Craig Bellamy made his debut for the Wales national team at the tender age of 18, which means he got to train alongside Liverpool goalscoring legend Ian Rush, surely a dream come true for any young player making taking their first steps in the game? However, in typically honest fashion, Bellers has revealed that he wasn't impressed with Rushie's performance in training.
Speaking to LFC Magazine, Bellamy, who has been excellent for Liverpool this season, remembered:
"It was special [playing for Wales]. I was luck because I was 18 years of age, and got to train with Ian Rush, who was terrible in training by the way!
"They always say 'don't meet your heroes', and afterwards, I was thinking 'He can't be as bad as that'.
"Rush just wasn't a trainer, nor was Mark Hughes or Dean Saunders.
"It was a lot different than I expected, but still a highlight of my career".
Given his amazing goal record, Rushie could probably get away with being a 'terrible' trainer. According to Pepe Reina, Andy Carroll is the worst trainer in the current Liverpool team, but unlike Rush, Carroll doesn't go out and do the business on the field.
Despite the issues with training, Bellamy is keen to stress that Rush is still one of his big football heroes:
"It wasn't just his goals, it was the fact that whenever Liverpool needed a player like him to stand out, he did it, especially in the FA Cup Finals - he really had a knack of scoring at the right time.
"To go to Juventus then come back and continue scoring goals, it was a natural thing for him"
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking to LFC Magazine, Bellamy, who has been excellent for Liverpool this season, remembered:
"It was special [playing for Wales]. I was luck because I was 18 years of age, and got to train with Ian Rush, who was terrible in training by the way!
"They always say 'don't meet your heroes', and afterwards, I was thinking 'He can't be as bad as that'.
"Rush just wasn't a trainer, nor was Mark Hughes or Dean Saunders.
"It was a lot different than I expected, but still a highlight of my career".
Given his amazing goal record, Rushie could probably get away with being a 'terrible' trainer. According to Pepe Reina, Andy Carroll is the worst trainer in the current Liverpool team, but unlike Rush, Carroll doesn't go out and do the business on the field.
Despite the issues with training, Bellamy is keen to stress that Rush is still one of his big football heroes:
"It wasn't just his goals, it was the fact that whenever Liverpool needed a player like him to stand out, he did it, especially in the FA Cup Finals - he really had a knack of scoring at the right time.
"To go to Juventus then come back and continue scoring goals, it was a natural thing for him"
Jaimie Kanwar
cant see any quotes saying "He was terrible in training...." is he quoted as saying this or is that an interpretation put into quotes?
ReplyDeleteYeah, that Pepe quote was quite telling really. I'd actually believe the quotes that Andy is a poor trainer ahead of the quotes I've heard (from Lucas most recently I think) that suggest that Andy works hard in training.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I think Andy's time is very close to being up now. I can't see us finding a suitable buyer in January but surely only a miraculous change in form can save him from being axed in the summer.
You have to remember that Rush was terrible at the start of his Anfield Career and spent a LOT of time in the reserves. Brucie and Dalglish were known to be very sceptical of his ability. He turned out alright, so let's get off Carroll's back a bit...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could Rob but he's just not fast enough. Rushie had the raw materials and he famously worked on building a ruthless, selfish attitude. Unless we totally change the way the other players play for us, we're looking at someone who's not going to have the pace or guile of a top-class 20-25 goals a season centre forward. And I personally think it's counterproductive to alter the way a team plays in order to accommodate one player when the team are playing far better without him.
ReplyDeleteNobody would be happier than me if our number 9 started banging them in. But it isn't going to happen.
There was no evidence at the time Rush had the raw materials though. He was never lightning quick, wasn't good in the air and looked like a wet string of piss. Carroll, for all the reported failings in his game, is strong, great in the air and has a bullet of a left foot. He's also young. He's also proved that he can cut it in the league last season. Given tine and confidence he'll come good.
ReplyDeleteOur problem now is how to make the best use of Andy Caroll . Yerteryaers' heroes are certain of their place in history but ou focus noe is on Caroll. Can anyone of those heroes help him.
ReplyDeleteYou're a sensationalist jaimie NOT a journalist. There's a big big difference.
ReplyDeletei think he needs a long run of games we bought downing obviously with the intention of supplying the big man and then we dont do it , to get the best out of him you need 2 wide men downing and bellers say wide right him and suarez up front the back 4 is ok whatever perm you play as is central 2 but give carroll a good run of games in a formation like this and we will see if he is good enough right now its like he,s on trial every time he plays , suarez is brilliant unpredictable which is a great bonus for us but must hard to play the odd game with given an extended run together and a chance to build up an understanding who knows if it does,nt work then well decision time
ReplyDeleteRush was unbelievably quick...one of the fastest to wear a Red shirt
ReplyDeleteCraig Bellamy speaks about in Rush suddenly turns into a piece having another go at Carroll. Really some people need to stop slating the lad and help take the pressure off him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but Andy Carroll was already scoring goals at a decent rate in the EPL before he came to us and is an England international! It's not like he's an 18 year old Chester City player we're hoping will come good!
ReplyDeleteHe could take a lot of pressure off himself by putting down the jagerbombs, hitting the gym and actually putting in a shift when he's on the pitch (like he did for his beloved Toon).
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly the Toon had to house him with Nolan to try and calm him down. I say house him with Bellers and a golf club and he'll soon come good...
Joe have you seen him drinking jagerbombs? Do you know he it not hitting the gym? Or are you basing your assumptions on press speculation. When he has his good spell at Newcastle he was played week in week out so got up to match fitness and sharpness, he plays every now and again for LFC and when he does people say he shouldnt be selected. He cant win.
ReplyDeleteHe is training star, not playing star.
ReplyDelete