The Mail Bag
Injuries and “the Intangibles”
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“You never know how long you are going to spend (at a club) but what I can say is that I can see myself finishing my career at Everton”. — Words spoken by Mikel Arteta during a recent interview with EvertonTV:
See http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/mikel-my-career-pledge.html?utm_source=rss_everton&utm_medium=rss_feed&utm_term=Mikel%3A+My+Career+Pledge.
I took comfort in hearing those words... Arteta implied that one of the reasons he would consider staying for life at Everton is the team spirit (or “like a family”). And that “we have got really good people”. How do we measure something intangible like team spirit? Every team lays claim to this in whatever interview you read today...
It set me thinking about other factors that are intangible but do influence players' performances. For example, new players moving in and needing to settle. I think most of us would have no problems labeling that as an “intangible factor”. But in light of our recent horror story with injuries, can I suggest that another intangible factor is the players' confidence. I think one of the contributory factors to our less-than-satisfactory results is that many of our players are playing with low morale knowing that key and vital players are missing.
I thought it would be sensible to balance this idea with the often-demanded expectation that players should perform just because they are professionals and paid to do it...
Marcus Choo, Posted 18/11/2009 at 06:10:45
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I don’t think Mikel will move any time soon, but people need to be realistic about why footballers say some of the things they do, to keep the fans supporting them. Joleon didn’t seem like a bad guy either until he screwed over the club that made his name, for money.
Am I a ’tit’ because I heard something regarding his injury?
And I think Mikel Arteta was expressing that idea this week. Beyond the simple housekeeping of care, he feels this club of ours goes a bit further. And I’ll bet they do. Mikel Arteta looks to me like a man who knows he is on the mend - will step out and be counted. And he will count a lot.
I know this has nothing to do with us - but I would be very surprised if the owners of LFC knew the names of more than 4 or 5 of their players. I would be surprised if the manager could name every player he had signed in the last three years.
That’s not how it happens at EFC. OK, they have more ’investment’ (which often smacks of money laundering to me) but players love EFC. Will we ever know why?
“There have been a few problems, a few setbacks," he continued. "It has been a hard period for me but sometimes you can avoid problems and sometimes you have to take it the way it comes."
I see no reason as to why Arteta having counselling is unreasonable, after he has made this comment.
I hate having hard feelings towards another blue, but you are bang on calling me a tit lad.
That'll be NO!!!
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1 Posted 18/11/2009 at 08:39:05
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We know that Everton is a special club, but is is heartening to hear it from the ranks of the alledged overpaid mercenaries. Yes, football at this level is a business, but still there are players who hold integrity and loyalty in the high esteem we'd love them to. It is good to have such within our ranks.