The Mohsni Saga

[yogi bear up the cagire]

"Moshni was playing on park pitches in Paris a few weeks ago. We signed him for a pair of boots and accommodation,but when we smooth some of the rough edges off him, he and his agent will be knocking at the doors of bigger clubs"
edited for accuracy.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I think him throwing the toys out of the pram was frustration at playing in a poor side.

Really? I think him throwing the toys out of the pram was sheer petulance. The act of a player who perhaps came too accustomed to having everything his own way. I also wasn't buying the frequent Bohemian Rhapsody-esque, "I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me" diatribes against members of the squad on Facebook every time he had a little tantrum.

That said, some of the reaction here is considerably over the top. Wishing him to fail? Hoping he breaks a leg? Come on... He obviously thinks he can play in the top two tiers of English football, a view shared by many on here, and if I was to have a guess I'd say that his agent is behind an awful lot of what's happened and what's continuing to happen. After his previous indiscretions, Mohsni's not only in the Last Chance Saloon with us, but with English football in general. One more eruption, and his stock faces becoming dormant at best.

Now's the perfect time for us to get rid. The length remaining on his contract, coupled with the likelihood of another spat, means his value's unlikely to get any higher than it is now. We're finally in a position where we're fairly well covered in the positions he's usually deployed in and there seems to be interest in his signature. It makes perfect financial sense to cash in while we still can. Not only this, but if we can pack Mohsni off to a Premier League club within two years of plucking him from park football obscurity, what image of us does that convey to other European talents?

I wish him well in the future, but only because that's the best possible outcome for Southend United.

 

[Beefy]

Perhaps, the last time, when he felt all were against him, he was given certain assurances that things would change , which is why he came back, there was certainly something which not only made him come back but persuaded him to sign the extension. It could well be that these have not materialised, and he feels duped into signing for another year.

Alternatively PS said come back, re-sign, then we will let you look elsewhere, we get a fee, you are not touting yourself around as a free agent who is clubless because you stormed out in a strop, which would be a considerably less attractive impression , particularly if you are looking at a bigger club.

I don't think he had a choice in signing the extension. His contract was for two years with the option of a third. The club have taken up that option so the contract renews. Nothing Mohsni could do about it one way or the other.

 

[bluearmy1]

Best post of the thread. Clearly orchestrated - Sturrock been around too long not to know how agents work.

Excellent summary of situation.

Perhaps Bilel doesn't know that Gilberts gone ?

I think its sad that he is going about it this way and also that his Agent hasn't told him that its not the done thing (although given the increasing number of players doing this (Tevez etc) perhaps this is the way of the world and just us British fans expect a mediocum of loyalty.

Perhaps, the last time, when he felt all were against him, he was given certain assurances that things would change , which is why he came back, there was certainly something which not only made him come back but persuaded him to sign the extension. It could well be that these have not materialised, and he feels duped into signing for another year.

Alternatively PS said come back, re-sign, then we will let you look elsewhere, we get a fee, you are not touting yourself around as a free agent who is clubless because you stormed out in a strop, which would be a considerably less attractive impression , particularly if you are looking at a bigger club.

They club not making a fuss about him missing training as well as trying to keep it all out of the papers makes me feel that they are happy for him to be going elsewhere and want to play down the rift incase it scuppers any move / reduces any fee.
I don't think this situation is unexpected at the club this has an air of planning about it.

 

[Beefy]

Also, I may be wrong but I got the impression that Napster was talking about Eastwood in 06/07 rather than Mohsni.

 

[Jam_Man]

This Legend or no Legend thing is interesting....

To me he will be a legend not because he achieved particularly much compared to others at the club, but because he is memorable and I think will still be remembered in 10, 20, 30 years time because of the way he was discovered from nowhere , his antics on and off the pitch, his flashes of brilliance, his petulance, going AWOL, his relationship and rapport with the fans and basically for being a bit of a lunatic.

To me a legend is someone who leaves their mark on a place and whose story is worth telling and re-telling (which I think is probably the literal definition). The Bilel Mohsni story fits the bill on this score.

It is a shame that it has ended like this, but that probably befits the man and his story (can't wait for the film to come out!).

He has certainly brightened up the last couple of seasons - you have to admit that!

To be a legend you have to achieve more than being a utility player.

Michael Ricketts left a mark and will be remembered, theres more to being a legend than being remembered.

Mohsni was entertaining to watch because he was as mad as a bag of badgers, but I doubt we will be talking about him in 20 years time as a Southend legend...

 

[OldBlueLady]

This Legend or no Legend thing is interesting....

To me he will be a legend not because he achieved particularly much compared to others at the club, but because he is memorable and I think will still be remembered in 10, 20, 30 years time because of the way he was discovered from nowhere , his antics on and off the pitch, his flashes of brilliance, his petulance, going AWOL, his relationship and rapport with the fans and basically for being a bit of a lunatic.

To me a legend is someone who leaves their mark on a place and whose story is worth telling and re-telling (which I think is probably the literal definition). The Bilel Mohsni story fits the bill on this score.

It is a shame that it has ended like this, but that probably befits the man and his story (can't wait for the film to come out!).

He has certainly brightened up the last couple of seasons - you have to admit that!

I think you are mistaking the word "legend" for "character". Mohsni is a character, no-one is doubting that but a legend? Really? :nope:

 

[BB Blue]

Would have been a legend if we got to Wembley and he scored a last minute winner to take us up!

He will certainly be remembered though!

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Bilel will certainly be remembered, but not as a legend to say that is, as others have said, an insult to the likes of Prior, Powell, Maher, Gower, Eastwood etc. Cult hero is far more appropriate, but he was as much of a liability as an inspiration and his relationship to the club & fans was akin to one of domestic abuse. After every blow-up, we'd swear that was it we wouldn't accept this anymore, only for a few days later Bilel to come crawling back promising that he'd learnt his lesson and would never do it again. And everytime we'd believe him, want to hope that we'd just get the good side even though we knew it was only a matter of time.

You can't blame players for wanting to better themselves in what is a short career, and plenty have done so with my best wishes - Lee Barnard, Peter Clarke, Freddy Eastwood, Stan Collymore, Chris Powell. But the way Bilel has gone about this is more in the Bailey category. For a club (& especially manager) that not only plucked him from obscurity, and has repeatedly given him chance after chance when others would have got rid, to be treated with such disdain is poor form. If he'd started training and played in the friendly etc whilst looking to move on he'd have done so with my best wishes, not now.

To good for us? We're too good for him.

 

[Mick]

That said, some of the reaction here is considerably over the top. Wishing him to fail? Hoping he breaks a leg? Come on... He obviously thinks he can play in the top two tiers of English football, a view shared by many on here, and if I was to have a guess I'd say that his agent is behind an awful lot of what's happened and what's continuing to happen.

Indeed, hell hath no fury like a football fan scorned.

Pathetic comments.

 

[Mick]

Too good for us? We're too good for him.

Would that we were.

 

[Beefy]

Indeed, hell hath no fury like a football fan scorned.

Pathetic comments.

Indeed. I'm very surprised at the bitterness on here.

 

[wickfordblue70]

**** him. No one is bigger than the club

Bit of a 'F you' to Sturrock and everyone else at the club after the countless times we stood by him.

Too right players come and go no one is bigger then the club.Thanks for your time mohsni but you are kidding yourself if you think you can play prem league.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

I'm happy to offload him, i hope we get a decent fee for him.
I don't hate him or anything, just think he's a distraction and Sturrock doesn't know how to best utilise him

 

[dannypav]

He's a youngish , naive man that doesn't fit in socially.
That's not a defence , but a reality IMO and he has probably been guided by his agent.
If the agent sees the signs of Premier League , then why would he advise him to stay at SUFC ?
As we have him under contract , I assume that to be training with another club he has received our permission ?
I imagine the club in question would be in hot water if that were not the case.
He has given good entertainment , and people should be grateful for that.
But don't hang the lad for taking a chance.
Having said that , I am very doubtful he is anywhere near Prem League class.
Enthusiasm can work in lower leagues , but not at the top

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Bilel will certainly be remembered, but not as a legend to say that is, as others have said, an insult to the likes of Prior, Powell, Maher, Gower, Eastwood etc. Cult hero is far more appropriate, but he was as much of a liability as an inspiration and his relationship to the club & fans was akin to one of domestic abuse. After every blow-up, we'd swear that was it we wouldn't accept this anymore, only for a few days later Bilel to come crawling back promising that he'd learnt his lesson and would never do it again. And everytime we'd believe him, want to hope that we'd just get the good side even though we knew it was only a matter of time.

You can't blame players for wanting to better themselves in what is a short career, and plenty have done so with my best wishes - Lee Barnard, Peter Clarke, Freddy Eastwood, Stan Collymore, Chris Powell. But the way Bilel has gone about this is more in the Bailey category. For a club (& especially manager) that not only plucked him from obscurity, and has repeatedly given him chance after chance when others would have got rid, to be treated with such disdain is poor form. If he'd started training and played in the friendly etc whilst looking to move on he'd have done so with my best wishes, not now.

To good for us? We're too good for him.

100% this.

 

[Crawliano]

Hey, you never know, he might try the scissors trick at whatever club he rocks up at next and get seven shades of **** battered out of him instead. Club and fans stood by him through thick and thin and then he just flips the bird and naffs off.

Maxi Rodriguez did it right...

http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=287116

Bilel you are a petulant little ****. Sod off.

 

[eastgreenshrimper]

So what happens if/when this trial doesn't work out? All welcome him back with open arms? What if he sustains a serious injury whilst on trial, and he comes back here for treatment.

I for one won't be welcoming him back to Roots Hall if thats the case.

Very disappointed with his attitude towards us after the way the club have stood by him, when many other clubs would have washed their hands with him.

Lets hope the trial is successful, we get a good fee and the cash reinvested helps us seal promotion.

 

[TrueBlue]

Too right players come and go no one is bigger then the club.Thanks for your time mohsni but you are kidding yourself if you think you can play prem league.

See thats where I differ, I think he can play premier league its been a long long long time since I have seen talent like that if ever!

 

[TrueBlue]

And one other thing he is one of the only players I would say in the last 5 years excluding Eastwood or Hall that has the ability to turn and win a game on his own!