Players Aren't Robots! - Wigan Athletic

I've been thinking about this for a while and following the game against Chelsea with Ramis making his debut has made me make an article of it.

Why do football fans treat players like robots? Why do we expect them to do things or act a particular way that isn't 'human'?

When Boselli moved over here and it was suggested that he might need time to settle, a few people made some ridiculous comments. Ignoring the fact he'd be leaving his home country, uprooting his family, finding a new home, meeting new team mates, playing in a new system, in a new climate with different expectations and cultures - those people expected him to perform from the off. He's paid £20k a week he should be able to do it they moaned. Like his wages had anything to do with his level of performances.

If somebody offered me the exact job I do now, but told me I'd have to move to Argentina to do it, besides bricking it and making the biggest decision of my life, I know my level of performance would suffer. I'd have so much going on and so many decisions to make, concentrating on my work would be next to impossible. Football is a job for these players and they would be in the same situation.

Same thing happened during the Chelsea game in the match thread on Vital Latics. Ramis was labelled an idiot, crap, waste of money, etc...after the first 10 minutes!

99% of us couldn't comprehend what he's gone through and the changes he's had to make in the week previous to the game. And that MUST have an effect on him.

I've even been on a West Ham forum and within the first 15 minutes of the game there were comments like 'dodged a bullet there' and 'thanks Whelan for saving us from that idiot'. 15 friggin minutes into a game and James Collins is a far superior player and they've dodged a bullet. He could go on to be our player of the season but they've already made their minds up.

Same with Victor Moses. None of us know what he's been offered. None of us know what he's asking for. None of us know if there's personal reasons for him wanting to move. Actually, none of us know if he even does want to move. Yet so many people are so quick to judge and assume he's not trying, he's not putting in the effort, he wants to leave, he's being greedy.

Again, ignoring the fact that things could be going on behind the scenes that none of us are aware of. The guy is also only 21. His decision to stay/leave could have massive implications on his career. He is human after all.

One thing that Martinez has said repeatedly since he came back to manage us is that people forget the human side of football. That players are humans and have emotions. They aren't robots who can switch performances on and off. Off the field actions and decisions can massively effect a players on the field display.

This is why he gave the likes of McCarthy and McArthur time to settle in. This is why Fyvie and Miyaichi didn't figure against Chelsea.

I think we sometimes forget that.

wigdean



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