Celebrating Defensive Work - Mindset Change

Jericholyte2

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Oct 6, 2004
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This is one of the key changes I’ve seen in the team since Brentford - when they make a good clearance, interception, tackle etc it gets celebrated.

For me it signals an appreciation of defensive efforts and unity, rather than looking like a collection of 11 random players who happen to play for the same team.
 
Ten Hag mentioned how we now have the right characters and there is a good team spirit. Presumably that is something he's worked hard to change, and strong mentality and work ethic are attributes he wanted in new signings. It all comes down to working hard and genuinely giving a shit about everything they do on the pitch. It's what all successful teams have, and what we've lacked massively in recent years. Martinez and Malacia have had such a positive affect on the defense in that regard.
 
Varane chest bumps everyone who makes a defensive contribution now :lol:

The difference in mindset is extremely noticeable.
 
Used to love Schmeichel doing that back in the day as it really got the defence pumped, it’s such an underrated thing. I can see Martinez really pushing this on this season as you can see he LOVES winning a defensive duel and that’ll spread through the defensive side of the squad.
 
Jericholyte2 said:
This is one of the key changes I’ve seen in the team since Brentford - when they make a good clearance, interception, tackle etc it gets celebrated.

For me it signals an appreciation of defensive efforts and unity, rather than looking like a collection of 11 random players who happen to play for the same team.
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Was thinking of writing that. I love celebration defensivly as much as after scoring a goal. You can see how much it means to players like Dalot, Varane and Martinez.
 
Yeah I've noticed this too. The players look like they want to defend and they look more of a unit.

If you look at the issue of left back for instance, Malacia is still very raw as a talent, he had some really good moments today but also some torrid ones too which is no shame up against some fantastic players, but the effort he puts in is first class and he gets encouragement all the time from his teammates. I'm probably gonna sound prejudiced against our older players here but I just don't think he'd get the same from Lindelof, Maguire, or Shaw and i don't think they'd match his energy levels either.
 
There has been some crazy upswing in our mentality on the pitch, the intense agression in the stare down between martinez and Antony when celebrating the first goal, dalot shoving Antony in the back for tracking back and making a tackle.

It's a far cry from the "good lads" under ole and the stroppy lot under ragnick
 
Lee565 said:
There has been some crazy upswing in our mentality on the pitch, the intense agression in the stare down between martinez and Antony when celebrating the first goal, dalot shoving Antony in the back for tracking back and making a tackle.

It's a far cry from the "good lads" under ole and the stroppy lot under Rangnick
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This. Don't think I've ever seen such a complete turnaround happen this quickly. As soon as he entered the building EtH must have realized that the abject attitude of Shaw - Lindelöf - Maguire - AWB was causing infecting the whole team. In comes Martinez and Malacia who may be lacking somewhat physically but leaves everything on the pitch. Add Dalot and Varane who has got some of the same fire and we look like a different team.
 
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