Saha - "I almost quit"

kenada_blue · October 8, 2009

Saha: I almost quit over injuries - striker despair over United jinx
By JOHN EDWARDS Last updated at 10:42 PM on 07th October 2009
Louis Saha has admitted he almost quit football after being driven to the depths of despair by an injury jinx that wrecked his Manchester United career.
The Everton striker, 31, has been in prime form this season, with seven goals so far, but a run of mishaps that kept him out of United's Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow left him wondering whether to carry on.

His father, Vincent, revealed how close depression came to curtailing his playing days, saying: 'Louis phoned me when I was on holiday. He had just injured a hamstring at the end of a training session and it was the final straw for him. His knees had, for once, left him in peace, but another injury had cropped up elsewhere.
'He was disgusted and wanted to pack everything in. It was very, very difficult to persuade him to keep going.'

Saha described how his injuries at Old Trafford created a mental barrier that was cleared only when he joined Everton last year.
'I can laugh now when I look back at the problems I had, but it's true to say I was a depressive,' he said. 'I was aware there was unease among my team-mates and the United fans every time I made a comeback.

'They were worried I would have a relapse, and I was even more concerned than they were. But I have made a miraculous recovery. The fact that I'm still out there on the pitch after 23 injuries in four years proves I'm mentally strong.
'My goals are now the most important thing to me, and I'm just happy to be able to train like the other players and feel the same way as they do.'

Despite Saha's form and fitness, Sir Alex Ferguson insisted there was no regrets about sanctioning his transfer. 'I'm really happy for him because he is a terrific player with plenty of ability,' said the United boss. 'He's almost the complete centre forward - two-footed, good in the air, quick, aggressive, powerful and with a marvellous shot - but he picked up too many injuries, and that made it frustrating for him and for us.'

Saha: I almost quit over injuries - striker despair over United jinx | Mail Online

Says he had 23 injuries at United. Wow.

little curly alan ball · October 8, 2009

I almost wanted him to . Still , gotta say , Sunday aside , he's looked sharp this season . Was boss at Fulham , but on his last legs - physically . I'd say this is his last year as first 11 but I'd fancy 15 goals from him . He does that , he'll do for me .
However , King Louis , was somewhat hyperbolic . ( And no , that's not swearing !!! )

AdamTheGreatOneB · October 8, 2009

After hearing Louis talk about his time at United, I think (and Moyes has said things along these lines) that a lot of Louis' problems were in his own mind. That's not to say that his injuries weren't ligit but his state of mind at times hindered his own recovery and performances when he did return from said injuries. I'm glad to hear he's feeling much better in himself these days.

kenada_blue · October 8, 2009

My United supporting mate always said - when he was playing, he was fine. He got benched or dropped for a game or two it would cause him problems and he's get silly pulls and strains in training.

The more that happened, the worst it got, and they were hard to shake off.

So far, he's full fit for us and is 1st choice striker at the moment. He also hasnt had THAT many major injuries over this and last season. Touch wood.

Cahill_Winner · October 8, 2009

Obviously the majority of injuries players get are of a physical nature, and probably can't be prevented, but I can't help wondering about these "niggles" certain players pick up constantly. It's possible that when a player isn't in the first team they don't put quite so much into their stretching, warm-downs etc. and this leads to further problems.

Also, pain is said to be very psychological, so it may be that when a player is feeling second best in the pecking order this manifests itself in a body which feels run-down and subsequently reacts.

Hopefully Louis can pick up some confidence and play like the monster he is!

Topblue · October 8, 2009

It was a master stroke by Moyes Little outlay, pay for play, and he scores when he does play.

I see ferguson thought it was such a good idea he used it to get owen.

Gazdalf · October 8, 2009

I think it also has a lot to do with, the comebacks from injuries, just like servicing a car after a lay off due to damage.

When a player is playing, his body ticks over like a finely tuned engine. Nice, smooth, efficient, and durable. When that engine does not get used (benching, injuries, suspensions) it start to lose it's tick over.

If you are using it all the time, then you get used to the way it sounds, and can detect very early any slight differences(niggles) to its normal state and rectify them before those niggles become breakdowns.

If you do not use it often, then it becomes more available to seals corroding (ligament/muscle/tendon weakness), deflation in tyres and axles( ankles weaken, knees go flimsy) fuel consumption can increase (peak fitness reduces), and many times light bulbs can blow with lack of use(footballing brain dims).

Saha's engine has not beed used to it's fullest extent until this season, as we have had our mechanics tuning him over the Summer. The more he plays, the stronger he will become. He is a player that gets stronger with use. Not being benched for more than 2 games in a row at any one time will bring him back to his best. He is showing that already in my eyes.

Match that usage with confidence gained from scoring, and by eck we have an animal on our side.

(On a side note, the reason so many players get injured(across the board), is they are not being used enough, due to squad rotations, which in my eyes, reduces their performance strength capacity. I know we have a lot of injuries, but maybe that is because we had injury hit players before they come to us. That and god dam bad luck. A few more players with the mental power of Saha, and I will be a happy man)

Neiler · October 8, 2009

Gazdalf said:
I think it also has a lot to do with, the comebacks from injuries, just like servicing a car after a lay off due to damage.

When a player is playing, his body ticks over like a finely tuned engine. Nice, smooth, efficient, and durable. When that engine does not get used (benching, injuries, suspensions) it start to lose it's tick over.

If you are using it all the time, then you get used to the way it sounds, and can detect very early any slight differences(niggles) to its normal state and rectify them before those niggles become breakdowns.

If you do not use it often, then it becomes more available to seals corroding (ligament/muscle/tendon weakness), deflation in tyres and axles( ankles weaken, knees go flimsy) fuel consumption can increase (peak fitness reduces), and many times light bulbs can blow with lack of use(footballing brain dims).

Saha's engine has not beed used to it's fullest extent until this season, as we have had our mechanics tuning him over the Summer. The more he plays, the stronger he will become. He is a player that gets stronger with use. Not being benched for more than 2 games in a row at any one time will bring him back to his best. He is showing that already in my eyes.

Match that usage with confidence gained from scoring, and by eck we have an animal on our side.

(On a side note, the reason so many players get injured(across the board), is they are not being used enough, due to squad rotations, which in my eyes, reduces their performance strength capacity. I know we have a lot of injuries, but maybe that is because we had injury hit players before they come to us. That and god dam bad luck. A few more players with the mental power of Saha, and I will be a happy man)

I hope the Yak gets out of the mechanics soon mate!

ToxtethBlue · October 9, 2009

Ferguson says he has no regrets selling Saha to Everton.

“I’m really happy for him because he is a terrific player with plenty of ability,” said the United boss.

“He’s almost the complete centre forward – two-footed, good in the air, quick, aggressive, powerful and with a marvellous shot – but he picked up too many injuries, and that made it frustrating for him and for us.”

neville · October 9, 2009

topblue said:
It was a master stroke by Moyes Little outlay, pay for play, and he scores when he does play.

I see ferguson thought it was such a good idea he used it to get owen.