Why are we obsessed with bojan

[eddie741]

I use to love bojan, he’s a player who plays the way we all love to see. But he’s done nothing but sit on a bench for 3years. Yes he’s come on as sub now and then but done nothing for me ( apart from Rotherham). That injury has certainly taken its toll, I wish we’d all get over him😢

[Davef]

You could begin by not starting a thread about him on a public Stoke City forum!

[scfc5]

Jan 10, 2019 15:38:41 GMT eddie741 said:

I use to love bojan, he’s a player who plays the way we all love to see. But he’s done nothing but sit on a bench for 3years. Yes he’s come on as sub now and then but done nothing for me ( apart from Rotherham). That injury has certainly taken its toll, I wish we’d all get over him😢

Why? Can’t we hope for a revival? It might not happen but he’ll never have a better chance.

Really baffles me that people are so desperate to write him off, thread after thread.

(And he actually played well when he started in central midfield this season)

[podolipotter]

Apart from Ince, he is the only flair player on our first team squad books. No, give him a chance.

[adamsson]

There are many Stoke fans who prefer a hard working but rubbish player to a talented one, I guess you are one of them.

[M]

I think it's a combination of the the style of football we had been used to for years and the fact he was a large catalyst for that short period of time under Lesley that we then played the best football we'd seen in a long time.

He's a likeable chap too which helps but I suspect its more about the style of football he represents than him himself.

[Deleted]

The same question could be asked of those who seem obsessed with slagging him off all the time...jeez leave him alone!

[pavel]

That injury has certainly taken its toll

That statement has been debunked so many times on this forum, he played some of his best games after coming back from that injury and might just do again if he is given an extended run and game time. Why shouldn't we give it a try with a new manager who has got a positive outlook!

[99problems]

I just honestly genuinely believe that he wants to be a Stoke player.

Factor in that there’s a tremendously talented player in there somewhere, I’d hate to ship him out, only for him to recover his form for someone else.

That would piss me off.

Plus, his attitude and work ethic seem to all point towards Bojan being a fine professional.

[redwhite]

It's not about an obsession with Bojan. It's about being the big boys in a shit league and playing the entire season with a team full of workhorses trying to grind out results and forge opportunities from hopeful crosses into the box. Ince is the only player who can very occasionally get someone off their seats and he is an average championship winger. The side has been absolutely screaming for a bit of creativity and excitement, and Rowett's decision to oust Bojan had fuck all to do with footballing ability or performances and everything to do with his negative "football" philosophy and stubbornness.

If Bojan gets a proper opportunity now (a run of games in an attacking position) and cannot provide any more excitement than we've seen this season, then (1) I'll be amazed; (2) I will at least be comforted that we have a manager who isn't scared of skilful players and will look to bring more in.

[westgatelakes]

I wouldn't say we are obsessed with Bojan. Our current frustration has mainly resulted from us knowing that he is a better footballer than some of those that have worn the red and white shirt this season

[jarhead]

Jan 10, 2019 16:10:04 GMT westgatelakes said:

I wouldn't say we are obsessed with Bojan. Our current frustration has mainly resulted from us knowing that he is a better footballer than some of those that have worn the red and white shirt this season

This.

It’s the massive contrast in football styles to what He can produce and what Rowett spoke about Every week regarding creativity in the final 3rd blah blah then ignores a player who can do just that. Ridiculous!

Rowett didn’t help himself at all plus he certainly couldn’t take Criticism.

[santy]

The reason why the calls grew so prominent for Bojan under Rowett was not because it was Bojan. It's because of what Bojan represents. Bojan is a player with good movement, and in a time when the team is looking very static on the edge of the opponents box and the style of play isn't working it was very appealing in the minds of many to think what could someone do in that situation who is likely to create the opposition problems with their movement.

There's so many who still seem to think the problems under Rowett were defensive, like perhaps if we had better defenders we could go on a storming series of 0-0 wins to the top of the league. There is room for improvement defensively, but it didn't matter how much it was fixed, we still were going to struggle to win games.

A manager doesn't live or die by their decision to include Bojan, but when the team is looking bereft of attacking ideas and you won't seemingly even consider changing it with players who could offer more then you're only expediting your own demise.

Ultimately though, Rowett fell on his sword for his decision to play a style of football that peaked around 2000-2005 and quickly fell away thereafter. It was like we had been haunted by the ghost of Wenger Past.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2019 15:38:41 GMT eddie741 said:

I use to love bojan, he’s a player who plays the way we all love to see. But he’s done nothing but sit on a bench for 3years. Yes he’s come on as sub now and then but done nothing for me ( apart from Rotherham). That injury has certainly taken its toll, I wish we’d all get over him😢

That's the third thread started today about Bojan and we already have about a dozen. Your message adds nothing, nothing whatsoever to what has already been said. Moreover your opinion is as ill informed as many of his other detractors.

His injury was bad but some of the finest football he played for us happened well after the injury.

He hasn't sat on the bench for three years. Most of the time he didn't even make the bench! 

But it wasn't down to a complete lack of ability, more a case of the office politics working against him. His last manager deliberately played him out of position to make him look bad on those few occasions he actually picked him, but it backfired because Bojan actually did well - not exceptionally well, but reasonably well. That is in part what caused the manager's downfall.

His sub appearances have been so short that he hasn't had time to immerse himself into the games. Some players kick in instantly, but Bojan needs a little time to work his way. He's not a super-sub, however appropriate super may be about him.

Many feel he hasn't been given a fair chance, but it is hoped and believed that he will at least get that under new management. Some even believe the team will be structured around him.

Whether he will succeed or fail only time can tell.

[Bojan Mackey]

Because why wouldn’t you be?

More talent in one of his scrotum hairs than the entire footballing world put together.

[bojanwonder]

Bojan is now our only link to Stokealona and I think the reason he is so loved as a player is because of what he signifies, rather than what he does. We are desperate to see a return to a more exciting style of football. Rowett didn't understand that this was what the fans were getting at when his name was being chanted and I don't think the op gets it either.
That said I bloody love the guy!😆

[gogogadget]

THE REASON.


When he first came he looked great in the pre season friendly, OK against villa in the home game, but the he didn't get a game for a while. Strength and conditioning work apparently!!

But then when he got a good run in the side, we'll, that was pure magic. After the football we had been watching under Tone, to see a footballer glide the game with ease and class, game changing vision and ability, we were all dream land.

If he doesn't have it anymore then we can all accept that, but firstly, from my point of view. I want to see him have a good run of games in the side, then if we can see it with our own eyes, that he is not cut out for this game fair enough. But I want to see him given that chance first.

WHY DID HE HAVE TO PLAY AGAINST ROTHERHAM 😢

[jimmygscfc]

Do you mean Rochdale?

[nott1]

It's no mystery, he's simply the best (that we have).

[Old School Stokie]

I THOUGHT IT WAS ROCHDALE AT HOME IN THE CUP - AND NOBODY TACKLED HIM - CRUCIATE JUST SNAPPED - MAYBE PHYSICALLY INADEQUATE FOR THE RIGORS OF TOP CLASS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL - ACCEPT IT - HE IS UNLIKELY TO REACH ANYWHERE NEAR THOSE HEIGHTS AGAIN - YOU ARE LITERALLY FLOGGING A DEAD HORSE

[kidcrewbob]

no obsession - just frustration and bewilderment that such a talent has been sidelined on the whim of a manager who took an irrational dislike to him.....

[nott1]

Jan 10, 2019 16:38:22 GMT kidcrewbob said:

no obsession - just frustration and bewilderment that such a talent has been sidelined on the whim of a manager who took an irrational dislike to him.....

Tell that to DaveF.

[Deleted]

Bojan represents attacking and creative football which Rowett wanted out of the side. Simple we were sick of it!

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2019 16:30:30 GMT Old School Stokie said:

I THOUGHT IT WAS ROCHDALE AT HOME IN THE CUP - AND NOBODY TACKLED HIM - CRUCIATE JUST SNAPPED - MAYBE PHYSICALLY INADEQUATE FOR THE RIGORS OF TOP CLASS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL - ACCEPT IT - HE IS UNLIKELY TO REACH ANYWHERE NEAR THOSE HEIGHTS AGAIN - YOU ARE LITERALLY FLOGGING A DEAD HORSE

As already explained he surpassed "those heights" after the injury.

Remember the game aginst Man Citeh that we won 2-0?

Bojan orchestrated that game and set up Arnie and Shaqiri for their best ever performance.

And that was 10 months after the injury.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2019 16:22:22 GMT bojanwonder said:

Bojan is now our only link to Stokealona 

Well! We still have Affelay on our books. Though we've never been able to see him for any length.

[Roy Cropper]

The last time Bojan started in 3 consecutive games for us we were 7th in the Premier League. Since then 3 managers have failed miserably at getting us to score goals, whilst refusing to ever give him a fair run of games. He's far too good for this league and we're criminally under using him, hopefully Jones at the very least gives him a chance. I'm sure he will.

[jarhead]

Jan 10, 2019 17:09:51 GMT Roy Cropper said:

The last time Bojan started in 3 consecutive games for us we were 7th in the Premier League. Since then 3 managers have failed miserably at getting us to score goals, whilst refusing to ever give him a fair run of games. He's far too good for this league and we're criminally under using him, hopefully Jones at the very least gives him a chance. I'm sure he will.

Well said.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2019 17:09:51 GMT Roy Cropper said:

The last time Bojan started in 3 consecutive games for us we were 7th in the Premier League. Since then 3 managers have failed miserably at getting us to score goals, whilst refusing to ever give him a fair run of games. He's far too good for this league and we're criminally under using him, hopefully Jones at the very least gives him a chance. I'm sure he will.

So the question simply has to be about his attitude? I’m not saying he has one by the way but why would a player with so much talent not be playing? 3 stoke managers, endless loans abroad and he has never held a position down? So what is the problem? I’d really love to know

[Goonie]

Bojan has had his injuries and has been open about has mental health issues

Why he isnt playing for a Champions League club we'll never know but one thing is for sure, he is the most talented and entertaining player in our squad and probably in England outside of the Premier league

That makes him worth keeping in our thoughts and hoping a new manager can get him to his full potential

Hope is tge thing with feathers that perches in the soul

Under Rowett we were well and truly plucked!

Jones rekindles that hope

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2019 17:28:07 GMT @clyde said:

Jan 10, 2019 17:09:51 GMT Roy Cropper said:

The last time Bojan started in 3 consecutive games for us we were 7th in the Premier League. Since then 3 managers have failed miserably at getting us to score goals, whilst refusing to ever give him a fair run of games. He's far too good for this league and we're criminally under using him, hopefully Jones at the very least gives him a chance. I'm sure he will.

So the question simply has to be about his attitude? I’m not saying he has one by the way but why would a player with so much talent not be playing? 3 stoke managers, endless loans abroad and he has never held a position down? So what is the problem? I’d really love to know

For the record there has been no "endless loans" - just 2 one year loans. Also he has never "never held a position down", just not in the last period at Stoke.

I don't think he has an attitude problem. He comes across in interviews and in media messages as well as in his interaction with Stoke fans as a very humble unassuming very friendly person. But what do we know what happens behind the scenes?

I think he has had managers who were very insecure in their skins. Certainly Rowett was. He spoke endlessly in interviews how we lacked creativity in the final third and yet he refused to play the one player who has bundles of creative bones. He stated in one of his very first interviews that he resented that the Stoke supporters in his first pre season match had sung more about Bojan than any of the then 6 signings he had made. So as I say office politics worked against Bojan, and for Rowett as well as a large section of supporters he somehow became symbolic of the cultural war which Rowett started against the supporters, a battle that he was only ever going to lose.