The Plymouth manager gives his inimitable views on the week's events in football and beyond. This week he talks about how he recovered from his agonising health scare to show his players up in training. Ollie also gives his verdict on the England-Germany game, the treatment of Martin Jol, why video technology is needed in football and the Rolling Stones flouting the smoking ban. HEALTH SCARE I'm feeling much better. It was only a kidney stone. I'm a lucky person. A lot of people have got some really serious things wrong with them. It's still in my body and I'll have to pass it at sometime but my passing's absolutely diabolical. That's what I told the doctor: "What chance have I got of passing anything - did you see me play?!" When it happened I was lying on the floor of my office in pain thinking this place isn't very clean - the carpet needs changing, the walls needs painting....and when I got up I was covered in rubbish. If I want to be in the Premier League one day, I should be able to roll around in agony on my floor without getting dirty. So I'm going to order a new carpet and some paint for my office. There's always something good that comes out of something bad.
PULLING THE BOOTS BACK ON FOR PLYMOUTH On the Monday we had one short in training so I made the numbers up in a little six-a-side game. I think people were a bit shocked to see me but the pain had died away by Sunday dinnertime and the doctors said I had to get on with it. They sent me home with some anti-inflammatories and some paracetamols, which I didn't think was much considering the pain I was in. But it only hurts when it moves and once you know what it is you can deal with it.
PULLING THE BOOTS BACK ON FOR PLYMOUTH On the Monday we had one short in training so I made the numbers up in a little six-a-side game. I think people were a bit shocked to see me but the pain had died away by Sunday dinnertime and the doctors said I had to get on with it. They sent me home with some anti-inflammatories and some paracetamols, which I didn't think was much considering the pain I was in. But it only hurts when it moves and once you know what it is you can deal with it.
When it first happened your body doesn't know what's going on and I started having spasms. But I've stopped spasming now and when I went back into work somebody was injured, so I played in this six-a-side game, notched a couple and hit the bar. Someone suggested I should put the boots on for our League Cup game with Doncaster, but there's no chance of that happening. People look at the fact we're playing Doncaster and think we've got a good chance of getting through to the next round but it doesn't work like that. Having said that, I'm quite happy we didn't get one of the big boys and I'm pleased to have a home draw.
ENGLAND-GERMANY Some of it was good, some of it was poor and it was quite an entertaining game. None of it really matters. What we need to do is get it right for the qualifying games. I can't understand why Robinson didn't try to tip it over the bar instead of palming it back out, but then who'd be a goalie? I've always said they were mad! But you can't just blame Robinson - what about the two defenders? Where were they? Any chance of them clearing it?
ENGLAND-GERMANY Some of it was good, some of it was poor and it was quite an entertaining game. None of it really matters. What we need to do is get it right for the qualifying games. I can't understand why Robinson didn't try to tip it over the bar instead of palming it back out, but then who'd be a goalie? I've always said they were mad! But you can't just blame Robinson - what about the two defenders? Where were they? Any chance of them clearing it?
Micah Richards was very good in the first half going forward, he's a class athlete and he showed no fear - with Beckham tucked in like that you need someone who can gallop up outside him. Becks was playing centre midfield in the second half and Wes Brown isn't suited to doing that. I thought young Shorey had a great game at left-back and Joe Cole seems to understand his role now. When he first played out there he was like a fish out of water but now he's more disciplined and he looked a threat. I've said all along I don't think our players are world-class - although one or two of them might be by the end of their careers. I don't think there's a better midfield player in the world than Steven Gerrard at the moment but we need to play as a team. George Best was one of the greatest players I've ever seen, but he couldn't win a game all by himself for Northern Ireland.
THE TREATMENT OF MARTIN JOL BY SPURS I think it's absolutely disgusting. They've been undermining him left right and centre and they're still undermining him now. If they have had a meeting with other people, like they must have done, it's disgusting. How it's always worked in English football is the manager decides who's being signed and if that isn't the case at Tottenham, they're going to have a long-term problem. The manager should be bigger and stronger than absolutely anybody at the club. He should talk to the chairman and the chairman should do what the manager says, not the other way around. If the chairman doesn't agree with the manager he should do the right thing and get rid of him and then look for another manager. He shouldn't have a person who buys the players, whose opinion on the players is more important than the manager's. If that's the case then that person should pick the team as well. If Mr Comolli is doing that there's going to be a problem.
THE TREATMENT OF MARTIN JOL BY SPURS I think it's absolutely disgusting. They've been undermining him left right and centre and they're still undermining him now. If they have had a meeting with other people, like they must have done, it's disgusting. How it's always worked in English football is the manager decides who's being signed and if that isn't the case at Tottenham, they're going to have a long-term problem. The manager should be bigger and stronger than absolutely anybody at the club. He should talk to the chairman and the chairman should do what the manager says, not the other way around. If the chairman doesn't agree with the manager he should do the right thing and get rid of him and then look for another manager. He shouldn't have a person who buys the players, whose opinion on the players is more important than the manager's. If that's the case then that person should pick the team as well. If Mr Comolli is doing that there's going to be a problem.
I think Martin Jol has done a fantastic job and if you're going to let him spend some money you're going to have to give him time to let them settle down and see where you end up. I think he's got too many players over there personally - I wonder if he wanted them all? If he didn't, that's where the problems are. And whoever's caused those problems should have a good look at themselves before blaming the manager.
ROB STYLES'S PENALTY DECISION At least he's admitted he was wrong. Referees are only human and I think they would be helped by the fourth official having a six-second-delay screen in front of him. That would give him time to see any controversial incidents again and he could say 'hang on Rob, wait a minute, that's not a penalty'. Or 'hang on Andy, that was over the line'. That way Andy D'Urso - who's a very good ref - and his linesman wouldn't have made a huge mistake like they did in the Fulham game. The referee could have a little mic on so he could tell the crowd what's happening and they'd understand.
ROB STYLES'S PENALTY DECISION At least he's admitted he was wrong. Referees are only human and I think they would be helped by the fourth official having a six-second-delay screen in front of him. That would give him time to see any controversial incidents again and he could say 'hang on Rob, wait a minute, that's not a penalty'. Or 'hang on Andy, that was over the line'. That way Andy D'Urso - who's a very good ref - and his linesman wouldn't have made a huge mistake like they did in the Fulham game. The referee could have a little mic on so he could tell the crowd what's happening and they'd understand.
I think Rob Styles made the biggest mistake ever. I think he actually sent off Essien. I think he showed him a second yellow and it was hushed up afterwards. But as far as the penalty is concerned, we've got the technology now, so why not use it? They do it in rugby and it works an absolute treat, why can't we do it for football? Fifa should allow us to change it, but they're a tough nut to crack.
606 PUNTER'S QUESTION Pleasestayanelka: I'm a Bolton fan and am faced with the daily concern that Nicolas Anelka will leave us. If you were in the same position would you stay and fight for the club or would the lure of possible Champions League football be too much?
606 PUNTER'S QUESTION Pleasestayanelka: I'm a Bolton fan and am faced with the daily concern that Nicolas Anelka will leave us. If you were in the same position would you stay and fight for the club or would the lure of possible Champions League football be too much?
He's never stayed and fought for any club - he's always gone for the money and he'll go for the money again. I've always been a very loyal person and, yes, we all need money, but I think your loyalty and the type of person you are is much more important than how much you've got in the bank.
606 PUNTER'S QUESTION II Pauljsmith: Hi Ollie, I'm a Chelsea fan and think Scott Sinclair looks a very good player for the future. You saw him first-hand last season - just how good is he really and are you confident of getting him on loan this season? I've been told this week by Chelsea that I can't have him on loan. With Arjen Robben going to Real Madrid, Mr Mourinho obviously wants to keep him and, like me, he thinks he's very, very talented.
606 PUNTER'S QUESTION II Pauljsmith: Hi Ollie, I'm a Chelsea fan and think Scott Sinclair looks a very good player for the future. You saw him first-hand last season - just how good is he really and are you confident of getting him on loan this season? I've been told this week by Chelsea that I can't have him on loan. With Arjen Robben going to Real Madrid, Mr Mourinho obviously wants to keep him and, like me, he thinks he's very, very talented.
I'll be delighted if he gets in Chelsea's team. I knew he would one day and I hope that day's very soon. Obviously I would have loved him to play for us again this season and I wanted him to play for Bristol Rovers all those years ago. Chelsea went and stole him from them. They apparently paid them some compensation but nothing like how much he's going to be worth eventually. It's a bit alarming, I don't like all of that. I don't like the way clubs are stacking and racking players these days. But hopefully the boy will get right to the very top and if he comes through like John Terry and all of them then I'd be delighted for him.
ROLLING STONES DEFYING SMOKING BAN Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood lit up on stage at the O2 Arena during a gig. What make them so special? It should apply to all of us human beings. Just 'cos they can sing and play the guitar, it doesn't make them any different to anyone else, does it? If no-one else is allowed to smoke, they shouldn't be allowed to smoke. Smoking can kill you - it's a bad habit.
ROLLING STONES DEFYING SMOKING BAN Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood lit up on stage at the O2 Arena during a gig. What make them so special? It should apply to all of us human beings. Just 'cos they can sing and play the guitar, it doesn't make them any different to anyone else, does it? If no-one else is allowed to smoke, they shouldn't be allowed to smoke. Smoking can kill you - it's a bad habit.
I'm in favour of the ban, I have the odd cigar the same as my dad used to, and if I decide to have one and I've got to go out on the street then there isn't a problem. The minute you start saying someone's exempt you're putting them on a pedestal and that ain't right, is it? The rules should be for everybody. The Stones boys said they forgot, but I don't think they give a s***!
RAFA'S COPYCAT BEARD I've had this one for nearly 15 years so I wouldn't like to say I was a trend-setter. In that case I started the trend for being bald as well, did I? Sometimes you haven't got a choice! I only have a beard for one reason - my wife thinks I'm more attractive with a little bit of a goatee and I'll do anything to keep hold of her.
Ian Holloway was talking to Chris Charles.
RAFA'S COPYCAT BEARD I've had this one for nearly 15 years so I wouldn't like to say I was a trend-setter. In that case I started the trend for being bald as well, did I? Sometimes you haven't got a choice! I only have a beard for one reason - my wife thinks I'm more attractive with a little bit of a goatee and I'll do anything to keep hold of her.
Ian Holloway was talking to Chris Charles.
Source: BBC Sport
No comments:
Post a Comment