8 Aug 2013

'We must be better' - Great news for LFC as BR finally follows Benitez's lead

Since Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield, I've regularly highlighted the crawling, sycophantic nature of his post-match press conferences. With his gross overpraise of players, and ceaseless attempts to convince fans that poor results are actually 'outstanding', 'brilliant, or 'fantastic' (three of his favourite superlatives), Rodgers clearly has (IMO) an inferiority complex, and his approach is in stark contrast to the emotionless, tough-love method of man-management favoured by Rafa Benitez. Well, after witnessing Rodgers' latest post-match comments, it seems there is a glimmer of hope that the inferiority complex could finally be over.

Over the last ten years, a backslapping epidemic of cloying self-love has plagued Liverpool. It's the same old story: after every good result, players fall over themselves to kiss each others' behinds in the press, describe each other as 'world class', and generally engage in sycophantic ego massage. To compound that, we have Rodgers with his gross overpraise after practically every result (good or bad), something that is (arguably) counter-productive.

Add both together and you get a a fatal blend of mild narcicissm and rampaging hubris, which - over a period of time - dulls the team's competitive edge, hunger, desire and focus. And let's not forget, all this (undeserved) praise is for a team that has finished outside the top 6 for the last four years.

I'm not the greatest fan of Rafa Benitez (!), but he had the right idea with his approach to the players. The Spaniard's philosophy of mercilessly demanding continuous improvement - even after great victories - is sorely missed at Anfield, but Rodgers is showing signs that he could be moving toward that approach.

After Liverpool's excellent 4-1 victory over Valerenga, Rodgers delivered an almost perfect post-match press conference. Despite the fact Liverpool had just won their SIXTH pre-season game in a row, banging in FOUR goals in the process, Rodgers toned down the praise, and took a leaf out of Benitez's book by demanding further improvement. He observed:

"I'm delighted with the players. I don't think they could do anymore, but I'm disappointed with the goal. We're always looking for perfection and to concede from a corner was disappointing.

"Overall, we're in good shape. We're continually working hard and always striving for ways to be better. The players have travelled all over the world [this pre-season], But their attitude has remained the same. I'm very pleased with everything, but we must strive to be better."


For me, this is a perfect statement and shows some welcome progress: Rodgers acknowledges the team's victory, but continuous improvement is his main focus. Conceding a goal in a pre-season friendly is relatively unimportant, especially when the team is on a run of FIVE clean sheets in a row, but it's heartening to see that the manager is not satisfied with it.

Last season, Rodgers would've lavished excessive praise on the players, and with six victories in a row, he'd have every justification to do so. However, it appears that he's focused on achieving 'perfection', and after a year at the helm, Rodgers seems more comfortable openly demanding more from the team

The great Liverpool managers of the past were always looking for ways to improve; the likes of Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish (first spell) ruthlessly sought continuous improvement, even after reaching the greatest heights of success.

Personally, this is what I hope to see after every game next season: Rodgers pushing for continuous improvement irrespective of the result. Praise the team where it's warranted, but also focus on the specific issues that need to improve, and don't ever let the players feel like they've 'arrived'.

The players need to feel the fire burning beneath them, and hopefully, Rodgers will continue this approach into the new season.



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59 comments:

  1. 17 goals scored and 1 conceded. Pretty good start. I just hope that this gives them a confidence boost going in to the league. I think its vital that we get a good start.
    I know people say pre season doesn't mean anything, and in terms of points they are obviously right. But we drew 3-3 against the same team last season. So I think winning 4-1 shows progress. Most of the pre season games this season have been won pretty comfortably, which should boost confidence.
    Celtic this weekend should be a bit more of a competition.

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  2. I don't see any difference to be honest. Last year he slammed Enrique, Downing and Henderson as well as praising players. In this PC he also uses superlatives. Not saying that you're not right in pointing out what type of behaviour should be expected from the team. Just not agreeing that Rodgers has changed his approach.

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  3. Agreed, it's far better this way. Although I think Woy was far worse than Rodgers for crawling and over-praise. Still, all in the past, and once this Suarez mess is over we can look forward to the season. High hopes for Hendo, Sterling, Aspas, and the rest - even Downing! Positive thoughts abound.

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  4. People who say pre-season results don't mean anything are clueless imo. The stakes are less high in a friendly so you'll get more room to play and no one wants to take any risks getting injured but it does show that they are finding each other on the pitch and they are creating chances. The automatisms are there and that's why you have a pre-season in the first place. I'm not at all convinced that we have the squad of players that can consistently perform so the way I see it we're in the same position we were in last season. For me, there has been no improvement what so ever but because of the automatisms being there I'm sure we could also beat anyone on our day and ride our luck to fourth spot. Let's be honest, Arsenal were everything but consistent last year and they managed to get there in the end.

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  5. agree we must get of to a flyer aginst stoke

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  6. I said it last season that I thought Rodgers was over praising them because he was the new guy and had to keep people on his side(both players and fans). I think now that he is more established he can afford to criticize performances a bit more, also now it's his system that's failing if they play badly. Also maybe in the state the team was in when he took over he might have felt that it wasn't the right time to be hard on them, what with low moral and all.
    I agree that it was refreshing to hear a bit more demanded though.

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  7. liverpool4life56512:28 pm, August 08, 2013

    BR in his press conference is getting better also his handling of Suarez situation he doing fine, we've got to realise he only 40 in manager terms that very young, he will only get better :), must say aswell he signings this summer have impressed me,

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  8. I'm not talking about criticising players; I'm specifically referring to the constant gross overpraise of the team after games. Yes, I may be clutching at straws, but Rodgers never took this approach last season (i.e. specifically picking out things to criticise after a victory/good performance), so hopefully it's a step forward.

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  9. Look I seriously believe that the Suarez talk is taking off the focus not of Brendan Rodgers but FSG broken promises in transfer market.
    Rodgers has come out in support of allen cause like I have said to divert away the fact that they will not buy that class midfielder.
    and the fact allen has to do good this year cause like every manager it will be his signing.
    Borini has been at the level of a park footballer Rodgers will come out and say how great he is going cause same reason as( Allen)
    Sturridge is injury prone lets face it good footballer but out for long time borini is no way in world suitable to replace him.
    Everything that Rodgers is saying lately all sounds right all sounds great but the fact is a lot of suarez things are taking away the fact we are still middle of table team have not got those 3-4 starters Aspas looks good not enough.
    We need top signings

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  10. liverpool4life56512:34 pm, August 08, 2013

    Broken promises? Erm we've tried to sign Mkhitaryan and costa but it's just taking time, wouldn't call that broken promises, also there still quiet abit to go before the window shuts.

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  11. We all have to remember Brendan is in all reality an inexperienced manager and is still learning the art. He has a huge thirst to learn more and grow as many people who he has worked under and with will state, he is open to new ways and ideas and will tweak his approach on and of the field as he becomes more experienced to get the best of his players on and of the field. I am also pleased he has spoke up about Suarez 'The Snake' and is trying to do the right thing by the club and supporters.

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  12. Why is Aspas not good enough? Because he didn't cost £20 million? He has scored 4 goals so far. Which is a pretty good return. Give the guy a chance before you write him off....

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  13. I agree mate Brendan is making the most of what he is given and if Aspas knocks them in left, right and center next season which I think he will then we will be saying what a bargain and if he doesn't £7mil is an easier hit to take than saying "£35'000'000 what a waste of money"

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  14. yes Jamie yes you are right on the money . he is not giving a true indication on where the team is or on players real performance. there is only two positive that's IBE and aspas

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  15. Ok right buy what your saying we are done all set ready to go we have top 4 team . I feel better now thanks

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  16. liverpool4life56512:49 pm, August 08, 2013

    Read what I said,we've obviously tried to sign bigger players well not bigger players for big fees, so we will sign more players before the windows shuts. Which enable us to try getting top 4.

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  17. no one said he is not good go up few post under Jamie reply .FSG and Rodgers come out some weeks and said we are going to sign at least 3 Quality players exact words starters . Rodgers has become a great talker and a lot of issues a hidden cause of suarez case . I believe that FSG are not to upset of this.

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  18. Did we ????????????? were are they. why are club saying there has never been approach from Liverpool .

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  19. Thisis the best preseason we have had for years. The players really seem tobe getting it. I think if the suarez thig wasn't goig on we might have signed a couple more but its all up in the air. Does anyone think we would be correct to let him go to arsenal if it meant they couldn't get anyone else. When you look at it he hasn't been a match winner for us costhe refs treathim so poorly. I think we should sell and get in a few guys who really want to be here.

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  20. liverpool4life56512:54 pm, August 08, 2013

    Even Rodgers said we did on Mkhitaryan deal and costa we are still speaking to A Madrid about.

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  21. liverpool4life56512:56 pm, August 08, 2013

    He said he now going to buy first team members. So your saying is not "exact word" :)

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  22. I thought this was gunna be about his quotes about suarez! you must have loved them JK! He basically said what youve been saying all along - maybe he does read this site!

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  23. Oh sorry. I read it the wrong way around. Your punctuation threw me off.

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  24. It wasn't last year we drew 3-3 against them but the season before, with KD.

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  25. Excellent article Jamie. Exactly my feelings on the matter. I was actually surprised when he came out with that. Was actually refereshing.
    I cannot remember a better pre-season than this over the past 10 years.
    It's important we don't get carried away though. All it takes is a defeat against Stoke to bring reality back to life so we need be careful.
    Hopefully a few more signings.
    And get rid of Suarez. He's bitting the hand that is feeding him and he just burned his last bridge. Sell him to a team abroad, not Arsenal.

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  26. His job is on the line this season so he has to step it up. Maybe the LS situation could give him that extra edge.

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  27. Well I was disappointed with the goal too. Henderson lost his man and in an instant we conceded. It's a bit concerning because I've seen Henderson man mark Benteke! Even if Hendo is the most physical of our mids it's no match for any commanding centre back or big striker.


    Agger and Skrtel also had this problem last year, they must of lost 15 men in the box. Agger was the biggest offender by far though. It needs sorting.

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  28. Why wouldn't you praise players for good performances. Some manager you would be.

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  29. Rodgers endlessly heaps praise on players when it's not deserved. For example, after defeats and draws, he still describes them as 'outstanding', 'amazing', 'terrific' etc, and he also says the same about the performances. If you lose a game, how can the performance be outstanding. You lost! The focus should be on how to improve and stop losing, not relinquishing players of their responsibility.

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  30. Exactly my thoughts, I like hendos willingness to take responsibility, man marking the biggest players out there,, but we conceded too many goals from corners and high crosses last season, even though we have pretty tall defenders. Coates for example wasn't really present at the corners

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  31. Does anyone else think that we should except the 51mil bid from Arsenal if it comes in? Aside from the obvious detrimental effects; I really just want it over with. Its literally every day that Rogers and Ayre are having to sort out something with him that its probably detracting from us actually signing anyone. Sick of it. Theres literally no point keeping him now because his value will decrease, he'll refuse to play and theres probably a high chance he'll do something else ... ban worthy.

    On the flipside; thoroughly enjoyed the game yesterday. Aspas looks quite a find. Be good to see him in alternative positions like on the wing to get a better idea. And Borini - he must be the unluckiest guy ever. A couple of decent attempts that deserved a goal. He seems to be sharper and pacier than I'd seen him before as well. Shouldnt really be excited to watch another preseason but I very much am; hopefully Sturridge can get some minutes ahead of Stoke

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  32. Dont ever let the players think that they have arrived ! i couldnt agree more. You get the feeling with some players that just being at the club (and pocketing the wage) is enough. They should aim higher to be a part of the history of the most storied club in football takes more than being signed. If they really want to be a part of LFC history then they are not competing with the players on the bench or even the rest of PL but all those truly great players that came before, who made this club what it is.

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  33. 17 goals in 6 games...and Sturridge hasn't even played. I can hardly wait until we get his speed into the game. 5 clean sheets is mis-leading. We still need some big, fast, strong CDs and L/R backs.

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  34. Assaidi apparently joining QPR? I think he could do well in the Championship, and would be good experience for him!

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  35. I don't see why Arsenal want to sign him, all they have done is sign one young guy on a free. 50mil seems excessive for club that conducts its business like Arsenal, and wouldn't he be banned for their first six fixtures anyway? I'd prefer him to move abroad, but I would definitely take the 50mil, it's double for what we paid for him and he did not project us into Europe.


    Aspas and Borini have terrific movement and the only negative I can say about them is that they just need to be a little more composed. Both are versatile and will give us options regardless if Sturridge is fit or not.

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  36. Assaidi showed glimpses of what he can do in the match today. Sadly though, a loan won't be for experience, it will just be so he isn't on the clubs wage bill. Highly doubt he would leave on loan and then return and play in the first team.


    I'd keep Assaidi until a new winger is signed, especially if the future of Downing is unknown. I do not want Sterling/Alberto/Borini as first choice right wingers. Aspas might do the job, and I'd keep Downing for at least this season.

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  37. I liked the idea of him going to Anderlecht if we could get Tielemans in return.

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  38. Were a young team so maybe thats why the effusive praise is needed.
    Remember BR has plenty of experience of dealing with youth players.
    However, our wastefulness in front if goal verges on the neurotic.
    LFC create enough chances to blow the PL apart - its been that way for years. We need a bit more arrogance up front and dare i say it, contempt, for opposition goalkeepers (another game of the season performance at Anfield by an opposition goalkeeper anyone?). LFC forwards look almost relieved when they score. Fowler acted like it was his divine right to put the ball in the net - and he did.
    Its a continuing problem, as is our tendency to hit the woodwork more than most.
    On the other hand we have Suarez who needs to take a long hard look in the mirror with regards to that one. John Barnes is right - he's not as good as he thinks he is. Perhaps if he'd not missed all those sitters we'd be in the CL.
    I suspect that behind the scenes BR is a bit more ruthless.
    He knows we need more competition up front and he's been pretty ruthless when it comes to clearing out dead wood - maybe to a fault in the case of Dirk Kuyt who scored ugly when it mattered - is his experience missed?)
    Actions speak louder than words...Downing's measly 9 goals / assists being a case in point as it looks like he's on his way.

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  39. Unfortunately for Coates, he was mostly present on the bench...


    Would not mind seeing him given more of an opportunity this year if he's still around.

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  40. Here's my question:


    Assume that Arsenal keeps their current bid at 40m.


    If Real comes in at, say, 30m.


    Which would you take? Or would you run the risk of keeping him for another 4 months until January?

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  41. It is very odd isnt it? I reckon Wenger is probably leaving next year and so this year is make or break. I mean if we stop thinking about what hes done and just think of it from an Arsenal perspective - hes probably the only game changing player that they could sign now. they could sign him win the FA Cup and make forth and Wenger leaves on a high - alternatively they dont win anything and Wenger leaves on mutual grounds.
    The first bid they knew was going to be rejected and was probably a ploy to make Madrid release Higuain. Then Higuain's move becomes doubtful and forces Arsenal into a more desperate position hence the second bid which they believed was a release clause. And now theyre in a position where they have to at least try to sign him just because Arsenal fans are getting restless and worried; due to Higuain moving to Napoli. I could be completely wrong of course; even with the 6 games hes due to serve, hes still a great player.

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  42. I agree its doubtful he would come back and be in the team. But you never know. Nothing like a season in the Championship to toughen you up!

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  43. great point on the ceaseless overpraise. That's what I referred when I said, I feel that Rodgers is often full of it. I am not saying he is a bad coach. He did well at Swansea and the club seemed better at season end than the prior season. I just hope its not spread to their press releases regarding coming signings.....

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  44. That's a well thought out scenario. Higuain was probably a priority target seeming as he was on the out at Madrid, and then when Suarez became unsettled Arsenal tried to pounce.


    He is a great player, but I don't think he can project Arsenal to any higher than fourth. Although, fourth is where we need to be by minimum which just makes this situation harder. Also have a weird feeling that if he goes to Arsenal he will cut out all of his on field antics which would just be a slap in the face to us.


    As a matter of principle though, I'd still sell him to Arsenal. For 50mil, surely we can bring someone in, and Suarez would have no effect on the Arsenal team for the first six games, if we start the season well nobody will be thinking of Suarez. There were some rumours about Spurs being interested in him, I doubt they are true but honestly I'd be more concerned for 4th place if he went to Spurs over Arsenal.

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  45. It is possible though to lose or draw a match you've dominated, just ask the 1974 Dutch WC final team. Although I would agree that would not happen 22 times in one season

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  46. I can only judge Coates on the few chances he gets to play, but he doesn't seem like a commanding centre back with a strong presence either, despite his size.


    Papadopoulos, who's been constantly linked to us, has the aerial prowess and commanding presence we need. He's aggressive and a no nonsense defender. It's this sort of mentality we need in a defender.


    I don't want to directly blame Rodgers on defensive shambles because Max correctly pointed out to me that we only conceded 2 more goals in Rodgers season compared to KD's, but Skrtel has been terrible under Rodgers who was previously our most reliable defender, and Agger can't pick up a man in the box at all. All it is is basic defending.

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  47. True, I hope Robinson gets the job done and comes back to compete for a place

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  48. I'm still waiting to see the effective high pressure defence implemented consistently - it's too sporadic atm with players pressing the ball one at a time, leaving decent players with plenty of options and time to avoid the press.


    This will be key in us bridging the gap in individual talent between our team and those above us, imo.

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  49. I'd rather sell to Real tbh even if it meant reaping a lesser fee.


    Suarez would improve Arsenal's team more than the £10m is likely to benefit LFC

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  50. It seems like you have a lot of defensive grasp, didnt you say once you played as a defender once ? :)
    you're right Papadopoulos reminds me a bit of carrager :)

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  51. I really do want to see Arsenal have to put up with the nonsense that Suarez brings with him, but imo even though I believe we can improve even w/o Suarez, I still retain the belief that he's the best attacking player in the league atm (yes, better than Van Persie or the "£100m man" too) so would be a significant improvement over Podolski/Giroud and just make it even more difficult for us to catch them.


    We need him to go abroad...

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  52. Do you think this is what he tells them in private? Look, to the press and fans he backs his players all the way. You can be absolutely sure that he is direct and honest with them behind the scenes.

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  53. Once the player had tricked him with good movement, Henderson had to leave his man otherwise he would have got in Flanagan's way when he came to challenge for the ball. Henderson should have made it harder for the player to make that run, but Flanagan should have won the header, too.

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  54. The good news about this current liverpool team is that there is a feeling we will score in every game so that means for us to lose a game we need to concede at least 2 goals which is great news...

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  55. Signing Costa aint a positive in my book, its a negative.

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  56. I hope Rodgers keeps improving , he seems to have come on leaps and bounds recently. Like his banishment of Suarez whilst he sulks and like his new found realism.
    Now he needs to address the team issues at the back and in the creative attacking areas. Coutinho can't do it all himself, and we need a Papa type CB to go with Siquera or Cissokho with Enrique relegated to back up.
    No doubt the naysayers will put a negative slant on it, but well done JH for putting the record straight re Suarez. As long as he sticks to it, ( which will infuriate a certain someone I know, but still..) we will no longer have to put up with people saying FSG are just after money- they won't sell because there's no time to find a replacement, and they won't panic buy ever again like they did with Carroll.
    Putting the club first. That's what we want to see.
    He also admitted more or less the mistakes in dealing with Suarez. I still think Suarez was badly treated , but he had to be punished.
    If they spend some money on good players before Sept then I would say that's a pretty good Summer. We'll see.

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  57. Haha I used to play fullback but I had to stop because of troubles with my knees :) When I watch a game I naturally look at defence and player movement, that's how I pick up things rather than focusing on the ball all the time :)

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  58. Nice one. To be clear though It was fowlers "Divine" right ha

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