RattlesnK: "Worried? Not at all"

4-4-2013 21:41

Before Anexis step onto the Mad Catz Birmingham stage, we had a quick chat with captain Sam "RattlesnK" Gawn over the team's recent turmoil.

Anexis' fans were on Wednesday left stunned as the team parted company with Norwegian veteran Preben "prb" Gammelsæter and brought in a familiar face to the ex-mouz.uk squad in the form of Lewis "Hughsy" Hughes.

The news came just days after Anexis had failed to impress at Copenhagen Games, where they finished 9th-12th following defeats to Lemondogs and mousesports.

Gawn's troops will be looking to pick themselves up with this tournament on home soil, but they won't even be able to field their latest recruit, who is unable to attend the event due to work commitments. Replacing Hughes will be Josh "mole" Rowley, a former member of fm.TOXiC.

In this interview, Gawn reveals what really happened in Copenhagen between Gammelsæter and the rest of the team, explains why he decided to call Hughes, and talks about his expectations for Mad Catz.

Going into Copenhagen Games, your team looked like a sure bet for the top places, but you looked way off the pace and finished in a disappointing 9th-12th place. What happened?

We just had a poor event and generally the teamplay between the players was terrible. It had nothing to do with not having played, it was just the chemistry between the players was way off. I think if we had played more it would have helped, but ultimately we didn't gel together as much as we should of.

After the event, you decided to kick prb and bring in Hugshy. What made you part ways with the Norwegian and why did you choose Hugshy?

We found out after CPH that Preben had been telling people he was going to leave after the event because he wasn't having "fun". I know people are going to point the finger at me, but I clearly streamed the entire iSeries event so you all heard our games and quite frankly no one could say I raged during our games. We won the event quite comfortably and everything seemed to be going well. I can only assume after Lasse left he decided he wasn't interested anymore, or that he couldn't have "fun". Quite why he stayed in our team if this was the case I'm not sure. I carried on asking Preben how he felt during our online practices and talked to him frequently to make sure everything was ok. He told me he was happy and everything was fine and that he was just disappointed with our bad results. I therefore had no reason to suspect anything was wrong.

As a result you can assume my surprise on seeing his behaviour at CPH Games which was frankly pathetic. He decided to mess around, not call, drink and ruin the event for us by just behaving in a way we had not expected. If you want to see the clearest example of it just watch our Lemondogs game at 13-13 on mirage where they eco up lower A and he didn't even open his mouth until they were in the bombsite. I think he was going to leave after the event regardless of our position and for a player to act so detrimentally to the team (whether he liked me or not) shows a complete lack of respect to the other guys on the team. If he didn't want to go to the event he should have told us and we would have found a replacement for him. We could have easily found another UK player who would willingly have gone to the event and tried their best for us. For me personally the sourest part of this is knowing we went to an event where one of our players just didn't care.

I think it isn't hard for anyone to see why this change has happened, and I think you are going to see a much stronger team come out of it. We all want to do well and have been friends for years now through CSS and I feel much happier now. I know Lewis is a very smart player who we can rely on which is something we all need after this shambles.

RattlesnK with Anexis at Cph Games

This is the same mouz.uk team with which you switched to CS:GO in August, with the exception that weber is replacing pt. Do you feel comfortable going back to a formula that proved so successful in the past?

I'm happy to be honest... I love playing with these guys and I feel comfortable playing with them. The only reason we changed the team before was because Dan was busy enjoying himself at university and Lewis wanted to sort a few things out in his life. If it weren't for those problems we would never have considered changing anyone. We know we have the individuals capable of doing well but we need to put the work in. At the time we didn't feel that we could so players decided to step down and changes were made.

Was there any particular reason that you decided to go back to an all-British roster, instead of picking up a foreigner?

Not particularly, I just feel the communication will be better and having an all-British roster is where I have had the most success in the past.

These problems ruined your team’s campaign in Copenhagen and may cost the title at Mad Catz. Do you feel worried?

Not at all. I know in the long run we can be a successful team, it is just a matter of dedication and practice to catch up with the rest. Right now we might be a mid-tier side but I know what we are capable of and I think that is all that really matters. If you believe in yourself you can do anything.

Will Hughsy make the fans forget about prb?

Considering how little time you had to practice with mole, did you even get to practice for this tournament? What are your expectations?

We haven't practiced with him at all as we only sorted the situation out on Wednesday evening! It was difficult finding someone available when half the UK scene will be the event ! I am glad we have moLe now, though ,and who knows what could happen with a player who wants to perform and play? It may help us.

After this event, you will have just one week to prepare for the EMS One finals. Do you think it will be enough to break into the top three?

I don't really know. It is very hard to tell as it depends on our preparation and how much we can get done during that week. Having to attend an event this week with a stand-in delays our practice. It is dissappointing but something we have committed to and are going to make sure we fulfill.

I know we are going to try and bootcamp in Cologne for two days before the event which will help us. I just hope we have a better event than CPH where I was disappointed with our performance. I don't mean in terms of results, but actually being happy with our challenge and how we played as it is disappointing coming out of an event feeling sad with how you played.

Thank you for this interview. Is there anything that you would like to add?

I would just like to thank those who still support us and I just want them to know we are going to be trying our best to improve and show what we can do. Right now times are hard but I've never turned my back on something because it was difficult and I don't intend to do it now. Thank you to our great sponsors, Razer, Ficken Liquors, FShost, MR.ZAP & ESET!

ok...

2013-04-04 21:42

120g of fat on the reg, gl boiz

2013-04-04 21:43

14 replies

what does that mean?

2013-04-04 21:44

13 replies

I think he means £120,000 on Anexis winning.

2013-04-04 22:11

it's an inside joke with rattlesnk and mx :)

2013-04-04 22:40

11 replies

wow, you have friends now

2013-04-05 00:09

2 replies

dont be daft. ofc that nob doesn't!

2013-04-05 01:26

hehehehe)

2013-04-05 03:56

"Look at me, I talk to known players"

2013-04-05 05:08

5 replies

That is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, they are my ex-team mats.

2013-04-05 05:20

memes.at/faces/so_hardcore.jpg

2013-04-05 08:19

1 reply

Very relevant, good job.

2013-04-05 14:39

rofl thats pathetic, ritch is a cool guy. why so much hatin?

2013-04-07 00:54

Because he looked like an attention whore with such comment.

2013-04-07 04:51

"LOOK GUYS I KNOW THESE VIDEO GAMERS"

2013-04-05 18:42

die tsack

2013-04-05 19:10

when you stfu :D

RattlesnK - pRoF$_aWp_LeGeNd

he was one of best awp in world, when he play in source. so for soucers he proawplegend :D

Arent they contradicting themselves? Someone else said that their was a communication problem now this guy is blaming his attitude.

2013-04-04 21:46

can you read?

2013-04-04 21:48

"someone else said" how does that make them contradict themselves? that means someone else contradicts them... anyway it's only a matter of time before players grow tired of a game/competing. for me it happened after 2 years, for fnx after 4, roman 6 or even longer, and neo and f0rest are at it (on toplevel, probably already were playing before than) for over 8 years and still do so. but remember prb was already playing at toplevel in his country before neo and f0rest, so I can understand he doesn't feel like putting in the hours anymore/makes the most of the trip outside of CS. I think smartest to do is either hang up the mouse or play with norwegian talents who can learn from him and don't mind that he is not 100 % dedicated at pushing the bar

2013-04-04 23:10

GO Anexis =D

Prb just a shy guy or what? It seems he was afraid to actually say he didn't want to play with them anymore and just acted like a retard so he would get kicked

2013-04-04 21:47

2013-04-04 21:49

prob has a small penis

2013-04-04 23:50

prb AMA incoming :D (I know this is not reddit)

2013-04-04 21:50

I still think they need a top sniper

2013-04-04 21:55

So unprofessional to almost blame prb solely on that CPH event. Even if he did do those things, don't talk about it. Keep it for yourself. Such a weird person RattlesnK.

2013-04-04 21:56

20 replies

Did u even read?

2013-04-04 21:59

16 replies

Yes. They say to sites when they replace prb it is because of communication problems. Then all off a sudden when he is in an interview he writes an essay on how prb had already decided to do this and that, and didn't talk and this and that. I just don't find it professional to do that, just my opinion that a leader shouldn't do that instead of just saying they needed a change and he wished prb the best. All this will do is start drama and I bet you a lot more people find it unprofessional of him.

2013-04-04 22:12

15 replies

Well think what u think, i think he didnt just tell the whole story on first time, but well

2013-04-04 22:15

That's like saying an employer shouldn't tell other employers that an ex-employee sexually harassed other employees.....

10 replies

haha it's nothing like that. Sure he can tell his teammates that this is what prb did, but putting it out in the public and just the way he does it. Like when he says "and who knows what could happen with a player who wants to perform and play? It may help us." I just find it unprofessional, my opinion.

2013-04-04 22:19

9 replies

So a player purposefully throws the game away individually being himself unprofessional and you think other orgs/teams shouldn't know about it? This is the stuff which NEEDS to go public.

2013-04-04 22:20

7 replies

Really I cannot be arsed arguing with you. Okay you are totally right, like about EVERY news that is posted about Anexis. Seriously I've stated like probably five times it is my opinion, and that is probably colored with the fact that I really don't even believe RattlesnK seeing how much of a fucking cunt he is.

2013-04-04 22:32

You have to admit it's funny coming from RattlesnK though, especially after what happen vs. NiP at Dreamhack Winter..

2013-04-04 22:37

4 replies

Why what happened?

2013-04-04 22:38

3 replies

After the incident where stingeR told RattlesnK to shut the fuck up if he wasn't able to convey his message in a non-abusive way, he actually stopped calling.

2013-04-04 23:33

yea stinger and prb left anexis cuz of rattlenoobs constant whining about his team mates on live stream and for everybody to see at lan. hes a disgrace and then lies to the public....gj anexis great org great team. deffo top10? bahaha

2013-04-04 23:44

oh so you spoke to stinger and prb on why they left? im not to sure about what you said because im sure stinger and rattlesnk have played together for years.. and on lying you spoke to him and prb personally then i suppose? x

2013-04-05 00:27

too right dand3h (if it's really like Sam said, he has every right to throw it out there) !

2013-04-04 23:15

i don't think he blamed the WHOLE event on prb it clearly says their chemistry was way off too not just all prb's fault...

2013-04-04 23:51

you would rather read interviews with "YES, NO, NO COMMENT" ? not giving any details on what happens with teammates/teams?

2013-04-04 23:16

I never said that ? wtf ? All I said was, it comes across as him blaming prb - and with his reputation it's unnecessary. Really don't know why I bother writing stuff here.

2013-04-05 00:42

I meant youd rather see respectfull professional comments.from guys.with media training and respect.for.everyone, and I mean that is boring :p

2013-04-05 09:13

wtf?

2013-04-04 22:02

Gawn does like to come up with reasons as to why a performance isn't up to scratch, but if prb was really getting shitfaced at the event no team captain in the world would "defend" him I would call him out on it in public aswell mind you I said IF prb did ...bla....bla I'm not saying what Sam said happened, Im just saying that it isnt unprofessional to call someone out on a terrible performance if it is not just bad form but also bad mentality/motivation it happens in every professional sport. if kobe bryant jumps on to the court shitfaced because he was sniffing glue hours before the match the media but also his coach would verbally mop the floor with him in front of cameras. Would be his own fault, and not unprofessionalism from his coach

2013-04-04 23:14

If he really did those things, I dont blame rattlesnk for telling the truth. Its just really childish behaviour from prb, if its true of course.

Blaming it on prb...first it was com problems, then no chemistry + attitude...i dont believe a word your saying. Prb has been a top player for much longer than any of anexis, i cant believe that he would lose a round on purpose or not try. what a fail pickup by anexis org this team is. The way they act certainly doesnt warrant any attention!

2013-04-04 22:04

do some research. rattlesnk have played for a long time. he played 1.6 back in the day.

2013-04-04 22:57

You're the one who should do some research here. In times rattlesnake were on his top in 1.6 at Dignitas, a top20 world class team, prb was in one of top5 and greatest of scandiavian teams we had in that time. Link: hltv.org/news/1068-mym-borrows-get-right

2013-04-05 18:35

That is exactly it probably, young players without exp have the motivation and passion, perhaps after 10th years of toplevel cs preben misses the drive to put in a 100%?

2013-04-05 18:36

Just pick up the phone anytime samual My calls are crisp and i have a solid awp hook me up. Nice interview.

2013-04-04 22:09

Pretty sure Sam doesn't want someone that will be drinking Guinness during the match ;) (hltv users, I'm be sarcastic, I don't actually mean it)

2013-04-04 22:13

To be a respected leader, you must take responsibility for any actions taken and or lack there of. To bring respect to an organization, you never reveal a personal perspective based on what you believe or know transpired. Because as the leader, your word is taken as representative of the organization itself. You already have replaced the player, wish whomever the best and simply state this was the choice required to try to move forward and expand on potential. Grow up is the moral of the story and learn to separate the business from the emotion.

THIS THIIIIS But look out, the brits are coming for you. Thou shalt NOT disrespect Anexis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Retarded.

2013-04-04 22:21

How is that retarded? That is 100% true. Rattlesnake is a fucking homo

2013-04-04 23:35

Because this is not how the world of professionalism works. You will see that when you start earning a living for yourself

2013-04-05 00:07

Go to bed, youre drunk

2013-04-05 00:08

oh that must mean your gardening? we can do these all day :)x

2013-04-05 00:35

do you work in poundland? That's exactly how the world of professionalism works...especially in sport.

2013-04-05 01:31

So convenient ^^.

2013-04-04 23:57

you are one clueless irishman

2013-04-05 03:17

Agreed. A stupid move by the brit to start bagging on prb.

2013-04-04 22:22

Yeah

2013-04-04 22:42

Sam saucer Gawn gogogo rage!!

2013-04-04 22:18

arrogant saucer

God RattlesnK's an idiot. Anexis obviously aren't going to win, even with Hughsy. VeryGames and Western Wolves have proven to be substantially better than them.

2013-04-04 22:23

when? They played neither of those teams

2013-04-04 22:26

6 replies

Not with this new lineup, no. But in general, WW and VG have proven that they're better than Anexis.

2013-04-04 22:39

Time and practice, they had none plenty. Edit- Anexis 16-12 VG

2013-04-06 07:04

Yeah, you're ugly.

2013-04-06 16:12

Yolo. I am probably better looking than you.

2013-04-06 17:01

they cant even reach playing agains tthem xD

2013-04-05 00:26

winning

2013-04-05 03:18

lol what an arrogant ass this saucer..

they will continue failing either way gl to both prb with temp.no and hughsy

arrogance

I think they can do very well actually... Oh and, RattlesnK is an awesome awp and IGL. GL Anexis - will do great.

2013-04-04 22:44

^^^^ Haters gonna hate

2013-04-04 22:51

It's funny Rattlesnk, how you in the interview with Cadred live at Cph blame your PREPARATION, and say you didn't practice almost at all before CPH, then you blame communication problems and THEN you blame it all on prb. One word: scapegoat. prb did his job at Cph, yes maybe he failed 1 round to call, if you decide it was all prb's fault for ending 9-12th, then you will find prb's mistakes and ignore everything else you as a team did wrong. So fucking pathethic to even go as low as directly blaming him when you ALL played completely shit against a team like mouz who weren't good at all at CPH. Your tactics as T was really shit, you constantly had to play Mirage even though you as a team played horrible on that map throughout the whole tournament, because you didn't veto it. Maybe prb didn't play his best at CPH games. Maybe even on purpose. That doesn't change the fact that the rest of you also played awful, and did deserve to end 9-12th.

2013-04-04 22:54

We found out after CPH that Preben had been telling people he was going to leave after the event because he wasn't having "fun".

2013-04-04 23:12

Yes, and what does that have to do with the fact that first he says they played shit cuz they didn't prepare? It wasn't like prb had 1kill 20deaths every match and afked. They all played shit, doesn't matter if prb had said he wanted to leave or not. Anything else you would like to point out? I think Rickeh said it in a streamchat too, "Why on earth are they playing Mirage again? They haven't played good on this map the whole tourney, still they don't veto it?"

2013-04-04 23:19

you are just stupid and can't read. Hate away it makes no difference to anyone but yourself

2013-04-04 23:30

if someone in the team can't be arsed and is just having fun running around not making calls/not listening to calls/doing stupid stuff, it makes you not want to play at all. i've experienced it first-hand.

2013-04-05 00:22

Sometimes i just cannot belive what people are saying on HLTV. Just read his interview. And it is obvious that he wont tell the truth directly after their loss on the same event to the viewers. There is a reason why all of these players are behind Rattlesnk and why they like to play with him. He understands his role. That's the reason why Anexis trust him like mousesports did in the past. He stands for success. Of course you can't compare him with the top players of CS 1.6, because he didn't had in CSS the competition and tournaments others had in CS 1.6.

2013-04-04 23:38

He's not even saying that they lost due to prb his actions. He said everybody played bad and they hope to do better with a new player. You making up statements Rattlesnk never made.

Have you actually ever played CS and how can you possibly know whether or not he did his job? Having one player who basically doesn't want to be there (if we assume that is true) is a huge disadvantage to have as a team. It will affect everything in the game and everyone on the team. I doubt he thinks it is the only reason, top players generally know what went wrong and that everyone makes mistakes.

2013-04-05 01:03

Wondering what their next excuse will be.

2013-04-04 22:55

why are you idiots trashing rattlesnk? if it's true what he's stating in the interview then it's clearly prb who is the cunt, you really wouldn't expect such a behaviour from a professional player.

HLTV.org users will always side with the most popular player doesn't matter whos right or wrong.. prb being well the most known in 1.6 in the eyes of this community will always be right.

2013-04-04 23:42

not really, it doesnt work like that. You are UK so already biased by saying something like that but it's because he comes across as an arsehole, he is known for shouting and abusing his players instead of communicating like an IGL should and because he seems really arrogant. He shouldnt have outed prb like that. it's just wrong. Players don't do that to one another, unless you are Joey Barton.

2013-04-05 01:41

P@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@SSION

2013-04-06 11:58

team excuses.

2013-04-04 23:05

OverRattlesnK

2013-04-04 23:11

prb dosnt deserve a spot at a top team like anexis, after doing stupid sh** like that!

2013-04-04 23:39

prb<3

2013-04-05 00:00

don't u love all males?

2013-04-05 09:51

nop ;)

2013-04-21 08:09

UK scene won't last 6 months they will run away from the comption like they did in 1.6 to a easier/new game and act like they produce talent

2013-04-05 00:13

ShootMania, here we come >:D

2013-04-05 00:18

haha

2013-04-05 00:21

Damn that comption.

2013-04-07 00:39

I swear, judging by the comments 90% of hltv don't even read the interviews

2013-04-05 00:23

i question another time - does not mole play for CRG??

2013-04-05 00:36

And then many wonder why a lot of people think the community is filled with spastics, just gotta read a bunch of comments.

2013-04-05 00:48

hltv.org never ceases to amaze me. they worship any authority like there's no tomorrow, never listening to facts, never having an opinion different from the opinion of a bigger authority (unless the lesser authority is from their home country). when CS:GO was yet to be announced, they slated CSP, said it's just a copy of source and said there's no need in such a mod. when CS:GO went into beta, 90% of the people trashtalked it and for some reason started supporting CSP, saying it's a copy of 1.6. when pro's started switching to CS:GO, people started supporting CSGO. when xelos gets banned without ANY proof, the forums are filled with "TOLD YA", "100% worth it", "didn't even watch the demo but well deserved". when DaY gets banned without any proof and comes to these forums calling everyone "idiots", "motherfuckers", "dumb little piece of shit" etc, they suddenly jump to his defence. just because he achieved something back in CS BETA 0.38181381 means he cant use cheats. when an admin writes a column than xelos' ban was undeserved, suddenly the the whole comments are filled with people supporting him. now rattlesnk says that prb was acting immature @ CPH, and people say he lies because he was an OK player in a different game. wonder which side HLTV.org folks would take if Xizt said friberg had acted immature @ CPH...

2013-04-05 01:09

amen

2013-04-05 01:49

You do realize that different people voice their opinion at different times? And some people stay silent on one issue but they express themselves on another, that's what happens when there is a lot of people in a community. All you did there was just generalize and put thousands of different people into one same box and you gave it a head. Sure, maybe there are a few individuals who sway their opinion whichever way the wind blows, but labeling "hltv.org folks" as such is just ignorant.

2013-04-05 06:18

wonder which side HLTV.org folks would take if Xizt said friberg had acted immature @ CPH... i bet it's :" FUCKING UNGRATEFUL SAUCER, HE WOULDN'T BE NO WHERE WITHOUT FOREST/GTR/XIZT !!! - FRIBERG + FACE/TRACE/Watever. AND WHILE UR AT IT, -FIFF + DELPAN too !" <-- there gotta be one comment like this, i swear !! :D :D :D

2013-04-05 06:59

Dont be daft.. you think professionals like NiP would air any internal dramas they have. Unlike these fucking source noobs.

2013-04-05 09:37

Right, because in "professional 1.6 teams" there's never been any internal dramas !!

2013-04-06 06:37

where did i mention 1.6? i said professional u fucking idiot, learn to read before writing

2013-04-06 06:41

You said 'unlike these fucking source noobs', implying that it doesn't happen to 1.6 teams. If you're too much of a moron to understand what you're saying, don't say anything at all.

2013-04-06 16:17

tks

2013-04-06 20:32

Because... wait for it.. THEY ARE NOOBS FROM FUCKING SOURCE. You think those kids are fucking professionals? Get a fucking clue. And dont put words in my mouth. I never implied or suggested anything about 1.6. So many fucking cunts I swear...

2013-04-06 23:27

Mob mentality brother. It's a huge issue in most lesser educated social circles; people lack individuality and are unable to construct original thoughts so they adopt the most popular mentality in order to fit in while harbouring the illusion they still have a voice.

2013-04-05 09:18

in every social situation broder, education do not help

2013-04-06 07:24

I thought you were going to replace Fifflaren! :o :P

2013-04-05 05:50

i like rattlesnaker

2013-04-05 11:29

I think this is the right decision, HUGhsy is good awper gl

2013-04-05 13:45

hughsy never played awp..

2013-04-06 16:30

HaHaha, didn't whine? People called me on steam to check your stream because you where whining like a madman ;D

2013-04-05 14:24

uk teams... always have been shit, always will...even worse than the dutch scene :D

2013-04-05 15:15

they won over verynoobs

2013-04-06 07:29

4kings were legendary in the primes of cs 1.6 in the time of heaton, spawn potti etcc

2013-04-06 23:45

Should i laugh in the argentinian way or one that all you guys would understand?

I dont know how sponsors still trust rtlsnk with their money/reputation. There is no doubt that he's lying because what he said obviously is the opposite of what he said directly after the CPH. Other than lying he is an absoulte child he always finds someone to blame after each and every failure. I know he's a talented -ingame- player.

2013-04-07 00:43