ANDY SINTON PAYS TRIBUTE TO DON HOWE
www.qpr.co.uk.
“Where do I start in terms of why?
“Well, he ate, slept and breathed the game and as a result, I knew I was learning from someone who cared about football as much as I did.
“I always remember him saying to the squad one day ‘once you’re 35, you can do as much as you want’ and that really hit the spot with me.
“It was his way of saying, ‘give everything in your career, don’t let anything affect your career – and you’ll reap the rewards after you’ve finished playing.’”
Sinton added: “Don was so far ahead of his time as a coach.
“He was one of the first, if not the first, to bring in a Sports Psychologist, which was pretty much unheard of in those days.
“His coaching methods were very inventive. He was structured and organised.
“Some would accuse him of being too cautious as a coach, but he was anything but – he allowed players to express themselves in the attacking third of the pitch and really got the best out of players.”
Sinton looks back at his time under Howe with great affection, commenting: “He gave me real freedom to play.
“We played with a sweeper at times and that would allow the front players to be fluid, which he demanded.
“It was no coincidence when England played with a sweeper a couple of times in Italia 90, because Don was a big believer in the system.
“He would also tell me how much he believed in me as a player – and he would say the same to the likes of Bards (Davids Bardsley) and many other during that era.
“He was an inspirational guy and someone I loved working with.”
In paying tribute to Howe, Sinton concluded: “Don came across with a stern exterior, but he was actually a really funny guy.
“He just loved football – and the world of football is a sadder place without him here.”
Read more at
http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/don-howe-qpr-andy-sinton-2867384.aspx#vDJO7Ovep8xI0dq7.99