Brendan Rodgers

[Gibbo]

I also lol'ed at the "Listen: it's all about the materials" bit, heard that in his voice.

[Ben_Itez]

What is the point is saying that stuff. Your job is to improve them, never heard any other manager brag about it

I really want to like you Bren but you make it difficult.

[Baracus]

I'm not BR's biggest fan. But thats a harsh judgement to form from them quotes. I think he means added value in terms of what we can now sell them for rather then last summer. Sure he has improved them and I still think he would sell henderson and especially Downing but any club that wants them has to pay a litte bit more now. Value Added.

[EwarWoo]

If that was Maureen people would be lapping it up.

"Oh, hes a genius, takes focus away from the team and places it on himself" lick lick lick.

Because its our manager he talks too much?

[Fredo]

As long as he brings success here, he can chit chat all he likes.

[Corndog]

footballers come from council estates not from middle class backgrounds.

where there's desperation there's fighters. people who have the drive to succeed against the odds.

That is such a sweeping statement, massive generalization on your part, do you have any sort of statistics or evidence to back that up?

Football may have traditionally been seen as a working class game in England, but elsewhere and now in present times I believe that stereotype is outdated, football is a game enjoyed by all socio-economic classes and I think it's incorrect to infer a strong correlation between variables like crime rates and the natural talent of young footballers.

Of course you only ever hear of the rags to riches stories because they are more interesting/inspirational.

[Fivex]

A ridiculous statement.

[Alex]

footballers come from council estates not from middle class backgrounds.

where there's desperation there's fighters. people who have the drive to succeed against the odds.

Without doing a load of research about other players and origins. But what about Frank Lampard/Michael Owen/David Beckham? Players like that are from Middle class backgrounds. You could even say Frank Lampard comes from a back ground of entitlement.

[Shaggy]

I'd like to see Theo Walcott's council estate

[Alex]

Shaun Wright Phillips and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain went to Grammar school I think. So did Chris Smalling. Found out today that Frank Lampard has an A* in GCSE Latin. He sounds so deprived.

[Alex]

I wonder if those who coached a young Gianluca Vialli, who lived in a 15th Century castle as a child ever used this as a question mark over his desire to become a professional player?

[Chazza]

I am sure the 2nd home was on a council estate though.

[dww]

Whilst I tend to disagree with el matador I don't think examples of middle class players is a valid counter argument. The argument has to be are there differences in the chances of players putting in the effort needed to make it and their background. Which would require some for of statistics on both the input demographics of young players and those who make it.

My feeling is that in a country like England the distractions/problems are different for the two groups but the overall probabilities of becoming a top footballer wouldn't be so different. This is obviously supported by nothing but a vague accumulation of anecdotes much like everyone else's view. I don't think you can easily dismiss the alternative view.

[yamiedo]

Regarding Brendan's comments. Didn't take it as arrogant really. Think he has improved the players since he has come in. He has 100% belief in himself and why not?

[Tribute]

footballers come from council estates not from middle class backgrounds.

where there's desperation there's fighters. people who have the drive to succeed against the odds.

...Steve Highway and Brian Hall came from middle-class backgrounds and both had university degrees.

Always a couple of exceptions to the rule... plus, that was like 35+ years ago when footballers were paid relatively normal salaries.