We all have them. Critics.
Whatever job we do, be it shop assistant, teacher, writer, pro-footballer: In this social media era everyone is an expert critic. Being in the public eye means highly-paid sports professionals normally receive more than most when it comes to advice, opinions, criticism: As the saying goes, (modified in the name of good taste, you understand): ‘Opinions are like bum-holes, everyone has one and they usually stink’.
But in the case of West Ham United’s ‘star boy’ Mohammed Kudus, there has been a particularly large amount of criticism levied at him on the International stage, whenever he plays for Ghana, and I wonder whether the effect of some of this is now filtering through to his club form. Judging from comments on Claret and Hugh’s pages, other West Ham sites, and just yesterday another YouTube video appeared devoted to ‘criticising him for not passing enough’: Hardly a day goes by without someone offering an opinion, usually negative, usually equally uninformed, about his style of play.
Take a look at some of these typical comments from earlier this summer, from Ghanaweb.com: ‘He should stop doing too much and release the ball quickly’ – and in the same vein:“What kind of selfishness and unnecessary ball control is that?”
And remember the unwanted, intrusive barracking he got in person at the airport, whilst on duty for Ghana, which I covered on 8th September?
Kudus feels he needs to respond instead of rising above criticism, as he did direct on twitter, to those posts I have listed above.
His ‘comebacks’ to critics show that he is affected deeply and wants to answer them all.
If you saw the pictures of Kudus after his last Ghana game, his shirt was in tatters, he looked absolutely shattered.
Kudus’ looked battered and shattered last time out for Ghana
Add to that the sheer distances that Kudus – at just 24 – has to travel to games, being involved in every minute of each game, taking personal abuse at the airport – travelling back and no break, into action for The Hammers. is it just possible he is trying a bit too hard to answer all the critics by coming up with that wonder goal, that magical moment ?
If I were Lopetegui, I’d be trying to give the guy some shelter from a pretty exhausting lifestyle, endless criticism every way he turns on the International scene – and make London Stadium his place of sanctuary: Somewhere he can learn to put his phone down, stop getting riled by armchair critics and create a place where he feels appreciated, safe and able to – although I hate the term – “just go out and express himself” without the need to answer all his critics every time he puts his boots on.
Well, he could start by playing him somewhere else other than left wing!
It’s true he holds onto the ball too long though. Maybe lopetegui should be telling him that too. It’s great that he wants to entertain us with long dribbles but sometimes a simple pass to a team mate will do rather than try and dribble past five players and lose the ball. He just puts his head down and runs. Sometimes you just want him to look up, get your head up and see if a pass is on. Very frustrating at times. I think that’s why lopetegui sticks him out on the left wing where this less players to run into.
Problem posting to this topic?
No, OK let’s try again.
No, everyone is not an expert critic and nor do they claim to be. They are simply taking the opportunity you have given them in this world of technological wizardry, to offer their opinion electronically rather than screaming at the TV. You open this can of worms and then complain when you get what you ask for. Just how informed do you think public opinion should be?
I’ve just had a viennetta for me pudding.
He needs to grow a pair and stop sulking.
Sick of people like you making excuses for these puffed-up prima donnas. We always end up with them at West Ham instead of putting a shift in and earning their feckin money. Another player who thinks he’s better than our club.
seriously…get some therapy
The idea that any player takes the slightest notice of us ill-informed, negative, armchair critics is laughable.
I am beginning to wonder if as well as being multi-millionaires, with all that goes with it, PL players are also exempt from criticism?