Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Watford FC - 08/04/2017

Or perhaps he's told the fringe players that he was going to say this. That after minimal football this season, that those fringe players may struggle against the second best team in the league, who've won five games in a row, are the third highest scorers and have conceded the least. Maybe he's trying to protect them.

Just a thought.

 

Ok, I accept your alternative view. But what would motivate you the most. 1. Someone saying that you're not very good, but you're playing because I have no choice......or 2. I have a very strong squad and I believe in every player at the club.

Be honest, what line would inspire you most? The first or the second?

With players, you have to play to egos. You have to motivate and inspire. I'm sorry, but what I read in every pre-match build up interview is nothing short of a throwing in the towel attitude.

 

Goodness. What a tyrant!

Surely their fringe player status makes it abundantly clear he doesn't really rate those players? Or are you suggesting they're such dullards that only now, in a pre-match press conference by the coach in April, the truth finally and cruelly been revealed to them?

There could be lots of things to motivate them - a chance to impress other potential suitors, the chance to play at one of the bigger clubs in the PL, a chance to prove Wally wrong, or maybe even a chance to pick up an nice appearance bonus before slipping back into picking up money for nothing. Whatever works for them really. They're professionals at the end of the day and I refuse to believe a simple (and let's face it, untruthful) pat on the head from their coach in a pre-match press conference is going to have any radical effect on them.

 

So you think Mazzarri's pre-match comments are helpful in the build up to the game? Are you supportive of what he's said?

 

I can't imagine they have any real effect. Hence saying I'd do away with the press conferences.

What did Wally say immediately before the bit you quoted him saying? It certainly wasn't "show me I'm not wrong to play you" as you paraphrased it.

 

So, you'd rather not hear from the manager then? A complete silence from the club?

Even in the good old days, before technology took over, there were always quotes from GT in the build up to a game or post-match. I always looked forward to these quote as I usually found them very inspirational and informative.

When you have a coach that seemingly is only out for self-interest or coving his back, then I find that very disappointing.

I guess, with the vigour you are defending Mazzarri on this, is that you agree with the sentiment of his comments. I find that a little strange, but I accept your point-of-view of course.

 

So far as I can see he has said I've told the players to show me you're worth a place in the team (uncontroversial - but you neglected to quote that positive encouraging bit), 'tactically' he'd prefer to have his first choice XI available (uncontroversial) and he'd have liked to have kept the momentum going from Tuesday for Saturday with the same team (uncontroversial).

I can't figure out what you're getting upset about really. Which bit specifically do you think he's wrong on?

 

The most laughable thing about all this is the suggestion that the players bother to read what mazzarri has said in a press conference.

Does anyone really think the comments he gives to the press are anything like the same as being said to the players in private?

The naivety of some people on here is actually quite touching.

 

No I didn't. Read #62 where I clearly mention that.

I've mentioned it in virtually ever post, so I'm not sure where your confusion lies. The overall tone is undermining to the fringe players he will be playing. He seemed to have had the same attitude towards Doucoure, but he was wrong about him. Doucoure wouldn't even still be at the club if he had his way. He seemed to have the same opinion about Marriappa, but appeared to be surprised at how well he played on Tuesday.

I think he just does not trust certain players, which is fine, but he should not be so dismissive publically about them. This is wrong IMO.

Whether what is said in private or public is different is irrelevant. Reading between the lines, he's publically slating fringe players. That will never play out well.

 

All straight out of the Mourinho song book. Whatever psychology he chooses to use pre-match doesn't bother me at all. What he offers the press for public consumption and what he tells the squad behind closed doors are probably two entirely different things anyway. Mealy-mouthed, post-match, 'nothing to do with me guv', excuses are entirely different though.

Anyway, come on lads, get yer peckers up! We've got our third match in eight days tomorrow and we've won the first two.

 

Doesn't how well Maps and Doucoure played on the weekend suggest fringe players aren't demotivated by his comments? Just a thought.

 

Well he made his comments since that match, so it doesn't really affect a performance in a game already played. Unless they went back in a time machine of course.

Just a thought.

 

So all he's said is that he would rather have all the players who played in one of our best performances of the season a couple of days ago available because he wants to play in a similar way against Spurs? What is wrong with that? You could even argue that he is protecting players who are going to be thrown into a game against a team who they clearly aren't up to facing.

HB1 - The reason people are getting annoyed and calling you up on this is because you are looking for problems that aren't there and being way too harsh. I'd expect someone who has been playing and coaching for over 30 years knows more than any of us when it comes to motivating players and what to say in public and what to say in private.

 

Of course we want our best players available, but it doesn't need to be mentioned. I'm sure Pochettino would like to have Kane available, but he doesn't trash Son because of it.

His quotes below can only be read as derogatory to those coming in. I think it's purely said to protect himself, and for no other reason.

"But the way we play tactically it would have been better if we had the players who are injured."

"The thing is we played on Tuesday the way I like to play. Fast with lots of possession. I would have liked to express this against Tottenham, with the same team."

 

No not Son but Poch has trashed Janssen.

Wally hasn't trashed anyone in those comments at all. The only tone that exists is the one in your head you choose to put on it because you really don't like the bloke.

 

HB1, I have agreed with most of what you've said about Walter this season, and I don't necessarily think the concerns have gone away on the back of two decent performances, but you're making something out of nothing here. You really are. He might not be the right man to take us forward, he probably isn't even the man to stop us sliding back a bit, but for Pete's sake, criticise him fair and square for what we can all see rather than put your own meanings to words given to the press, which we all know have FA to do with what managers say in the dressing room.

There's genuine concerns about Walter's handling of things, but when people look too desperate to find fault in everything he does and says, it undermines the credibility of proper arguments.

 

I've read plenty of times that you want Mazzarri to go, yet I've never said this....not once.

By that token there's more evidence on this forum that you do not like him more than I.

It's strange after one good performance, the attitude towards the coach is changed. If we lose will you change again?

Anyway, if you are not able to read between the lines and chose to ignore when someone points it out to you, then I can do no more. It's blatantly obvious to me he's made his excuse for what he thinks will be a heavy defeat. He's trying to protect himself, and if you cannot see that, then so be it.

 

The problem is, what I've written is fair comment. But it goes through the forum wringer and becomes over-emphasised. To me it's clear Mazzarri is making an excuse for what he thinks will be a heavy defeat.

Of course all mangers/coaches want their best team, but that rarely ever happens. You have to be adaptable. I just think saying it would be better if we had our injured players is counter-productive. He does not have these players, so he has to build up the ones he does have. After all he's going to have to rely on them whether they're his first choice or not.

If no one can see my point, then I think this is another case of content being overlooked because of the poster involved......as is the norm on here.

 

Oh goodie.....I've just heard that Harry Kane is back and available for tomorrow.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...nham-training-ahead-of-schedule-a3509591.html

 

No, it's your opinion on what he's saying. You can't remotely prove what you are saying because you aren't a mind reader. Saying 'if you can't read between the lines' doesn't make it any less of your opinion.

As for opinions on Mazzarri, I too have been a big critic of his managerial style and so on but in this case he's completely right. We have a injury and suspension 'crisis' in defence. In my view, when he was blaming it on 'injuries' before, we didn't.

If you cannot determine that playing our third choice centre halves and possibly our reserve goalkeeper doesn't impact upon our tactics, which have been pretty decent in the last two games then as you say, 'so be it'.

 

Once again...I will have to explain. What he's saying does not need to be said....it's obvious. It's just the tone of it.

When you have injuries, you have to build up the replacements, not shoot them down.

Would it not be better to say something like "We've got injuries, but the players coming in will give Tottenham a tough match" or something along those lines? Not just bemoan the injuries.

Surely you cannot be happy with all the constant excuse making? This is just another example.

This is all I'm saying. The tone of what he says is usually negative, counter-productive and he does his best to cover his back.......and it seems to work as everyone I've conversed with today appears to have bought into it.

If we lose to Spurs tomorrow, then it will be down to the injuries.....not his coaching. If we win or draw it will be down to his coaching. I'm surprised so many cannot see this is the way he operates.

 

Dare I say it?

Maybe, just maybe the coach has learned something about the English game and fans. I sense a change in Walter and I don't hate it yet.

 

If we lose tomorrow it will be because Spurs are superior to us player for player. You are trashing Wally without merit today. He's taken a barrage of critisism and now has showed a bit of improvement. Give the guy a break for a few weeks I reckon and support him.

 

Some will continue to hate Walter regardless of results, and nit pick anything and everything he does to back up their rhetoric - we could win 3-0 tomorrow but it'll then be 'Why didn't Walter just say he had more trust in his players?' etc.

 

This has nothing to do with supporting him. I support the team and if he does a good job then his support will be earned, not given as a default. Being a bit more humble and searching less for excuses in his press conferences, will be a step in the right direction.

Maybe this barrage of criticism is actually prompting the improvement?

Look, people can just meekly accept things without a word and support everything without challenge, or they can talk about it and highlight things that don't sit well. I'll do the latter, and I'm being true to myself in doing so.

If we play as we did on Tuesday, then as far a I'm concerned, he will earn my support. I'm not against the coach, but he's a long way short in so many areas and needs an awful lot of improvement. It's a question can he improve.

 

He hasn't done any of those things. You, as you blame others of doing with you, have overemphasised his points to fit your argument.

He's made excuses in the past. This time he has valid points. Because people can determine that he's right, he has support in this case, even from some of his most ardent critics like myself.

 

Exactly right.

My mate has made his mind up about mazzarri. But he is up front about it. "I dont care what mazzarri does, he's a ****". I can appreciate that position much more than these snide digs that are dressed up as analysis.

The funny thing is, if hornetboy1 actually met mazzarri in real life he'd squeal like a little girl and wet his panties in excitement, then ask for an autograph. Just like the rest of us

 

I believe West Brom has softened attitudes....nothing more than that. So if you are easily swayed.....but that's fine. People are all different.

I gave him credit for West Brom and will continue to do so if I see that level of commitment from the team. I have no agenda here. I'm honest to my beliefs.

 

Now I know you're lying.

 

You've definitely mixed me up with someone else on that front HB. I've never said I want him to go.

 

It's selfies these days, autographs are a bit 1970s.

 

I agree Wally has made made plenty of mistakes both in terms of team selection and post match comments. I'm just pointing out that you writing 3 pages of criticism for some pre-match comments is unnecessary and over the top. It makes you look like either you want to have a forum fight for little reason or you have an agenda against the manager. Just my opinion of course but that is how it looks to me.

 

I don't see what all the fuss is about.

After all, I knew definitively weeks ago that Gino had decided to make a change from Walter after the next defeat/losing to Sunderland/not beating last season's points total/the end of the season (delete as appropriate) anyway.

I learnt this by reading it on here and in the Watford Observer comments section, where all the experts who 'know people at the club' post.

 

It's not 3 pages of criticism, I'm just replying to other posters. I don't understand why that's a problem. If someone replies to a post I make, surely I have the right to reply?

I guess I just get people talking.

It's a forum, and lively debate. What's wrong with that?

Seems to be frowned upon, but I always try to keep it on topic and never make it personal (unless provoked by others, which is perfectly reasonable to fight like with like).