by YorkshireRoyal99 »
30 Oct 2023 14:11
WestYorksRoyal When Bowen joined in 2019, he spoke about creating an environment where players feel like they can deliver success and are accountable for it. Obviously that hasn't been possible. But I think the overall observation is astute; players and coaches over the years have known that there are issues bigger than them at the club. It doesn't mean that they're not responsible for their own failures or that they have been lazy/apathetic (though a few have been). It's more that they've allowed the whole situation to affect their mentality and constantly come out on the wrong side of small margins.
I think the Man Utd comparison is a good one. ETH had a good season but allowed himself to be consumed by the environment, while it's basically becoming a graveyard for talented players. Remember when City also wanted Maguire? Seems laughable now.
Yep you've listened to the Gary Neville podcast from last night as well, but in fairness, he's right. He mentioned that some of the players United have signed were wanted by other clubs, top clubs as well. So it can't just be that the individuals are bad or the manager is, it's the culture set throughout the club which stems from the top.
P. Ince's "backs against the wall" mentality was set because that's the position the club were in, just trying to survive. That's what the owner had set, that's what the club were fighting for and that was the level the club were operating at and that has come from the top. That losing mentality is what was brought into the club, a combination of both the directors, manager and players though.