The Exile

The player that fill where I think we most need:FlaminiSuarez and Aguero are great but stickers aren''t our priority.

Do any other clubs have a sports psychologist? Some really interesting points within this thread, 1) Does fear motivate? I think i probably does, but I don''t think our players are unmotivated, the main criticism seems to be the style of play. Does fear effect the style of play would be a better question. One one hand everyone wants results and that is leading to a restricted mind set. If this has to change, you want a less risk averse approach, something easier to do under a stable and realistic management. I was reading an article the other day about how Martinez approach had brought the best out of Barkley as the attitude is try things rather than be safe as it was under Moyes. (interesting that when Martinez was suggested on here how many posts of no thanks there were....)2) the Transfer about players coming to the club buying into CH''s plan; that was really referring to the players brought in this year, last year felt like a stop gap year, the players he has bought this summer are where I think he is heading. I appreciate that it''s not CH''s decision alone but the players coming in meet him and discuss what route the club is taking, some wont like it (Toivenan) some will, (Fer, RVW). Knowing that CH will be here for a long term would help attract players in my opinion.3) Perspective, all these things of psychological ilk have context that plays a huge role, take the Steven G quote as an example, if you had asked that question after England''s 5-1 mauling of Germany you''d get a much different answer then after a 1-0 defeat at home to Poland. Context is everything, and in our current context too many issues are preventing the team from playing a more positive style of play.

[quote user="jas the barclay king"][quote user="The Exile"]Sweden have this guy called Toivonen........ Elmander is keeping him out, his name seems familiar I wonder if there are any threads about him lying around?[/quote]   but... but.. but.. Elmander is supposed to be Rubbish and Toivonen good!!! what logic and tickery is this!?! [/quote]I''m so confused! so if Toivenan played for us, Elmander played for Ajax, then Elmander would become better than Toivenan? I see, so N''Zonzi is clearly better better than Johnson because he plays for someone else!

Sweden have this guy called Toivonen........ Elmander is keeping him out, his name seems familiar I wonder if there are any threads about him lying around?

To a certain extent Stoke at the moment too. Would a proactive announcement by the board clearly stating that CH''s job was safe for the long term,  improve our performances, players and manager playing with less fear, more freedom to express themselves?

It has been a long time since I have been able to think this but our club is now in a period of stability, both financially and on the pitch.   With the completion of McNally’s 5 year plan in two we have built for our selves a platform to push on from. I’ve been looking at the clubs around and the pattern I see is that the more stable a club is the more successful it is, (relative to each club). The more changes that happen the swings between highs and lows become apparent.   There are loads of examples of managers that have taken 2-3 years to settle into a post, but once they have the success they have brought by the knowledge of job security and knowing they have time with which to build up a plan.   Some examples:   Sir Alex Ferguson, poor 1st season and ropey start to his 2nd in charge. David Moyes at Everton ,just avoided relegation in his 1st season. Alan Pardew, the patience given to him last year. Arsene Wenger, as above….. The patience shown to Brendan Rogers.   There are too many examples of where change can be detrimental,   Sunderland with Di Canio (the fans getting after Steve Bruce then MON) Mick MacCarthy at Wolves.   + Chelsea and Man U this year.   Yes there are examples of the other, Southampton being a good example (although if this winless run continues for them it might look less bright)   I’d really like the club to put all this conjecture about CH to bed by publicly backing him, giving him an extended contract and stating that he is safe even if we get relegated (something I think will not happen). I’m convinced this will give CH the confidence to move things forwards rather than fir fighting each game because of the threat of a sacking. It means the players he signs are given the confidence that the guy who selected them will be around for a while and allows them to play with less fear.   It might take another year to put everything CH wants to do into motion, but with patience I strongly suspect we will be rewarded.   I think we should also bear in mind the pit falls of new managers, for every Paul Lambert there are many, Glen Roeder, Bryan Gun, Gary Megson, Peter Grant, Brian Hamilton, …..

For me I remember being horrified when we signed loads of Oldham players once they got relegated, back in 97. Some didnt improve on me eg. Milligan, but Fleming became a real legend for me

I don''t understand some people? they are basing thier judgement of a player on purely statistical analysis. Some examples of how this might not work: Chris Killen, 19 goals in 35 international starts, 16 goals in 25 appearences for Hibs (I have not included his poorer showing at Celtic); Would anyone on here want him back? Ched Evans, prior to him coming to us, 16 appearances 1 goal, but I think most of us would have him back, despite only 13 goals in 66 appearences for sheff utd. So rather than analysing like an accountant lets see what they bring to the party based on performance (not just strike rate) On a side note The risk factor for the club seems fairly low as thier fee for 8-10 games can not be huge, PL will soon tell if they can fit into the current system and as stated many provious fans do rate vokes, Pacheco loan reminds me of the Lupoli loan, thank god we PL not Glen Roeder to use him. tis my first post be gentle