A goal in front of 3000 diehards in Warrington, may not sound like the announcement of the second coming, but for Rafa Benitez, Harry Kewell’s goal scoring return to action last week cannot have come soon enough.
The Reds boss is suffering his first “crisis” since taking over from Gerard Houllier in 2004. This was supposed to be the year that the long wait for the title was over. But at the moment it looks further away than ever. Following an off-season of heavy investment, Benitez constant team rotation has led to a dip in form in the Premiership, and his charges lie bottom of their Champions League group after 3 games. Injuries are piling up; discontent is spreading through Anfield; the wealthy new owners said to be not amused. Now Benitez seems set to rush Kewell back into the fray to spark a Reds revival.
Just last week, the Liverpool boss was full of praise for his Socceroo star, "Harry is very important for us. A player with pace and ability who can score goals is always important". This from a coach who was openly critical of Kewell, and his injury record, during the first year of his reign. Truth be told, Kewell owes Benitez, and in the final year of his contract he needs Benitez. After a litany of injury problems, most coaches would have written off Harry, but as the Liverpool fans famously say, “Rafa Knows”. He knows that a fit Harry Kewell provides his side with an extra dimension.
Kids in this country will know Kewell as Australia’s World Cup hero, but for those of us with longer memories, the sight of a twenty-one year old Leeds winger destroying the Premiership’s best defences is etched in the memory. Make no mistake; Kewell was exhilarating, and one of the very best. Injuries have taken a terrible toll on his body. He’ll never play forty games a year again. But in this day and age, he shouldn’t have to. Rafa’s selection policy is tailor made for Kewell, providing him with the chance to manage his body through this final phase of a rollercoaster career, whilst still having the impact to rejuvenate a sterile and predictable Liverpool attack.
The flipside of this Liverpool comeback is Harry’s role with the national team. As much as he may want to play ever game he can in the Green and Gold, the truth is Liverpool’s current need is greater. Australia’s resources are deep enough to see off the first phase of challengers in World Cup qualifying. Kewell shouldn’t be need, and should be allowed the time to get himself fit, without the added pressures of long haul travel and oppressive match conditions.
Worshipped in Australia; derided in England. But “The Harry Kewell Story” may still have a few chapters to be written.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not exactly Australian but a cause close to my heart.......If ambition equated to success, then Tottenham Hotspur would be kings of Europe. After Martin Jol led England’s perennial under-achievers to successive 5th place finishes, and European football, the Dutchman paid the price for a poor start and a perception that he had taken the team as far as they could go. Sevilla’s impressive coach Juande Ramos steps into the fray. But what has he taken on?
Tradition has Spurs as one of England’s, and Europe’s great clubs. On the balance sheet, they are one of the worlds richest. But for the past 20 years, the club have been left behind on the field. And now Ramos is the latest to follow, Pleat, Venables, Shreeves, Livermore and Clemence, Ardiles, Francis, Gross, Hoddle, Santini and now Jol through the door, and bring success to White Hart Lane.
It’s a task that the decorated Spaniard may struggle with. Tottenham’s squad is without doubt hugely talented featuring the likes of Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, Lennon, King and Chimbonda; players who wouldn’t look out of place at any other team in the Premiership. No, the problem is in the application. Tottenham’s team is perceived as lightweight; lacking in heart; too easily beaten. This is going to be Ramos biggest task. To make the players believe they can win.
Make no mistake, there will be no hiding place; no more armchair rides for favourites from the previous regime. Players who don’t perform, and don’t show the inclination to change will not last too long under Ramos. Historically a coach who does things his way, Ramos first task is to ensure his squad are fit. Then he will get to work on the training ground getting across his football philosophy. Set Piece defending will also be high on the agenda, after 42 set piece goals conceded by Jol’s Spurs in 47 games.
The fans have responded to Ramos well. Jol was a hugely popular figure, and will always be remembered with affection. The perception is he was more sinned against than sinned. The real ire of the crowd is being directed at chairman Daniel Levy for his handling of the Jol affair. There’s no questioning Levy’s financial commitment to Spurs, but his man management skills, and football acumen are often called into question. The almost constant takeover talk hangs heavy over a chairman many feel is “Fattening” up the club ready for a big sale.
For Levy, the appointment of Ramos may well be the last throw of the dice. If the man who transformed Sevilla into trophy winning title contenders can’t produce the same trick at Spurs, then I suspect neither man will be in North London for too long.
Tradition has Spurs as one of England’s, and Europe’s great clubs. On the balance sheet, they are one of the worlds richest. But for the past 20 years, the club have been left behind on the field. And now Ramos is the latest to follow, Pleat, Venables, Shreeves, Livermore and Clemence, Ardiles, Francis, Gross, Hoddle, Santini and now Jol through the door, and bring success to White Hart Lane.
It’s a task that the decorated Spaniard may struggle with. Tottenham’s squad is without doubt hugely talented featuring the likes of Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, Lennon, King and Chimbonda; players who wouldn’t look out of place at any other team in the Premiership. No, the problem is in the application. Tottenham’s team is perceived as lightweight; lacking in heart; too easily beaten. This is going to be Ramos biggest task. To make the players believe they can win.
Make no mistake, there will be no hiding place; no more armchair rides for favourites from the previous regime. Players who don’t perform, and don’t show the inclination to change will not last too long under Ramos. Historically a coach who does things his way, Ramos first task is to ensure his squad are fit. Then he will get to work on the training ground getting across his football philosophy. Set Piece defending will also be high on the agenda, after 42 set piece goals conceded by Jol’s Spurs in 47 games.
The fans have responded to Ramos well. Jol was a hugely popular figure, and will always be remembered with affection. The perception is he was more sinned against than sinned. The real ire of the crowd is being directed at chairman Daniel Levy for his handling of the Jol affair. There’s no questioning Levy’s financial commitment to Spurs, but his man management skills, and football acumen are often called into question. The almost constant takeover talk hangs heavy over a chairman many feel is “Fattening” up the club ready for a big sale.
For Levy, the appointment of Ramos may well be the last throw of the dice. If the man who transformed Sevilla into trophy winning title contenders can’t produce the same trick at Spurs, then I suspect neither man will be in North London for too long.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sydney's Winning Mentality
After yet another traumatic week in the short, yet turbulent history of Sydney FC, there was finally a football match to distract attention from the boardroom. After 9 rounds of inspid, passionless displays, John Kosmina finally roused the league’s glamour club from their stupour.
A thrilling 3-2 win over the table topping Mariners was the ideal start for the coach many at Sydney love to hate. If things continue this way, the SFS faithful may have to start hating to love Kossie.
For sheer bloody-mindedness and will to win, it’s hard to go past Kosmina. As Adelaide coach he dragged his limited squad to an inaugural minor Premiership, and followed it up with a grand final appearance in Version 2. It often wasn’t pretty, but it was highly effective. Now after Branko Culina’s promise of attractive, swaggering football floundered on the rocks, Sydney long suffering support just want results. And Kosmina could just be the man.
The fans certainly think so after Sunday’s display. Over 17000 made the effort to turn up, 5000 up on last week’s clash with Adelaide. Doubtless the appearance of a World Cup hero in John Aloisi had an impact, but for many of the sky-blue clad fans, it was the hope of a response to the new coach; and thats exactly what they got.
As an attacking force, Sydney looked irresistible. The attacking quartet of impressive debutant Bridges, Corica, Juninho and Brosque, were at times devasting, and for the first 45 minutes, the Mariners were submerged by wave upon wave of Sydney attack. And despite the squandering of a penalty in the second half, and the expected Central Coast comeback, Sydney held on to re-ignite their title ambitions.
It is this area of the game that perhaps impressed the most. In the face of an onslaught from the Mariners, the previously fragile defensive structure, and team confidence held out. For all Kossie’s faults, he has always had a winning mentality. Now it’s Sydney FC’s turn to be moulded into a winning unit, that reflects their coach. It’s going to be quite a ride.
A thrilling 3-2 win over the table topping Mariners was the ideal start for the coach many at Sydney love to hate. If things continue this way, the SFS faithful may have to start hating to love Kossie.
For sheer bloody-mindedness and will to win, it’s hard to go past Kosmina. As Adelaide coach he dragged his limited squad to an inaugural minor Premiership, and followed it up with a grand final appearance in Version 2. It often wasn’t pretty, but it was highly effective. Now after Branko Culina’s promise of attractive, swaggering football floundered on the rocks, Sydney long suffering support just want results. And Kosmina could just be the man.
The fans certainly think so after Sunday’s display. Over 17000 made the effort to turn up, 5000 up on last week’s clash with Adelaide. Doubtless the appearance of a World Cup hero in John Aloisi had an impact, but for many of the sky-blue clad fans, it was the hope of a response to the new coach; and thats exactly what they got.
As an attacking force, Sydney looked irresistible. The attacking quartet of impressive debutant Bridges, Corica, Juninho and Brosque, were at times devasting, and for the first 45 minutes, the Mariners were submerged by wave upon wave of Sydney attack. And despite the squandering of a penalty in the second half, and the expected Central Coast comeback, Sydney held on to re-ignite their title ambitions.
It is this area of the game that perhaps impressed the most. In the face of an onslaught from the Mariners, the previously fragile defensive structure, and team confidence held out. For all Kossie’s faults, he has always had a winning mentality. Now it’s Sydney FC’s turn to be moulded into a winning unit, that reflects their coach. It’s going to be quite a ride.
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