nottsblue wrote:john68 wrote:Mase wrote:If Gundo wants an extra year would it harm us giving him until 2024 with his last year in a part time coaching role as well?
Over the last few years, we have lost a number of 'irreplaceable' World class players through the ageing process; Yaya, Kompany, Silva, Aguero, Zaba and now Fernandinho. It wasn't just their silky skills that they took with them, they also took their knowledge, their experience and the important roles they played around the squad helping to intergrate and bring on younger players by the example of their ultra proffessionalism. The role those players, maybe past their best, played in the dressing room cannot be underestimated.
The leadership role Fernandinho played within the squad to get us back on track earlier this season was a major reason we recovered and pushed on.It has been said around the club that Scott Carson, whilst not getting game time played a pivotal role within the squad this season.
The likes of Gundogan are invaluable within the dressing room, particularly as we now have a number of kids on the cusp of stepping up.
Next season he might play play less and less on the pitch but his influence, may be more valuable.
Have posted this a number of times over the years
You can’t have enough guys like him in the dressing room
Winners. Guys who have won everything. Guys who have experienced tough times with injuries. Guys who have been around the club for a long time and know it inside out. Guys who the Academy boys look up to and want to emulate. Guys who the rest of the dressing room are happy to be around and are good friends. Guys you can trust in battle
All this comes under the phrase “experience” and it can’t be underestimated how important it is to have. For the young boys coming through, to the new signings who look to the experienced guys to help them settle, to the management and coaches who know what he brings and whom they trust
We have lost this with Fern going so it’s imperative we don’t lose more of the same with Gundog
It's funny how many things we miss. For example, I had no idea about Gundo's impact in the dressing room until last season when the club released that documentary. It was at half time or before the Dortmund game when he started to talk and everyone went quiet. The players have huge respect for him.
I was surprised because he always looked so quiet, but he talked like a true leader. Same as Ruben.
Dias will have a huge task ahead in the following years, but I am sure he will be up for it. It's not easy to come in this dressing room and in less than a year become captain when you are still so young.
