Chester Dontlie Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 Wasyl, the Unbreakable. He's the reason I started following LCFC. How not to love this lad's attitude and character - he sets an example to follow both on and off the pitch. As some of you have already pointed out, despite his thuggish appearance he's quite an accessible, likable lad off the pitch. Someone had mentioned his broken leg when Marcin was playing for Anderlecht. I remember watching that game on tele, the shock, soon it was all over the news in Poland as Wasyl was playing for national team back then. Even when you consider how much has the treatment of sport injuries advanced when compared to the older times (say, 20 years ago or more) it still requires heaps of strong will and dedication to get back, not to mention to play on the same high level as before. Many players never get back to their pre-injury best. My school mate was watching that Anderlecht vs Standard Liege match with me and after seeing the injury once again in slow motion he said, "He's finished. That's it, his career is over". I disagreed, knowing Wasyl won't let it go just like that. Not him. Soon after the operation, a statement from Wasilewski followed: "It may sound banal, but as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." The doctors were saying he might be back in 10-12 months time. Fast forward 8 months, and 5 operations later, he comes back to the squad and makes an appearance on the last game of the very same season, obviously to the standing ovation from Anderlecht fans. Classic Wasyl. Then a season later and he signs for The Foxes. Some of you lads say he's already a legend for you, quite an achievement given his relatively short time with the club. During last season, especially in some of those Great Escape matches I was literally rubbing my eyes because I couldn't believe that 34-year old can track back so fast from box to box even in the ending minutes of the game - while I remembered cursing Wasyl for his sluggishness during Poland's dismal display on Euro 2012. Some of his last year's performances made me dream abut seeing him in Polish colours once again. Sounds crazy especially now when his chances are limited, but if he got more playing time, I'm positive he would be just as good if not better than national team's CBs like Pazdan or Szukała. So here's hoping. Quality post from the OP. Also a brilliant flag from LCFC faithful to celebrate one hell of a player. Btw, here's the injury if you hadn't seen it already (mind you, not for the faint-hearted): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nANm5LzySKA And a short article on Wasyl's injury from Uefa.com, they quote him saying his leg looked like bitten by a shark: http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=bel/news/newsid=1486624.html
Dan Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 He seems to get better with age. He's a very intelligent defender who I'd actually have no qualms about keeping even next season if he's happy to be cover.
LCFC FOX Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 Agreed if we make Europe let's give him another year!
foxinsox Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 His age is against another year, but his pace and game are that of a younger man. I would be delighted to give him another year!
foxes21 Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 Wasyl, the Unbreakable. He's the reason I started following LCFC. How not to love this lad's attitude and character - he sets an example to follow both on and off the pitch. As some of you have already pointed out, despite his thuggish appearance he's quite an accessible, likable lad off the pitch. Someone had mentioned his broken leg when Marcin was playing for Anderlecht. I remember watching that game on tele, the shock, soon it was all over the news in Poland as Wasyl was playing for national team back then. Even when you consider how much has the treatment of sport injuries advanced when compared to the older times (say, 20 years ago or more) it still requires heaps of strong will and dedication to get back, not to mention to play on the same high level as before. Many players never get back to their pre-injury best. My school mate was watching that Anderlecht vs Standard Liege match with me and after seeing the injury once again in slow motion he said, "He's finished. That's it, his career is over". I disagreed, knowing Wasyl won't let it go just like that. Not him. Soon after the operation, a statement from Wasilewski followed: "It may sound banal, but as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." The doctors were saying he might be back in 10-12 months time. Fast forward 8 months, and 5 operations later, he comes back to the squad and makes an appearance on the last game of the very same season, obviously to the standing ovation from Anderlecht fans. Classic Wasyl. Then a season later and he signs for The Foxes. Some of you lads say he's already a legend for you, quite an achievement given his relatively short time with the club. During last season, especially in some of those Great Escape matches I was literally rubbing my eyes because I couldn't believe that 34-year old can track back so fast from box to box even in the ending minutes of the game - while I remembered cursing Wasyl for his sluggishness during Poland's dismal display on Euro 2012. Some of his last year's performances made me dream abut seeing him in Polish colours once again. Sounds crazy especially now when his chances are limited, but if he got more playing time, I'm positive he would be just as good if not better than national team's CBs like Pazdan or Szukała. So here's hoping. Quality post from the OP. Also a brilliant flag from LCFC faithful to celebrate one hell of a player. Btw, here's the injury if you hadn't seen it already (mind you, not for the faint-hearted): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nANm5LzySKA And a short article on Wasyl's injury from Uefa.com, they quote him saying his leg looked like bitten by a shark: http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=bel/news/newsid=1486624.html Great post!!!
Thracian Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 He's like Vardy in being larger than life - I could easily imagine the two of them in an SAS unit. It must be incredible for any new members of the squad or incoming Academy players to see the spirit, attitude and determination of Vardy and Wasilewski. No-one would want to let those guys down and I'm sure there's a few more round the dressing room who are much the same in their own way - natural born winners who hate the thought of anything else. My son Ross's girlfriend is Polish and has become such a City fan she travels up from the outskirts of London for matches on any day she's not working, and absolutely loves it if Wasyl is playing. Haha my lad was ill for the Bournemouth game but she still drove up, stood through the entire 90 minutes and never stopped being part of the atmosphere... Some people are more than just footballers - they give an atmosphere to a place that demands success and carries a permanent buzz of energy, excitement and desire to triumph over every challenge. You see it in Kasper too - the non-stop driving on of his team-mates and the constant demands no matter how bad the situation might seem. Reflecting on it, I wonder if we've ever had more self-and-collectively demanding players in a single squad....so many individuals on top of those mentioned who refuse to contemplate being bettered by anyone. What a team to play for and what an incredible journey they're on. Wasyl could stay the rest of his life for me.
Jakemoore Posted 6 January 2016 Posted 6 January 2016 I'll be honest, I didn't like him when he signed. I thought his elbow would get him sent off more often than would lead to him winning the ball. But I have to say, I was wrong. He has been a great signing. His attitude is spot on. He's a model professional and a great guy. And a bloody good defender!
whoneedstherapy? Posted 7 January 2016 Posted 7 January 2016 Beast of a player. Would have loved to have Wasyl at the club in his prime!
AyewJoking Posted 7 January 2016 Posted 7 January 2016 What are his plans when he retires from playing? Would like to have him as part of the backroom team/coaching staff purely for sentimental reasons.
foxinsox Posted 7 January 2016 Posted 7 January 2016 Wasyl is the consumate professional with his physical approach to the game. He gets it just right and is very aware of where the ref is looking. Captain for the cup game please, I want him to be speaking quietly to the ref!
Jordan Posted 8 January 2016 Posted 8 January 2016 I think this is Wasyl's last season because Dana White has got to give him a shot at the UFC light heavyweight belt soon.
Sol thewall Bamba Posted 8 January 2016 Posted 8 January 2016 What are his plans when he retires from playing? UFC?
Finnaldo Posted 8 January 2016 Posted 8 January 2016 I think this is Wasyl's last season because Dana White has got to give him a shot at the UFC light heavyweight belt soon. 'Light' Heavyweight?! I wouldn't say that too close to him!
Clever Fox Posted 8 January 2016 Posted 8 January 2016 You just know you'll get your monies worth every time he plays. You just know he's not just in it for the money and plays with real pride in the shirt. I'd love us to be signing him now as a young 20 year old player. I hope he stays as I'm sure there is so much he could pass on to a couple of young Centre Backs before he retires. Captain on Sunday would be a nice touch.
Collymore Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 I would love to see Was play against Ibrahimavic. Check this video..I wonder if Zlatan would have the balls to go head to head with Was?
volpeazzurro Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 I would love to see Was play against Ibrahimavic. Check this video..I wonder if Zlatan would have the balls to go head to head with Was? Fairly equally matched I think. Part of me says I shouldn't really like Ibrahimavic, the other half admires his will to be the best and win and the fact that he's an absolute character compared with a sometimes sea of faceless wonders who fall down at the drop of a hat. It doesn't have to be that way as Messi on the whole, still plays with a smile on his face and manfully takes a decent fair hard tackle. Mind you, many defenders can't get near enough to him to kick him!
blue army 1988 Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 Looking forward to see him get a start today. Love this guy
SheffieldFox Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 He has NEVER let us down. I remember reading a piece one of the sport scientists did at the beginning of last season about using statistics to help identify players to sign. He said initially, they couldn't understand why his tackle/block stats were so low at Anderlecht. It wasn't until they watched the videos of him that they realised he was THAT GOOD, his positioning and reading of the game meant that he rarely had to make them. Quality.
Heskey2011 Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 I mentioned on here before, met him after the spurs away game end of last season in St Pancras (the shite kane hatrick one) he was devestated by the result and apologetic about the run we'd been on, seemed really genuine and passionate about the club and mentioned the results not reflecting the performance. Can honestly say he changed an opinion I had about players only really being interested in money etc.
Mortified Penguin Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 Any chance that flag is going to Spurs on Sunday? Would love to see that amongst ours, and get Was to sign it. - owner permitting of course. The flag has been brought down, Steve
Witch Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 He has NEVER let us down. I remember reading a piece one of the sport scientists did at the beginning of last season about using statistics to help identify players to sign. He said initially, they couldn't understand why his tackle/block stats were so low at Anderlecht. It wasn't until they watched the videos of him that they realised he was THAT GOOD, his positioning and reading of the game meant that he rarely had to make them. Quality. Wasyl is not only a beast. He is a damn intelligent beast.
Guest CityFan 06 Posted 10 January 2016 Posted 10 January 2016 Lovely header from that superb corner in from Gray.
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