STFC Transfer Rumours

[chrisser]

I agree.  To me, Nouble is the embodiment of everything that's wrong with youth development in this country with pace and physique prized above technique and tactical awareness.  It's why the England team looks so inferior to their tournament opponents and will continue to do so until something changes.

[LittleRed]

I thinks speed and size is quite high up on most scouts list right from the grass roots of football. I was told this by a scout when I played many moons ago. He said size and speed were two things that coaching would not change significantly and that all other things could be taught to a greater extent. To this day I wonder whether this is the problem with English football. There were a lot of players i knew with great technique but were overlooked due to there size.

[Ardiles]

Emile Heskey.

Case closed.

[Bogus Dave]

Emile Heskey.

Case closed.

I don't think that's entirely fair on Heskey. He's in the top ten for all time PL top goalscorers

[Flashheart]

Emile Heskey.

Case closed.

A very handy player

But you'd get nowhere with a team of Heskeys

[Barry Scott]

Ive said it before loads of young PL players seem to have been selected purely because they are fit, fast and have some good technique.  What they dont have at that age is any form of football brain.  That lad we got from Bolton was fast and tricky but would get to the by line and have no idea what to do with it.  Nouble was the same.  A few years and teaching under a good manager could turn them into good players but it doesnt seem to be happening with Frankie boy.

We had a lad at school who could run like the fucking wind. I believe his 100m personal best was under 12 seconds at about 14.

Anyway, he was fucking shit at football, but because of his pace he'd score fucking loads. The trouble was it took him 5 shots to scuff one in.

I imagine youth teams to be full of lads like him. One or two outstanding attributes and a coaching team who believe they can make footballers of them.

The trouble is some of these youngsters leave these clubs with some small amount of ability forced into them and they get taken on by a lower league club thinking they have potential. No they don't.

They had potential when they were 12 and some superb coaches have since managed to teach him how to look up when he runs and sometimes make contact when he swings a leg near a football. They tried their hardest and this is all they could achieve.

I'm convinced Nouble is just another one of these Slabber like players, already at their maximum and limited ability.

[Ardiles]

I don't think that's entirely fair on Heskey. He's in the top ten for all time PL top goalscorers

Better reopen the case then. 

But you do have to wonder how a player who averaged a goal every 9 games for England managed to acquire 60+ caps.

[Sippo]

It's not just about ability though. It's about attitude as well. If you don't have the right attitude you aren't likely to succeed. If you keep your head down and train hard you may get further.

[A Gent Orange]

To be fair to Heskey think about the teenage Leicester striker, not the over-developed hold up man he became. He lost his mobility, pace and a bit of skill through too much gym work, too much bulking up.

Go look at some national teams in Africa. Where are their wingers of 10 years ago, their play makers? The scouts for Euro clubs didn't want them, they want Papa Diop clones. That is what so many african nations produce now - midfield brutes and it has ruined some countries.

http://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/size-matters-african-football-is-ill-served-by-europes-obsession-with-physique

[DRS]

I love the heskey bashing.Ask any player who has played alongside him if they rate him

[mrverve]

Re. Emile Heskey, I remember just after the World Cup in 2002, the brazilian players and Phil Scolari were asked which one English player they would most like to play with, they chose Emile Heskey.

Forever the scapegoat is Emile.

[ronnie21]

Very similar to Risser then - scapegoats I am talking about!!

[Gnasher]

The lack of transfer activity today is getting me down.

[doomster]

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/posh-exit-rumours-1-3982143

another midfielder maybe we are putting together a reserve team as well.   

[Berniman]

Exeter fan on TFF saying this..

Someone on Exeweb who lives in Swindon said he's hearing strong rumours that our CB and POTY Troy Archibald-Henville will be joining you.  Heard anything?

He's under 24 and has been stalling on a new deal so a fee will be involved.  We'll probably want at least 100k so may well go to a tribunal if true.  He cost us 50k when we signed him from Spurs a couple of season ago.

Would probably fit in with our requirements