Darryl Sutter today continued a recent theme about needing more from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Sutter said he broke up the first line because those two hadn’t been producing, and essentially said he needs more of a take-charge attitude from both in the offensive zone.
Jarret Stoll is expected to play tomorrow, although it’s not yet known with whom. More notes and quotes to come…
He really doesn’t like Kopitar…
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@outsider,
He took the job because of the young talent – Doughty, Johnson, & Kopitar.
He is requiring that Kopitar play to his ability, which he has not done since November. Tts called accountability.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@Michael J.,
*Its
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outsider Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@Michael J., I understand what you mean, but It’s hard to play with Brown on the wing all the time… Let’s see what happens after the line change…
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
@outsider,
Who he plays with has no affect on his determination to drive to the net with the puck. To move into the slot. To take shots from areas not located on the perimeter. Those are all actions he has control of and has shown us time and time before. He’s choosing to not do those things.
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@outsider,
What does that have to do with Sutter not liking Kopitar? Playing Kopi with Brown = Sutter doesn’t like him?
wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@Michael J.,
+1, Like, and all the other social media digital-accolades.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@wavesinair,
I’m confused…
wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
it just means i agree.
LA_1968 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@outsider, He’s calling out Kopitar. This is what he has to do.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@outsider,
What about speaking the truth means he doesn’t like kopitar?
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wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@Gary Livingston,
They can’t let logic get in the way…
Remember way, way back when a coach named Terry Murray was lambasted for not ‘saying it like it is?”
Now we have a coach who does, and of course, he’s criticized for doing just that.
Regardless of how it all shakes out, I LOVE that this coach calls it like he sees it most of the time.
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Shakes Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@wavesinair, As Jerome Iginla said the part that what he liked most about DS was that he always knew where he stood with the coach. He said it was hard at first but that there was no reading between the lines with him and the players ultimately respect that. Kopitar is a star with DS as much as Jerome was his star before
king o' philly Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@wavesinair,
couldn’t agree more. such a breath of fresh after TM’s party lines. what a company man he was.
i also think kopi will respond to it. i think he has another gear, and he might just need a little more motivation from the coach than TM was able to muster in his dull, repetitive, cliched way.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@outsider, Kopitar is being paid to be a #1 center at 6.8 million a year and he is playing like a 2nd line center. It is funny how everybody criticized TM for not blasting the stars but just the little guy and now DS does just that and people don’t like it. Some Kings fans are nuts…You can’t have it both ways. All players this year need to be called out (forwards) Kopi at the top of the list as he gets paid the most.
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Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@Jeff_R, Yup, gotta call em all out! They are professionals, time to act like it…….nutt up or shut up
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Kingfan61 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Yes he obviously hates Kopitar otherwise he would not be making him play with Nolan. Nolan couldn’t crack a point a game in the OHL, he’s real first line material for an NHL squad.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@Kingfan61, Yet in 4 games as a King he has 1 point with a goal. That is a lot more then a lot of other guys in the last 4 games.
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Kings need to get to the center of the ice and pass the puck through the seams. Just watching other games, thats the way the other teams score. Play the puck on the outside, cross ice passes to the open men, beat the goalies.
Easier said than done, but something has got to change. Focus less on the “dirty” goals and actually play with some skill
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King-C Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@kopitaristheman, STOP playing along the boards. DS should cut the next forward who goes wide and to the boards. Play down the middle damn it!
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kopitaristheman Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@King-C, no way you can just “play in the middle” you gotta start outside and move the puck faster than the defense can move, then have one or two players get open in the middle and score that way
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PRMan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@King-C, You can’t send all 3 down the middle just like you can’t send all 3 down the boards. You need a combination but at any time, there should be 2 players in the slot (2 F or 1 F and 1 D). That’s the way the scoring teams do it.
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Kopi, Get in the slot, high or low, once in a while! Make us proud!
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This team is a mess….not even a highly thought of prospect(according to the experts)on the first line.
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JB penns 1st rd pick for carter then jj for kostitsyn gives you two top 6 players for the same price it would take to aquire nash
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@meister könig, Uhh I would never trade JJ for Kostitsyn and I doubt that DL would as well. There are only a few people Dean would trade JJ, Drew and Kopi for. The fact that we are so hard up for offense those 3 need to get better or be shipped out. JJ would be first on the list as we have Voynov ready.
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meister könig Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Jeff_R, ok well lets not include jj but amart plus others for kostitsyn he goes right into the second line
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
@meister könig, I can go for that…..Not sure about Kostitsyn but can’t be any worse then what we have now and he is very creative.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@meister könig, I also think DL is trying hard to not obtain Carter but if he can’t get Nash he might settle for Carter.
meister könig Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@Jeff_R, I just think getting nash would be to much pressure on his shoulders he’s said many times he likes keeping a low profile and if he comes here hes gunna be looked at as the savior of the franchise…by getting two good guys there isn’t as much pressure
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@meister könig, I don’t think he has a problem with having pressure on his shoulders when on the ice. I think he revels in that. The low profile he is talking about is with the media and going around town and everybody knowing who he is. That fact he won’t have to worry about in L.A.
Why I am having TM flashbacks where the only answers for our horrible offense involves moving players onto different lines. Until we change things at the top we won’t see any changes on the ice. We are to predictable to be effective.
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Shakes Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@DesertKing, Well it beats last season when there used to be the occasional comments asking for JMFJ to be moved to forward based on his shootout success
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bmova Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@DesertKing, At least Trent Hunter and Ethan Moreau aren’t playing on the top line!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@bmova,
Thanks, I feel better (I think).
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bmova Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@DesertKing, Hoping you would.
From the coyotes post game recap last friday…
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Kopitar appeared to be pushed into Smith. “Wires crossed,” Smith said. “I got hit really hard the second time. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t know who it was. I felt bad after that. I saw it was Kopi — he’s usually a pretty good guy. He got pushed and I didn’t see that. I kind of lost it a little bit.”
———————————————–
I’m not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but something about an opposing goalie ‘feeling bad’ for going after Kopitar rubs me the wrong way. Why would Mike Smith be concerned if he hurt Kopitar’s feelings? It’s as if Kopi is a dainty flower that needs to be coddled and cared for so as not to get his nose dirty.
It reveals something about the way the opposition views his style of play. I’m not advocating him becoming a dirty player by any means, but I do think there’s another level he can reach that would at least make opposing goalies not care one iota how Kopi feels.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@wavesinair,
Now that I understand.
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Mikey Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@wavesinair, I think its more of a respect thing.. he wouldn’t feel bad going after avery, cuz avery is avery. Kopi is a classy guy. Seems logical to me at least
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wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Mikey,
See, that’s the exact kind of comment I was trying to avoid. It’s NOT and all or none situation. It’s not classy or dirty. There are many levels below dirty and above classy that allow for a player to make a goalie so frustrated that he would NEVER say he felt bad. Make sense?
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king o' philly Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@wavesinair,
insightful comment… maybe reading a bit too much into it, but your point is very well taken nonetheless.
kopitar lacks an edge. he is a big body, but he doesn’t have the slightest bit of “mean” in him…
i’m not saying he’s not soft, as has been mentioned; he just lacks a certain agitator quality. (and you don’t have to be an esa tikkanen or sean avery to play with mean.)
Deke'r Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@wavesinair, …no…it’s called RESPECT…
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@wavesinair, Not sure but I don’t think he meant it that way. I think he meant it as Kopi not being a dirty player and what happened was an accident and not on purpose. Smith just lost his head for a minute.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Jeff_R,
Again, I’ve failed at communicating the subtle nuance. See comment above ^
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@wavesinair, Sorry Waves
I guess with all the problems we are having and all I didn’t read it correctly. I do think though that Kopitar needs to do more offensively and be more dominant, even if that means being a little physical like bumping the goalie.
tornado12 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@wavesinair, i found that amusing as well…does say something though doesnt it?
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Eric Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@wavesinair, We all know that Kopitar is a nice guy, like almost every player on the team. They defininitely need some players with an edge. Clune, Westgarth, Clifford fit that bill, but nobody else.
I totally understand what you’re saying and completely agree.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Eric, even westie and clifford are known as nice guys. we have no abrasive side on this team. there are no agitators to rile the other team up and get them off their game. Clune does that!
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bbb7 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@wavesinair, Exactly what I thought when I read it. You dont need to have a reputation as a dirty player, just a sandpaperish one, one who isnt afraid to get in close to the goalie or give a bump. Kopi isnt that guy, and he should be.
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Ian Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@wavesinair, I see what you mean. He’s 2/3 the way there. He has the size, he has the skill. Now he needs the attitude.
When you look at the big picture I don’t think there is one center I would trade Kopi for. Having said that, for this team to take the next level he needs to become a bit more of an a**hole once the puck drops.
There are few players that have the luxury of having a plan B. He’s talented enough to play the skill game. When that’s not working, he’s powerful enough to crash the net. I can’t wait for the day we see more of the latter.
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wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Ian,
Take the word ‘center’ out of this comment and it sounds like you could be talking about Penner too…
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eric Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@Ian,
Unfortunately, he doesn’t have it in him. He is simply a nice guy
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PRMan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@wavesinair, You go after dirty players taking cheap shots, not classy guys who got pushed. Really, how could any hockey fan not understand this?
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@wavesinair,
Yeah, I’m picking up what you’re putting down. Then again, I don’t need that to be Kopitar’s place (I’m sure the same is said about Malkin, for example). However, I think the team plays better as a whole when they play with that edge. Look back to the New Year’s Eve game, when they ran all over the Canucks. That was easily one of the best games they played this year, and they played tough, physical and even a little dirty.
It’s funny, every time I go on TSN to read about a Kings win, the Vancouver fans love to talk about what a gang of goons and thugs the Kings are. Point being, Vancouver (and their fans) are whiny little babies.
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Why oh Why are there still people calling for the coach / GM heads….you got a new coach, and still the offense sucks…take a look at what the players are doing (or more accurately what they are not doing ON THE ICE)…every time if it isn’t dump and chase, it is get across the line, and curl up near the goal line and wait for….wait for it….wait for it…..wind up coming….just one more second….one timer from the blue line. Any and every team in the NHL see’s the one timer coming and stands in the way. The LA Kings game is completely based on the perimeter. Not even Clifford goes to the net to screen any longer….how is that the coach and/or GM?
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Same old fix, the only things the past and present coaches do is move around players. DL get off your a– and start changing this team. It will not get any better. We have heard the same old excuses since November. If Brian Burke was the GM do you actually think he would stand around and put up with this BS?? I dont.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
@gene,
I thought he tried this last Spring and Summer…
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@gene, Yea like Toronto is doing so well since Burke got there.
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gene Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@Jeff_R, In some ways you are right. But Burke will not put up with a player not giving 100% over the course of a few games. There is a difference between loosing and not caring and loosing but you give 100%. The kings loose becasue they dont give 100% most of the time. Just look at Sutter today calling out Brown and Kopi for not giving 100%. There is a difference between Burke and Lombardi.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@gene, I don’t see Burke making any changes in Toronto even though they are losing and having a tough time of it. He even gave an Contract Extension to Wilson even though most all fans want him gone. So saying that DL isn’t doing anything or won’t take action is wrong. He is doing what he can just like Burke is. It takes 2 to make a trade. As for the Kings they do give 100% the problem is they don’t do it consistently and that is what DS is bringing up.
Finally a coach with some cahones to call out the players who haven’t been up to their potential.
This isn’t peewee hockey, these are professional athletes who get paid more than I ever will in a lifetime. They need to be called out if they’re not playing to their potential. If that hurts their dainty little feelings, then they need to find another sport or profession, period.
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can someone tell Sutter that Penner-Kopitar-Williams worked last year for the few games they were together?
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Nolan-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Loktionov-Lewis
King-Stoll-Richardson
i like Fraser but he isn’t producing any goals. size and grit isn’t an issue anymore.
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LA’s pathetic offense and inability to score is even getting attention on a Vancouver sports-radio station. How sad!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@bmova, That’s because they are hoping they play the Canucks in the playoffs thinking the Kings will have no chance and it be an easy series win for them.
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vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@Jeff_R,
Chances are, the Canucks will be playing the Quacks in the first round, not the Kings, who will be watching from Cancun.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@vplaza, We will see about that. Plus if I were Vancouver I would rather play the Ducks as they will be too tired with the run they went on to just make the playoffs, which is still a longshot. However the Kings are a big unknown as you don’t know what they will bring.
vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Jeff_R,
The Quacks are five points behind the Kings. They’ve made up quite a bit of ground in the past month and a half. The Kings have been spinning their wheels while the Quacks, as much as I hate to say it, have played with purpose and drive. And I don’t buy into the notion that they’ll be too tired. They look like they’ll be going into the playoffs on a roll and hot, so they’re probably more dangerous than the Kings would be in the first round.
I still stand by my view that the Kings are going to have a tougher time trying to hang on than the Quacks are going to have trying to make it in.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
@vplaza, ….that’s pretty much the way I see it…..unless of course the Kings have been “saving” themselves for the playoffs…..not….
Sutter used to call out Iginla once in a while too so I think he’s just hoping it works here also.
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I dont understand any of you guys… you guys cry and complain and alway try and find a reason to blame some one. Than when it does not work out you guys find something else… Everyone was so excited about the off season aquisitions and now you complain. Everyone liked the penner deal last season and it did not work so you guys complain. Then you blame TM , so he gets fired, we then go on a good streak and fall off and you guys complain.. Now its DL fault after so many of you praised him for the job he did and the aquisitions he made.. I am a long time fan, player, and coach, and half of you guys do not even understand what you guys are talking about… The bottom line is that the players or team that everyone is and was so excited about are not performing or carrying their own weight at this time and it becomes a mental challenge that domino’s down to chemistry… Yea these guys are proffesionals and need to carry themselfs accordingly but as individuals they are fighting it right now… YOU DONT THINK THEY WANT TO WIN>> they want to win more than we want them to and we just sit in the seats and watch.. before you know it you will be blaming Bob Miller and Nick and will want them traded or fired as well…..Instead of crying and complaining and just support or strap on some skates or a whistle and lets see what you guys can do…
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wavesinair Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@hatryk,
You heard him Rich. Shut down the blog.
Or create a new rule: “No criticism of players or coaches of any kind will be tolerated. Any violation is grounds for moderation…or strap on some skates.”
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SDGolfer Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@wavesinair, Or create another rule: “everybody has a right to express an opinion”
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palmspringskingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@wavesinair,
I agree with you 100% nice guys finish last in hockey. Last year we did well because the other teams were looking over thier shoulders everytime they got the puck. Brownie has been the only one this season to put the fear in the other team of holding the puck too long. We have Richards fighting when the big guys stand there and beat thier sticks to the wall.
I don’t think Quick thinks Torres is a nice guy. I am and always will be a kings fan(I hate all other teams) but I have to say this seaon is disturbing considering the caliber of players and the amount of money they are paid.
Thier contracts should pay them per goal boy we would really see a different game played.
This all started with DD not being a team player in the begining of he season. I think it has affected the teamates.To make a short storie long …..I agree.
FORECHECK and SLOT PRESENCE = GOALS
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Deke'r Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@hatryk, …the Zam driver is next on the list….
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 11:16 am
@hatryk, All jokes aside, fans do have a tendency to grasp for any rhyme or reason to explain what’s going on and it doesn’t always have to be congruent with reality. I hear a lot of talk about players not giving 100% effort, and when I watch the games, it’s maybe two guys not trying to out work the other team. There’s a lot of Musical Chairs: Whipping Boy Edition too, which I think I would find humorous if I were a player.
But fans do realize that strategies should shift to the situation and it hasn’t always; the players on the team have the talent and the history of being more dynamic; and you don’t win games without scoring goals, so there’s something to the noise being made.
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