The Mane problem

[rurikbird]

Salah is more productive this season than the last (penalties help too, but he earns many of them), Firmino slightly less. Mane is the one that has dropped off a cliff. It’s been more than just a few games; it’s now fair to say it’s a sustained run of indifferent form - coming after a year or two straight of absolutely spectacular world-class form.

Mane is still beating his man on the wing regularly, but the last touch, shot, pass or decision just doesn’t seem so crisp any more. Maybe he’s frustrated with the refereeing, and often rightly so, but obviously throwing himself to the ground won’t help turn it around. And I don’t have stats to back it up, but it seems that he’s getting on the end of chances with less regularity than before, with the majority of his work now happening well outside the penalty area.

Everyone talks about the loss of Van Dijk or the problems in midfield, but it could be argued that Mane’s downturn in form is a significant factor in our struggles. Will he turn it around?

 

[i_rushie]

Have you seen how he has been having to wrestle and play football on the left wing these days? The referees have signalled you can get away with anything trying to stop him. Frustrated? I don't blame him.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Always thought this team goes as Mane goes.
If he catches fire - we'll win #7 and push up to top 4.
If shit goes the way it's going, it will be a dead rubber.

 

[King Binny]

Firmino is regressing too.

 

[ibromurph]

I think there is some truth to the fact that Mane has been kicked out of form.

But I also have seen so many errors coming from him and I can't help but think a large part of it is due to some physical and mental fatigue. At times, he's looked knackered, unable to outrun Burnley defenders. There's just a bit of sharpness missing from his game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been carrying a knock for most of the season.

 

[StevieM]

I think there is some truth to the fact that Mane has been kicked out of form.

But I also have seen so many errors coming from him and I can't help but think a large part of it is due to some physical and mental fatigue. At times, he's looked knackered, unable to outrun Burnley defenders. There's just a bit of sharpness missing from his game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been carrying a knock for most of the season.

Tired and a bit disinterested at times.

I think he took the hump a bit when Jotta arrived - and he felt most threatened.

 

[tomasjj]

For me, it is a holistic problem.

 

[StevieM]

For me, it is a holistic problem.

He’s got a problem with his hole????

 

[keniget]

For me, it is a holistic problem.

Yeah. I commented in one of the previous match threads that he's often got 3/4 players to beat nowadays to get through to goal or to make a pass to a teammate. That's not how it used to be. The balance of the whole team is fucked.

I've said before that whilst we have some very good players we are very much reliant on a system of play that requires everyone to be present and contributing. Given that our squad is thin as paper, it's no surprise that we're struggling.

The fact that Salah is still scoring as much as he is should hopefully finally silence his critics. He has his flaws but he's a pure goalscorer.

 

[rurikbird]

I think there is some truth to the fact that Mane has been kicked out of form.

But I also have seen so many errors coming from him and I can't help but think a large part of it is due to some physical and mental fatigue. At times, he's looked knackered, unable to outrun Burnley defenders. There's just a bit of sharpness missing from his game. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been carrying a knock for most of the season.

Did Sadio have Covid? I forgot.

 

[rurikbird]

There could be something psychological there, I feel. Mane is a loner type, he is well liked by everyone but doesn’t have many genuine friends and when problems, bad feelings or other stuff builds up, he probably tends to keep it inside and isn’t comfortable talking about it to anyone. I think that’s where looking “disinterested” may come from.

 

[Frogfish]

For me, it is a holistic problem.

Yep. Absolutely. Though Ibromurph is also spot on with mental and physical fatigue. Our current problems throughout the team obviously heap even more mental pressure on everyone.

 

[Woland]

There could be something psychological there, I feel. Mane is a loner type, he is well liked by everyone but doesn’t have many genuine friends and when problems, bad feelings or other stuff builds up, he probably tends to keep it inside and isn’t comfortable talking about it to anyone. I think that’s where looking “disinterested” may come from.

He's dead active in his mosque and community. I don't think he's that much of a loner, he's meant to be sound as fuck

 

[mwake]

My thinking and this goes for Firmino and Salah: is that not having 'cheat code defender' VVD and Gomez means the entire team has become focused around the defence more than usual. The front three are probably playing 10 yards deeper than what they used to and doing more defensive work than what they're used to. So no wonder by the time they get into attacking areas they are knackered, its one thing as an attacker to have to press the opposition defenders but when your also having to drop deep and help out the midfield and defence then it takes its toll.

Like it or not VVD, Gomez, Matip afforded the rest of the team a luxury of being able to concentrate more on attacking rather than defending. I even think the same goes for Allison, he's taking a to of stick but I wouldn't be surprised if he's been instructed (or he's felt himself) to take more responsibility for anticipating attacks and increase his sweeper-keeper activities. This entire defence thing is messing up the entire team, hopefully Kabak and the new gang can settle in and allow the other players to do their jobs.

 

[rurikbird]

He's dead active in his mosque and community. I don't think he's that much of a loner, he's meant to be sound as fuck

That’s good to hear, but it’s a different thing to what I was talking about. From a few interviews I’ve seen and his teammates’ words, Mane seems like the guy who would project positivity outward and keep all his frustrations inside.

 

[Champ]

Mane is missing his crowd, fans in the stadium. He is a people's man he plays for his people and they are not there in the stands, he cant see them and he can't hear the songs, the crowd roars. There is no connection or inspiration

 

[Hansern]

Great idea for a thread Rurik!

 

[rurikbird]

Great idea for a thread Rurik!

Hmm, who should I do next? 🙂

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Even without the goal, Mane was 'on' tonight ... Hopefully more of that against Everton please

 

[Dreambeliever]

I must be very biased. I think Mane for the main part has been superb. He’s getting closer attention than anyone.

 

[darkstarexodus]

For me, it is a holistic problem.

 

[King Binny]

 

[moron]

@King Binny - I really don't know what that all means - but I think he is fucked.

 

[bluebell]

Mane is fatigued.

 

[RedStar]

Mane is fatigued.

hes just looks burnt out, he hasn't stopped trying but you can see that his edge has gone, the decision making is that split second too slow and he's not as explosive as he can be. Like many of our core players (Hendo, Robbo, Gini) he just seems like he's running uphill

 

[StevieM]

Caffeine withdrawal is clearly a bitch.

 

[Donavan Ried]

Long Covid... He looks jaded