^^Must have been!

I agree with Indie that Leon has given a lot of time and encouragement to Evo. Dan was picked in the squad, and I can only assume that during the preparation week, James came out as the most likely hope. Dan has never done much on clay (and seems even to avoid it, though I may be wrong there) whereas James has had some success on the surface at Challenger level. The trouble is, neither Fog or Seppi are Challenger level!

I thought Andy looked as though he was right out of energy by the middle of the first set. Gastroenteritis takes a lot out of you: if he had not had that bug, he might have done better - though I'm not saying he would have beaten Fabio. Over the years he has always been susceptible to a good clay court player on that surface. Less good clay courters he can usually handle, but not the top guys, and at the moment I would say Fog is the most in form and best clay player after Nadal.

Edit: the ^^ was of course to Indiana, but CD nipped in!

-- Edited by Madeline on Sunday 6th of April 2014 06:50:48 PM

Coup Droit wrote:

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A1 tennis academy wrote:

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scottie1 wrote:

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I think we gave it our best shot. Fognini was excellent today and deserved to win. No disrespect to Wardy or Evans but we need a top 75 player to back up Andy the team is too reliant on him

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 Spot on & we have that no75 player in Evo if he's managed properly . Leon take him under your wing foster him , nurture , let him shine . It won't be easy but the life of a manager never is ! 

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  Lets say as a manager I am attracted to working with players that can be difficult but have the latent talent .

Particularly for his age Leon is very good  he's intelligent , hard working , powerful motivator but  in order to become the finished article he  himself he will need to inprove . 

The average pub football team manager to honest would be better than John Lloyd he effectively admitted today that when he was captain Andy was allowed to dictate  team strategy .

a "great leader "  in my experience will need release the  huge huge talent thats within Dan Evans . 

Its about investing time in the right individuals , it won't be easy but that's why managers exist to get the best out of people .

Evo has let's say has a very healthy Ego it's a matter of feeding it ! 

Wardie's been a good boy & great work ethic so he's rewarded but he does not bless him have evo's huge talent . 

The great manager must believe that there are no bad players only good & bad managers . With the material currently  available would be possible to go further in the compedition next year . 

But the 3 keys to harnessing the existing  talent will be to have an open door policy that considers all available players , developing 2 very strong all GB doubles pairs and unleashing the talent  in the  hugely  talented Dan Evans . 

Dan Evans is a great showman put him on a stage and he will perform 

 

 

 

 

I 

 

 

-- Edited by Coup Droit on Sunday 6th of April 2014 05:09:22 PM

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I was approached by a parent on the junior ITF circuit who told me that I should check out this huge talent called Issac stoute so I went and watched the lad play Several matches . 

The next week I saw the chap (scout ) at my local DL and he asked me what I thought of him my honest view was if he worked very hard & gained some muscle he could gain a ranking 1000-2000 mens singles ATP .

And people call me delusional . 

His PB is around 250-300 in world ITF junior at that age Marcus was ranked no14 , & Andy when even younger was about no7 . 

It's very sad that his father has gone this route the Lta may have some faults but it's certainly not racism . 

And when you start playing that card the few available private  sponsors out there will naturally run a mile . 

SMC1809 wrote:

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Isaac Stout is ranked 81 places below Murray in the British rankings. www2.lta.org.uk/Search/LTARankings/default.aspx

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My mistake.  I was looking at the world rankings and he doesn't have an ATP point, so when you look at brits only they don't quite go down to 82.