Two of the most important traits a Premier League manager needs to possess are mental strength and the ability to keep emotions inside and away from sight.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has had to ensure this has been the case, especially over the past month, with regards to the on-going saga surrounding the club and Luis Suarez’s future. With speculation rife surrounding the Uruguayan and his possible departure from the club, media attention has been fixated upon the Northern Irish manager and how he will react to each development.
So far, Rodgers has kept a great poker face over the seemingly ever-lasting transfer fiasco. A straight face whilst addressing various journalists has been a requirement to ensure both the player and fans are not led to believe the player is leaving. In fact it has been widely suggested by Rodgers that Suarez is not to leave Anfield and that he expects Suarez to reciprocate the loyalty that they have offered him during his tumultuous time at the club. This is a necessity for a manager, as they need to show no signs, nor give hints as to what they are really planning.
This can be very easily compared to poker, and the requirement of those playing to keep their hands close to their chests. The effort to avoid giving away the real interests and ambitions they have in that particular hand can easily be related to that of a manager, and it is no surprise then, that often managers are said to have ‘poker faces’, with the game of guessing who wants what player and how much they will willingly pay.
This is not kept solely for transfer windows however, and it is ever present even in the middle of the season itself. Mind games are a prevalent addition to the game and managers will take every opportunity to try and get one-up on their opposing numbers. Jose Mourinho, the expert of this trait has returned to the Premier League arena, and Rodgers and the Portuguese maestro are sure to engage in some tantalising battles, both on the pitch, and in press conferences.
Rodgers has shown how skilful he can be in this field, with his constant straight face whenever Suarez became entangled in a controversy, but also in press conferences after or before matches, and as a result he continues to impress and further his reputation as a fantastic manager.
Can’t wait til Brendan and moriniho lock hornes!!
Brendan has played a very intelligent game. He keeps reiterating how much we want to keep him as does sure and Henry. By doing this we force his value up and when we do sell we get top dollar and we can reinvest
Rodgers just has no class, Liverpool is a cup side and he just needs to accept that. I would love to see them pip Tottenham but to be honest they are better than you now.
Mayf is a sad tw@t
Mayf still gets bitty from he’s mum and he’s gran.
It’s ‘horns’ Terry … Doh! 🙂
Correct! Hot weather gets to me!
liverpool out
reina loan
skrtel 12
henderson 15
carroll 15
shelvey 6
coates 5
downing 8
borini 8
assaidi 3
spearing 2
suarez 50
TOTAL 124
LIVERPOOL IN
mignolet 10
toure free
aspas 7
alberto 7
eriksen 18
benzema 25
song 20
taylor 8
lamela 25
papadopoulos 18
TOTAL 128
——————–MIGNOLET———————–
JONSON—–PAPADOPOU—–AGGER—–TAYLOR
————-GERRARD———-SONG————–
———————–ERIKSEN———————-
LAMELA———–BENZEMA————COUTINHO
ai……that is a horrible team.
Bet you don’t know what lamela even looks like. Go back to your play station. Come back when you find your brain
Another fantasy football nerd.
Think you need to apply for a job as managers spokesperson as you don’t seem to see the wood for the trees
What poker face ? I would love to see mind games being played by the top BPL managers. Too bad Fergie had retired if not sure nice to see him have it out with Mourinho .