We need Lia to stay. Ideally in a reduced role but losing Manny and Siggy is a lot of experience and leadership out the door, both on and off the pitch. Vinniesta adds value with both and provides vital leadership support for Dura.
Such a bizarre argument. With all of that wonderful experience we have been awful 3/4 seasons. When we had the best player in the league we finished 4th. Focus on quality, improve the team, I cannot understand how resigning Lia is really being considered
I agree and disagree - when we've done well, it's been because of the culture and experience providing a good base for players like Nathan Burns and Paul Ifill to excel. However, carrying a player simply because he provides experience doesn't make a whole lot of sense in a league where every cap dollar counts..
So what changed in the culture between last year and this year? Or did we just lose our best player? Did we lose a lot this year because the culture was bad? Not sure that culture is as meaningful as people make it out to be.
The players didnt know if they had jobs beyond the end of the season for the most part. Playing under that stress would surely negate both talent and culture.
Just because in nearly every American film made about a rubbish sports team there is an amazing if somewhat unbelieveable turnaround when a new owner, coach or threat of extinction is thrown in, does not mean it will always occur in real life