spoke to my mate earlier. Apparently Rodgers flew to Italy after the match for discussions about a player who'll be out of contract by the Summer. I don't know who, yet At the press conference after the Derby, Martinez was asked what he thought of the match. He said he thought it was "Fascinating". My mate and Joycie from the Fail had to seriously stifle their laughter
Wilshere is such a dud. They will still say he has "potential" when he's 28. He's no longer going to be the player everyone thought he would be - which is a shame tbh.
Personally I rate him, but his fitness is poor, and as a result he rarely has the legs to play at his best. He's like Gerrard. A great player who's fitness has drained to much as he's aged. Except Wilshere is about 10 years younger and should not even be at his peak yet. Its unfortunate really.
Pascoe said he'd rushed off to catch a flight. Possibilities: Stephan Lichsteiner - Johnson is off? Sergio Romero - most likely? Giorgio Chiellini - Johnson again Sebastian Giovinco Nigel de Jong - Lucas may still be off? Andrea Ranocchia Ignazio Abate - Johnson again Juan Vargas Jonathan Juraj Kucka Giampaolo Pazzini Édgar Barreto Ramiro Marcelo Moreno All of the potential free transfers from Italy this summer according to the internet. It surely has to be Sergio Romero.
