Following Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 defeat to Göztepe, former footballer and manager Bülent Uygun reacted harshly to the yellow-navy team’s performance and Dirk Kuyt’s post-match comments.
Speaking on a post-match program on Tivibu, Uygun argued that Fenerbahçe is facing serious problems in many areas, ranging from squad planning and physical condition to set-piece organization and build-up play.
REACTION FROM UYGUN TO KUYT
Taking responsibility after the match, Dirk Kuyt had stated, “I cannot speak for the previous matches, but this match is my responsibility. I and the technical staff did our best to prepare the team in the best way possible. We tried to add energy to the training sessions.”
Bülent Uygun, however, said that these statements carried the meaning of a criticism directed at İsmail Kartal. Uygun lashed out at the Dutch coach, saying, “Kuyt, didn’t you relegate a team in the Netherlands? What do you mean there was no energy before you? Could your coach not provide energy? Are you the minister of energy, did you provide the energy?”
Stating that a message of unity should be given within the technical staff, Uygun said, “Does Fenerbahçe play football like this? Is this the tactic? Are these the men you put up front? Is this all the football intelligence you have? You are talking behind the coach’s back. Are you commentators?”
Criticizing the recent image of the yellow-navy team, Uygun expressed that he had not seen Fenerbahçe this bad for a long time. The experienced football figure said that the team lacks both fighting spirit and a game plan.
In his assessment regarding Fenerbahçe’s physical condition and on-field organization, Uygun pointed out problems in set-pieces, playing out from the back, transition play, and set-play in the final third. “You won’t be able to become champions with this many deficiencies. The process shows that,” said Uygun, arguing that the problems at the club must be addressed from top to bottom.
Citing the set-piece defense during Göztepe’s goal as an example, Uygun criticized the positioning at the near post and drew attention to the team’s lack of analysis and implementation through Levent Mercan’s positioning.
One of the names Uygun criticized was Skriniar. Stating that he did not find the experienced defender’s choices in duels correct, Uygun said, “You cannot stop a man by pushing him every other second. Either you take the right position, or you cannot run like an escort.”
In the section where he emphasized loyalty within the team, Bülent Uygun hardened his words even further, saying, “Kuyt, you have been here since the beginning of the season. You get up and talk behind the coach’s back. İsmail coach did his best.”
News Source: 12punto
