Everyone has had an opinion on Nigel De Jong’s tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa (and I guess I am now doing the same). Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross has now decided to offer up his qualified opinion, as he defended both Nigel De Jong and Karl Henry. The two midfielders have been the subject of sharp criticism for their overzealous challenges, but have divided the opinions of those involved in the game, and its fans.
Firstly, I would like to highlight that I believe there is a difference in De Jong and Henry’s challenges. While De Jong’s caused more damage (genuinely all the best to Ben Arfa who has looked an exciting player for the last few years, and it’s good to see him in the PL), I am of the opinion that Karl Henry’s was far more reckless and dangerous. Yes, De Jong’s tackle was rough, but I don’t think there was any intent to go out and hurt is opponent. I don’t think Henry was intending any harm either, but was far wilder in his attempts.
Back to Shawcross. In an interview, the Potters’ centre back said:
“It’s part and parcel of football – they are tough-tackling central midfielders whose games are based on making tackles, winning the ball and then giving it to the ball-players. Sometimes injuries are caused.
“You have just got to accept in these times, with the ball moving so fast and the player moving so fast, sometimes you are going to mis-time tackles and that is when injuries can happen.”
Everything that Shawcross said is correct. Tackles will be mis-timed, of course they will, and injuries will indeed occur. It is the same as any sport. A good, strong tackle can give a team a psychological edge, not to mention gee up their fans. When you consider some of the Premier League’s greatest ever players; Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard, part of what made/makes them so good and effective is their commitment to win the ball. These are players that led their team to victory through their style, and it is a similar role that the Wolves captain performs. Nigel De Jong has simply been one of City’s best players so far this season.
While I agree with Shawcross’ comments, it may have done him some good if he had stayed out of the debate. His challenge on Aaron Ramsey was a very wreckless one, and one that we should be moving on from. By commenting on the most recent challenges, he has reminded everyone of his own (intended or not) mistake.
The Premier League is a harder, faster league than its rivals. In reality, its only competitor is La Liga, but I personally would rather watch a PL league match than any other league game in the world. Football on the continent can be infuriating at times, with the embarrassing feigning of injuries without a moments shame, and the over protective referees. Players’ careers should always be the priority, and we must always protect their short (if not lucrative) carreers.
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Shawcross should have kept his head down, regardless of his opinion. The truth is that we could have guessed what his opinion was. His statements may be bold, and like I said above, correct, but perhaps tainted with some naivety.
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The English sporting press is admired for many things, but the way that they can dictate the nation’s mood just by printing a headline means that if the new England manager fails to have them onside, it’s pretty much guaranteed their reign is going to end in failure.
When it was announced Stuart Pearce was to take charge of England’s friendly with Holland, the Sun newspaper ran the story from 17 years ago where Pearce reportedly racially abused Paul Ince. Pearce has never been one for media appearances and often shied away after games as a player, and although the FA has attempted to groom him into somebody who isn’t fazed by facing the press, you can still tell there is something robotic like about his press conferences.
This is a problem for the press, mainly because they can’t get any stories from press conferences and that means their job is harder. Why do you think the English press pine for Jose Mourinho’s return to the Premiership? Or why Blackpool is favoured to come back up with Ian Holloway? These manager’s practically make copy and it’s why the press love them.
England’s last manager Fabio Capello spoke little English, so immediately the press were against him being England manager, and despite him being the most successful (in terms of win ratio) England manager that there has ever been, the FA were forced to get rid of him because of press pressure after an interview Capello gave on Italian radio.
Harry Redknapp has always been a man who has had the press onside, he gives interviews and even has a column ghost written in the Sun, how else would a manager with only one major trophy to his name by the odds on favourite for the biggest job in English football?
The most obvious example of the media fling with Redknapp is the last round of FA Cup matches, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Championship side Birmingham and it was a team in crisis, their young manager who has had an often cagey relationship with this countries media, most of whom are older than Villas-Boas, have piled pressure on his reign ever since results started to turn sour. The next day Tottenham travelled to League One Stevenage and failed to break them down and drew 0-0, but didn’t Tottenham do well to get a replay at a tough ground.
Last Sunday, Tottenham were humiliated 5-2 by rivals Arsenal, with a half-time tactical substitution by Redknapp partly to blame for Tottenham’s second half meltdown. Yet that got very little coverage in the press, even Gareth Bale was given the benefit of the doubt for his dive to win Tottenham a penalty in the first half. I dread to think how the press would have coped if Redknapp was found guilty of tax evasion, maybe it would have been the death of English football.
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Football is a results business and if you don’t get results you get sacked, however what some managers don’t realise is that as soon as they become a manager with England they have a battle straight away, either they get the press onside and are allowed more mistakes than others, or they don’t give the press what they want and more often than not, are sacked because of it.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka wants his club to lift their work rate for their final three matches of the season.The Toffees play FA Cup finalists Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday, relegation candidates West Brom away on cup final day (May 14) and finish with a home match against Chelsea on Sunday, May 22.
Jagielka said it was evident in the 1-1 draw with Wigan on Saturday that some of his team-mates lacked match fitness.
“It’s difficult. The boys are looking a little bit tired and some of them have been out for a while and not played much football,” Jagielka, 28, told the Liverpool Echo.
“The team itself was a bit up and down against Wigan so hopefully we can refresh the boys and get a bit of fitness back into the lads who need it before Manchester City come.”
“It wasn’t a great performance. We didn’t look like scoring.”
“I suppose you can say we didn’t lose and we got a point but that’s the only positives we can take from it.”
Mikel Arteta and Australian Tim Cahill returned to the starting line-up after injuries but both had to be substituted in the second half when they started to struggle.
But Jagielka insisted the poor showing was nothing to do with the return of the duo.
“They are special players and add a lot to our team,” he said.
“We’ve played a slightly different way in recent weeks and picked up some fantastic performances along the way.”
“Even at Man U it was a decent containing job for most of the game, but it was nothing to do with those two coming back why we didn’t play well.”
“At least that’s 60 minutes under their belt and it will only make them better come the weekend.”
Jagielka accepted Everton must improve if they hope to do the double over Manchester City.
“We’ll have to play a little bit better than we did at Wigan against City. They will have Champions League football on their minds and we want to stay at least in seventh.”
“If we finish seventh it will be good because we’ve spent most of the season in the bottom half.”
Arsene Wenger accused Arsenal of falling well below the standards they have set for themselves after losing 3-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion.
A downbeat Wenger pulled no punches after seeing his side beaten for the first time in the Premier League this season.
The Baggies thoroughly deserved their success in the capital, spurning a chance to take the lead in the first half when Manuel Almunia saved Chris Brunt's penalty.
Peter Odemwingie broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart, converting a Jerome Thomas cutback, before Almunia spilled a Gonzalo Jara effort into the net to make it 2-0.
When Thomas shot home from Brunt's pass with 17 minutes to play it was game over, with Samir Nasri's late double not being enough to rescue a point for the shell-shocked Gunners.
"It was a poor performance, defensively and offensively," said Wenger.
"Not one player performed to their level. We had an off day and were not good enough to win the game.
"We were not capable of the right level of concentration. The concentration that gives you the sharpness was not there today.
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"We were poor everywhere – at the back, up front and in the middle of the park. Anything was difficult for us today, to pass the ball, to win it back.
"Overall we got what we deserved, that is zero points. We didn't deserve more."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
When we look overseas to see examples of our compatriots flourishing in other leagues we tend to be disappointed. With the exception of a handful of players such as Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne or David Beckham our players have left little impact on the minds of our continental brothers and sisters. Even during sixties when there were severely restricting wage caps on the English game there was hardly a mass exodus to more profitable climates. I think that Denis Law summed it up perfectly when he left Manchester City to sign for Torino in order to earn more money, he said: ‘I loved everything about being in Italy, except for the football.’ Clearly Law was Scottish but I think the sentiment rings true for most English players when they consider life abroad.
For that very reason it is refreshing to see Joe Cole not only playing well but also enjoying his football at French champions Lille OSC, even if he does still commute from London. The thirty-year-old has slowly been rediscovering the form that lead to him being so highly regarded in the dawn of his career. Drafted in on a loan deal to replace the Arsenal bound Gervinho in the summer, Cole has been dispelling myths on both sides of the Channel. For us: he is testament to the fact that Englishman can succeed abroad and you would like to think that to the French that the former Chelsea and West Ham man is using his impressive technique and elegant style to demonstrate that English football is not all speed and brawn.
But the significance of his season in France runs deeper than just his role as an ambassador for the English game. It invokes the old argument that perhaps more of our players should be encouraged to move abroad in order to help the international team, but is that necessarily the case?
No
You only need to look at the Spain squad to realise this isn’t true. Not only do nearly all come from the same league the Spanish side is made up almost exclusively from players from the country’s top two clubs. Clearly the Spanish national side consists of exceptionally talented footballers but so are many other national sides. What makes them such a formidable team is that they are exactly that – a team. Having the experience of playing with their national team-mates on a weekly basis is their core strength. You can just as easily look at the Brazilian or Argentinean national sides and see an equally impressive team on paper but what they lack is the cohesion and understanding to make them strong. Moreover, their sides are made up of players from a variety of leagues giving them experience playing against a variety of nationalities yet without that harmony they are ineffective. It might be a cliché but football is a team sport, and familiarity breeds team spirit.
Yes
The other way of looking at it however is that, whilst as a general rule you don’t want all of your international players in one league, it would be helpful for your players to have some experience of playing against a different style of football. How can our national side be expected to know how to break down, for example, the Italian defence if the vast majority of them have no experience of playing against a team like that. Also, whilst the Spanish national side are primarily based in Spain they do have a selection of impressive players such as Torres, Silva, Fabregas and Mata who have experience in other leagues. Therefore were they ever to be in a situation where there normal tactics were not working they would at least have the option of introducing players who were capable of playing in a different style.
The problem with both of these arguments is that there are external factors that need to be looked at. First of all it is possible for the English national team to achieve success despite a lack of overseas experience, but in order for us to be effective there needs to be a team spirit. The disagreements between factions in the English national side have been well publicised over the last few years and so even though our players might be familiar with each other they fail to act as a team. The other point is that if we are going to have all of players playing n the Barclays Premier League then we should appoint a manager who understands English football. Players may be able to adapt to the wishes of foreign managers, but not when that manager only gets a few weeks a year to work with the players. Ultimately there is little we can do to encourage our players to move abroad, subsequently the FA have to be the organisation to recognise the limitations of our squad and act accordingly. If that means bringing in an English manager then so be it.
Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay
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I’m sure I’m as honked off as most citizens of the Gooner Republic today. Talk about a roller coaster ride on Sunday evening. Let’s get a few things straight about yesterday:
Liverpool merited the point they got for effort.
Both penalties given in time added on were awarded correctly.
Arsène Wenger’s temper tantrum with Liverpool manager Kenny Daglish and referee Andre Mariner were embarrassing, at least to me.
The only way we can win the League now is for us to win at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night and at home to Manchester United. Even then we’ll still be relying on United dropping four points as they’re six points ahead, six better off on goal difference (38 to 32) and seven on goals scored (70 to 63). We now face a battle to maintain second place, never mind win the title.
Personally, I found Arsène Wenger’s dummy spitting bad grace at the belated final whistle embarrassing. His ever-increasing irascibility when things go wrong over recent seasons has been noticeable. You need to act your age, not your shoe size mate. About the only people he doesn’t seem prepared to blame are himself and his players.
No mate. That’s not our way. We’re the Arsenal. You need to show some class. I’ve blogged on a couple of occasions before on permitting off-field timekeepers controlled by signals from the referee with a stadium clock so everybody knows what’s going on with time remaining. It’s been done for decades in the elite level of rugby league, a sport with far less resources than football.
That said, the laws are as they are at the moment. Let’s be clear. We should have “frozen” the game after our penalty. Instead we panicked. Yet another Arsenal groundhog day. You can’t show that level of poor tactical discipline and expect to regularly challenge for trophies.
Personally, Arsène Wenger’s constant excuses and rejection – often ill-tempered – of any criticism are getting very, very old. I still treasure the trophies he’s won for us and the transformation of the club from what it was when he arrived. His isolation and insulation from the world in which the rest of us live is starting to really grate though. The man is starting to take on the appearance of a North African autocrat, totally out of touch with his people. We all know how that ended in Egypt and Tunisia, not to mention the current conflict in Libya.
Wenger is handsomely compensated for his work. I’ve heard estimates ranging from £5-7 million a year of the improved salary he received on signing his current contract extension which runs to the end of the 2013/14 season. He’s certainly not backward in coming forward to look after his own interest. You can’t blame him for that. A bit of gratitude and understanding would be nice however, rather than snarling and ill-tempered rejection of any criticism.
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Arsenal has already put up prices for Platinum Club level season ticket renewals. It appears that the club was all set to announce likewise for Gold general admission season tickets and match ticket prices for next season but deferred this after we lost the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham City. How cynical is that? Hoping we wouldn’t care in the warm glow of a trophy? Some things never change. The Club announced the Arsenal Bond in the aftermath of our 1990/91 League win.
I’m already alienated and skint enough through being an Arsenal supporter. The latest figures show that average disposable incomes in the United Kingdom will shrink by two percent this year as prices for essentials like rent, public transport, food, gas, electricity, water, etc soar and National Insurance Contribution rises kick in. I know the club faces many of these increased costs too but ticket prices are already ludicrously high, being amongst the most expensive in the world.
MEMO TO STAN KROENKE AND IVAN GAZIDIS:
NO FURTHER TICKET PRICE RISES. WE CAN’T AFFORD IT!
Last season the club faced a real struggle to sell the last few hundred Club season tickets. Around two thousand Gold season ticket holders didn’t renew. Demand appears to have topped out. We’re also in the middle of a horrible recession with “stagflation” (price rises in a stagnant economy) a real possibility.
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Meanwhile, we need to pick ourselves up for a crucial Derby game on Wednesday night. Never mind the Title. Pride should be at stake. I confess I don’t think many of our current crop of players “get it”, isolated and cosseted from the world most of us inhabit as they are.
For the second time in recent weeks I feel unable to finish this blog with my usual exhortation to keep the faith. Too many at Arsenal appear too out of touch with the club’s lifeblood – us, the supporters.
Stan Kroenke needs to understand that the manager must be held accountable. Not micro-managed, but challenged to get himself and the team out of the rut into which we’ve descended.
Written by Vic Crescit at the excellent Arsenal Insider
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has vowed to keep Chelsea transfer target Asmir Begovic at the Britannia Stadium.
Begovic has come under fire after finding himself in the transfer spotlight this week.
Potters boss Tony Pulis criticised the Bosnian goalkeeper after claiming he refused to play in Tuesday's Carling Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town.
However, despite strong transfer interest from Premier League champions Chelsea, Coates claims the club has no plans to sell a player they only signed from Portsmouth in January.
"This is an internal matter and we will decide on what action to take," he stated.
"He is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League and we are not interested in any new offers from Chelsea.
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"We are not interested in what Chelsea do and we have already rejected an offer, from them, for Begovic.
"We wouldn't welcome another bid from Chelsea and, as far as I am aware, we have not received a new offer from Chelsea for him."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sir Alex Ferguson has pinpointed Tottenham as a genuine threat to Manchester United’s title this season. The Scot believes that the North Londoners have been the most exciting team to watch in the last 10 games and have the squad to mount a serious challenge this year.
Elsewhere in the news Wenger believes they will be back in the title race if they beat City; D-Day for Steve Kean, while Liverpool joins the chase for Tiote.
United may get European reprieve – Guardian
Wenger: Arsenal will be back in the title race if they beat Man City – Guardian
Man Utd to spend £29.3m on Benfica’s Gaitan – Daily Telegraph
How passion play led to a bust-up with Balotelli – Independent
Another defeat means Tuesday is D-Day for Kean – Independent
Keane makes Fergie feud public… Sir Alex would’ve been nothing without likes of me! – Daily Mail
GB Olympics squad spot and mega Paris deal beckon for Becks – Daily Mail
Liverpool in chase for Toon star – Mirror
Walker vows to stay with Spurs – Mirror
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Torres still no substitute for success as AVB overlooks £50m misfit again – Daily Mail
Steven Gerrard’s career saved by quick-thinking medical staff at Liverpool – People
Newcastle heading for a Tyne and Wear tug-of-war for Aston Villa’s James Collins – People
It is advantage Manchester United as their title rivals all fell away at the weekend throwing away valuable points. The only thing preventing Sir Alex Ferguson and a record breaking 19th title is themselves and you would be a brave man to bet against them.
In the papers this week there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Adebayor felt unloved at Manchester City; Bale admits to foreign lure, while Arsene Wenger bemoans the fixture list.
*
Rooney set to escape ban for foul-mouthed goal celebration – Guardian
Wenger bemoans fixture list – Sky Sports
Chelsea are looking to the future – Daily Telegraph
There is a resolve at St James’ Park and Ameobi is finally walking the talk – Daily Mail
Adebayor: I felt unloved at City – Sun
Bale admits foreign lure – Sky Sports
How Downing became Villa’s right-hand man from an also-ran – Daily Mail
Drog caught in Blues fan row – Sun
Birmingham manager McLeish backs Super Kev to play until he’s 40 – Daily Mail
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Dalglish eyes wide boys Young and Jarvis to attend Carroll service – Mirror
City can finish second, insists Mancini – Guardian
My guess would be, ‘probably not enough’. I noticed it a while ago and have developed nothing but respect and admiration for it. It’s not an easy ‘gig’ as I see it, following the kids. They’re hardly ever on the TV and at times it must feel like you’re constantly sifting for gold in a glistening stream, hoping to capture something that carries a huge reward.
Right, here’s Windy…
A Spurs XI, managed by Tim Sherwood, drew 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient last week. I must admit that I didn’t make it to the game – I couldn’t face the four hour round trip on a Wednesday evening, and I felt that £15 was a bit steep for what was essentially a reserve side (fair play to those who made the trip!). By all accounts, it was a fairly drab affair – Orient dominated the first half (and could have scored many more), and Spurs dominated the second. Our goals came through Ryan Mason, and Jon Obika.
Tim Sherwood gave a very useful interview after the game: Spurs starlets need time to mature, says Sherwood
“For us it’s a case of getting experience and stepping up to see who can maybe go on loan to someone,” said Sherwood. “We haven’t got a team ethic in this group, it’s all about producing players for our first team and managing their careers from here on in.
He (Obika) is scoring goals, he just needs to find a home. We need to get him a good home to go to and get him some experience, but rest assured wherever he goes he will score goals, because that’s what the boy is all about.
Ryan [Mason] had a good experience at Yeovil, he did well for them and they did well for him. He’s looking to step up now. He’s technically gifted, he keeps the ball, he hates giving it away.
He’s getting fitter and a little bit stronger as well which is good news and I think he’s ready to step up to the Championship and maybe go on loan there to get a career before eventually, hopefully his Tottenham career.”
It’s good experience for them to know that if they’re going to go out on loan at this level it’s very physical.
That’s the way it is in England: if you’re outside the Premier League you’ve got to be ready for a battle. It’s good experience, when we come and look at them on loan we don’t judge what they’ve done on the pitch, we look at their attitude, which needs to be spot on, and their ability will come through.
It gets them used to the intensity of the dressing room. Some of these boys at Orient are playing for their livelihood, they’ve got mortgages to pay, so it’s good for some of these boys who think they’re going to be Tottenham players on big contracts to get a bit of an eye opener.”
Really positive comments from Sherwood – and pretty much exactly what I’d want to hear from him. I hadn’t previously held particularly strong views either way on him – on one hand, he was a big advocate of Didier Zokora, a cult hero to many, but certainly not to me. But on the other, I’ve noted his attendance (and his encouragement to the players) at the handful of U18 games I’ve been at since he joined the club – even when he was only part-time; this I found impressive.
He is spot on regarding Obika, who many Spurs fans seem to have written off. Indeed, I don’t think he is the greatest player (he was warming Millwall’s bench at the end of last season), but he is a player who can become a Darren Bent-style goalscorer in my opinion. He is also a very humble guy, with an excellent attitude towards the game.
Sherwood also calls it right on Mason – “He’s technically gifted, he keeps the ball, he hates giving it away” – that just about sums him up. I’d like to think that Mason has a future at Spurs, especially with Modric to learn from. He could become a Modric-type player, although he has shown in his U18 days that he also has the ability to score goals, so he will probably end up playing further up the pitch than Luka.
I would imagine that Sherwood will look to organise fairly regular friendly games for his group of professionals in the coming season, as well as keeping a close eye on the U18s – working as a link between John McDermott, the Academy Manager, and Harry Redknapp. One wonders where this leaves Clive Allen.
The Milk Cup
A Spurs U17 side participated in the well-known Milk Cup over in Northern Ireland last week. Our squad was as follows:
1 Reece Samuels
2 Kevin Stewart
3 Daniel Day
4 Ronnie Hawkins
5 James Yeboah
6 Ramil Sheriff
7 Laste Dombaxe
8 Freddy Champion
9 Alasan Ann
10 Lee Angol
11 Kenneth McEvoy
12 Luke McGee
13 Thomas Gardiner
14 Janoi Donacien
15 Samuel Smith
16 Victor Zapata Caicedo
17 Oliver Modeste
18 Alexander McQueen [I think they must mean Darren McQueen, who made his U18 debut aged 14]
A handful of these players had some U18 experience last year – McQueen, Yeboah and Dombaxe may be names that you’ve heard before.
We played in the Premier Section, which meant that we played County Londonderry first (26/07/10). We won this game 4-0, with Ronnie Hawkins, James Yeboah, Laste Dombaxe and Lee Angol getting the goals. The goals can be viewed here at 5:26 (although I’m not sure for how long); good to see Redknapp there watching. Number 4, Ronnie Hawkins, looks very comfortable on the ball, and seems to take set pieces too. According to some excellent eye witness reports from wlhatwhl on the brilliant COYS forum, Laste Dombaxe was the stand-out player for Spurs.
In our second game, we beat KV Mechelen of Belgium 1-0 with Dombaxe scoring a penalty, having been fouled himself. The full team team was Thomas Gardiner; Ramil Sheriff, James Yeboah, Janoi Donacien, Daniel Day; Laste Dombaxe, Kevin Stewart, Ronnie Hawkins, Freddy Champion, Lee Angol; Victor Zapata Caicedo.
We then met Donegal Schools in the Quarter Final. Having been 1-0 down for most of the game, Laste Dombaxe scored an excellent equaliser with two minutes to go, only for Donegal to score a screamer from distance a minute later. You can watch the goals here (this time they are first up in the video).
We went on to play Porto in the 5th-8th play-off, drawing 0-0 (unusual scoreline for a youth game!), unfortunately losing 5-4 on penalties. In our final match, we played Belevedere of Dublin, winning 5-0 and therefore finishing 7th out of the 24 teams.
Northern Ireland Milk Cup Winners – Etoile Lusitana (from Senegal – first African team to win the Milk Cup)
Runners up – Bolton Wanderers
3rd – Desportivo Brasil
4th – Donegal 93
5th – Aspire
6th – FC Porto
7th – Tottenham Hotspur
8th – Belvedere
Eurofoot
As well as the Milk Cup, we have taken an U18 team to participate in the Eurofoot competition (as we do each year). We have been drawn in Group B.
Group A
Celtic
Club Brugge
AA Gent
E. Frankfurt
STVV
Botafogo
Group B
Anderlecht
Brondby
Cercle Brugge
Tottenham
Standard Luik
NAC Breda
The squad list for this one is as follows – some familiar names, and some less so.
1 Archer Jordan 12/04/1993
2 Dukes George 4/03/1993 [who I believe is either on trial, or has signed from Northampton Town]
3 Byrne Nathan 5/06/1992
4 Nicholson Jake 19/07/1992
5 Ekong William 1/09/1993
6 Lancaster Cameron 5/11/1992
7 Luongo Massimo 25/09/1992 [who was on trial with us last year, and could now have signed permanently from Sydney Tigers]
8 Carroll Tom 28/05/1992
9 Coulthirst Shaquille 2/11/1994
10 Kane Harry 28/07/1993
11 Prtichard Alex 3/05/1993
12 Oyenuga Kudus 18/03/1993
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13 Ranieri Mirko 8/02/1992
14 Durojaiye Olumide 20/10/1992
15 Ward Grant 5/12/1994
16 Munns Jack 18/11/1993
17 Tapping Calum 5/06/1993
22 Francis-Angol Zaine 30/06/1993
In our opening game on Friday morning, we won 3-2 against Cercle Brugge. Kane, Oyenuga and Lancaster got the goals, and Kane popped up again in the afternoon, as we beat NAC 1-0.
Today we play Anderlecht, Standard and Brondby -you can keep up to date with the results here.
And finally… Billy Big Bostocks
John Bostock had plenty to say this week; some of it sensible, and some total nonsense in my opinion. Firstly, his comments on grass roots football in this country, which I think are sensible, intelligent and which many others would agree with:
“It [England U19 vs Spain] was the hardest game I’ve played, energy-wise. It felt like we were chasing shadows at times.
They have probably been brought up playing that way. They played like they were brothers on that pitch.
I’ve had some good coaches in my time but the problem with English football is it’s not consistent. Different coaches have different approaches.
In Spain it seems every youngster is coached the same way. It’s almost like it’s a belief. Individually we’re not that far behind them but as teams, we are.
Something has to change with the coaching. I’m not talking about the professional game, but right at the bottom from the age of six, seven because kids need to know how to play together.
Look at the senior England team. Individually, we have the best players in the world but as soon as they come together it’s not the same.
I think most of our youth coaches have taken the joy out of football. That is kicked out of us at a young age. Too much pressure is put on kids to go out and win games.”
I can’t disagree with Bostock on a lot of this – I do think there is a massive problem with grass roots football, and I personally get frustrated when I walk past the Sunday morning games, and see young kids playing 11-a-side on full-size pitches. How can that be helping their football? Other than fitness, it gives them very little. But really, that’s a discussion for another day.
Instead I’d like to focus on Bostock’s comments about how he has been blocked by foreign players:
“You look at the foreign contingent over here and they’re blocking us.
It’s so frustrating. You want to prove yourself, but it’s hard when you don’t get a chance.
Some players have been given chances – for instance, Jack Rodwell was given his at Everton and he took it. But the rest of us haven’t really been given that chance. Getting bits here and there is not really enough.
None of us know much about the new rule [8 home-grown players in a 25-man squad]. I just know clubs now have to put some of us in the squad.
But clubs are spending millions on foreigners and they still want to play them. It just means we will be sitting on the bench.”
Ignore all the lifestyle stuff that comes with being a footballer, all we want to do is play football.
That’s all any of us have ever wanted to do since we were young. We just want that chance to show we can play and hopefully we will get it.
I just want to play. The dream is to play for Tottenham but I want to play and if I have to go out on loan to prove myself then I will.”
And here’s what he should be saying:
“You can’t help but learn from quality players like Modric and Kranjcar. I stay behind with them a couple of times a week to try to improve as a player.
This season I’ll be working hard in training to catch Harry’s eye, and to try to get into the squad – then, who knows what can happen.”
Firstly, it’s a slightly bizarre comment, since Spurs have a lot of English players, and specifically in midfield, which is where he wants to play. Does he really think that if it weren’t for that pesky journeyman Modric, he would be a regular starter?
Secondly, can he really compare himself to Jack Rodwell? In my opinion, Jack Rodwell will be an England player within the next 18 months, and will probably be a mainstay for our national side for years to come.
I’m not a expert on John Bostock, but I think I’ve seen him enough times for Crystal Palace, Tottenham U18s and England (at all levels) enough to pass comment. I personally think that his biggest problem is that he believes his own hype. He hasn’t particularly impressed for the U18s, he hasn’t particularly impressed on loan at Brentford (although he put in a fine display and got two goals in his first game for them), and he hasn’t particularly impressed for England.
He is a skillful player, no doubt. He is also a big, strong lad. However, we all know that there is far more to being a footballer than this, which is something that John McDermott, the Academy Manager at Spurs is always keen to make clear. Take Sam Cox for example. He has now joined Exeter City, but he was kept on at Spurs for longer than perhaps his skill level alone justified. This was because he brought a lot of other qualities – professionalism, a superb work ethic, a positivity in his place and in his communication to is team mates, and the ability to help set the tempo of a match. In my opinion, Bostock is desperately lacking in these areas.
Having his level of skill is all well and good, but you have to know how to use it. In this article, it seems to me that he is keen to blame others for his own failings, rather than getting his head and bettering himself. I find it disappointing, and I would not be at all surprised for him to slope off to another club at some point in the near future. If that were to happen there would be some Spurs fans, no doubt, who would blame the coaches for not getting the best out of such a prodigious talent. However, if you see this guy play – see how he is often on the periphery of matches, see how he doesn’t seem to want to roll his sleeves up, and see how he isn’t really fussed with the defensive aspects of the game – you really have to question why he thinks he deserves a chance over other players of a similar age. Particularly those who keep their mouths shut, and focus on their game.
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You should visit his Windy’s blog and enjoy all his work HERE. Here at the Tavern, we’ll be giving you the occasional heads up, but bookmark it and give yourself a working knowledge of the youngsters coming through.