https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1621070792900415488
A shame this player never really turned up to help the FFC cause. In spite of a couple highlight goals. I also recall another terrific goal he scored where he took a very long pass in stride and smashed the ball past the keeper. A couple highlights, but mostly a dud.....
I was so excited when he signed.
Saw him score a similar worldy up at Burnley, inside the first minute - when we were desperate for points, but sadly we went on to lose , which wasn't really his fault!
Have to admit, I maintain when he played for us he was a good player in a crap team. He scored some worldies and did well given how pourous our defence and midfield was and how few opportunities he got. I feel in our current team if he came in everyone would be loving him. He definitely retired too early and had a lot to offer still. Some of the goals he scored that season were class.
Obviously he had a falling out in the end with the club, but I'd pay to see him play for us in this current team.
You'd be gobsmacked and delighted to have one of our attacking players score a goal like this..
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nL64xFqZQZw
His goal vs Brighton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya4xhmFpM_Q
His goal vs Arsenal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L50ZzfBzHKo
He also scored a goal for us against Southampton in the league, but struggling to find it on youtube.
The day he signed my initial reaction was very positive. I was at Stansted waiting for a flight. Talking to a group of Germans brought me down with their derogatory comments about the drive, motivation and desire of the man. Unfortunately they were right
Class player, questionable attitude. He ended his career soon after his spell here which came to no surprise for anyone who watched him play for us. Shame, could have been an important player that season if he showed more passion.
We saw the *** end of his career, in my view he used FFC to earn a very, very nice income without contributing anything like enough to justify it.
He was a Big Time Charlie and a high maintenance disappointment, who drew wages under false pretences.
Quote from: Cambridge Pete on February 02, 2023, 06:01:48 PM
The day he signed my initial reaction was very positive. I was at Stansted waiting for a flight. Talking to a group of Germans brought me down with their derogatory comments about the drive, motivation and desire of the man. Unfortunately they were right
I thought the truth of the matter, which he admitted was that after the world cup he had severe struggles with depression which is why his motivation was brought into question.
Still think he'd thrive again in this particular team. It's not uncommon for professional players to fall out of love with the game or get depressed as elite athletes or even post leaving the game. Fundamentally it's an entertainment bubble.
Think people need to think about these things more when it comes to the expectations we throw ok professional athletes, just because they get paid what they do. The money is a result of the mechanics and commerciality. Yes its a sweetener, but the career is normally over before its even got going for the vast majority.
Like General I also remembered reading an in depth piece on him where he opened up and admitted that he struggled mentally after becoming a World Cup winner. Whilst this may be a complete anathema to most- I admired the fact that he had confronted his demons and had decided to retire. I also agree with Ray that the rest of the team was very disjointed - it doesn't excuse him not turning up - but he wasn't the only one. Big shame all around as he still had talent in abundance.