TOMMY BURNS
(Celtic)
* THE time has come for a summit. There is a problem, and it's been
growing for many years, during which we have all allowed standards to
drop.
I'm sure we will have one of our clubs doing well in Europe again, but
you cannot say with certainty when.
Our problems run deeper than football, which might just be a symptom
of a wider decline. I believe there has been a steady decline in the
standards expected outside of football, in most walks of life, in fact.
If we want to get to the heart of the matter perhaps we should be
looking at society in general.
For instance, the work ethic has been eroded and when you relate that
to our sport, you find that as a rule, players, including the younger
ones, are not willing to put in enough effort.
However, it is not beyond hope for football, which could be improved
if a player couldn't be offside before the 18-yard line.
Also, another way of improving standards would be to abolish
relegation for, say, three years. I think that with the fear of the
sack, which can follow relegation, removed, more managers would be
willing to use more adventurous players.
The way it is now has to be wrong. I believe the time has come when
there has to be a summit. Everyone involved -- chairmen, managers,
players, fans, and the authorities -- have to discuss our problems.
ALEX McLEISH
(Motherwell)
* WE must improve technique and guile. The Scottish game, for some
time now, has been a power game. It's high speed, 100mph.
We have a top division which is far too cut-throat. The fear of
losing, the fear of failure inhibits people. Managers and players are
afraid to try things.
It isn't as though we have suddenly stopped producing good young
players with decent skills, but after a few seasons in the premier
division it is often the case that players become predictable.
There has been talk of the Europeans moving further away from us, in
terms of abilities, but I'm not certain if that is happening. However, I
do believe we have problems.
We must improve our technique and I believe it has also become
necessary to play with more guile.
The Aberdeen side which won the European Cup-winners' Cup had a
balance between our natural aggression and skill, and we need to see
more of that style.
Perhaps if we put more emphasis on the small-sided games which the SFA
are now pushing for, we, eventually, would have better players coming
through, but we also need an environment for them. I would like to see
the top division larger and teams playing against one another only twice
and not four times.
ALEX TOTTEN
(Kilmarnock)
* Aberdeen and Rangers have good players, they just had bad nights.
I don't think there is really a great deal wrong with Scottish
football. Of course, we all know Aberdeen and Rangers lost in Europe,
but this kind of thing will always happen. They had bad nights, that's
all.
Can anyone say that these teams have suddenly become bad sides because
of these results, that they no longer have decent players? Willie Miller
and Walter Smith have lots of good players in their squads and I am sure
these managers will sort out their own affairs.
It could just be that the press, in the wake of the European defeats,
are saying we have all these problems in the game now and making more of
it than is necessary.
However, while there is no doubt our teams don't always find it easy
to adjust to the European way, I am not sure that we should try to play
like Continentals all of the time. Our fans would not accept that style
of football.
The Europeans play the ball from the back and their build-up can be
slow, while our way has always been to knock the ball forward quickly.
Nevertheless, I'd prefer to see good football and would rather have
any team of mine play in an attractive way, and maybe with the
introduction of stiffer penalties for the tackle from behind we will
improve the look of our game.
IVAN GOLAC
(Dundee United)
* TEACH the children, encourage them, and help them enjoy what they
are doing.
Of course there are problems in the game and the main one is in the
treatment of young players. Also, it is wrong that the national team is
not given the importance it deserves, which is different from what
happens in many other countries.
Kids shouldn't have to play more than one game a week, with the rest
of the time spent teaching and encouraging them. You see, whatever a
young player has must be encouraged so that if he is good at tackling,
then let him do that, or if he can dribble then allow him to do that.
It is like music. There has to be a feel for what is being attempted
and most significantly, the youngsters have to enjoy what they are
doing.
I'm surprised a lot more kids are not cracking under the demands. They
have young bodies and they are being asked to do too much. Changes, I
believe, will have to start from the SFA.
There should also be greater dialogue between managers and the
national team manager. The contact between the clubs and the national
manager should be closer because football is not just about a handful of
clubs.
Also, this dialogue, a difference of opinion is healthy and could help
managers. Communication is vital, and only stupid people are afraid to
listen to others.
TOMMY McLEAN
(Hearts)
* AT times the fear is uncontrollable. The problem stems from fear. It
is everywhere in the game. Everywhere you look people are afraid.
It filters down from the directors to managers, players, and
supporters. The element of fear is the No.1 problem in this game and at
times it is uncontrollable because of the way the divisions have been
designed.
Results are all-important and the standard of play has become
secondary, but no-one consults the managers to ask what kind of system
they would like.
Perhaps if we were asked we would tell the authorities that the fewer
the number of teams in a division, the greater the risk. The failure
rate is high and, of course, we come back to fear.
Our game needs larger divisions and also teams should be allowed to
have five substitutes from which any two outfield players can be drawn.
Just the way it is done in international matches, in fact.
If we were allowed to do that it would be easier to introduce young
players. If a team were leading 2-0 in the second half the manager of
that side could send on one of his young players, maybe even two. That
way they gain the experience necessary to survive in the top division.
Also, clubs would be able to hold on to more of their talent because
the young players would feel more involved.
JOHN LAMBIE
(Partick Thistle)
* GREED is hindering us and I feel for the younger managers. No
manager I know can give youth a fling in the premier division. If that
doesn't tell you there are problems with our game then I don't know what
can.
I'm probably the oldest manager in the premier division, and I can
remember being at Easter Road many years ago and Hibs were able to bring
in players like Brownlie, Cropley, and Blackley. All became
internationalists. They were thrown in and they flourished, but that
couldn't be done nowadays.
And you know, it's all down to money. Greed. If people in the game
want to be honest they will tell you the divisions have been designed to
satisfy greed. Clubs want to play Celtic and Rangers four times a season
for the money, nothing else.
I think that if managers had their way they would want the old system
back with a larger top division. I can only feel sorry for the younger
managers in football now because of the pressures on them.
What is the point of trying to get a good youth development system if
the league set-up doesn't allow managers to play these youngsters.
I've been in this game for 30-odd years and things are getting worse
instead of better.
There is no point in hiding, the game has troubles and they should be
alarming all of us.
ALEX MILLER
(Hibernian)
* THERE is already too much pressure on young people in our society. I
believe that proper provision has not been made for the need to bring
through younger players, although I don't say that the premier division
will not allow them to play. I feel good players will be able to do it
no matter the league.
However, this emphasis that we have on winning, even at an early stage
of a footballer's development, is not right. There are so many pressures
on young people these days what with trying to pass exams and find jobs
that football shouldn't be increasing the difficulty.
Players should be taught to enjoy the game and I agree small-sided
matches are best for developing the instincts players require. It's
about thinking in a manner which triggers actions, movement. When and
where to receive the ball, and when to pass.
If you watch a British player the most important factor will probably
be his ability to compete, yet the European player will have greater
technique and ability.
We need to introduce young players to the correct ways at an earlier
age and we should also be thinking more about what we are doing --
although the SFA initiatives just now look good -- and training needs
have to be tailored to suit individuals. People are different and
require different methods.
We could also do with more government money in sport. And more
facilities.
JIM JEFFERIES
(Falkirk)
* FAMILIARITY breeds contempt. There is little doubt in my mind that
generally we have become much too negative. But then, the line between
success and failure is very thin.
No-one wants to see 10 players from one team behind the ball, but that
can happen and no-one can tell me it is attractive. It is always better
to start on the basis that if you score goals you can win the game and
even when we were relegated last time we were fourth-highest scorers.
Managers should be trying to turn the game in the right direction, but
unfortunately I fear we will get sensible decisions in football only
when the right people are in place.
Why doesn't anyone sit down with managers and players and make these
decisions? It is ridiculous to think that some of the people who have
made decisions to alter the league set-up are no longer in the game.
I was always in favour of a
16-club division and I still feel it would work. It would relieve
pressure on managers and probably the introduction of three points for a
win will make some teams more adventurous.
There is something wrong with playing other sides four times each in a
season. Familiarity breeds contempt and that cannot be doing the game
any good.
Let's think about what we are doing and find the correct answers.
WALTER SMITH
(Rangers)
* EVERYTHING we do is designed to protect rather than improve.
Basically we have a problem, but perhaps it is not as big as some people
say. I think there is something there that we can work with although we
are slow in getting started.
All we ever do is talk. Nothing really gets done.
We are seeing too many players around the ages of 28 to 30 finished in
the game because of wear and tear, and that's because there still isn't
enough time for rest and recovery during a season.
Also, there are too many players coming along who look as though they
have bright futures but then fade two or three seasons later. I can't
believe that is natural.
Is it not time to relate the development of young players in a
different way? Too many people say clubs should be developing young
talent. Wrong. The SFA should be responsible for the development and
education of young players.
It has been stated often enough that kids have to be encouraged to get
out and play, and once you have managed that there is no great secret
about the rest. If the system is correct, skills can be taught.
Holland is always used as an example of a country which gets it right
when it comes to developing young players, and although they may have
double Scotland's population, the Dutch are still producing more than
their fair share of high-quality players.
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