unification
Well-known member
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 6,744
What we don’t know is how much support KR gives Agyei behind the scenes. Sometimes a player needs an arm round their shoulders, sometimes they need telling it as it is. If KR has done all that with Agyei, and probably more than once, then it is up to Agyei to produce the goods on match day.
If, despite all the advice, cajoling, support etc Agyei performs like he did today then you have to wonder why that happens. You can also understand KR’s frustration and why he publicly criticises him.
Not saying that’s the right thing to do, but we don’t know the half of what goes on.
KR speaks proudly of the mental health initiatives here so I don’t think he would ever deliberately go out to upset anyone. There have been instances where he has been asked about our players and he has been much more of a closed shop despite his naturally motormouth style. Ivo Pekalski for one never saw too many comments (and Pekalski did have a history of mental health issues) and KR was very clipped in that regard. He does say that certain conversations stay internal too.
With Agyei and his comments today, I feel that he’s trying the ‘pull your socks up (and put your shin pads on)’ act. He’s trying a firmer approach because a soft one hasn’t worked. I guess all we can do is judge KR on whether it works with Agyei or not.
I said in the Dear Dan Agyei thread that what we are not seeing from him is improvement. He isn’t anticipating chances or using his strengths. The odd worldie is a lovely thing to watch but Taylor scores 6-7 scruffy tap ins, headers and one on ones for every goal he hits from 20 yards. Agyei has to become a better player for us and realise that this is not kids football any more.