Office Blog
Emile Heskey is great
Let's not underestimate the value of players like Heskey
Last updated: 15th October 2008
There's another, more selfish, reason for my support of Mr Heskey. He is to England and International football what I am to Polytechnic 6ths and the Southern Amateur League, Minor South Section, Division 3 South.
I ended up watching the England game at a pub. As usual, there was a decent mix of proper fans - and then some idiots booing Ashley Cole after that back-pass and deciding to pick on Emile Heskey as he went close but failed to score towards the end of the second half.
One bloke was brave enough to take on the boo boys and defend Emile. Brave man that I am, I kept quiet while the ensuing argument carried on and then sidled up to the guy and told him he was absolutely right to stick up for him.
The fact is Heskey is a class act, who works tirelessly for more able and skilful players around him. And his touch isn't bad either.
His flick for Jermain Defoe's goal was class. And the fact that Michael Owen always wanted to play with him, and Wayne Rooney's indicated the same, should hopefully get into the heads of those who say if he's not scoring he shouldn't be there.
There's another, more selfish, reason for my support of Mr Heskey. He is to England and International football what I am to Polytechnic 6ths and the Southern Amateur League, Minor South Section, Division 3 South.
So far, games 4, goals 0. On Saturday I'd like to think I gave the Alleyn Old boys centre backs a hard game; winning everything in the air; holding the ball up and getting a few rakes down the ankles for my troubles.
And then the moment came. It's 1-1, a quarter of an hour left. Martin Kelly flicks the ball through and there I am, one on one, enough time to compose myself, take a touch, and slot it away.
Suddenly my brain (and legs) freeze. Do I draw the 'keeper? Do I just get over it and hammer the thing? Do I try and do him with the eyes and slip it near post? Or do I bend it in the corner?
OR... here's a good idea Max. Why don't you stutter, stop, look at the far corner, and then side foot it as slowly as possible right in the middle of the goal? Good idea. It wasn't even strong enough to be classed a back pass.
It just shows how confidence is everything. Had you asked me to pass the ball ten yards to a team mate, I would have done it no problem. I'm sure Chris Iwelumo would have put his chance away if he'd been in a Wolves shirt rather than a Scotland one.
I suppose that's what sets great players apart from the rest, but perhaps more importantly shows just how great football actually is.
For people who play on a Saturday and then work all week, the escapism of it is unreal. Right now I should be thinking about my job, what I've done well, what I haven't, why I got rinsed by Gary from Snow Patrol when we were talking about Dundee and then just sat there like a lemon, and most importantly, why I didn't try and go for a drink with the Miami Heat Dancers?
But instead I'm totally consumed by that miss. Why the hell didn't I just blast it? And I guess, or at least I hope there are players up and down the country who can empathise.
For the record, after last week's footwear fiasco, I wore some proper shoes on Saturday night in the event I ended up at club. Unnecessary. I passed out on a table at about midnight. I'd never really drunk Drambuie before.
Happy days. Have a good week.
See you Saturday.
Max
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Comments
Kieran Furness (Sheffield Wednesday fan) says...
heskey is quality
Posted 09:34 21st October 2008
M.j.h M.j.h (Barnsley fan) says...
Emile Heskey has the potential to be a strong positive presence for England in the forthcoming competitions... we believe in you Emile... give it 100%
Posted 22:02 17th October 2008
Scott Critchell (Cambridge United fan) says...
Legend
Posted 13:01 15th October 2008
Captain Polyfc (Liverpool fan) says...
Hello I am Max's captain at Poly FC. Max missed the easiest chance on the planet on Saturday. As a result we did not win. It would have been in Danny Baker's Gaffes video, had we been any good. I just thought you should know.
Posted 11:00 15th October 2008
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