Yeah it's true a players own mental attributes are just as important, but what I am taking issue with is the undercurrent of criticism that can surround players who are only finding their way in football. This is the sort of thing that can affect a players confidence irreparably. As good a player as he was at 20/21, Keane was not held up to the sort of scrutiny that Richardson was. He was allowed to develop at his own pace, and the fans warmed to him, due in no small part to his attitude to the game. Obviously the same could not be said of Richardson. I should say that I'm only using Richardson as an example, I'm not his biggest fan or anything.
Keane was at a smaller club, no offence forest, when breaking into top flight first team football, with a lower bar to meet and and less pressure on a minute to minute basis. Sadly this is modern football. Only the exceptional are ready for top level first team football immediately. Football has changed, a perfect example is the goalie madness at OT after big Peter. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. Also just cant think of anyone that the crowd really hunted out , Richardson couldn't do it, nobody would've been happy if we'd given him a couple of seasons to find his feet only to find out he wasn't good enough even with a run in the team. The reality is that people like Anderson don't need a couple of seasons so we have to buy them to stay ahead of the game. Any dip at this club and the whole club will be under that scrutiny in the media, not just one kid from the terraces. That's the nature of the beast. Personally I'd take a few seasons out of the champions league if I thought we'd come back with the likes of the 2 nevilles, butt, beckham, scholes, giggs and a few gillespies ... alas I fear.
Also I wouldn't mind even Richardsons career at United, it's not exactly a tale of tragedy in the bigger picture.
