Hmm ..very intresting post that, ive been told very similar things by people who have spoken at length to eric larsen, i heard they are both desperate to do well here and i beleive he can improve players greatly. routledge seems like one who listens, though i have to say routs was that good last season, he just didnt get a chance to show it. If our players cant show this guy maximum respect for what he has done in the game then they need to leave! im pretty sure the fans are absolutly 100% behind laudrup when it comes to any ego's ****ing with our club, all fans here firmly put the manager above the players in that respect. Its going to be intresting, if we beat Liverpool on Sunday i may well have to have another Laudrup love in thread!..
Welcome, Contrast. You make some valid points. Michael Laudrup is one of those special people; when he speaks you shut up and listen. For his part he is intelligent enough to know he is new to the Premier League and I am sure that he would always be prepared to listen to any input the existing players and staff have to offer. That, for me, should be the secret of our future success - the team and the coaching staff working together and helping each other. We are low down on the scale of things and the token mentions we receive on MOTD and in the media is almost insulting. I would hope that everyone at the club has a burning desire to rectify that and put in a season that demands respect from those so reluctant to give it. We have the squad and we certainly have the manager to do that. If we can bring in some good quality in January, players who will share our vision, we can shut the doubters up once and for all and it is my fervent hope that we do just that.
It woud be very interesting to hear some thoughts on who has improven, when we get further into the season. Im really surprised how fast the team has come together, as you could imaging that the spanish and especially Laudrup's training methods and exercises differ from the british. If the team can continue this way it will be a glorious season.
I wouldn't use the word "weak" about his handling of egos, i'll rather say he just tries to avoid them. It's no coincident that all of Laudrup's signings seems like genuine friendly down to earth people. That is very important to him. He has probably been around his fair share of egos in his career and knows how they can be a burden on the team. I think he wants to be friendly(not your friend) but I also think that if you disrespects him or shows lack of loyalty to him or the team he wont hesitate getting rid of you in a heartbeat. Just look at Tate The kind of respect he gets comes from the acknowledgement of his strengths and competences. The kind of respect where each of you expects to get something worthwhile out of the encounter and therefore pays attentions and respects each others ideas. It's not about demanding respect but to earn it and give it. But I would still say his relationships with players is pure football. Though he is known to hold a certain distance between him and the players, which I think is a pure professional and philosophical decision and not down to a lack of personality.
