Leaving out Elano

[Disturbance]

I think you're absolutely right. But, to be fair, I think Elano is held to higher standard than the players just mentioned because we saw what he is capable of doing in his first couple of months here (and unlike Kompany, Ireland and SWP, he's not performed as well as we know he can do for quite some time). I would disagree with anyone that says he is a poor player, he's clearly not, but his form has dipped and he consistently plays below par. That's frustrating for everyone, is it not?

I agree his form has been inconsistent, but he really has been shat on by Hughes this season IMO. It's difficult to know what's going on behind the scenes but at the start of this season Elano looked like he'd got himself in great shape. He played in his best position against WHU at home, scored 2 goals and then Hughes immediately dropped him. I don't think it's helped him at all being constantly in and out of the side. Hughes seems to like giving Vassell a run of 5+ games but I don't think Elano has played more than 2 in a row all season.

 

[DontLookBackInAnger]

Rightly or wrongly, Elano will never play for City again whilst Hughes is in charge, unless there's a major backing down from either party which I can't see. Same with Ben Haim.

What's this about TBH? I didn't know there had been a falling out there(not that I'm terribly unhappy!)

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with you Cheesy, but I can't help but think you're letting the player himself off very lightly. Ultimately he's on the pitch doing the business. I understand the manager has an important role in player motivation, but I think when discussing personal performances, the buck has to stop with the player himself. He's a quality player that hasn't been consistently quality since last year.

I don't think Elano is blameless, it's just that he is so obviously such a talented player when at his best that we should be able to get more out of him than we are now.

 

[Wooderbeen]

I think you're absolutely right. But, to be fair, I think Elano is held to higher standard than the players just mentioned because we saw what he is capable of doing in his first couple of months here (and unlike Kompany, Ireland and SWP, he's not performed as well as we know he can do for quite some time). I would disagree with anyone that says he is a poor player, he's clearly not, but his form has dipped and he consistently plays below par. That's frustrating for everyone, is it not?

I agree his form has been inconsistent, but he really has been shat on by Hughes this season IMO. It's difficult to know what's going on behind the scenes but at the start of this season Elano looked like he'd got himself in great shape. He played in his best position against WHU at home, scored 2 goals and then Hughes immediately dropped him. I don't think it's helped him at all being constantly in and out of the side. Hughes seems to like giving Vassell a run of 5+ games but I don't think Elano has played more than 2 in a row all season.

Can't disagree with any of that. I don't think he's been handled well, but he's certainly done himself no favours at all. If Hughes goes, which I don't think he will, I think we could well see the best of Elano again - he seems THAT type of player. Not sure if that's a good thing or not though.

 

[smithy167]

He should be doin better himself fullstop why should someone have to get the best out of him, im glad he is on the way out

 

[Anonymous]

He should be doin better himself fullstop why should someone have to get the best out of him, im glad he is on the way out

Because that's the job of a manager in any profession.

 

[moomba]

I certainly don't think Elano is blameless, and I agree that he hasn't been firing on all cylinders since last Christmas.

But he has still been extremely useful for us in that time (those stats surprised me a bit, and show just how significant he was to a team doing so much better than we currently are),. He's also been a whole lot better than others that seem to escape criticism or "get rid" talk. He spent a lot of time in the past 12 months playing as a deep lying midfielder, and I just don't think that we'll ever get the best of him in that role.

He strikes me as a petulant type, and one that needs to be mollycoddled a fair bit. But if the right manager found the buttons to press, I think we could have a player on our hands thats even better than what we saw in the early part of the season.

He probably is a managers worst nightmare, but the best managers can also see those types as a great opportunity.

 

[smithy167]

He should be doin better himself fullstop why should someone have to get the best out of him, im glad he is on the way out

Because that's the job of a manager in any profession.

No it aint if he cant do it off his own back a manager has no hope, players aint little kids

 

[Wooderbeen]

I agree with you Cheesy, but I can't help but think you're letting the player himself off very lightly. Ultimately he's on the pitch doing the business. I understand the manager has an important role in player motivation, but I think when discussing personal performances, the buck has to stop with the player himself. He's a quality player that hasn't been consistently quality since last year.

I don't think Elano is blameless, it's just that he is so obviously such a talented player when at his best that we should be able to get more out of him than we are now.

Again I don't understand why it's up to anyone but the player to play at his best. Hughes, I agree, seems to have made his mind up about Elano a long time ago and this has been detrimental but even for Sven at the end of last season Elano was under performing. I think he's absolutely quality, and I do think he's distracted, but as Ireland has done, it's ultimately up to him and him alone to pull himself up by his bootstraps and show what he's made of. If I were Elano I'd make it so Hughes didn't have a choice but to pick me. As much as I can understand the frustration at Hughes' stubborness, I don't think Elano has done that.

 

[moomba]

No it aint if he cant do it off his own back a manager has no hope, players aint little kids

Joe Cole is an example of someone that really came on under the right manager. He has a lot of similarities to Elano in the way he approaches the game.

You can say that shows a flaw in his character, personally I wouldnt care if I was a Chelsea supporter reaping the rewards of his improvement.