sydneysaint17 Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 Seen and heard the words "its a make or break season for him" an awful lot recently. Players this has apparently applied to; Adam Lallana (aged 25)- "poor last year, if he doesn't step up now he never will." Gaston Ramirez (aged 22) - "technically gifted but not consistent enough" Emmaneul Mayuka (aged 22) - "flashes of talent but no end product and not enough game time" Lloyd Isgrove (aged 20)- "One year contract, if he doesn't produce, he's off." Jack Stephens (aged 19) - "Hasnt broken the first team yet, if he cant this season then he's not good enough" Paulo Gazzaniga (aged 20) - "Was rubbish last season, League 2 standard, why did we bother buying him?" Jack Cork and James Ward Prowse (aged 24 and 18)- "Not enough goals/assists, with Wanyama and Schneiderlin around, if he cant start contributing then sell" Victor Wanyama (aged 22)- "Looked good in the SPL, but my gran could look good there so if he doesn't play well, get rid." Not the only players I have heard this said about but thought that these were the most salient examples. I don't necessarily disagree with some of the comments/criticism, but a lot of posters seem very quick to write young players off after a bad game or indifferent season. However, these same posters are also the ones praising the clubs policy of buying younger players and giving academy players a chance in the first team. Bale at Tottenham for example, was written off by most fans and was nearly sold for in 2008 for next to nothing. Closer to home, Jay Rod was heavily criticised after his first few months at the club for lack of consistency/contribution, and is arguably now one of best players. It clearly doesn't work both ways, younger players will make mistakes, take longer to adapt to a new club and are, in general, less consistent. So my question is, should we continue with our current policy of buying younger players and accept the inconsistencies or can you really not win anything with kids? Thoughts please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 The only one of your list this possibly applies to is Lallana, as is demonstrated by the age gap. I think an argument can be made that he would be in the midst of reaching the highest level now, if he were going to. The rest are ridiculous comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydneysaint17 Posted 25 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 25 July, 2013 If you read the rest of the post you'd realise that's my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 You should name n shame the peeps that made them stuuupid comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 Yes, and I am agreeing with you, FFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydneysaint17 Posted 25 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 25 July, 2013 wasn't clear from your post - apologies though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 wasn't clear from your post - apologies though. No sweat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 AL- Needs a more consistent year, but clearly belongs in the Prem with his natural ability. Needs to be moved to AMC, and arguably played as a substitute in that position, to get the best out of him. Given his relative lack of pace (and slowness in getting shot away), think he'd be much more effective when used against tired legs. GR - Way too much hate for Gaston who is easily our most technically accomplished player. Real issues with his fitness but with an actual pre-season behind him with us, think he will have a big season and could well double his goal scoring tally for us next season. EM - Never been convinced with this guy. He has bundles of pace but I'm not sure a lot else. Poor game intelligence and should definitely not be utilized as a lone striker. Would be happy to see him gone before seasons starts. LI - Is it a one year contract or one year extension? Regardless, hoping that he will fight hard for a starting place next season. T'would be nice to have an actual proper winger with some decent pace tearing up the flanks. Obviously he is quite raw, but seems to be impressing in pre-season so things bode well... JS - Way too early to call for a CB, and he's far too young to just be thrown into Premier League action. Hoping he gets some cup games to impress next season and can start to be thought about as cover. Same with Jordan Turnbull really. PG - Clearly got bags of natural ability. Fantastic distribution and sharp reflexes, but its the mental side of his game that needs improving most. Really needs to sharpen his concentration and presence in the box to be considered a realistic alternative to AB or KD. JC - We hardly signed him for his goal scoring record did we? Quietly effective in everything he does, ridiculous to moan at him considering the vital role he plays. That criticism should definitely be directed at our AMC's and wingers. JWP - Love the attitude JWP has. Think he has a fantastic future at the club and outstanding in the few times I saw him play first-hand last season. Needs to offer more than his usual dilligent possession play, but showed glimpses of that with dynamic sub appearance vs. Sunderland away. VW - FFS, let him play a few games first before making stupid judgments like that. (Out of interest, who said that one, OP?) Think the lad will be a collusus for us in the middle of the park next season. Hoping he can chip in with a few long-range blasters as well, as need to up our scoring record form outside the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 If you read the rest of the post you'd realise that's my point. You've just made up the majority of those comments haven't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 What a silly thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 Every season is going to be "make or break" for a chunk of players at Saints, it's an obvious side-effect of trying to improve on what we've got with every signing, and having a squad of around 25 with only 11 starting in the team. Not really sure why "getting rid" rather than "trying to work on weaknesses" is the preferred choice though, sometimes its "better the devil you know" rather than having to bring in and settle a new player which will unsettle others and may not be any better in the long run. There are a variety of options, will be interesting to see if we actually move more players on when we've stabilised contracts at the level we're at, and our pay to non-playing reserves doesn't massively outstrip anything other clubs will offer them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 AL- Needs a more consistent year, but clearly belongs in the Prem with his natural ability. Needs to be moved to AMC, and arguably played as a substitute in that position, to get the best out of him. Given his relative lack of pace (and slowness in getting shot away), think he'd be much more effective when used against tired legs. GR - Way too much hate for Gaston who is easily our most technically accomplished player. Real issues with his fitness but with an actual pre-season behind him with us, think he will have a big season and could well double his goal scoring tally for us next season. EM - Never been convinced with this guy. He has bundles of pace but I'm not sure a lot else. Poor game intelligence and should definitely not be utilized as a lone striker. Would be happy to see him gone before seasons starts. LI - Is it a one year contract or one year extension? Regardless, hoping that he will fight hard for a starting place next season. T'would be nice to have an actual proper winger with some decent pace tearing up the flanks. Obviously he is quite raw, but seems to be impressing in pre-season so things bode well... JS - Way too early to call for a CB, and he's far too young to just be thrown into Premier League action. Hoping he gets some cup games to impress next season and can start to be thought about as cover. Same with Jordan Turnbull really. PG - Clearly got bags of natural ability. Fantastic distribution and sharp reflexes, but its the mental side of his game that needs improving most. Really needs to sharpen his concentration and presence in the box to be considered a realistic alternative to AB or KD. JC - We hardly signed him for his goal scoring record did we? Quietly effective in everything he does, ridiculous to moan at him considering the vital role he plays. That criticism should definitely be directed at our AMC's and wingers. JWP - Love the attitude JWP has. Think he has a fantastic future at the club and outstanding in the few times I saw him play first-hand last season. Needs to offer more than his usual dilligent possession play, but showed glimpses of that with dynamic sub appearance vs. Sunderland away. VW - FFS, let him play a few games first before making stupid judgments like that. (Out of interest, who said that one, OP?) Think the lad will be a collusus for us in the middle of the park next season. Hoping he can chip in with a few long-range blasters as well, as need to up our scoring record form outside the box. "Hate" ? Come on for crying out loud, thats being a bit hysterical. I am fed up of hearing about "getting a pre-season behind him" as if its some sort of universal panacea. Has it really escaped your attention, that he's only just joined up with the squad ? He's missed over 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crab Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 Isn't every season a "make or break season" for every footballer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crab Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 "Hate" ? Come on for crying out loud, thats being a bit hysterical. I am fed up of hearing about "getting a pre-season behind him" as if its some sort of universal panacea. Has it really escaped your attention, that he's only just joined up with the squad ? He's missed over 3 weeks. said alpine saint, hysterically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 said alpine saint, hysterically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 said alpine saint, hysterically. So, saying you're "fed up" equates to hysteria, does it ? I think there are light years in difference between saying you are "fed up" and accusing someone of "hate" for daring to criticise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 July, 2013 Share Posted 25 July, 2013 Strange thing about lallana - several other prem club fans rave about him on their message boards after playing us (as do Ramirez). He also got called into England squad - pretty impressive in first season in prem. Having said that, his post injury form means his place is vulnerable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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