Gerrard demands Benitez Talks (BBC Sport)

[dww]

You make some very good points. I don't see there being a problem when players choose to speak to the manager if they're not getting enough time on the field. What I don't agree with is your views on players speaking to managers whenever they are subsituted.

Gerrard is likely to play another 40-45 games this season so if he is substituted for 35 of those games are you suggesting that he knocks on Rafa's door and questions why he had been replaced? Not only that what about the other players that will also get susbtituted? If we go by your logic it would mean that every week Rafa will have a maximum of 3 players knocking on his door demanding to know why they had been replaced. What if the same person is substituted during the next game, should he again knock on Rafa's door?

Like I said you make some good points but I think players have to be more balanced in situations like this. Its ok players speaking to managers now and again (as stated in my first paragraph) but come on man, requesting to speak to a manager each time they're subbed is taking the piss in my view and in a sense it can appear as though you're undermining the manager intelligence.

I suggest that the player asks if he feels that he doesn't know the reason or that he might be able to do something about the reason. If Gerrard was to be substituted in 35 games then either he is horribly off form or more likely just being saved for other games. In the latter instance there is obviously little point in speaking to the manager, in the former there might be. A not dissimilar logic would apply to other players.

If players are off form or need to improve then I think them being proactive about that is good. If they are asking too frequently I suspect the problem is that they are too stupid to take on board what is said or simply not good enough. Obviously there is the option you talk of which is that it is all about ego and in that case the manager has to balance whether the benefit of the player being happy is worth more than his time spent on other matters.

Ultimately what I'm getting at is that wanting to see the manager after being substituted is not of itself a problem. However I take the point that doing so too much is probably a symptom of one.

[marcus50bucks]

I suggest that the player asks if he feel that he doesn't know the reason or that he might be able to do something about the reason. If Gerrard was to be substituted in 35 games then either he is horribly off form or more likely just being saved for other games. In the latter instance there is obviously little point in speaking to the manager, in the former there might be. A not dissimilar logic would apply to other players.

If players are off form or need to improve then I think them being proactive about that is good. If they are asking too frequently I suspect the problem is that they are too stupid to take on board what is said or simply not good enough. Obviously there is the option you talk of which is that it is all about ego and in that case the manager has to balance whether the benefit of the player being happy is worth more than his time spent on other matters.

Ultimately what I'm getting at is that wanting to see the manager after being substituted is not of itself a problem. However I take the point that doing so too much is probably a symptom of one.

[Redlife]

It's a daft story. "Demand talks"?



Stevie's captain and he's not often subbed unless injured or we're winning. Surely he just asked Rafa on Sunday or Monday why he was subbed? Was he doing something wrong? Can he do something differently?