Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is never shy to grossly overpraise his players, and after recently claiming that Raheem Sterling is one of the 'strongest' and most 'tactically aware' players he's ever worked with, he's now compared Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho to one of the greats of European football.
Speaking to The Mirror yesterday, Rodgers hailed Coutinho as an 'absolutely wonderful talent', and compared him to Portuguese legend Deco. He raved:
“When I worked at Chelsea I used to watch Deco.
"I still remember his first training session when he got a round of applause. Coutinho is like that. He has pure quality and can make the difference in games.”
Rare praise indeed, but Coutinho - who cost the Reds €9m - has a long way to go before he reaches Deco's level of consistent brilliance. After all, this is a player who won 23 major trophies throughout his career, including eight league titles, and two European Cups.
I'm as excited as anyone about talents like Coutinho and Sterling, but I just don't see the value in constantly overhyping them. The brutal reality is that neither player has achieved anything in the game, yet they're repeatedly lionised as if they're legends of modern football.
Now, if Liverpool win the league this season - which, as improbable as it seems, is a definitely possibility - then let they hype begin. If the Reds were to win the league after finishing 7th last season, and with glaring weaknesses in the overall squad, it would be one the greatest Premier League triumphs in the competition's history.
If that happens, then the likes of Sterling and Coutinho will deserve all the fawning praise coming their way.
Author: Jaimie K
Speaking to The Mirror yesterday, Rodgers hailed Coutinho as an 'absolutely wonderful talent', and compared him to Portuguese legend Deco. He raved:
“When I worked at Chelsea I used to watch Deco.
"I still remember his first training session when he got a round of applause. Coutinho is like that. He has pure quality and can make the difference in games.”
Rare praise indeed, but Coutinho - who cost the Reds €9m - has a long way to go before he reaches Deco's level of consistent brilliance. After all, this is a player who won 23 major trophies throughout his career, including eight league titles, and two European Cups.
I'm as excited as anyone about talents like Coutinho and Sterling, but I just don't see the value in constantly overhyping them. The brutal reality is that neither player has achieved anything in the game, yet they're repeatedly lionised as if they're legends of modern football.
Now, if Liverpool win the league this season - which, as improbable as it seems, is a definitely possibility - then let they hype begin. If the Reds were to win the league after finishing 7th last season, and with glaring weaknesses in the overall squad, it would be one the greatest Premier League triumphs in the competition's history.
If that happens, then the likes of Sterling and Coutinho will deserve all the fawning praise coming their way.
Author: Jaimie K
Praise goes a long way. the player gets a morale boost & feels appreciated. If you dont praise your own players, who will?
ReplyDeleteRodgers was a very successful youth coach. no offense Jamie, I know you are someone who loves to play devils advocate but I think he might know a good deal on how to develop young players at the right moments. if you recall he was not saying this about sterling last year for instance.
ReplyDelete1 on 1 Employee management, Jamie. If Your employes are happy and feel appreciated they are much more lightly to do a good job for you in the future.
ReplyDeleteCoutinho is only going to get better!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that has always impressed me with Rodgers is his apparent man-management abilities, and I totally trust his judgement in this regard. He seems to have a knack of knowing when to praise (and yes, sometimes it is a little overcooked) but is equally able to scorn and criticize in a constructive manner (Sturridge). Whatever his methods, many of these players are really flourishing beneath his coaching. One of the criticisms I have heard levelled at Rodger's is that of use of hyperbole, talking too much. But I am starting to believe (maybe I am delusional) that most of what he says is a very deliberate strategy to get the best out of his players.
ReplyDeleteI think Rogers praises his players when it's justified and when they're preforming well even it maybe slightly eggerated at times. He doesn't do it for the sake of it in my opinion. As he criticised Downing and Enrique for example which improved their games. Daglish is guilty of overpraise when he said 'Downing was better than I thought' and Downing completed no goals and no assists in a season. Even Cissokho has 1 assist, Toure at least 2...
ReplyDeleteJaimie, what's made you so boldly certain about top 4?
ReplyDeleteThe main thing is LFC's consistent top-4 form throughout the whole of 2013. If LFC can maintain top 4 results/points average for an entire year ( and two months of 2014), it suggests they can maintain it for the next three months.
ReplyDeletePlus, LFC's only real challengers are Spurs now. Everton are 8 points behind, and won't (IMO) make that up. Spurs are a threat, but they still have to come to Anfield, and also have Chelsea and Arsenal to play yet.
I'm starting to get doubts about Everton too. They do have some great players, but their squad isn't really big enough with enough quality spread out. A couple of weeks ago, I predicted Utd to be our real, eventual challengers for top 4 come end of the season, with Spurs and Everton to falter away. United have surprised me to be honest, while Spurs' fate remains to be seen. If Utd drop points this week, they have zero chance, but they have little to no chance as it is already.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of Utd, what do you think of them for next season?
ReplyDeleteLosing Lukaku has put a dent in their form. Having their primary defenders hurt didn't help. Even if they get them back soon, I'm not sure there is enough season left to recover from the damage.
ReplyDeleteDiscipline in private--praise in public. Old leadership formula but it's old because it works.
ReplyDeleteyep deco was small too. why not praise him to the hilt, if it makes him happy?
ReplyDeletesame as i think, since i first discovered the great game.....F*ck 'em !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete