ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Self-interest or team ethic?

What would you say about a player who puts himself before the team, and is only interested in protecting his reputation? You wouldn't be too happy if an individual had a reasonable game, was intent on protecting his own image yet the team lost ? and you would be right to slag that player off.

What about a manager who refuses to change things when 20 minutes into a game it's clear to everyone that the team selection was wrong, certain players just aren't cutting the mustard, or that tactics are simply ineffectual ? Wouldn't you expect that manager to bite the bullet and change things around for the good of the team, rather than refuse to make a switch as it would prove that he had got things wrong in the first place? What would you think if he just continued down the original path, causing the team to concede?

Let's get to the point ? it was clear to absolutely everyone watching that Phil Jagielka struggles at centre midfield, he can't get close enough to tackle, take too long on the ball and the game simply passes him by. He may be a good squad player, a fine full back, a great centre half, who knows ? but he's not a central midfielder (just like Neville isn't).

We all know this, and it happened against Middlesborough, so why didn't Moyes admit he made a mistake and substitute him early last night, or move the lad out of the firing line for the good of the team ? because he didn't want to admit to his mistake and he put self interest above the team ethic !

That could have cost us the game last night ? we ended up with Osman, Pienaar and Arteta as a midfield three for the last 20 minutes ? why wasn't Carsley brought on in the first 20?

This self-protection makes me sick ? as a leader you have to be able to admit your mistakes and make the required changes when needed ? OK, we could have moaned about Moyes, but we would have had a more comfortable win had he swallowed his pride at the right time ? I bet we were all screaming for Carsley to come on to provide some solidity.

This is one important lesson Moyes has to learn about the European game ? sometimes you come up against a style of play you haven't anticipated and you have to change things swiftly.
Steve Jones, Wavertree Posted 05/10/2007 at 19:19:51

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Michael Kenrick

I can be one of Moyes's biggest critics but I don't buy your argument which hinges on your assessment being correct, and on your projection of a different reality occuring based on a decision that wasn't made, and therefore is pure conjecture. I don't mind you saying you thought Jagieleka should have been hauled off earlier ? that's fine. But to wrap it in all this self-preservation stuff is hogwash.

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