Jesús Fernández Sáez, aka Suso, has given his first full interview since arriving at Anfield. Luckily, he sounds like a humble, level-headed guy with reasonable expectations, and hopefully he'll do well at Liverpool (despite the youth set-up's draconian coaching philosophy). However, his taste in films leaves a lot to be desired.
Last week, I wrote an article outlining what I believe to be Liverpool's outdated approach to youth coaching, which was illustrated by John McMahon's comments about Suso:
"He turned 17 on Friday and hopefully he has a bright future at the club. He'll only have that future if he keeps working hard and listens to what the coaching staff are saying to him. But he knows that and we hope he will start working twice as hard now. We are looking at developing the whole player here. He has good attributes going forward and in the wide areas but he still needs to learn the other side of the game.
"He needs to know about the discipline and work that's required in a team, like tracking back, tackling and staying with runners. By playing him in midfield, like we did with Pacheco last year, it will hopefully add that other side to his game".
It's the same old outdated English football thinking that has blighted the sport for decades: complete disregard for the creative aspects of a young player's game and the institution of a system of coaching that 'breeds out' creative instincts by placing the emphasis on tackling, tracking back and 'working hard'.
12 years of failure to bring through even *one* creative young player is clear evidence that this kind of philosophy does not work. And Judging from Suso's interview, it seems he's already been brainwashed into that way of thinking:
"In Spain the players are more technical. Players here are technical too, but also more physical. The game here requires you to run a lot more. I need to improve my intensity and my defending. In the last two reserve games I've played in central midfield to help me do that".
In other words, Suso has to improve his defending because he's been *told* it needs improving. What happened to improving his attacking and technical skills? Are we to believe that at the age of 17 he is the finished article attacking-wise? Why not prioritise that side of his game instead of 'tracking back, tackling and staying with runners'? Wouldn't it be great to hear McMahon come out and say:
"Suso has great creative ability and we really want to develop that here. We want him to work twice as hard on his technical and passing skills so that he can become a deadly attacking threat to for Liverpool in the future"
Well, when you've honed your football philosophy scrapping at the likes of Southend, Preston and Crewe Alexandra, such a progressive approach is probably too much to hope for.
Anyway - the most disturbing part of Suso's interview was this:
"I also like going to the cinema too, I love it. One of the best films I've seen over the past year or so is Seven Pounds, with Will Smith in it. It's worth seeing".
Seven Pounds? Ugh. Garbage like that has been scientifically proven to lower IQs, which could have a knock-on effect on Suso's football intelligence. We can't allow that to happen! Please start watching some decent films, Suso - Liverpool's creative future could depend on it!
For starters, I recommend a crash course in District 9, Eden Lake, The Hurt Locker, Moon, Wanted, Pride and Glory, We Own The Night, The Squid and the Whale, and Running Scared. Follow those with an intensive phase of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Goodfellas, Groundhog Day, Rear Window, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Back to the Future, Aliens, Sexy Beast, Black Hawk Down and The Matrix.
Anything but I am Legend, Hancock or The Pursuit of H(Cr)appyness :-)
Jaimie Kanwar
Last week, I wrote an article outlining what I believe to be Liverpool's outdated approach to youth coaching, which was illustrated by John McMahon's comments about Suso:
"He turned 17 on Friday and hopefully he has a bright future at the club. He'll only have that future if he keeps working hard and listens to what the coaching staff are saying to him. But he knows that and we hope he will start working twice as hard now. We are looking at developing the whole player here. He has good attributes going forward and in the wide areas but he still needs to learn the other side of the game.
"He needs to know about the discipline and work that's required in a team, like tracking back, tackling and staying with runners. By playing him in midfield, like we did with Pacheco last year, it will hopefully add that other side to his game".
It's the same old outdated English football thinking that has blighted the sport for decades: complete disregard for the creative aspects of a young player's game and the institution of a system of coaching that 'breeds out' creative instincts by placing the emphasis on tackling, tracking back and 'working hard'.
12 years of failure to bring through even *one* creative young player is clear evidence that this kind of philosophy does not work. And Judging from Suso's interview, it seems he's already been brainwashed into that way of thinking:
"In Spain the players are more technical. Players here are technical too, but also more physical. The game here requires you to run a lot more. I need to improve my intensity and my defending. In the last two reserve games I've played in central midfield to help me do that".
In other words, Suso has to improve his defending because he's been *told* it needs improving. What happened to improving his attacking and technical skills? Are we to believe that at the age of 17 he is the finished article attacking-wise? Why not prioritise that side of his game instead of 'tracking back, tackling and staying with runners'? Wouldn't it be great to hear McMahon come out and say:
"Suso has great creative ability and we really want to develop that here. We want him to work twice as hard on his technical and passing skills so that he can become a deadly attacking threat to for Liverpool in the future"
Well, when you've honed your football philosophy scrapping at the likes of Southend, Preston and Crewe Alexandra, such a progressive approach is probably too much to hope for.
Anyway - the most disturbing part of Suso's interview was this:
"I also like going to the cinema too, I love it. One of the best films I've seen over the past year or so is Seven Pounds, with Will Smith in it. It's worth seeing".
Seven Pounds? Ugh. Garbage like that has been scientifically proven to lower IQs, which could have a knock-on effect on Suso's football intelligence. We can't allow that to happen! Please start watching some decent films, Suso - Liverpool's creative future could depend on it!
For starters, I recommend a crash course in District 9, Eden Lake, The Hurt Locker, Moon, Wanted, Pride and Glory, We Own The Night, The Squid and the Whale, and Running Scared. Follow those with an intensive phase of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Goodfellas, Groundhog Day, Rear Window, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Back to the Future, Aliens, Sexy Beast, Black Hawk Down and The Matrix.
Anything but I am Legend, Hancock or The Pursuit of H(Cr)appyness :-)
Jaimie Kanwar
Your taste in films needs to be improved
ReplyDeleteWanted?!?!?! The bullet bending nonsense starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman?! Definitely keep up the day job of football critic, because film critic is 100% not your bag, Jamie ;)
ReplyDeleteI would've bet my mortgage on that being the first comment. Predictable much?! get some new material.
ReplyDeleteDamn entertaining film if you ask me :)
ReplyDeletecool dwn jamie...will smith doesnt bite you
ReplyDeleteI wouldnt worry too much about what they are teaching him at the club. I know a few coaches, who also know coaches at clubs like Liverpool, Man Utd ect and they rarely take players on over the age of 6-8 years, because that is when you learn more about technique and take most of it in. As your mind and body develope at a higher rate as a kid, you take more in and with the Spanish training he had at that age, his football developed with age. Also with people like Borrel and especially Segura at the club, a person who was incredibly influencial in players like Fabregas, Pique, Iniesta, Messi ect at Barca, I dont think we have anything to worry about.
ReplyDeleteTechnically he is superb, but they know now as he is developing more physically, it is the right time to look at making him Physically a better player, which helps with his defensive duties and also in attack when holding up the ball. Look at Xavi and Iniesta, infact look at the whole Barca side and you will see that they defend from the front and win many tackles all over the pitch because of Physical and tactical training. Ofcourse his technique is very important, but you cant really improve it that much if you are older, as seen with English players who are coached wrongly at a young age and their technique doesnt improve as much at a later age.
He is certainly one to watch and seems to have a great Attitude which is refreshing to see.
Good point about technique. I have a feeling that Jaimie's concern, and it's one that I share, is that the focus will be on building his defensive/getting around the park capabilities to the detriment of trying to improve further upon his natural attacking skills.
ReplyDeleteI think that a player should try to round out their game but it's important to note that not every player needs to be a Gerrard. Sometimes we just need that player who can either destroy an attack or simply terrorize a defense.
Can you provide the source (link) for the interview Jamie, similar to what you do with your stats?
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if the top clubs from different countries helped each other out. If our young players needed to learn technique, skill and creativity we organise a partnership between the likes of barcelona that will take him on and the coaches there learn him these attributes but he still remains a liverpool player. If barcelona want to get one of there young talented stars to learn the physical game and learn to defend we take him on for a couple of years. In a perfect world this would sound like an good deal for liverpool, we get the next messi and they get the next jack duckworth. I agree with you that something is not right, it seems nowadays for you to be a footballler you will have to play in every position before they then say your a striker or a midfielder. I can also see where they are coming from as jaimie caragher started out as a striker and chris sutton (formerly norwich) started out as a defender and they succeded at the other end of the pitch when playing at the highest level. I do like my idea above where we have a exchange student programme going on, as i feel the more experience people get by different coaching styles and ethics, it has to give the player more surely?? The only problem with my plan is, if we partnered up with barcelona, the players would probably not return!!!
ReplyDeleteJamie, "complete disregard for the creative aspects of a young player's game"
ReplyDeleteReally? To quote your quote of John McMahon: "He has good attributes going forward and in the wide areas"
Does not sound like complete disregard for the creative aspects of a young player's game to me.
Jamie, "Judging from Suso's interview, it seems he's already been brainwashed into that way of thinking:
ReplyDelete"In Spain the players are more technical. Players here are technical too, but also more physical. The game here requires you to run a lot more. I need to improve my intensity and my defending. In the last two reserve games I've played in central midfield to help me do that".
In other words, Suso has to improve his defending because he's been *told* it needs improving. What happened to improving his attacking and technical skills? Are we to believe that at the age of 17 he is the finished article attacking-wise?"
In other words, you think Suso's defending does not need improving, hmmmm.
You don't think he's been told/helped to improve his attacking/technical skills - seems laughable to me, where is your evidence? [1]
Why do you think at the age of 17 he is the finished article attacking-wise, or that anyone else on this planet thinks he is the finished article attacking-wise?
[1] - this quote your provided shows the untruth in your statement that he's not being helped improving his attacking skills: ""Suso has great creative ability and we really want to develop that here. We want him to work twice as hard on his technical and passing skills so that he can become a deadly attacking threat to for Liverpool in the future""
In summary, your arguments are mixed up and incoherent Jamie. You state stuff then, laughably, provide evidence that goes against your statements.
Be glad he didnt mention Goal 3..categorically the worst film of any genre I have ever seen. Parts 1 and 2, whilst not exactly Citizen Kane, were enjoyable bits of televisual fluff. I have to say that I quite liked seeing all the galacticos beating the Arse featuring Mariah Careys beau at the Bernabau! However..part 3.....words fail me! In fact I defy anyone to suggest a movie that was worse than this celluloid abhoration!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning :)
ReplyDeleteHave every seen 'Escape to Victory', starring Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Moore, Pele and Michael Caine? I' sure you have, but if not, it's worth watching for its novelty value.
Now thats what a footy film should be like! Actually, I'd love to know if anyone has seen Ket felido a pokolban which i think translates to half time in hell. Apparently its a 1960's Hungarian movie on which escape to victory is based on. However its is meant to be lot grittier.
ReplyDeleteFor the first time ever I'm going to agree with you. Seven Pounds is duff and he needs to have a better favourtie film.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I am still banned?
A good article Jamie and spot on regarding youth development being outdated, however your taste in films is a shock.
ReplyDeleteJamie
ReplyDeletejust to bring you back to your critiscm of John Mc Mahon, his coaching methods and what he had to say re Suso. Did you see the Barca Real Madrid game last night. If you did you would have seen one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the world (Messi) tracking back defending and working hard for his team mates. You can have all the skill in the world but you have still got to have the basics. I think McMahons comments where meant as a leveller to keep him grounded.
judging by some of your articles in the past surely some of your most favouite films must be 1) The night of the long knives 2) The Spanish Inquisition 3) and after your support for H and G maybe The Odd Couple
ReplyDeleteThere was me thinking Jaimie would recommend "One Night in Istanbul" and "15 minutes that shook the world".
ReplyDeleteJaimie,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mentioned I am Legend and Hancock.
Because even if Roy was the last man on Earth apart from myself, I still wouldn't trust him. He seems to think he can just turn up with his "I am respected for throwing Whales across Europe" attitude and work his "magic" on us. In reality, his depressive style is simply unwatchable.
Don't forget the following:
ReplyDelete12 Angry Men (An epic study of how Benitez managed to demotivate the entire Liverpool Team);
The Usual Suspects ( A riveting thriller about favouritism, starring Dirk Kuyt and Lucas)
Apocalypse Now (A true story about the horror of last season)
The Great Dictator (A grand biopic charting Benitez's career in football management)
:)
Castaway starring Roy Hodgson :)
ReplyDeletealso:
ReplyDeleteThe loser- starring roy hodgson
The illusionist - Starring roy hodgson as a man trying to get fanss to see the good in paul konchesky
The abyss - A film starring roy hodgson where he tries to manage a club where he knows he is out of his depth
Being john malkovich - well i'd rather be him than roy hodgson at the min.
Dream catcher - about a manager who steals the dreams of liverpool fans.
the sum of all fears- what every liverpool fan felt when roy signed.
the sixth sense - something you dont need to know roy hodgson is not up to it.
A shot in the dark - about as much chance as roy has of getting 4th.
The running man - roy when he is ousted from melwood.
the poltergiest - about a certain entity (Paul konchesky) that scares the crap out of the kop every time his name is mentioned on the team sheet.
the neverending story - Benitez v Hodgson.
Misery - need i say more!!!
It all boils down to the fans demands for a league title.This is were a lot went wrong.Rafa achieved everything in the game for LFC,everything.Except for a league title.So Rafa being a fan was prepared to alter the makeup of the team to be more premiership than european.He wasnt given two hapennies to rub together so he had to raise his own money.He went to Rick Parry and said get 2 premier league players in Gareth Barry and Robbie keane,dont forget before everyone says this was Rafas fault,this is what every LFC fan wanted.They were no longer happy being in the CL final or winning the CL or having a semifinal in the CL,oh no this wasnt good enough anymore.Rafa had raised the bar so high at LFC and outperformed the most wildest predictions when he came, that a lot of fans just expected success all the time..Rafa was prepared to let Alonso go(who incidentally had his best season ever when he stayed by a mile) to fund barry and keane.Anyway Parry made a mess of that only came back with Keane Parry negotiated the deal and spent 90% of the budget on him without Rafa knowing.Then Parry comes to Rafa and says thats it theres no money for Barry,thus making Keane redundant.Rick Parry rightly resigns.Point being why is the CL semifinal,and final considered a failure.We could of had most of the Spain team by now,but no we have to go down the English route of Premiership,and this is why to win the premiership you have to have players who track back and defend,unless of course you are in the CL,but oh no thats not good enough is it.So the youngster due to popular demand of a lot of LFC fans have now got what you want,a prem team and only a prem team.No more great european nights,no more anticipation no more anything.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Funny stuff :)
ReplyDeleteyes it's a classic! :)
ReplyDeleteDistrict 9 and Moon are two of the best films that I've seen in the last year or so. There's something slightly wrong with us taking talent from countries that train their youngsters better than us, i.e. Spain, and then teach them to track back, etc, etc. One of the most depressing things I find in a World Cup is watching the various countries play and always noticing that the hoofers in their team, with notable exceptions, of course, play in the Premier League. The World Cup final, nearly all the heavy fouls, Puyol apart, were committed by players from our league!
ReplyDeleteFantastic...I'm going to try and hunt it down!
ReplyDeleteTo toughen the boy up we need to dose him up on some good old knock em down drag em out westerns and some Clint Eastwood movies.
ReplyDelete