Baxter

[Dkc]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p039zzhd

 

[SwissBlade]

Sorry Swiss don't agree, they are under performing any trip should be a team trip. Plenty of time after the season to holiday or have weekends away.

So if you're not 100% on your game at work does your boss tell you that you can't take any weekend break with your family/ friends?

If they have days off, then they should be free to do what they want.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I'm mystified as ever by the drinking culture that still seems to pervade in British football, especially in the lower leagues. In a performance career, you look at those who are the pinnacle and examine every minute detail of how they do things and try and emulate that. I know when I started my music career, there were those at the top of the profession, to whom I looked and tried to gain as much information about them as I could so that I could give it my best shot and getting to where they were.

Ronaldo and Messi, as I understand things, never touch alcohol. Many at the top of the best leagues in Europe will not drink during a season. Even in the PL amid this drinking culture many do the same. Is there a connection between elite performance and abstinence? Appears that there is, but even if there isn't the mere fact so many at the top do this you would expect those lower down who want to go places would follow suit.

Conclusion, our players are fundamentally stupid or they're quite happy getting the pay cheque and plodding along at this level.

All good observations SEB, it is puzzling, and deeply irritating for your committed supporter who earns a wage but can only look on at young men being paid fortunes for what many of us would do for nothing! I wonder if this harks back to the British ailment called laddism? I doubt it ever went away, but bung a huge amount of money at a young guy who has no more life experience than a 3-year-old and surprise, surprise, problems happen. Certainly at the Premiership level, where money runs riot, there seems to be a disregard amongst some footballers for throwing money at a lifestyle that goes way beyond the experience of most supporters. By all means buy a lovely house, furnish it accordingly, and if you need 2-3 cars, so be it. But as we've seen, this is an attitudinal matter that seems rampant and ingrained. Does anyone really think it's going to improve?

 

[bornablade]

Remember Colblade(?) meeting Porter who remarked that the younger members of the squad were not facing up to their responsibilities (or words to that effect). Wonder if 'younger' could refer to Baxter, Che, McNulty.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Adkins didn't answer whether Baxter is available on Saturday or not, just referred to him being injured last Saturday.

Although Buchan asked most of the right questions, I would have liked him to ask if the disciplining involved any internal suspension or not. Then follow up to ask if there are any external factors or whether the internal disciplining is really the end of it.

Hints of Baxter could be moved on in January though.

 

[sitwell]

No doubt he's an idiot. But I'm not about to get on my high horse, there are people that do much worse. At least he gives a damn about the club on the pitch. He appears to be only 1 of 4 that do in himself, Collins (shit), Sharp and Brayford.

Since when did kicking off in a boozer mean he gives a damn on the pitch ? If one player hasn't given a damn on the pitch for the last 2 years its Baxter ,suddenly hes Tony Currie and Mother Theresa rolled into one.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I'll wait until we get more facts, or for however much light is ever shed on us mushrooms.

I will just say that if it's true they've all been over to Ireland for a drinking jolly, well, I won't type the expletives which I want to say about that. Bad enough that our manager thinks that he can stop the rot by going into the countryside and sitting by the water, but rewarding the little darlings for the ongoing disaster that is this season, that's something else.

Sick to death of the club; we're riddled with stupidity and apathy from boardroom to pitch. The only ones who are truly bothered are the fans.

Booooooooooooooooooo.

Self-serving club-hating nonsense.

Plenty of the players have shown desire and commitment. At times they've shown more desire and commitment than some of the fans.

It's most obvious in

Freeman - who runs himself to a standstill occasionally
Collins
Bob
Baxter
Bash
Sammon
Billy

Not an exhaustive list, and others show it in other ways.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Since when did kicking off in a boozer mean he gives a damn on the pitch ? If one player hasn't given a damn on the pitch for the last 2 years its Baxter ,suddenly hes Tony Currie and Mother Theresa rolled into one.

Baxter's clearly been very committed this season.

 

[sitwell]

Baxter's clearly been very committed this season.

Only in comparison to the complete disdain with which he has treated us up to his drug issue.

 

[HoodedClaw]

So if you're not 100% on your game at work does your boss tell you that you can't take any weekend break with your family/ friends?

If they have days off, then they should be free to do what they want.

They can go on trips or team building excercises, but it doesn't need to involve alcohol. Plenty of studies done on the effect of alcohol on athletic performance, and they all come to pretty much the same conclusion, it certainly doesn't help it.

They are in a performance based industry, knowingly doing something that will effect performance borders on negligence/non-fulfilment of duty in my book.

 

[sitwell]

McNulty becomes a pariah , Adams becomes a daft young kid who needs to calm down ,Baxter becomes our saviour who we cant do without. Less than 4 years between them.

 

[TJB.]

I am aware that he said his drink was spiked or something

If you believe that, you'll believe owt.

Two things I know from personal experience about MDMA/pills:

1) If you've had some, you bloody know about it. There's no way it can get into your system without you feeling anything, so even if his drink was spiked, he should have said right away that he'd ingested it instead of waiting for the drugs test to say it for him.
2) Although prices might be the lowest they've been for a while, the kind of folk who have it on them don't tend to give it away for free, nevermind pop it in Jose's WKD for a giggle.

Maybe he's learned his lesson, I dunno. But there's no doubt in my mind that the old spikey drinky story is a load of old tosh.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Why the assumption running through this thread that a drink equates to everyone having 14 pints of Guinness and a bottle of whisky.

The players are professional athletes whose physical performances are analysed in minute detail.

If their behaviour was adversely affecting their strength, speed, or stamina it would be immediately evident.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

If you believe that, you'll believe owt.

Two things I know from personal experience about MDMA/pills:

1) If you've had some, you bloody know about it. There's no way it can get into your system without you feeling anything, so even if his drink was spiked, he should have said right away that he'd ingested it instead of waiting for the drugs test to say it for him.
2) Although prices might be the lowest they've been for a while, the kind of folk who have it on them don't tend to give it away for free, nevermind pop it in Jose's WKD for a giggle.

Maybe he's learned his lesson, I dunno. But there's no doubt in my mind that the old spikey drinky story is a load of old tosh.

Without knowing the details of the case this still remains true.

The spiked story *may* be legal advice as the best defence in order to minimize any punishment.

 

[SwissBlade]

They can go on trips or team building excercises, but it doesn't need to involve alcohol. Plenty of studies done on the effect of alcohol on athletic performance, and they all come to pretty much the same conclusion, it certainly doesn't help it.

They are in a performance based industry, knowingly doing something that will effect performance borders on negligence/non-fulfilment of duty in my book.

I agree on your comments about alcohol on performance, but when you have a week between games you have time to recover. They'll all be on fitness/ training programmes anyway.

If it's team building or getting a break then you can almost tear up the rule book on alcohol because if the team don't get along then they won't perform. So what good is your trip then?

The football season is a long one, they're heading to another busy period of the season.

On one hand they need to be in top physical condition. The other they need to be a team.
So there is a balance. If I understand correctly the 'booze fuelled chaos' took place after Barnsley.

So they had a week until the next game and for some they won't be involved v Oldham either.

At the end of the day they're adults, they should be treated as such, give them the freedom and boundaries, they're also young lads. Things will happen occasionally, whether their fault or not.

They have to know that they will be disciplined if they step out of line. Sounds like discipline at United is worth taking the risk for

 

[mosbolad]

If you believe that, you'll believe owt.

Absolutely TJB. I don't believe it, you don't believe it and no doubt neither did Adkins or the FA disciplinary board. What's more I didn't say I believed it. However that's what he said happened and neither you nor me can prove otherwise. He got a relatively short ban didn't he? Do you think he is going to say, oh yes I took them deliberately and maybe get a two year ban? Give me some credit.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Im a big Baxter fan - i've said so many times on here. I am however disappointed that he clearly isnt learning from the mistakes he has been making in his personal life. I cant see him staying beyond January, and its his own fault. I want him to play for us again, and while Adkins has suggested today he might, but I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt.

On the Ireland trip - although I think players like anybody else in life deserve to let their hair down - my employer wouldnt be paying for a trip/party for me - not ever - and if i was underperforming - as some of the players have this season - i'd be sacked - not treated to a jolly. I also agree with posters who say when fun/drinking etc affects your performance as a professional then that is when you need to sort yourself out - Baxter and others like him need to adhere to that. I accept though that these are young lads, who will make mistakes - however Baxter is clearly not learning from them.

 

[mosbolad]

If it's team building or getting a break then you can almost tear up the rule book on alcohol because if the team don't get along then they won't perform. So what good is your trip then?

Agree Swiss. It's their Christmas piss up basically, all teams do it. For obvious reasons it's not in their own town. I've no doubt the Prem do it but it will be abroad somewhere (just guessing btw).

Of course alcohol isn't ideal for an athlete but as a one off let your hair down prior to the busy Christmas schedule I really don't see an issue. If they are on it every week then you do have problems. Having said all that what may have gone off seems a little more than jolly boys outing high jinx.

On the Ireland trip - although I think players like anybody else in life deserve to let their hair down - my employer wouldnt be paying for a trip/party for me - not ever

Who says United have paid for it?

 

[HoodedClaw]

I agree on your comments about alcohol on performance, but when you have a week between games you have time to recover. They'll all be on fitness/ training programmes anyway.

If it's team building or getting a break then you can almost tear up the rule book on alcohol because if the team don't get along then they won't perform. So what good is your trip then?

The football season is a long one, they're heading to another busy period of the season.

On one hand they need to be in top physical condition. The other they need to be a team.
So there is a balance. If I understand correctly the 'booze fuelled chaos' took place after Barnsley.

So they had a week until the next game and for some they won't be involved v Oldham either.

At the end of the day they're adults, they should be treated as such, give them the freedom and boundaries, they're also young lads. Things will happen occasionally, whether their fault or not.

They have to know that they will be disciplined if they step out of line. Sounds like discipline at United is worth taking the risk for

I appreciate what you're getting at Swizzler, I just struggle with the concept of doing something that can have a negative effect on your performance.

If its ok to do, even if you have a week between matches, why are so many mangers against it and why do so many players particularly foreign ones abstain. Maybe answered my own question there with the foreign players bit.

Plenty of time once you've changed careers to get boozed up.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Since when did kicking off in a boozer mean he gives a damn on the pitch ? If one player hasn't given a damn on the pitch for the last 2 years its Baxter ,suddenly hes Tony Currie and Mother Theresa rolled into one.

So the boozer was on the pitch?

He's put in more effort this season on the pitch than any other player, has scored goals and gotten assists. He's been our best player

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Having listened to the interview with RS it was a textbook straight bat interview from Adkins. Well handled by him I thought. No clues as to the offence or the sanctions, no dirty laundry in public which is good in my book. Adkins clearly tried to draw a line under it as a club issue for the press but its unclear as to whether there are any further ramifications that are likely to result from the incident.

There is a clear indication though that Baxter is on his last chance and patience with him has run out when Adkins says "he's still at the football club, yes" in response to a question "he's still part of your plans?". Reading between the lines there is a suggestion that there is a suspension or that he has been dropped when Adkins says "Once we get into a position where we want to get him back on the field of play". There is also a bit in which Adkins' reply, in response to a question of whether the club is looking to get Baxter out permanently or on loan in January, which indicates that Baxter is either injured or suspended when he says "first and foremost we have to get Jose Baxter back on the field of play doing what he's good at". Of course his reply didn't answer the question as to whether the club are looking to get rid (why would he say they are with a month to go before any offers can come in) though from other bits it sounds as if Baxter may be given a last chance with the club because Adkins sees a value in him when he performs. I suspect a half decent offer from someone may see Baxter gone though if the club does a cost-benefit assessment of him.

Whether Baxter is available for the Oldham game is covered by Adkins with a sidestep - rolling Baxter in with other injured players and talking about squad rotation in the cups. So if Baxter has had an internal suspension I doubt it will be made public by the club. I doubt very much he will be playing against Oldham.

 

[BushBlade]

Since when did kicking off in a boozer mean he gives a damn on the pitch ? If one player hasn't given a damn on the pitch for the last 2 years its Baxter ,suddenly hes Tony Currie and Mother Theresa rolled into one.

A quality goal by a quality nun?

 

[Lowen]

Seen this on Twitter, allegedly he's done this. No idea if it's true or not.

 

[beatific blade]

Seen this on Twitter, allegedly he's done this. No idea if it's true or not.

Yep that's what I was told yesterday but wasn't sure to impart that on here just in case it wasn't correct. Now coming from more than one source so worth discussing

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Yep that's what I was told yesterday but wasn't sure to impart that on here just in case it wasn't correct. Now coming from more than one source so worth discussing

It could easily be two, three, four, ... people regurgitating a single "source" ad nauseam.

 

[robbiez666]

Why the assumption running through this thread that a drink equates to everyone having 14 pints of Guinness and a bottle of whisky.

The players are professional athletes whose physical performances are analysed in minute detail.

If their behaviour was adversely affecting their strength, speed, or stamina it would be immediately evident.

Are you an actual club spokesman? Seriously, what is this?

1. Every single player has played below their ability this season (K Wallace aside).

2. There have been numerous reports of some of our players being drunk on a night out.

If you train or play and then get drink (let alone getting shitfaced), it will slow your recovery. Oxygen gets to the muscles slower and it takes longer to get back to peak fitness. We have a squad with a dreadful injury record. You're also more likely to get injured if you're not recovering properly.

Now, I'm not prude. I have no issue with a hard working team having the odd piss up at a quiet time. Look at Bassett's Christmas parties. But those were lower league players consistently playing way above their abilities. They deserved to get a jolly. They were on low wages and never failed to try. Now, our lot are on high wages and have consistently not put the effort in. Why they get a paid holiday is beyond me and then allowed to get publicly drunk? Club approved. Mindblowing really.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

A quality goal by a quality nun?

A quality goal by a quality prayer.

 

[Pedro Verde]

Ive heard with regard to the alleged glassing incident that the victim is someone Baxter knows from his days at either Everton or Oldham and was allegedly taking the piss out of Baxter for his drug incident
Allegedly

 

[sitwell]

Are you an actual club spokesman? Seriously, what is this?

1. Every single player has played below their ability this season (K Wallace aside).

2. There have been numerous reports of some of our players being drunk on a night out.

If you train or play and then get drink (let alone getting shitfaced), it will slow your recovery. Oxygen gets to the muscles slower and it takes longer to get back to peak fitness. We have a squad with a dreadful injury record. You're also more likely to get injured if you're not recovering properly.

Now, I'm not prude. I have no issue with a hard working team having the odd piss up at a quiet time. Look at Bassett's Christmas parties. But those were lower league players consistently playing way above their abilities. They deserved to get a jolly. They were on low wages and never failed to try. Now, our lot are on high wages and have consistently not put the effort in. Why they get a paid holiday is beyond me and then allowed to get publicly drunk? Club approved. Mindblowing really.

When a shit team go out for a drink its a disgrace and they shouldn't be out. When a good team go out its team bonding. Just become a good team you dickheads and you can drink as much as you want.

 

[robbiez666]

When a shit team go out for a drink its a disgrace and they shouldn't be out. When a good team go out its team bonding. Just become a good team you dickheads and you can drink as much as you want.

Given recent history I think the team needs to be banned from drinking publicly in South Yorkshire regardless of whether they are doing well are not. They're clearly a squad of fuckwits from their behaviour when out. The club has shown zero leadership in terms of ensuring discipline. They seem to be able to do what they want which is wrong.