ricketts

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By Pete Gill OTHER STORIES

Leeds Bad Boys Must Be Made To Behave F365's World Cup Ladder

Here’s a short tale of English two centre-forwards.

The first is 24, born in the Midlands, 6-foot-1, built like a body builder, and a household name. He’s an obvious target-man for a pacy little ‘un to play off, but the problem is that he’s only scored one goal since September (and he was hardly a regular goalscorer before this lean period came along either). Nevertheless, he’s a certainty to go to the World Cup - probably as Michael Owen’s strike partner.

The second is 23, born in the Midlands, 6-foot-2, built like a body builder, and an unknown six months ago. He too has the appearance of an old-fashioned centre-forward, but, against all expectations, has been banging in the goals for fun this season (his first in the Premiership). Michael Owen is the only English striker to have scored more goals than him in the top-flight, but nevertheless, there’s little chance of him going to the World Cup.

The first player is, as you’ve probably guessed, Emile Heskey.

The second is Michael Ricketts, a.k.a. the Emile Heskey who scores goals and doesn't fall over constantly.

Which begs the question: why isn’t Ricketts being talked about seriously as a potential England international?

Let’s face it, if you mention the idea of the Bolton star playing for England down the pub this evening, you’ll probably be laughed at. But why is it so funny? The answer boils down to this: he plays for Bolton.

It’s almost as if people just can’t accept the idea of a footballer good enough to play for England plying his trade for one of the lesser teams. It isn’t fashionable. It just doesn’t seem proper.

Part of this ‘top-team snobbery’ is of course an inevitable consequence of Sven-Goran Erikkson making it clear that he prefers to pick players from the big four of ManYoo, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Such a policy is fine in principle as players with those clubs are being tested by a better class of opposition in the European competitions; it comes a cropper when a) you want a target man for Michael Owen to play off b) there isn’t an England-eligible target man playing for one of the top teams who is on form and actually capable of scoring a goal or two.

Which is where Michael Ricketts comes in.

Sure, he doesn’t play for a big team. But he is on form and he does score goals. Surely that’s all that matters? Did you see his 25 yard curler into the top corner on Wednesday night at Stockport? Real quality but lost in the hubbub over Gianfranco Zola's cute strike (scored, incidentally, in front of the London press pack) on the same evening. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this fella only scores against the lesser teams. Ricketts has scored against Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Newcastle fans will, of course, say that if England want a target man then it ought to be Alan Shearer. In reply I would have to point out that Ricketts is younger, scores more goals (a lot more goals when you take away Shearer’s penalty count), is more skilful on the ball and arguably more mobile around the pitch. More to the point, Shearer has had his day and has called it quits at an international level.

If victory in the Far East was the be-all and end-all for England than maybe Shearer would get the nod, but it's not. Sven-Goran Eriksson, Adam Crozier and everyone else you can get hold of at the FA have their eyes on Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in Germany as the tournaments in which an England squad full of promise but short on experience will mature into the finished article.

Ricketts is just the sort of age to be part of England's potentially golden future and it would be madness to ignore his claims and watch him commit to Jamaica instead out of frustration.

Put simply, Ricketts' form with Bolton merits a call-up. After all, isn’t giving players a chance to prove themselves what friendlies such as next month's tussle with Holland are all about?

I’m not holding breath though. My suspicion is that Ricketts’ best (only?) chance of becoming an England international is if he leaves Bolton and secures a £8m move to Liverpool (or Arsenal or Leeds or Chelsea etc).

And personally, I think that's plain wrong.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Answers

Too true, IMHO Heskey's way over-rated, as is his 'stand-in' Anelka (he was totally cr@p against the Ar$e). Both Liverpool and, more importantly, ENGLAND. will not score enough if they retain their current tactics, in terms of YMO's partner.

To be honest, Shearer and Owen were tried together, with no great success.

The effing media must give young Ricketts some more space and SGE must catch a wake up.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


No don't agree that Rickets should be the other England forward. Give him a run out in a friendly certainly but think back to Cole's first season in the Premiership, and more recently Phillips and Marcus Stewart. You have to do more than have one decent season on the promotion crest of a wave to prove worthy of international honours. My 1st choice to partner Owen would be Sheringham.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

"Newcastle fans will, of course, say that if England want a target man then it ought to be Alan Shearer".Eh?

What a load of bollix, I don't know any Newcastle fan who wants Shearer to play in the WC. Give the man a break, he retires from international duty and is still getting told he's not good enough.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


Of course some on here want DiCanio!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

not sure about picking Sheringham ahead of Beardsley

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


"Some" on here would like to see both Ricketts and DiCanio given a chance, actually! ;o{]

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Could you imagine Italy v England in the Final with DiCanio in the Engalnd team?

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

in fact what would the best England team be, supposing that Bellamy Robert Dabizas Given OBrien Solano Speed are not in fact English?

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

I think that this is an unecessary put down on SGE. It may be he is picking the squad from the bigger teams because they are the ones in form. Did he not pick a Charlton player to fill a gap that needed filling?

If anyone here, I know no one has said it, Bud has come closest though, still he is probably pissed. (Well that is what his name suggests) thinks that this is the way SGE operates I suggest you stop watching football and turn to the tennis.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


An England team with Ricketts? I'm sure they're just too worried about what the headline writers will say.

Seriously, his record is good. I've not seen enough of him to judge but I sincerely hope that he will be picked or not on the evidence of his ability and that the club he plays for will be irrelevant.



-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


Personally I think it's a bit early to be talking about him as an england player....i don't doubt for a second that he's better than heskey but he's hardly proven himself has he? he's had half a good season.....give him a chance in a friendly, if he does well then keep him if not then let him get back on with proving himself for another 18 months....he could just be another one season wonder like Soopakev....

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Ricketts 'more skillful on the ball'????????????? Have these blokes ever watched Shearer. Yes he's not a FLAIR player in the strictest sense of the word but his ability to hold a ball up, bring others in to play, cross and pass accurately is excellent.

As usual - idiots talk about Shearer as if they know something about him. THose of us who watch him every week know better.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


I wasn't necessarily talking about Rickett's walking straight into SGE's WC team right away - only that he is given a chance.

The odd friendly game, while in any event Emily is playing like wor lass, would both give us a clue as to his international potential, and very importantly, prevent him accepting an invitation to play for Jamaica - which is already on the cards.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002


gus marra, may I take offence at your posting, that's not your (usual) style? :-(

My sentiments are pretty similar to clarky's on this subject AND, aren't I allowed to express my opinion in that I think Heskey is $h! te?

I'm an England supporter through and through but, I'd be the first to acknowledge they were da*n lucky to qualify (directly) for the World Cup.

:-(

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002


Bud you can take any fence you want!

My 2 references to you were for the following,

1. The pissed bit from the "Whats in a name" thread.

2. The bit where you come closest is the suggestion that SGE is someone who will not be paying attention to anyone other than "big club" players.

I do not disagree with Heskey feelings etc.

My beef was not with you just those who seem to think that a manager like SGE can afford not to look at anyone who will make him look good by helping England win.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002



Touche (FENCing term) marra, thought you were referring to the budw..., not the P. name.

Well, I'm glad Heskey doesn't play for us!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002


So am I

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

We are all making a kind of assumption that we play one big 'un and one little 'un. It has it's merits but is taken as read that's how we'll play (beardo/lineker, all 6ft 1? Don't think so.)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002

I'll be surprised if he's not in the next squad - SGE can then watch him in training - that's when most selection is done.

Everybodies slagging Sven off yet all he can do is pick squads. Until then we'll not know. Him & Tord watch more games than any previous manager - he hasn't done too bad so far.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2002


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