That's because there's a difference between questioning someone's performance

in one game (their first for the club)

vs

making your mind up that someone is a Weak Link before they've played a *single* game for us (other than a couple of friendlies). Which you did. Without actually having been to any of said friendlies, either.

Fact is, you need to give a new player a chance to settle in. Play a few games, learn about the set-up, get used to their surroundings, their new team-mates, what the coach wants etc... Perhaps even - shock horror - accept they may not be at their best in their first few games. Plenty of players in the past have not started that well, but gone on to make huge contributions.

But never mind giving him half a dozen games or whatever. You actually wrote him off before he even played a single competitive game. Not even one. The best example I think I've ever seen of the modern phenomenon of the Impatient Football Fan.

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Aug 7, 09:39:13