Possibly.
Good article here in the Independent. (hat-tip to Pat at TiFF)
Then, added Brown, there are players who are world-beaters in training, but not in matches. “Dickson Etuhu, who I had at Preston, was fantastic in training, but not so good in matches. Roy Hodgson [Fulham's manager] rang me about Etuhu. I said, ‘If you can get him to play for Fulham the way he does in training, and I think with your experience you can, you have got the next Patrick Vieira’.”
Interesting stuff. And again, shows why we shouldn’t be unduly concerned when we get the usual “my brother in law – who knows his football! – saw Etuhu play every game for Sunderland. And he’s shite!” stories. When Etuhu signed there was widespread fear amonst several fans, fans who seemed personally offended that their precious club had signed someone who had not thrived at other clubs. Well now we get a glimpse of why Etuhu hasn’t lived up to his potential, and why that *might* now change. Very interesting, and underscores how little we really know.
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Incidentally, there’s a chapter on all this in “A Cultured Left Foot”, recommended below. You really must buy this book, preferably from Crockatt & Powell.
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I was at Fulham U18 v Arsenal U18 this morning. Report and pics tomorrow. Great fun though, and refreshingly free of all the angst and anger associated with the first team.
