| Morsy & McKenna 15:30 - Aug 14 with 987 views | wiltshireblue |
I've been pondering today the deeper impact of Morsy going
If I remember back to when Morsy first arrived and the negative vibe at Town there were some games in particular where it got a bit heated. This included at the end with Town fans (Charlton?) and Morsy didn't seem like he wanted to be here, or was interested and certainly didn't seem like a legend in the making from the off. There were posts on this forum questioning if he was the one etc etc.
Well as it turned out now that Morsy has left apparently he was a god (I agree) and put his heart and soul into playing for Town. But I think he did more than that, he probably brought discipline, structure and enforced standards - not just on the pitch.
Who is going to do that in his absence? that is the real role I think we are missing - rather than a particular players name. I don't think it is Mckennas key strength
Since Morsy has left the following have happened -
- Hutchinson ill / not wanting to play
- Broadhead reporting sick on the day of a game
- Hirst sharing his story of one of his early fallings out with Morsy where his expectations of application were so high
I'm sure 1 and 2 would probably have happened anyway, but whether in quite the same way is something else. I think it sets a dangerous tone to the squad. After all it isn't just about what you do, but rather how you go about it.
Now clearly McKenna is a great guy, my concern is whether he has the right support anymore of a Morsy-eque character. I can't see one in the squad in the same sort of mould, and I don't think it is maybe McKennas biggest strength either
I think that's the real gap we have, someone with that approach to be the enforcer of standards and to help support Kieran. We could have the best or worst squad, I think having that person in there decides the level of the potential reached. I think this is particularly true with lots of new faces / loans and to avoid losing the identity that we have built in recent years [Post edited 14 Aug 15:31]
|  | | |  |
| Morsy & McKenna on 15:40 - Aug 14 with 837 views | Illinoisblue |
Chaplin the obvious one to fill that role along with O’Shea. It’s massively important to have players that set and enforce standards. Doesn’t show up in the stats but it’s vital to have genuine leaders. |  |
| |
| Morsy & McKenna on 15:56 - Aug 14 with 660 views | surreyblue |
| Morsy & McKenna on 15:40 - Aug 14 by Illinoisblue |
Chaplin the obvious one to fill that role along with O’Shea. It’s massively important to have players that set and enforce standards. Doesn’t show up in the stats but it’s vital to have genuine leaders. |
On Friday after Birmingham scored I was looking over the pitch and trying to work out who was going to be the leader to inspire us to raise our game - who would take the game by the scruff of the neck and make something happen. So often over the past few seasons that has been Morsy, Hutchinson, Delap, and occasionally Burns or Burgess. With the central midfield still bedding in, and the confidence/fitness of clarke and philgene still being built up, it feels like that responsibility now needs to lie with Chaplin and Szmodics. | | | |
| Morsy & McKenna on 16:12 - Aug 14 with 544 views | SheffordBlue |
O'Shea with Ashley Young as his enforcer. Young was definitely one of the key voices on the pitch on Tuesday. | |
| |
| Morsy & McKenna on 16:35 - Aug 14 with 414 views | Bluesky |
I noticed during the pre game warm up at Bromley that there were one or two faces clearly not fully engaged with doing the exercises properly or to the full. Morsy was always tirelessly keeping everyone sharp in every single pre game preparation. He had them line up on time for the tunnel and they behaved smartly and positively - whatever daunting task lay ahead. I'm not getting that - yet - although I weill say O'Shea was quickly proactive in defending his players from the Birmingham rabble. I think it will come - but it will, as someone says, be O'Shea with Ashley (when he's on) and probably less intense than Morsy's admirable way. |  | | |
| Morsy & McKenna on 16:40 - Aug 14 with 359 views | ITFCSG |
Look at Morsy during every pre-match, he'd be going around the players doing warm-ups, telling them come on, come on, galvanising them in the tunnel and dressing room. Talking to players during the match, after conceding a goal etc.
O'Shea in comparison is was less proactive and soft-spoken compared to his predecessor
Can't see anyone in the present squad able to do that. Young maybe?
This is the reason why we should go in for Travis even as a squad player | | | |
| Morsy & McKenna on 16:59 - Aug 14 with 202 views | Bellevue_Blue |
No one’s going to replace Morsy in all those ways you mentioned — you can’t just drop someone in and expect them to have the relationships, respect, and standards he built over time. He did that naturally, and it’s rare.
Looking around the leagues, the only player I can think of with a similar vibe is John McGinn.
For me, the gap gets filled through natural evolution: everyone giving a bit more, new voices stepping up, second-year players finding their feet, and different leadership styles emerging.
Bringing in someone cold and asking them to “be the leader” is very risky — without the relationships in place. If done badly it can do more harm than good. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
