[SIGNED perm] Danny Rose

Or both? Great. Problem solved. Er, who, realistically?

 

I’m not a football scout and not paid by the club, it’s not my job to identify signings.

But when the CEO of the club comes out and says we lost our way signing established premier league players, and then we immediately buy an established premier league player who hasn’t played for a year and is visibly out of shape, it’s only natural that some fans should question that wouldn’t you say?

It’s certainly a lot more relevant than your stupid response.

 

Well. That’s not exactly what he said, Rose isn’t exactly an “established” player anymore, and we didn’t exactly buy him. Apart from that, you are 100% correct. An ex-England international on a short contract and likely manageable wages in a position we are short on cover seems a decent gamble. As for the fitness issue, I suspect our highly qualified medical team may have had a look before agreeing to the signing. So, I am entitled to question your position that we can do better, by asking who we could afford that would be better.

 

He was an established prem star. Not anymore. That’s why he was a possibility for us. Can we rebuild his career ? I’m not confident. Hopefully wages aren’t ridiculous given there’s no fee. If it comes off, then great.

 

Worked well with Welbeck. You’ve convinced me.

 

Snap

 

They don’t all work out.

 

He’s fat and not played for a year, are you seriously not expecting that to be discussed on a football forum on a thread specifically about that player?

Seriously, what are you expecting, just post after post of people saying what an excellent signing it is with nobody debating it at all?

Saying well do you expect us to sign Chilwell or Shaw instead offers less to the debate than just saying nothing at all. The you go and do the exact same thing in the other thread and mention Kane, it isn’t North Korea you know.

 

I mean, in fairness this is essentially very disingenuous and mealy-mouthed, isn't it - we all know that Duxbury openly said we lost our way making a certain type of signing, and that Rose is essentially exactly the type of signing he was referring to, whether or not he currently counts as 'established' by your own highly-personal metric - it's a moo point; a cow's opinion.

 

He’s no different to Welbeck other than position, same length deal, on a free, injury doubts etc. And it was essentially Welbeck who Duxbury was referring to.

If anybody would care to read my posts I’ve said I don’t have a problem with signing him, but I’m sure as **** entitled to debate the potential shortcomings of it if I want to.

 

Yes of course you are. I’m entitled to correct you

 

Did we sign Danny Rose or Luther Vandross ? Has he got a frizbee under his shirt or is he just pleased to sign for us ?

 

Sir Nigel of Callaghan came back overweight every Summer and as he said to me he didn't have a problem shifting it once preseason started. Yes Danny looks to of put on a little timber but let's give him the benefit of the doubt and judge him on performances.

 

Things have moved on a fair bit since then, no doubt they also had steak chips and beer before a game. They also used to stick kids up chimneys in victorian times, but it’s not that relevant to the here and now. In 2021 there is an expectation a pro athlete won’t turn into a whale given half the chance.

 

Lol good Lord.

 

Yes, my thoughts exactly when you referenced a player who played for us before I was even born to rationalise an elite athlete being overweight.

 

Don’t you use debt when you run your business?

 

1) STRUCTURE VANISHES

Workouts and nutrition are now optional, no longer a requirement. A daily schedule that was once planned by a coach, trainer, or even teammates, will vanish. Many athlete’s find this freedom to be liberating and it’s healthy to take a break. Sometimes, this break period can manifest into a daily routine and can be a hard hole to dig out of.

2) ACTIVITY LEVEL PLUMMETS
After retirement, an athlete will often workout 3-4 hours less per day. The intensity level is typically far lower than it once was. Even those who workout every day, won’t need the same amount of calories as when they were competing, besides those training for a marathon or other vigorous activities.

3) LOSS OF IDENTITY/MOTIVATION
Most retiring athletes may go through a period (at some point) of sadness, lack of motivation, or loss of identity. During competition, an athlete is not only an identity, but it also acts as a career and a social life. Without athletics, many are faced with the question of "who am I?" Without the identity of being a high-level athlete... there can be a lack of purpose or reason to workout. It is common that athletes boycott workouts for this reason. Many times “being healthy” isn’t enough of a motivator.

One quick Google search gives this result. This imo puts Danny within these parameters.

 

Sorry, at what point had he retired??

 

He's clearly wearing a bun-bag under his shirt.

 

For a light snack during training ?

 

Ok I cant be bothered. Think what you like to make yourself the big man.

 

I saw Nige chuck half a burger in a bin on Watford Hight St once.

Clearly watching those pounds in readiness for the new season.

 

Yes, couldn't quite manage to finish that 3rd burger...

 

Think I saw Deeney fish it out again shortly afterwards

 

Physio blatantly has a Big Mac in his left hand.

 

'Highly qualified medical team.'

 

F*** me look at the size of him

 

O Rose thou art sick.
The invisible worm, **
That flies in the night
In the howling storm:

Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.

** ie, sausages in batter. With chips.

 

The thing is…I suspect many footballers look like this without a regime keeping them in check. I’m not giving him excuses but nowadays, nutritional teams give players meal plans etc all year round, off-season included. A lot of them probably need that regimented plan in place or would soon tip over into what is their probable more natural weight. Not all footballers will be natural physical specimens regardless of all the above.

In Rose’s case, when he’s been a regular at Spurs, the evidence shows he was in good shape. So we know he can get into shape - I’d be very surprised if it’s a ‘wider’ issue like Deeney has given himself by purposely bulking up muscle. Rose seems to have been very aware he wasn’t part of Spurs plans for a while now (no squad number last season) so he very likely was out of the nutritional programme there and probably wasn’t in regular consultations with the physios either.

Now, of course we can question his professionalism in letting himself go to the extent he has. But I also understand it would be hard to motivate yourself - he’s human after all and we all lapse in our lives. He was still clearly unfit and overweight at Newcastle which is a concern - but it’s one I’m happy to move past given he now has a permanent deal with us rather than a loan, which might explain his issues there.

I’m fairly certain there’s no reason to panic about his weight or fitness and I’d wager he’ll be in shape come the start of the season.

 

Eden Hazard turned up to Real Madrid's pre-season in similar shape and was called out in it for being unusually rotund - almost 12 months later and he's hardly been fit all season and looks a shadow of his former self.

 

He's had all manner of injury issues as well though to be fair - nothing of the sort has been reported with Rose?

 

Let’s judge him when he plays.

I don't think you can compare him to the Danny Welbeck signing until at least a year has gone by. Unless you personally know them both to compare personalities, motivation and the way they fit into the squad ethos. You only speculate on how well they will fit in.

So you can only go on past performances, wages, etc. Welbeck last five years played in 94 premier league matches, 16 goals (6 in his 24 Brighton appearances). Rose, 59 appearances (0 in 20/21). I expect Rose is on less £. Both were free transfers, but goodness knows what the signing on fees, etc were.

Both i would say filled gaps in the squad. Welbeck you would say had his worst recent season with us, but seems to be a good squad player at Brighton. Rose we will have to see.

Personally i think its a good signing, with a player with better technical skills than anyone else in that position within our squad. Fitness, motivation, contribution to squad ethos i can’tsay, I can only hope he is a success.