ARCHIVE - JANUARY 2011
THE SPECIAL ONE MARK TWO Greg 25/01/11
If you follow football at all in Portugal, you will know about André Villas Boas. If you read the tabloids, you will have heard him mentioned when Roy Hodgson was on his way to pick up his P45. The 33 year-old is ranked as one of the most promising up and coming coaches in the game, destined to lead one of Europe's major clubs after a successful spell at Porto. But just where did he come from and what makes him so special?
He is only 33, making him one of the youngest coaches around. Other 'youngsters' at big clubs, such as Pep Guardiola or Leonardo, rely partially on their playing careers to land the jobs in the first place, and their status as star players helps them deal with some of the criticism heading their way. Villas Boas is afforded no such luxury status as a footballing icon.
Of course, he isn't unique in making a career as a manager with no significant playing experience. Arsène Wenger played for Strasbourg, but saw little top-class action other than one UEFA Cup appearance. Gerrard Houllier barely played above amateur level. However, these two went on to win trophies on both sides of the channel, having served long coaching apprenticeships and working their way up from youth and reserve teams. André didn't follow this route either.
So what route did this protégé take? Whilst still in his teens, Villas Boas was hired by Bobby Robson to work in the observation department of the famous Futebol Clube de Porto, thanks largely to his fluent English skills. At 17, his club paid for him to complete his UEFA Licence in Scotland, reportedly disguising his age to get him onto the course.
And here we begin to talk about a certain Special One. Google André Villas Boas and you'll be hard pressed to find an article about our man without it mentioning José Mourinho. It was everyone's favourite egomaniac who spotted the potential of Villas Boas and promoted him to assistant coach. Mourinho, a notorious stickler for attention to detail, was impressed with Villas Boas and his ability to produce reports on individual players, teams and tactical selections. He took him to Chelsea and Inter where he became a key part of the Special One's team, helping to produce in-depth dossiers on each opponent and preparing José's teams to win numerous trophies.
Villas Boas left Mourinho in summer 2009 and was handed the chance to return to Portugal and manage bottom-of-the-table Academica in October that year. He took over with the small club adrift and odds-on for relegation – at the end of the season Academica were 10 points clear of the drop and made the semi-finals of the Portuguese League Cup. Some turnaround.
It was this stellar performance that prompted Porto to bring him back for the beginning of the 2010-11 season. The gamble seems to have paid off – Os Dragões sit comfortably at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and in December they set a new club record by going 33 games unbeaten.
So Villas Boas is on the way to proving himself with results, but he gains them by playing with a free-flowing, fluid attack which Mourinho doesn't favour. He follows the Special One in playing 4-3-3, yet his wide strikers play as exactly that – strikers and not wingers with defensive responsibility. He shares Mourinho's tactical awareness but carries less of his abrasive confidence in public, making him come across as somewhat less arrogant.
I for one would love to see him here in England. If he stays and proves himself in Portugal until the end of the season and perhaps into next, he'll surely end up at one of Europe's big guns. And I would love to see it, as he has worked hard to study the tactical side of the game rather than rely on his prior reputation. It would also stick 2 fingers up to those ex-pros who say that you cannot understand the game unless you have played it at a higher level!
Let's hope we can welcome André the Giant to England soon!
He is only 33, making him one of the youngest coaches around. Other 'youngsters' at big clubs, such as Pep Guardiola or Leonardo, rely partially on their playing careers to land the jobs in the first place, and their status as star players helps them deal with some of the criticism heading their way. Villas Boas is afforded no such luxury status as a footballing icon.
Of course, he isn't unique in making a career as a manager with no significant playing experience. Arsène Wenger played for Strasbourg, but saw little top-class action other than one UEFA Cup appearance. Gerrard Houllier barely played above amateur level. However, these two went on to win trophies on both sides of the channel, having served long coaching apprenticeships and working their way up from youth and reserve teams. André didn't follow this route either.
So what route did this protégé take? Whilst still in his teens, Villas Boas was hired by Bobby Robson to work in the observation department of the famous Futebol Clube de Porto, thanks largely to his fluent English skills. At 17, his club paid for him to complete his UEFA Licence in Scotland, reportedly disguising his age to get him onto the course.
And here we begin to talk about a certain Special One. Google André Villas Boas and you'll be hard pressed to find an article about our man without it mentioning José Mourinho. It was everyone's favourite egomaniac who spotted the potential of Villas Boas and promoted him to assistant coach. Mourinho, a notorious stickler for attention to detail, was impressed with Villas Boas and his ability to produce reports on individual players, teams and tactical selections. He took him to Chelsea and Inter where he became a key part of the Special One's team, helping to produce in-depth dossiers on each opponent and preparing José's teams to win numerous trophies.
Villas Boas left Mourinho in summer 2009 and was handed the chance to return to Portugal and manage bottom-of-the-table Academica in October that year. He took over with the small club adrift and odds-on for relegation – at the end of the season Academica were 10 points clear of the drop and made the semi-finals of the Portuguese League Cup. Some turnaround.
It was this stellar performance that prompted Porto to bring him back for the beginning of the 2010-11 season. The gamble seems to have paid off – Os Dragões sit comfortably at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and in December they set a new club record by going 33 games unbeaten.
So Villas Boas is on the way to proving himself with results, but he gains them by playing with a free-flowing, fluid attack which Mourinho doesn't favour. He follows the Special One in playing 4-3-3, yet his wide strikers play as exactly that – strikers and not wingers with defensive responsibility. He shares Mourinho's tactical awareness but carries less of his abrasive confidence in public, making him come across as somewhat less arrogant.
I for one would love to see him here in England. If he stays and proves himself in Portugal until the end of the season and perhaps into next, he'll surely end up at one of Europe's big guns. And I would love to see it, as he has worked hard to study the tactical side of the game rather than rely on his prior reputation. It would also stick 2 fingers up to those ex-pros who say that you cannot understand the game unless you have played it at a higher level!
Let's hope we can welcome André the Giant to England soon!
BENT LOGIC - GLORIES OF THE LOWER LEAGUE BARGAIN BIN Nick, 23/01/11
Steve Bruce probably struggled to keep a straight face during negotiations for Darren Bent as the sum of £24 million was mentioned. He was probably chuckling all the way to the bank with Houllier's cheque in hand. However FAF was very disappointed to see what can simply be described as lack of imagination from Bruce by trying to bring 31 year old Ricardo Fuller to the Stadium of Light. If you want to get someone to sit in the physio room then you’d at least go for Jimmy Bullard wouldn’t you? There seems to be a lack of faith in young and talented footballers in the lower tiers of English football. With Jay Bothroyd recently making the step up to international football, surely there are others who have the ability to step up to the Premier League?
From the Championship there are many who impress and some, such as Adam Johnson, who have gone on to become one of England’s brightest prospects. With the likes of Adel Taarabt, Danny Graham and Max Gradell producing consistently strong performances, Premier League clubs will surely have been snooping around. You could probably buy a whole squad of these Championship stars for the price of a Barry, a Milner or any other Sheikh Mansour impulse buy. However with many Championship clubs growing in stature and chasing the dream of taking their players into the Premier League themselves, a deeper delve into the bargain bin may be necessary.
Leagues One and Two are not without their fiery prospects. The likes of Bale and Walcott did after all come from Southampton, who have seemingly unearthed another in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Joe Hart came from Shrewsbury Town, Bobby Zamora from Brighton and Titus Bramble played two games for Colchester United – obviously making him the phenomenal player he is today.
Striker Will Hoskins already has the joy of playing for the best team in the country but should he want a few extra pennies for his hair bleach, there are many Premier League clubs who could do with such a goalscorer in their squads. Jordan Rhodes of Huddersfield and Charlie Austin of Swindon find themselves in similar positions – the difference being Austin is no doubt itching to get out of Swindon. It’s not just strikers who catch the eye. Arsenal are reportedly interested in Peterborough centre-back Ryan Bennett, although Arsène Wenger is more likely to go delving into the far less rewarding French bargain ‘poubelle’ for someone like Djourou, Koscielny or another such high scoring Scrabble name.
Then, in the pit of the bargain bin, lies the glory of the Blue Square Premier-Vauxhall-Walt Disney-Conference. Les Ferdinand, Stan Collymore and Vinnie Jones are all big names plucked not even from the bargain bin but from the jaws of the compacter in the back room.
Giant-killers Crawley Town have a gem of a striker in Matt Tubbs and who can forget Torres – Sergio Torres. Brucey could have even picked up on the promising re-emergence of a modern day ‘crazy gang’ at AFC Wimbledon with Danny Kedwell and James Mulley. However Premier League managers just don’t seem hungry for these players, believing them too slow or not technically good enough. But how will we ever know if they don’t get the chance? When you are receiving multi-million pound sums for a single player, surely it’s worth a few coppers to bring a proven goalscorer or a brawling centre-back to the heights of the Premier League? Even if they turn out to be a ‘squad thickener’, they can't be any worse than multi-million flops such as Helder Postiga or Winston Bogarde.
“Stay Fresh” to find out our Lower League XI, the best players who have risen up from lower league football to have a massive impact on the top tier of English football.
From the Championship there are many who impress and some, such as Adam Johnson, who have gone on to become one of England’s brightest prospects. With the likes of Adel Taarabt, Danny Graham and Max Gradell producing consistently strong performances, Premier League clubs will surely have been snooping around. You could probably buy a whole squad of these Championship stars for the price of a Barry, a Milner or any other Sheikh Mansour impulse buy. However with many Championship clubs growing in stature and chasing the dream of taking their players into the Premier League themselves, a deeper delve into the bargain bin may be necessary.
Leagues One and Two are not without their fiery prospects. The likes of Bale and Walcott did after all come from Southampton, who have seemingly unearthed another in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Joe Hart came from Shrewsbury Town, Bobby Zamora from Brighton and Titus Bramble played two games for Colchester United – obviously making him the phenomenal player he is today.
Striker Will Hoskins already has the joy of playing for the best team in the country but should he want a few extra pennies for his hair bleach, there are many Premier League clubs who could do with such a goalscorer in their squads. Jordan Rhodes of Huddersfield and Charlie Austin of Swindon find themselves in similar positions – the difference being Austin is no doubt itching to get out of Swindon. It’s not just strikers who catch the eye. Arsenal are reportedly interested in Peterborough centre-back Ryan Bennett, although Arsène Wenger is more likely to go delving into the far less rewarding French bargain ‘poubelle’ for someone like Djourou, Koscielny or another such high scoring Scrabble name.
Then, in the pit of the bargain bin, lies the glory of the Blue Square Premier-Vauxhall-Walt Disney-Conference. Les Ferdinand, Stan Collymore and Vinnie Jones are all big names plucked not even from the bargain bin but from the jaws of the compacter in the back room.
Giant-killers Crawley Town have a gem of a striker in Matt Tubbs and who can forget Torres – Sergio Torres. Brucey could have even picked up on the promising re-emergence of a modern day ‘crazy gang’ at AFC Wimbledon with Danny Kedwell and James Mulley. However Premier League managers just don’t seem hungry for these players, believing them too slow or not technically good enough. But how will we ever know if they don’t get the chance? When you are receiving multi-million pound sums for a single player, surely it’s worth a few coppers to bring a proven goalscorer or a brawling centre-back to the heights of the Premier League? Even if they turn out to be a ‘squad thickener’, they can't be any worse than multi-million flops such as Helder Postiga or Winston Bogarde.
“Stay Fresh” to find out our Lower League XI, the best players who have risen up from lower league football to have a massive impact on the top tier of English football.
WHAT NEXT FOR DUDLEY JUNIOR? Nick, 22/01/11
On the 9th January 2005, DJ Campbell turned out for Isthmian League side Yeading in the FA Cup Third Round against Newcastle. I remember watching the game thinking "cool name" - when you’re 14, any more lavish thoughts get substituted for such grunts of disinterest quite easily.
You could tell this guy was good. Too good for Yeading. Sorry if that offends anyone from Yeading, though I’m more likely to offend you if I wrote my views on Man United. At this time however, little did I know the extent of which DJ would rise up the charts (had to be a pun or two).
DJ moved from Yeading to Brentford, a wholly unadventurous move geographically, yet one which in footballing terms saw him ply his trade three leagues higher than if he had stayed where he was. Of course DJ still scored goals, 9 for the Bees in 23 games seeing him earn a transfer to the guaranteed luxuries of the Premiership at Birmingham City (yet another glamorous location).
Over the next 4 years his not-quite-Steve Claridge-style tour would take him to Leicester, where 5 goals in 41 games could have set our hero back. A series of loan moves followed. Spells at Blackpool, Derby and back to Blackpool could have proved the big hurdle in the dramatically unveiling plot that is DJ Campbell’s career. But the special effects of this DJ could not be ignored.
DJ has clawed his way to status as one of the Premier League top scorers in the 2010/11 season, overcoming problems on and off the field. So what next for the badge biting Blackpool boy? Is he the real-life Santiago Muñez? No - they just took that too far, but is this a definite climb to stardom? Following his appearance at a young age for the England C team – a semi pro team whose selection is based predominantly on the post-match boat race – can DJ find his way to into the full England team? Or does DJ face a big fall from his towering position at Blackpool?
We have our eye on this ‘glittering’ career. Have your say on DJ on the FAF forum.
You could tell this guy was good. Too good for Yeading. Sorry if that offends anyone from Yeading, though I’m more likely to offend you if I wrote my views on Man United. At this time however, little did I know the extent of which DJ would rise up the charts (had to be a pun or two).
DJ moved from Yeading to Brentford, a wholly unadventurous move geographically, yet one which in footballing terms saw him ply his trade three leagues higher than if he had stayed where he was. Of course DJ still scored goals, 9 for the Bees in 23 games seeing him earn a transfer to the guaranteed luxuries of the Premiership at Birmingham City (yet another glamorous location).
Over the next 4 years his not-quite-Steve Claridge-style tour would take him to Leicester, where 5 goals in 41 games could have set our hero back. A series of loan moves followed. Spells at Blackpool, Derby and back to Blackpool could have proved the big hurdle in the dramatically unveiling plot that is DJ Campbell’s career. But the special effects of this DJ could not be ignored.
DJ has clawed his way to status as one of the Premier League top scorers in the 2010/11 season, overcoming problems on and off the field. So what next for the badge biting Blackpool boy? Is he the real-life Santiago Muñez? No - they just took that too far, but is this a definite climb to stardom? Following his appearance at a young age for the England C team – a semi pro team whose selection is based predominantly on the post-match boat race – can DJ find his way to into the full England team? Or does DJ face a big fall from his towering position at Blackpool?
We have our eye on this ‘glittering’ career. Have your say on DJ on the FAF forum.
DOUBLE STANDARDS - YET AGAIN Greg, 17/01/11
A commentator on Sunday night said that referee Mike Dean made the right call in only (initially) showing Rafael a yellow card against Spurs last weekend after his lunge on Wilson Palacios. Fair enough. But the reason he gave? That in a game 'this important,' the referee did well not to send him off. So do the laws change depending on who is playing?
Balls out of the bath here - I don't think Rafael should have been sent off for the first tackle and the referee got it right. My problem lies with the perception that because it is a top-of-the-table Super-duper Sunday match complete with bells, whistles and Jamie Redknapp, the game shouldn't be ruined by a soft red card. Why is this game too important for a red card? As far as I am concerned, the most important game on Sunday ended a few hours before this game started (though if it had ended 5 minutes earlier than it did I would have had an even better weekend).
Jonathan "I used to shout on Channel 5" Pearce claimed that the young Brazilian twin's first tackle was correctly given as a yellow given the magnitude of the game. Should the same rules not apply whatever the fixture? If it was Wigan vs Fulham and John Panstil had tackled Hendry Thomas in the way Rafael did, would Pearce still be shouting that our viewing pleasure shouldn't be disturbed by a red card?
I agree that referees should be allowed to use their common sense. If a player mistimes a tackle five minutes into a big derby game, the referee should be able to give him a bit of a telling off and a warning that next time he's in the book (or on the back of the yellow card as it is nowadays). Unfortunately, strict guidlines are taking this option away from referees.
Rules are rules, though as we are coming to find out, they might not always apply to the bigger clubs. It seems that the days of Keane and Stam's vein-bulging rants are creeping back, with everyone's favourite grab-a-granny enthusiast and our lovely young Brazilians leading the charge. Card-waving, referee-hounding, Fergie-time loving Man Utd at their best.
After Gerrard's assault on Michael Carrick a couple of weeks ago, Ryan Giggs claimed he didn't see it so wouldn't comment. Good old professional Ryan. If that is the case though, why was he shouting at Howard Webb straight after the tackle? Maybe he was asking him if he fancied another pushing and shoving session with Darren Fletcher? Will the FA do anything? I doubt it - they'll be too busy looking on Twitter for people to fine.
The media, and it seems the FA, are preoccupied with the 'bigger' clubs and as long as the money is coming in, the gap will only get wider.
UPDATE: Rafael was given an £8,000 fine for his reaction to the red card. Babel got £10,000 for posting a photograph. Which was the more serious offence?
Balls out of the bath here - I don't think Rafael should have been sent off for the first tackle and the referee got it right. My problem lies with the perception that because it is a top-of-the-table Super-duper Sunday match complete with bells, whistles and Jamie Redknapp, the game shouldn't be ruined by a soft red card. Why is this game too important for a red card? As far as I am concerned, the most important game on Sunday ended a few hours before this game started (though if it had ended 5 minutes earlier than it did I would have had an even better weekend).
Jonathan "I used to shout on Channel 5" Pearce claimed that the young Brazilian twin's first tackle was correctly given as a yellow given the magnitude of the game. Should the same rules not apply whatever the fixture? If it was Wigan vs Fulham and John Panstil had tackled Hendry Thomas in the way Rafael did, would Pearce still be shouting that our viewing pleasure shouldn't be disturbed by a red card?
I agree that referees should be allowed to use their common sense. If a player mistimes a tackle five minutes into a big derby game, the referee should be able to give him a bit of a telling off and a warning that next time he's in the book (or on the back of the yellow card as it is nowadays). Unfortunately, strict guidlines are taking this option away from referees.
Rules are rules, though as we are coming to find out, they might not always apply to the bigger clubs. It seems that the days of Keane and Stam's vein-bulging rants are creeping back, with everyone's favourite grab-a-granny enthusiast and our lovely young Brazilians leading the charge. Card-waving, referee-hounding, Fergie-time loving Man Utd at their best.
After Gerrard's assault on Michael Carrick a couple of weeks ago, Ryan Giggs claimed he didn't see it so wouldn't comment. Good old professional Ryan. If that is the case though, why was he shouting at Howard Webb straight after the tackle? Maybe he was asking him if he fancied another pushing and shoving session with Darren Fletcher? Will the FA do anything? I doubt it - they'll be too busy looking on Twitter for people to fine.
The media, and it seems the FA, are preoccupied with the 'bigger' clubs and as long as the money is coming in, the gap will only get wider.
UPDATE: Rafael was given an £8,000 fine for his reaction to the red card. Babel got £10,000 for posting a photograph. Which was the more serious offence?
MARVIN MORGAN: A MANIC MESSAGE FROM LOWER LEAGUE SUPERSTAR Nick, 15/01/11
Sometimes lower league players just don’t get enough coverage in the media. Marvin should have made our SMH XI, but we thought he was deserving of something seperate.
Ryan Babel’s name gets thrown into the spotlight of shame with a minor mimic of Howard Webb and a typically ‘Babelesque’ virtual shake of his head (SMH). Yet for Aldershot Town’s Marvin Morgan a comment also on Twitter has been all but ignored by the mainstream sporting media. It read:
“Like to thank the fans who booed me off the pitch. Where's that going to get you! I hope you all die.”
Now with Morgan’s talent probably able to give MC Babel a run for his money, on the football field if not on the microphone, I see no reason why Morgan’s outburst should receive any less coverage. Morgan’s outburst was lower profile yet his sheer directness is highly remarkable and in a strange way commendable in a time where its World stage equivalent consisted of an indistinguishable dribble from England’s number 10 onto an unfortunate camera in Cape Town in June. Some may say this is a player who, through the use of modern technology has showed his relentless passion for a club he feels strongly about. Others would argue this is a one off, Darren Bent style, slip up ‘just give the lad a chance’.
However, many others simply would say ‘Marvin, what were you thinking son?’
Ryan Babel’s name gets thrown into the spotlight of shame with a minor mimic of Howard Webb and a typically ‘Babelesque’ virtual shake of his head (SMH). Yet for Aldershot Town’s Marvin Morgan a comment also on Twitter has been all but ignored by the mainstream sporting media. It read:
“Like to thank the fans who booed me off the pitch. Where's that going to get you! I hope you all die.”
Now with Morgan’s talent probably able to give MC Babel a run for his money, on the football field if not on the microphone, I see no reason why Morgan’s outburst should receive any less coverage. Morgan’s outburst was lower profile yet his sheer directness is highly remarkable and in a strange way commendable in a time where its World stage equivalent consisted of an indistinguishable dribble from England’s number 10 onto an unfortunate camera in Cape Town in June. Some may say this is a player who, through the use of modern technology has showed his relentless passion for a club he feels strongly about. Others would argue this is a one off, Darren Bent style, slip up ‘just give the lad a chance’.
However, many others simply would say ‘Marvin, what were you thinking son?’