26 Feb 2017 08:58:25
Hi ed001

I think we can agree that the current generation's crop of players seem to lack a lot of the stoicism and steel that previous generations possessed.

After what we've been talking about in relation to clubs backing players over the manager, I think that is quite possibly a significant reason for why players these days are much meeker and softer.

Clubs have removed much of the players' responsibility to be accountable for their performances - everything is now blamed on the manager. When one loses the duty of accountability, they will not strive as hard to perform the best that they can.

{Ed001's Note - very true, but a lot is desire and hunger. Most modern players are set for life from the moment they sign a professional contract, so there is no incentive to go through brick walls to win.}

1.) 26 Feb 2017
26 Feb 2017 10:25:52
Do you think it is mainly money related ed? Just think of some other sports for example Kobe Bryant and Lebron James have been set for life since being like 21 and both played into their late 30s or the likes of Federer, Murray and Djokovic seem to have believable drive despite being richer than 99% of footballers (also know Djokovic himself even admitted a drop in desire but if memory serves correct is because he had literally won everything in tennis that year) . Or is it just the environment that modern footballers are in? Obviously are a few examples of players with great drive (Suarez or Ronaldo for example)

{Ed001's Note - the difference is the environment those came from, with a family unit that they intend to look after, so they need more than just being set for life. They want to be able to look after their entire family for life as well, in a lot of cases.

There is the poverty they come from driving them on, to make sure they do not have to go back to it. They don't come from a place where everything is given to them easily. How many come through top academies to be the best? The better the academy Ajax has created, the less great players have come through.

Modern kids in the UK are not taught the value of hard work, like used to happen. They don't have to earn what they want, they are given it. Ok so I am generalising and this is not true of everyone, but in the main life is just too easy for most these days. Even the poorer kids in the academies are getting everything handed to them in those academies, so they do not have to really earn it. So how do they learn to earn it through graft and taking knocks, when they never have to do that when they are young?}

2.) 26 Feb 2017
26 Feb 2017 11:53:05
Reckon for the most part you are right, remember hearing in interview with the people that made the Ronaldo movie and then saying he's desire to be the best was because he knew from a young age his whole family were depending on him and only he had the talent to save them (also had a very rough upbringing) . Be interesting if there are studies into if this is natural or environmentally driven. For example I know Micheal Jordan apparently had a bordering on psychotic desire to win but be interesting but be interesting to know if that is natural or something he developed.

{Ed001's Note - I would think environment is more of a driver to people personally.}

3.) 26 Feb 2017
26 Feb 2017 17:42:09
To be honest it's not just football, it seems to be endemic across society. I'm a lecturer and I've seen a huge ruse in the number of students who just assume they will get good grades without putting effort in. Or they tell me they need such and such a grade in order to achieve an overall whatever, with the expectation that I will give it them. For me the younger generations have a culture of entitlement rather than the meritocracy I grew up with.

{Ed001's Note - very much so. Entitlement is rife.}

4.) 26 Feb 2017
26 Feb 2017 19:01:03
Exacty why I don't see the point I'm these world class academy set ups.

Should wash your own kit, boots, help keeping it clean, bring your own food, get the buses, play on okish pitches. Learn to appreciate and want to work your hardest to get your kit cleaned etc.

You have to create that hunger. Not take it away when there just pups.

People think that by taking all the pressure away they can just concentrate on there football but the problem is they think they have made it if you go to ott and are minted. So where's the desire come from to impress, what are you playing for.

5.) 27 Feb 2017
27 Feb 2017 11:41:06
Great discussion, guys. The example of Lebron James is kust an example of the obstacles these athletes go through to be the best. This is more endemic in sports like NFL football and the NBA. A lot of those kids that make it to the NFL or NBA always remain hungry for greatness cos that is what got them there and they have made vows to their families, friends and communities that they will never know poverty again so they play till they cannot play anymore cos many are depending on them for literal survival. Kids of today? Their sense of entitlement is sickening.