31st March 2005
In any walk of life or profession, especially sport, top achievers
have that certain something over everyone else that propels them to
the top, that makes them stand out, that Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi if
you like that separates the winners from the also-rans. The achievers
from the none achievers.
That competitive edge.
Looking across the board at all sports the world's top athletes and
sports personalities all have that one thing in common despite their
varying backgrounds, personalities and achievements. Michael Schumacher
(Forumla One), Pete Sampras (Tennis), Sir Steven Redgrave (Rowing),
Jonah Lomu (Rugby), our very own Jonathan Edwards (Athletics), Tiger
Woods (Golf), Muhammad Ali (Boxing), Brian Lara (Cricket), Earvin
'Magic' Johnson (Basketball), Colin Mcrae (Rally), just to name but
a few of the world's greatest sportsmen.
They all have that competitive edge.
Looking outside of sport, great men like Sir Winston Churchill also
had a deep, burning competitive edge. All successful people have that
competitive edge. Back to sport and football, so do all successful
teams too. Manchester United for example. Arsenal and now Chelsea.
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest of the past. Indeed Newcastle United
of the past.
What about Newcastle United of the now, the present however? Sadly
we lack that competitive edge as a team and always have done and it
is this among other things, but especially this, that will always
see our beloved club underachieve and sleep with all the other also-rans.
Certain individuals have that competitive edge. Alan Shearer is ultra
competitive as is Nicky Butt, Shay Given and of course a certain Welsh
No.10 for example.
But the rest? Nope. If Kieron Dyer had just half of the competitive
edge that Big Al has, he'd be a world beater. This applies to the
vast majority of our squad too and especially certain underperforming,
under achieving players like Jermaine Jenas, Shola Ameobi, Titus Bramble
and Laurent Robert.
They may have the talent, but talent can only take you so far. There
are other levels that supersede talent. The right mentality and that
competitive edge. Kieron Dyer has more pace, more skill and more trickery
on the ball than David Beckham, yet Beckham has achieved far more
than Dyer and the like ever will because he has that competitive edge
that forces him to spend hours on end practicing his dead ball technique,
that forces him to rise to adversity and to overcome any hurdles that
come his way. That forces him to be better than the rest, at all costs.
If it doesn't shine, most of wor lot don't want to know.
What forced Michael Owen to leave his home town club, a huge club
no less, where he was the first name on the team-sheet, a hero on
the stands and a very wealthy man to boot? To better himself, to test
himself that's what. That competitive edge overruled all logic and
safety and forced him to move to a foreign land in a team full of
Galacticos where life would be very tough for him as an individual
and a sportsman.
Without wanting to criticise, just what the heck is Steve Harper still
doing at Newcastle? These are the very players we don't need, but
have plenty in reserve.
And for those of you hoping Newcastle can sign Owen, dream on. We
are far too soft and easy an option for a single minded, ultra ambitious
and competitive player to consider joining. We have no chance. Forget
it. Stop deluding yourself.
Unfortunately this will always be the case unless, as a team and as
individuals, we become ultra competitive. Despite his lack of managerial
expertise, in Graeme Souness we have an ultra competitive manager
who as a player, personified the very meaning but all that competitive
edge is wasted unless those around him also have this unique ingredient.
As Alan Shearer has found out to his bitter cost these past 9 years
as those around him, despite having the talent at times, just simply
didn't have that competitive edge that he has to achieve what his
individual greatness deserved. Imagine 11 players with the mentality
and competitive edge of Alan Shearer?
You could have all the talent in the world but unless you have that
competitive edge, you'll always be an also-ran and finish second best
behind those true winners and achievers.
Newcastle United are the Tim Henman of football. Looks good, can play
a bit but when it matters most, just too damn comfortable with what
we have. No drive, no spark, no stubborn, pig headed will. From the
Chairman right down to the Academy and reserves to those of us on
the stands, Newcastle United football club lacks that competitive
edge to finish in front, to achieve and to be the best. |
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