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Food For Thought: Of Managers, Tears, & Good Ol' Fate
Nilesh Pinto looks back at some of the stories that made for interesting reading recently...
26-Nov-2009 11:26:20 AM
Rafael Benitez’s job at Liverpool under no threat: Christian Purslow
Liverpool’s season just got worse. Winning the two big prizes no longer a possibility and it’s only November. Liverpool’s chief executive Christian Purslow was quick to quell any ideas about Benitez being given the sack. He said that Liverpool had suffered dearly because of conceding last-minute goals which you can never predict. Is he saying that mentality has nothing to do with their performances?
Even a hardcore Kopite would find it difficult to sympathize with the Merseysiders especially after comments like those of loyal servant and vice-captain Jamie Carragher that ‘There is always the Europa League’. You can’t win when you’ve resigned to losing. You would certainly expect a more positive attitude from a man who defines Liverpool as much as Steven Gerrard.
Winning just 3 out of the last 11 games in all competitions is something that can’t be ignored. Earlier this season, when things had just begin to go awry for the Merseysiders, Benitez had stated that he was looking to the players to lift his spirits. Shouldn’t it have been the other way around?
Sure, you may argue it is only a run of a few games. But the bigger picture has to be looked at. I personally admire Benitez’s footballing brain. People say he’s predictable but there’s no doubt he is effective. But the thing to consider, is that he’s been given five years, spent potloads of money and still has a squad that can’t cope without Gerrard and Torres.
Fernando Gago So Unhappy At Real Madrid He Cries - Agent
I’m sure a lot of fans must have laughed after reading this headline. But the truth of the matter remains is that Fernando Gago is probably one of the first victims of the latest Galacticos era. One has to feel sorry for the Argentinean lad. It was only a year ago that he was considered one of the best talents in the world.
But this season he is living on a prayer to even make the bench. Gago has made just seven appearances this season, most of them just cameos. With the purchase of Alonso, he is considered surplus to Real Madrid’s requirements.
Many players dream of playing for Real Madrid but even more dream of playing for their country. It’s hard enough getting into Maradona’s team with the amount of chopping and changing done by the legend in the course of his tenure. But when you don’t get playing time for your club, your chances of making it to the national team are bleak. Understandable then, that he wants to take what may be considered a step down, and play at Boca Juniors in order to stake his claim for the national team.
India U-23: I Will Come Back And Score Goals - JCT's Baljit Sahni
For those who don’t believe in fate, this is one case which may change your mind. JCT’s Baljit Sahni suffered a fractured wrist after coming across a road accident along with JCT team-mate Sunil Kumar while in Goa for their I-League match against Salgaocar. Baljit was just a couple of days away from attending the U-23 camp in Goa. He had been the I-League’s top-scorer prior to the incident.
The player has lost out on the opportunity to join the camp and mingle with the best young talent in India. Baljit certainly looked like one of the most exciting young talents and with the limited international exposure that our players get, it is a setback not just for India’s SAFF Cup prospects but for the future of Indian football as well.
Nilesh Pinto
Liverpool’s season just got worse. Winning the two big prizes no longer a possibility and it’s only November. Liverpool’s chief executive Christian Purslow was quick to quell any ideas about Benitez being given the sack. He said that Liverpool had suffered dearly because of conceding last-minute goals which you can never predict. Is he saying that mentality has nothing to do with their performances?
Even a hardcore Kopite would find it difficult to sympathize with the Merseysiders especially after comments like those of loyal servant and vice-captain Jamie Carragher that ‘There is always the Europa League’. You can’t win when you’ve resigned to losing. You would certainly expect a more positive attitude from a man who defines Liverpool as much as Steven Gerrard.
Winning just 3 out of the last 11 games in all competitions is something that can’t be ignored. Earlier this season, when things had just begin to go awry for the Merseysiders, Benitez had stated that he was looking to the players to lift his spirits. Shouldn’t it have been the other way around?
Sure, you may argue it is only a run of a few games. But the bigger picture has to be looked at. I personally admire Benitez’s footballing brain. People say he’s predictable but there’s no doubt he is effective. But the thing to consider, is that he’s been given five years, spent potloads of money and still has a squad that can’t cope without Gerrard and Torres.
Fernando Gago So Unhappy At Real Madrid He Cries - Agent
I’m sure a lot of fans must have laughed after reading this headline. But the truth of the matter remains is that Fernando Gago is probably one of the first victims of the latest Galacticos era. One has to feel sorry for the Argentinean lad. It was only a year ago that he was considered one of the best talents in the world.
But this season he is living on a prayer to even make the bench. Gago has made just seven appearances this season, most of them just cameos. With the purchase of Alonso, he is considered surplus to Real Madrid’s requirements.
Many players dream of playing for Real Madrid but even more dream of playing for their country. It’s hard enough getting into Maradona’s team with the amount of chopping and changing done by the legend in the course of his tenure. But when you don’t get playing time for your club, your chances of making it to the national team are bleak. Understandable then, that he wants to take what may be considered a step down, and play at Boca Juniors in order to stake his claim for the national team.
India U-23: I Will Come Back And Score Goals - JCT's Baljit Sahni
For those who don’t believe in fate, this is one case which may change your mind. JCT’s Baljit Sahni suffered a fractured wrist after coming across a road accident along with JCT team-mate Sunil Kumar while in Goa for their I-League match against Salgaocar. Baljit was just a couple of days away from attending the U-23 camp in Goa. He had been the I-League’s top-scorer prior to the incident.
The player has lost out on the opportunity to join the camp and mingle with the best young talent in India. Baljit certainly looked like one of the most exciting young talents and with the limited international exposure that our players get, it is a setback not just for India’s SAFF Cup prospects but for the future of Indian football as well.
Nilesh Pinto
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