Two Ronny Deila quotes might offer a glimpse of Atlanta United's future

it's all about moxy, grit, hardscrabble determination, crab rangoon, things of that nature.

via Atlanta United

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I’ve had a couple of long quotes from Ronny Deila on my mind lately. I want to take a second to look at both of them and talk them out with y’all. I think it might be somewhat instructive about where this team is heading over the next couple of transfer windows. You can, of course, probably guess where this team is heading over the next couple of transfer windows, but it’s interesting to hear Deila lay it out. It may even provide some optimism for you. Or dread! Dread is possible, too.

You heard the first quote on the podcast if you’re still subjecting yourself to the podcast. Following Atlanta United’s 4-0 loss to NYCFC, Deila offered a brutally honest assessment of where the team is at.

Deila: “New York City have had seven, eight chances on us in two games. They have scored seven goals. We go through these goals and we think, ‘What is this?’ What’s embarrassing is what happens after the break, because in the first half we have a goal that is offside, maybe. I haven’t seen it. We have a penalty situation. We hit the post. We have another situation in set play. We had a big chance. They have nothing, and then we give them 1-0. Then we go out, but I don’t see enough belief that we can do this. I don’t see it. I talk all week, all year about togetherness, desire to win. I don’t see that. So that, I have to look at myself. I have to take responsibility for it. I don’t know what to say about it. It’s really embarrassing, and it has nothing to do with New York City. You meet and come out with 4-0 in this game. The way we do it, that is not an organized team. That is not a disciplined team. That is not a team that stands together and fights for each other. That’s difficult, very difficult. I have to say that…

“The question is, are we believing in this? Do we want this? Are we coming together? Are we getting better? That is a big answer. At home, I’m not worried with the fans we have and the stadium, everything. We can score three or four goals. We are capable to do that. We are better than the opponents almost every time at home. Away, then you have to show character. You have to show discipline. You have to show communication, body language, information. I see a team that is dying the longer the game goes on, and that is painful to watch. I’m responsible for that…"

“It’s a lot of frustration. I cannot come out of this 4-0 today. It’s impossible to see when you see that first half. I can’t understand it. If they were unbelievable, then I go okay, but that was not the case. We just open up and surrender when they get 2-0. I need to see more energy. I need to see more talking. I need to see more pride, tackles, one versus one duels. All these things that win you football games. That’s what we are lacking as a team.”

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