'He's just not trying'

[manwithnoname]

I've heard this levelled at so many of our players, so many times this season.

But is it true? I don't really ever accuse a player of 'not trying' (although Steptoe has been close) but is it *really* accurate?

We've seen plenty of lacklustre displays this season, but that isn't really the same.

I mean, God knows I fucking hate Lucarse, but even when he's been really shit, he has never once looked like that is through a lack of effort

Ditto Insewer

So is it true? Who do you think hasn't been 'trying'?

Or is it just a bit of a lazy way to castigate the players or the team?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

It's probably just people thinking the have a degree in psychology etc and reading too much into body language and what not.

Some do mince around from time to time though.

 

[manwithnoname]

Players 'not looking arsed' is another one I find rather bemusing

Deflated, lacking in confidence, knackered, yep.

But what is 'not looking arsed'?

I don't think that one is fair or accurate either

 

[franklyfrank]

Riera's been half-arsed ever game he played for us, sometimes it's not obvious when the team are playing well though.

The Skipper hasn't put the required effort in this season in many a match.

Even Torres's hasn't.

 

[manwithnoname]

I'm not sure it's even sofa psychology either, it's just probably the worst thing to level at a player for a substandard display or result.

They were shit, but *even worse* they didn't try/ weren't arsed

I'm not saying that Benitez is the greatest motivator, and I also know that mentality is important in football, but 'not trying' is wide of the mark

 

[mark1975]

I think 'not trying', or what we're seeing is more likely a morale thing more than anything. Form and a lack of success, particularly this season has obviously effected confidence and body language on the pitch.

Riera was a good example of laziness, as was Voronin, especially when he took a bollocking from Mascherano earlier in the season, but I don't think I've seen too many other incidents of players not looking arsed, other than (and not to play into Franks hands here) Gerrard a few weeks back when he lost possession and literally started walking while the opponent ran straight at our defense. I think every player can be forgiven for the odd moment like that, when it's clear that in most games alot of our play is based on pressing the opposition and when you consider how many games we play, etc.

I think of late most players have looked fucked off with how the season's gone, but regards motivation from the gaffa, it's fair to say there's been an issue in away games this season when for some reason or another, mentally or tactically, we've not been right.

Also, re Torres, he's always been a bit mardy on the pitch, we've seen it loads of times. It doesn't stop him scoring though, so who gives?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Babel is a prime example of this for me (not so much his recent performances).

The amount of times he loses the ball and then just stands still, or falls over and then stays down for no reason is unbelievable.

If he is giving 100% then it's simply not enough.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

Babel, Riera, Gerrard, Benayoun all spring to mind.

 

[keniget]

I think Mark has got it spot on really. Bar one or two occasions (which don't spring to mind) in the middle of the season, I think it's just been a case of the team collectively not performing, the morale being low and for some reason the all important 'mentality' not there.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Good thread, Brendan.

Morale has definitely been a problem this year. It's certainly not that the players don't care but they have let their heads drop a bit too easily on more than a few occasions.

 

[Ryan]

Torres away to Birmingham. I was fucking disgusted at his attitude and effort.

 

[Avmenon]

Posibly right, but all the attitude and effort put in means nothing if it achieves zero result ie Torres' replacement in the same game.

I think thats the point Bren is hinting at, tbh.

 

[Wizardry]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39752.msg1085753#msg1085753 date=1270861966]
Torres away to Birmingham. I was fucking disgusted at his attitude and effort.
[/quote]

That was terrible though, on the scale of things, not far removed from his first 40 minutes on Thursday night. Apart from what impact it has on younger players or his team mates I go along with Mark on this - if he's scoring goals then who gives a rats?

 

[localny]

agreed. they do give their all for the club and the man-a-her. Kuyt has some engine on him in particular, and a 150% effort mentality.

the last time was disgusted at someone not trying was Kewell in the 2007 CL final, when he was not trekking back, sauntering around and it led to the second goal. Still haven't got over it...

But I Digress.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=39752.msg1085759#msg1085759 date=1270864247]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39752.msg1085753#msg1085753 date=1270861966]
Torres away to Birmingham. I was fucking disgusted at his attitude and effort.
[/quote]

That was terrible though, on the scale of things, not far removed from his first 40 minutes on Thursday night. Apart from what impact it has on younger players or his team mates I go along with Mark on this - if he's scoring goals then who gives a rats?
[/quote]


It is true that strikers have to be a bout goals, and for that reason Torres should have finished the Brum game.


My one problem with Torres when he gets all mardy and has a hard done by expression etched on his face, is that he empowers the defenders he is playing against. Initially worrying at facing one of the greatest strikers in world football, they must feel 10 foot tall to know they've managed to have such an effect on him.

 

[gene hughes]

In Tony Cascarino's autobiography he basically admits that there were games where he went out onto the pitch and thought "I don't feel like doing this today". I reckon players are subject to different moods just like the rest of us. If a team-mate or the coach has pissed you off in recent days, who knows how that would effect you.

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39752.msg1085753#msg1085753 date=1270861966]
Torres away to Birmingham. I was fucking disgusted at his attitude and effort.
[/quote]

To be fair, he was knackered. He left it all on the pitch away to Benfica.

 

[Peatcheo]

Babel and Riera are the only players id accuse f being lazy and not trying. Least Insua works hard even if that doesnt do much!

 

[red_maradona]

three things annoy me particularily when it comes to players not trying, they are:
- not chasing down the opposition keeper
- not chasing poor passes
- ducking out of tackles.

When ever I see one of those my blood boils.

 

[gene hughes]

That's weird because I get annoyed when I see someone (usually Kuyt) chasing down their keeper for no reason.

 

[red_maradona]

[quote author=gene hughes link=topic=39752.msg1085860#msg1085860 date=1270896221]
That's weird because I get annoyed when I see someone (usually Kuyt) chasing down their keeper for no reason.
[/quote]

i love that kind of shit as it helps set an exmaple for the whole team to pressurise.

 

[gene hughes]

Or look busy.