by Victor Meldrew »
15 Feb 2018 11:11
Denver Royal SCIAG It's hard to accuse any of our players of less than maximum effort.
SCIAG, that's a good point mate. The various coaches will have a pretty good idea in training and in games of who is trying, and to what extent.
Obviously we are just fans, but in watching a game its crossed my mind that Aluko maybe wasn't giving 100% (and he was duly subbed off), but then I thought about it afterward and I thought maybe he was trying, but just not playing well and/or was low in confidence.
I thought last season the players were giving maximum effort. I think many have said as much, and cited it as one of the reasons for our success.
I think it is much more about focus than physical effort although in Joey's case not only does he lose focus but also doesn't possess the speed needed for a covering midfielder, e.g. the vain and heavy-legged attempt to keep up with Traore for the second goal last week.
I know I have mentioned it before but it strikes me that within this team so few take personal responsibility and are happy to leave problems for others to deal with.
Gunter, Blackett and Joey all come in this bracket, often leaving Moore to take action that they should probably be doing.
This season, and particularly of late, the ever reliable Moore seems less so and at times must feel like tearing his hair out and thinking "Am I the only one here who knows how or wants to defend?"
The manager must surely see this as a former defender who was prepared to take responsibility but he seems unable to convey this to our poor defenders.