Former Newcastle manager and player Kevin Keegan has given encouragement to all those footballers who are not blessed with physical size, and his words have come while he is on a visit to Malaysia, and he is rightly telling Malaysian players that there is no reason why they cannot become top players in football, if they work at it and get fit, and size doesn’t matter.
Shane Ferguson – relatively tall at just over 5’9″
And Kevin’s words can apply to some our smaller players – like Shane Ferguson as one example – who is not the size of two penneth of chips (it’s a long time since I’ve used those words), yet is doing very well – thank you very much – in the Newcastle first team.
This is what Kevin said while in Malaysia:
“These are players without much physical advantage who have proved to be really special.” In my playing career, I was so fit…and was top of the tree. Of course you need to have determination, some skills and pace…but it was my super fitness which made the difference.” “You have got to be self-inspired to achieve your goal.”
Shane is not too tall at just over 5’9″, yet he is strong on the ball, and has been called Newcastle’s man of steel by Perchinho, and he’s hard to shake off the ball.
And Shane may be called big to another of Newcastle’s smaller players – Vurnon Anita – but when you have the technique, skill and talent that Vurnon has, you can become a big success at Newcastle.
And some of the best players around are not exactly tall – Barcelona’s Iniesta, Xavi and Messi are all just 5’7″ tall – and they are three of the best players in the world at the moment.
Yes – you’re right Vurnon Anita is an inch shorter than those three at just 5’6″ – but hey, Vurnon is one inch taller than one of the best players ever to grace the football field – Diego Maradona of Argentina – who is 5’5″ tall.
So size is hardly important when you have the skills, talent and technique in football.
And compared to some of the current Barcelona players, Kevin Keegan was even tall at 5’8″, and he was world-class when he played for Liverpool and England.
And after all, the great Pele, the best player I have ever seen, was just 5’8″ tall, so Shane and Vurnon should have no problems in coming through big time, as two of Newcastle’s best players in the future.
That’s what we’re hoping for in any case. 😀
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47 comments so far
Graeme
Nov 9, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Comment #41Ibiza, we’ll just have to sign Messi AND Ronaldo in that case, between them they could probably keep up with Mr T lol
Not sure we would get them both during the next window though!!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Comment #42toon smart….Something about you makes me think you’re a clued in guy, you know, smart. So I’ll take your word on the Debuchy deal.
I can wait for Douglas and would be delighted getting in Pieters, although I’ve heard some criticisms, but not sure that wasn’t solely down to the game against England.
Widowmaker
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Comment #43Speaking of Messi, don’t think he is good enough for us. He can’t head a ball. I will take Heskey, he is Scoring for fun and good in the air.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:03 PM
Comment #44Graeme….Yeah, we might need to wait until the summer when we can offload Xisco before bringing in both Messi and Ronaldo.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:04 PM
Comment #45Widow……at last, some sense!
sanchez
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:22 PM
Comment #46Don’t think Tiote is a thug, like. I reckon it’s more a case of him being a passionate guy who wants to give his utmost for his club and isn’t scared to put in the odd errant tackle. The cards are nay good in Europe but we do miss him when he doesn’t play. Can’t believe some people want him sold.
Ketsbaia9
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Comment #47Sissokho, Debuchy and Aldereewield would be my top 3.