The Prodigal Son
Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:33AM by guest blogger Chrisman.
Football came easy for you, didn’t it? Ever since you went on loan to Bournemouth, you’ve been scoring goals. Good quality goals. And you’ve been making it look pretty easy. Since you were 18 years old, you’ve had the technical ability to control and strike the ball that 95% of professionals would kill for.
So I suppose it’s not really any sort of surprise that you completely take those skills for granted. I suppose it’s not surprising that, given your immense level of natural ability, you steadfastly refuse to listen to any type of coaching or advice. I suppose it’s even less surprising that you don’t listen to coaching, since the man who initially blew so much smoke up your ass and told you how brilliant you were is the man who has paradoxically been trying to ‘coach’ you for most of your career.
What you don’t have, Jermain, is the desire to make yourself better than the sum of your skills. Ian Wright, an abhorrent man though he is, had that desire. So did Lineker. It’s scary to think of what those 2 players could have achieved if they had Defoe’s talent (ok it’s not scary – they’re Klinsmann or Batistuta). Defoe, however, has neither the desire nor strength of character to achieve his full potential. He wants to do everything on his own terms, without having to really sweat, really grind it out, really put his body and mind on the line. His general attitude to adversity is extremely poor, and he seems like one of the players you would least want on your side when things aren’t going well.
It’s another example of Harry Redknapp’s in-fighting with himself. He told Jermain to play his natural game. Play to his strengths. Sit on the last shoulder. Wait for the scraps to fall for him. Score goals. Because that’s the most important thing for a striker. Scoring. As long as you are scoring, what more can someone ask…..right? Wrong. I’ve heard Harry say it a few times over the last few weeks….Jermain needs to add more to his game. He needs to work more, link up with the midfield and his strike partner more. Do more running. Use more movement between defence and midfield. Do you think Harry was saying this to Jermain when they were at Pompey, or even West Ham? No, because back then, scoring goals was enough.
But with the move up in teams comes the move up in expectations. Jermain has been here before, and for whatever reason (certainly not lack of talent) he couldn’t cut it. Actually the reason was pretty obvious – Berbatov thought Defoe was a footballing simpleton, and made it very clear that he wasn’t going to waste his time going through strike partnership 101 with him. I’m fairly certain we are approaching some sort of groundhog day with Pav taking the Berba role. Defoe might not be learning, but old Harry will not be as ignorant. Not now he has seen with his own eyes what we all saw 3 years ago.
It’s probably come as much of a shock to Harry as to anyone else that despite scoring 25 odd goals, something is clearly missing from Defoe’s game. I think it’s been a massive mind-mangler for Harry - he spent nearly £40 million on strikers, and the most talented all round player we have in that department is apparently the one who was already there. And also the one that Harry rated the least. Harry may well be stubborn and old fashioned, but he is also smart, and has a wonderful instinct for self preservation. This means that he tends to correct his errors sooner rather than later, and I give him immense credit for swallowing his pride on this and no small amount of other issues in the last year or so. It’s like everything he knew and learnt in his last 20 or so years of management has to be thrown out of the window. Flushed down the toilet. And the really sad thing is that along with those footballing ‘truths’ that Harry has to discard, there are players too. Poor Defoe (and maybe Crouchie) will soon be bogflushed like so much bumwad. This brings me on to…
…if anyone ever needed an example of how scoring goals is not the be all and end all for a striker, look no further than Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Arguably the best all round finisher you are ever likely to see, but Ferguson knew Man Utd weren’t going to win the league again with him in the team. Ferguson was able to make the brutal decision to jettison the club’s top scorer. Almost literally, he had to send the old horse to the glue factory. You can almost hear him now, neighing ‘but boss, I’ve scored 20-plus league goals in ever season, I’ve scored shedloads in the Champs League…what more can I do?’ Ferguson won’t answer, because he knows ol’ Boxer won’t understand. He doesn’t understand the complexities of the issue. He’s not programmed to think, or to understand. Just score.
Jermain is a player who can be a joy to watch. But more often than not he’s sullen, petulant, lazy and selfish. He is the classic spoilt child, told by his mentor that he is wonderful and beyond reproach. It’s going to be quite a shock to the system to see lanky misfits A and B usurp him in the pecking order for Spurs and England. Can he comprehend what is happening? Does he have the mental strength to do something about it? History suggests that the answer to both questions is no. And to be perfectly honest, I doubt very much whether Defoe cares. It’s going to be his way, or not at all.
Reader Comments (62)
LOL.
DOS attack on it way.
Nice first one from Chrisman , the opinions mixed with irony is much appreciated here. Looking forward to what the other boys will come up with
My guess is that tricky will come up with something very random but enjoyable about one game at a time
And Fox , well i am still in doubt about what he will bring
Well written and a bit harsh indeed
congratulations for a well-written controversial post and for voicing some of my darkest and most cynical knee-jerking thoughts :)
You put the id my yid, mate :)
Defoe has been off form but has had flashes of brilliance this year and I'm certainly not ready to write him off. But you raise some interesting points.
next year then
I don't think it's at all harsh - there are some very good points made and I often think 'how many of our players are really good enough to compete at the highest level... that being the Champions League, cup finals and holding on to a lead away from home in the North West.
I would say Defoe is probably more often frustrating to watch than a joy - I find Lennon, Bale (on current form) and Modric a joy to watch.
What does wind me up is the constant scapegoat in our squad (and this has no reflection on the article - as it isn't singling Defoe out as one) - Jenas - granted, there's not a player in my memory who has underachieved so badly as he has. Keane - yes, he has lost his pace, but in a fairly dull decade, he has been a shining light.. not worth of the abuse he recieved. As soon as he's shifted out to Celtic, Crouch gets the tag - being booed etc. Makes my blood boil
got a point though... hes a more likable Bent (sorry Jermaine i feel really bad about saying that). Not sure the personal attack is necessary, in my mind the game is an art and you play the way you are.
Not really his problem, as much as it is ours. BUT on that note if you have Rooney or a Del Piero or a Torres or a Messi or a Drogba... in mind by all mean bring his ass in. Until then JD is my man and he will win games for us just maybe not in the best way. But a way that if fine by me as it looks to be getting us to where we want. Let us not forget the Ruud played Champs league. That is our goal to get to that level of play. When we get there we can worry about having a Talisman (and winning the league as you say).
COYS
appreciate the opinions Chrisman
A thought provoking article that cuts through some of our supporters opinions.
There is a sense sometimes at home that the " Jermain Defoe, he is a Yiddo" chant is sung more because it is a nice and short litle ditty rather than actual fan adulation for the man.
There are some misconceptions about Defoes game, one of which is that he is quick of pace. He has "quick feet" but over a 10- 20 yard sprint he actually not that fast.....may explain why he cannot get back onside?
On his day he will bang in goals, but his turn, step, step, blast the ball at goal style is not always effective or is quickly sussed by the defence.
A bit more of a dimension to his game and little bit more intelligence in overall game play will reap he player and more importantly the team dividends. Unfortunatly my fear is at his stage of career, can you teach an old dog nee tricks?
Think Chrisman wasn't angry enough writting this piece, that's when he is at his best.As someone wrote earlier no one better than Defoe will come to Spurs .If you look into Defoe's eyes he looks half retarded therefore that's as good as he can get
Sorry forgot to change my name from my last post
I read this article on HH 20 years ago.
Diabolical liberty Chrisman!
Late reading this post (insane week) but, having disagreed with some of Chrisman's response posts, I was really impressed with this one. Great thought piece and really clarified why I've never been a big fan of the little man. Glad for his goals, of course but...something not quite right there. So thanks Chrisman. Look forward to hearing more from you going forward.
Exellent article, that about sums it all up. Defoe is at his prime right now and maybe he´ll even improve for next season until the decline of the 29-30 yearolds begin. However, if it´s not in him by this stage, it won´t be there in the future to come either. The gifted striker suffers from his own selfishness and nonchalance.
Keep baging those goals though, son.