Stopgap solutions

By: Chris | April 5th, 2007

Well soccer fans, although I was no there to witness the spectacle of Clintinho’s first day of practice (I only work with the team twice per week), word out of camp is he is enjoying his football.

Looking to regain the panache he once exhibited slaloming thru eight defenders on that still talked about wonder goal years ago, Clint actually showed a decent range of skill and touch according to my sources. The true measure of how effective he will be this season however is not his undoubted foot skill, but what he does without the ball.

While Arena labeled Mathis in “decent” shape, the hinge to this statement came during the team’s conditioning work. According to reports, Clint looked disinterested during sprinting drills and was amongst the last in several fitness trials. I agree that only time will determine what he will bring to the team, but a motivated player comes in to camp ready to make a statement. Could this be Clint’s?

On the same note, we have recently been linked with perennial fitness donkey’s Marcel Salas and Juan Pablo Angel. Comeon guys, are two players who, while great players in their day, have barley kicked a ball in six months the answer to our scoring problems? Anyone remember Marcelo Vega?

Look, if we are going to sign players, anyone over 30 is a 1-3 season stop gap measure to bring in crowds and let Alti develop. Therefore, we need a player that will lead by example, watch after their bodies and leave it all on the field. Science has advanced the ability of players to play well in to their 30s (and even 40s) with proper care, and while this is purely speculation, listed below are four players who would fit the bill with our team and show Clint a thing or two:

1. Teddy Sheringham: While predating Angel and Salas by almost a decade, Sheringham has seen more time than either this season. Possessing the ultimate “football brain” I remember this guy setting up goals for Alan Shearer at Euro 96. He was as slow and effective as he is today. Out of contract at the end of the season, Sheringham would be a sure fire starter on any championship side and bring leadership, charisma and assists for Clint and Alti.

2. Gary Speed- There has been some talk on this thread about who will player with Reyna in the middle. If we are looking to deploy an attacking midfielder, I can think of no better two way midfielder than Gary Speed. This guy is all over the pitch for Bolton, clearing his line one minute and in the opponents box the next. Recently quoted as saying he would like to end his career abroad, the right offer of around 500-1 million euros whose versatility in midfield could free up Stammler to move to the back line or the flanks.

3. Alan Stubbs- Ok, so for all you Everton fans out there, this is the guy protecting Timmy each week. An out of contract player, this hard nosed defender’s positional play (something I think we can all agree our defense could use) largely negates his need to move from the center of the pitch. Surrounded by athletic youngsters like Marvel Wynne, such a veteran could effectively direct our defense and would also be a threat on set pieces.

4. Dean Windass- What a name. This guy has scored over 150 league goals over his 20 year career. After setting the premier league alight a few years ago, Windass has spent the last few seasons scoring over sixty goals in two seasons which have kept Bradford out of league two (not bad for a 38 year old) After transferring back to Hull City this season, Windass has again spear headed the push to avoid relegation (commenting he could continue to 45 after scoring a recent hattrick) Now at his age, Windass would be no more than a short term solution, but he would likely not command a fee, put his heart in to every shot and tackle and provide better dressing room stories than Reyna.

So there you have my short term solutions. But before I go, I will leave you with this question: when it comes to building our organization, which is more important: a team player or one that will draw crowds? I hope we have moved on from the latter.