re 'others express similar views'

I genuinely don't think I've ever seen anyone decide a player is a Weak Link after they've played one game for us (or indeed that they're 'ropey' before they've even played a single game for us).

And as for 'generally you can see pretty early on whether they have it or not' - well, before they've played a single game for us is certainly 'pretty early on'.

I guess fundamentally we just disagree about that point above, actually. I think it's quite a while before you should judge a player. I feel like I've just seen too many times when players start well and turn out to be duds, or start badly and turn out to be good. But I suppose you just have more confidence in your first impressions.

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Aug 7, 09:56:53