SOCCER NEWS:LIAM BRADY insists that grassroots coaching in Ireland must change in order to prevent some of the country's most talented young footballers from being overlooked.
Speaking ahead of the Platinum One Challenge match that sees Arsenal reserves play Manchester United reserves at Tallaght Stadium tonight, Brady criticised the English and Irish approach to developing young talent.
“Sometimes in England and Ireland they look for big strong lads at the ages of 14 and 15 and the less physical lads might be overlooked. That’s something that needs to be addressed or else we’re going to miss maybe the most talented players.”
Brady insists that if technique does not take precedence over physicality in the development of young players Ireland may struggle to find skilful players to replace those on the current international team.
“I would worry that I haven’t seen a new Robbie Keane or a new Damien Duff. I think somebody needs to go out and ask the coaches to change the way they’re playing the game. Don’t go for the big lad. You’ve got more chances of producing a top-class international player by going the opposite way. I’d love to have a good 15- or 16-year-old Irish player and see him go all the way.”
United’s reserve team manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has seen in Darron Gibson that very process happen and he believes this season could be an important one at Old Trafford for the Irish international. “Darron is good for double figures for goals this year. Last season he scored seven or eight in not too many games so hopefully that’s given him the appetite to go and push on because he can make an impact this year. It’s not easy being a young midfielder at Manchester United but I expect he’ll be playing a big part this year.”
Solskjaer is now in his fourth season as United’s reserve team coach and insists that the Platinum One Challenge is useful exercise for his players, especially given that Arsenal and Manchester United do not usually face each other given that teams have been grouped by district, effectively establishing a north-south divide.
“I’ve spoken to Liam over the phone and we’ve tried to arrange games and sometimes it’s impossible but we’ve got players with first team experience. It’s going to be one of the better games for our reserves. We’re looking forward to it and we’re hoping to win it.”
Shamrock Rovers were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United reserves on Sunday and will face Arsenal this Sunday in the last game of the tournament after the two English clubs play each other tonight. Tom Cleverly has caught the eye for United, scoring in the win over Rovers and with names like Fabio Da Silva and Federico Macheda tonight’s game promises to showcase some of the Premier League stars of the future.
