Have a read of this from the Chron today, interview with Khaled: ….“The first team used to eat in one place and the academy another place, now we all eat together - with the cleaners, the CEO, everyone. “We have brought in motivational speakers to talk about values. The first team players and staff have created a list of values that we will put up around their part of the stadium. “We went to the National Coal Mining Museum to connect with the past and understand we are fortunate. Then it’s the intensity and being leaders and taking responsibility.” The whole staff eating together, motivational speakers about values, learning about the towns history, how fortunate they are, all good moral things, love it.
Our lads just sat around, wondering what tattoo they might get next & where to watch the World Cup..?
Very exciting times under this management - lucky very forward to our time under Duff and his staff! Refreshing to say that again!!
This isn't at all unusual or ground-breaking in my opinion. It reminds me of the days of the executive canteen designed to reinforce the hierarchy in organisations. They had no positive cultural outcomes, only negative ones and unsurprisingly disappeared in most businesses years ago. I'd be amazed and disappointed if the first team have always eaten separately to everyone else and we're only now removing it. I even wonder whether it was re-introduced by Markus or Poya in a misguided attempt to lift team spirit. Does anyone have any inside info on this?
I think its a great idea mate. Out if curiosity, why do you think separating the staff and fringe players from first team would lift their spirits?
I don't think he's saying that. He's saying that under other managers there might not have been the divide either, did say School reintroduce it?
I have probably misunderstood it... It wouldn't surprise me at all if Poya & Schopp did stuff like that though
Sounds like history repeating itself. Similar to when Clarkey took the players down the pit, brought in discipline and connected the team with the town.
Sorry if I wasn't clear @Tyke The Tree-Frog - I definitely don't think it would lift their spirits. I think it's a bad idea, hence why I wonder whether Schopp or Asbaghi introduced it.
Yes sorry mate, I know you didn't mean that, I meant why would you think poya and Schopp would think that? I actually wouldn't put it past them, especially schopp, in some backwards attempt to make the players feel high and mighty and better than those around them, maybe thinking it'll boost their confidence? Definitely backwards way of thinking if so imo. So so happy duff is here now. Apologies for the misunderstanding bud.
No problem at all and yes, that was sort of why I wondered whether they might think it was a good idea. Asbaghi in particular seemed to be so far out of his depth that I wouldn't put it past him.
Wonder whether it was COVID related for each group to keep to themselves as much as possible and then for whatever reason it didn't get changed as restrictions were lifted. Just a guess mind.
Good point actually mate, didnt cross my mind. Sounds plausible, and with the ineptitude in every facet of the club last season, wouldn't surprise me one bit if it wasn't sorted
