It's affecting us. Honest

[kopdan]

they'll talk about thats fo'sho but it wont really affect them on the pitch. Or shouldnt as they are professionals in their field.

[Bob]

they'll talk about thats fo'sho but it wont really affect them on the pitch. Or shouldnt as they are professionals in their field.

Yeah, but it's not just about 90mins is it? There's the week-long preparation before the game, the tactics, the training... all that. The concentration to be on your game isn't just for 90mins then switch off again. It's not just as simplistic as it's only 90mins - "why can't they play to the top of your game for just that long." Rubbish!

If you're not happy, you aren't going to be performing to the top of your game IMO. They are not robots at the end of the day.

It's a squad game, and while i admit some may not give a toss about it some will and that is where it affects the overall team performance. Mental toughness is something not everyone has bless them. Those like messers Gerrard who have been around for a long time and seemingly cares so passionately about the club... well, it's sure to affect him. Ain't it?

[bazza76]

Totally agree Bob.
For other examples you can look to the likes of Barca, arguably the most talented quad in club football. Problems off the field have effected team morale and the way the team plays.
Anyone who says that problems off the field don't effect things on the field, are kidding themselves. It is all relative, and as Rafa would say, football is about the tiniest of details, that includes psychological details.

[bazza76]

Saying that, I still think Stevie should not be openly admitting to the rest of the dressing room that the speculation is effecting the team performances.

But he isn't admitting it to the dressing room, he said it in an interview. Presumably the dressing room have all been aware of this for some time and Stevie has come out and said it because there is no point in trying to cover up. Maybe he's spent the last few weeks reassuring all the other players that everything's going to be OK, and he thinks the point needs to be made that they are unsettled. As you would expect them to be- it always affects you if your manager is under threat or your workplace is going through a rocky patch. I don't know why some people expect footballers to react differently just because they get paid more than us.

Am not sure what point you are trying to make to me mate. What I am saying is saying it live on air in an interview after the game, is much the same as admitting it to the rest of the squad. As I said earlier, it is giving them a ready made excuse, be it true or not.
He is almost giving the team an excuse for future losses.

Again, I don't see why the assumption is that if this is affecting the squad it is because they are lazy, rather than because they are worried. Lots of us have commented that Rafa looks stressed and unwell. He is their boss, they have a personal relationship with him and see him every day without the public face. As others have said, they are only human and they must be a tight-knit group- you'd hope so anyway. Seems to me they can't win- if they look unaffected we say they're money-grabbing *******s with no loyalty to the gaffer, and if they show the strain they are lazy, money-grabbing *******s looking for an excuse not to perform. I don't understand why some people assume that players care less than the fans, when their daily lives, family lives, friendships, everything are bound up in the club.

There are obviously other factors involved in why a team looses. EG such a player not pulling his weight, but as I said earlier, it is all relative, and it all counts, the psychological side of the game is an important detail, talks of unrest will get into the players heads, whether we like it or not.

PS. Cant make my mind up whether you are agreeing with me or not

[Vermilion]

Perhaps Rafa is moaning behind the scenes in the dressing room slagging off the owners. Getting the players down.

Yes, And perhaps he's not.

[alunevans]

Alun, you're way wide of the mark here. Look at how much we're talking about this e.g. that monster thread in this room. ****, there's literally an article in the press everyday. You think the players won't be talking about this as opposed to other things such as football/or just banter. It is abundantly clear morale is low and that affects the players training and performance. End of. When you're a company and there's talk from above it affects your working performance, whether you're conscious of it or not.

Have a word. Of course it has an impact.

Whether it has an impact is by the by to an extent. I'm sure it has some impact, but the response should be what Crouch is saying which is to get on with it and not let it become any more of an excuse that it might otherwise be.