Here's a manager talking about a particular player with whom we are all familiar and who left us, pretty largely unlamented, earlier this season. Can you identify who the player is from the description of his strengths? Winner gets a nude picture of Rachel Weisz holding a bemused python. What - you don't think I've got one? "It is clear X has been one of the main strengths of our side since we moved him into defence, the way he reads the game, his composure on the ball and his great distribution. He will be a big loss for us (during his suspension)..." Don't all rush.
I'm afraid not, Stu. Ms. Weisz is a gorgeous, pouting thespian (The Mummy, The Constant Gardener, Constantine).
And we have a winner! Well done Captain B! This unbelievable description of McCormack from an interview by Paulo has just been sent to me by my Swindon contact. By all accounts, he's having an astonishing season at The County Ground and is being credited with having almost single-handedly tightened up the defence, thereby launching their promotion push. He's probably the shortest CB in the entire Football League at 5' 7" but apparently that doesn't matter as he closes down potentially threatening situations so fast by his lightning reading of the game. That must have been our mistake - we were playing him out of position - good luck to him. Here's your exclusive* prize Captain B - enjoy! *This may not be an entirely correct statement.
You said it. Apparently, it wasn't a case of him covering for another player in a crisis either - Di Canio specifically put him in that position to add steel to the back four, although why he put him in the middle, goodness only knows. It worked straight away and he's been indispensable since. I know he's dropped a division but honestly, did any of us see anything like these attributes in his brief and none too brilliant stay with us? His performance at The Daggers last season was one of the worst performances I've ever seen from a Charlton player - ponderous, witless and disinterested - an astonishing transformation indeed. Maybe he's eating better now, not so much rich food...
Di Canio is Italian, and his formative years were when sweepers were all the rage in Italy. Sweepers don't have to be very tall or fast, though obviously at least one those qualities would come in handy. Maybe MacC is being played as sweeper behind conventional "big lump" CBs? Also, he was highly regarded at Southend, which is why we signed him, so his current success is not without precedent. I say good luck to him. Sometimes players can look uninterested when in fact they are over-anxious not to do the wrong thing and this becomes a self-perpetuating malady which only a change of club (or sometimes of manager) can cure. Don't forget how many Leicester fans said that Kermorgant was "lazy" or "arrogant". He was charging around yesterday as if his life depended on it. Who remembers Joe Shaw, Sheffield United's record appearance maker? He was only 5' 8" but one of the finest centre-halves (as they were then called) of his generation, though I guess his lack of height stopped him getting an England cap (which were not scattered like confetti among undeserving clowns like nowadays). And Billy Wright was only 5' 9". During his total of 541 appearances for Wolves and his 105 games for England (90 as captain), his disciplinary record was excellent — he was never cautioned or sent off by any referee. How the game (and average heights) have changed!
Am pleased for Al Mac it didnt work out for him with us but you couldnt fault his effort commitment ever
I blame Parky's lack of man management skills for McCormack's failure at Charlton....who am I kidding, I'm not Houndal.
I had an ex who was a dead ringer for that actress - often got told "she looks like the one from the mummy". As for McCormack, well something had to give, but I thought it would be retirement for being pants. Towards the end he just gave up with us, and the crowd could see it.
I believe it was Orient away last season in which he had quite a decent game, even scored. But then there was that game in which he wussed-out of a 50-50 challenge which really turned the fans against him.
He was seen as a replacement for Nicky Bailey but never quite lived up to those expecations or his ability.
