Musings From Richie Langley

[Muadib]

Look up Sarcasm in the dictionary.

[Karl]

Shavar is slow. Anyone can see that. However, he is good at reading plays and because of that it makes up for a lot of what he lacks in pace.

The problem with this is as we go further towards TOP OF THE WORLD the players you meet are faster, quicker thinkers, better tactically...and, they exploit every weakness.

Meeting a player slower than you are means TEAMmates passing the ball in a manner where you put the slower opponent into foot races against faster runners - Passing into space -wide, behind...etc...and 'out speeding' the slower man!

[Farmah]

Maudib, re: "...him bawn yah suh??"

Please refer to article 2 (law of the blood) in The Jamaican Nationality Act, within The Jamaican Constitution. A quick glance will clear up any confusion you may have.

[Tilla]

And no one was really disputing whether he was slow or if he was a speed ball. Shavar has shown that despite his deficiency, he can be a good defender against even some of the quickest attackers.

[Me]

Shavar is slow. Anyone can see that. However, he is good at reading plays and because of that it makes up for a lot of what he lacks in pace.

[Tilla]

I have seen Shavar shut down Beasley and Damani Ralph when they were on fire for the Chicago Fire. I was wondering why are we saying Shavar was slow.

[TheDread]

Dread, Langley is at Luton but he is on the IR list. He is rehabbing an injured knee and says he should back to full fitness by February. He thinks he could make a go at it right now because he feels good; however, he has decided to follow the doctor's order and go through the full length of therapy. He is looking forward to first team play at Luton and helping the ReggaeBoyz in the World Cup Qualifying.

He is accessible and will answer any queries you have. Contact him at:
langley@icons.com

Thanks Farmah.

[Karl]

Karl you never seems to amaze.
How fast is Zindane?
Is Zindane world class:

So Langley has the technical and tactical ability of Zidane?
Great !

You may have noticed I spoke of Langley's speed across ground, his level of technical and tactical ability...and, all in the context of where we(? ...I) want our Reggae Boyz to be???? ...or, did you?

OK! let me go a little bit further I would willingly give up Langley if I had a player to fit in his position who thinks faster and makes better choices than he does...and, also is faster across ground, even if that player is slightly poorer technically - (notice I did not say less efficient technically as he is not even good technically as he does not carry out his tasks swiftly) - than he is!

The very first thing about this game, once an understanding of keeping possession is understood, is getting to the ball first! That getting to the ball first enables "the doing of all other things"!

It is simple really - If the opponent gets to ball first...the opponent is in control of what happens next! ...the game is all about "making the ball do as willed". Putting it into the back of the opponets net! Keeping it away from the opponent! All other skills - physical & mental - are used for those purposes only - i) keeping the ball away from opponents/keeping ball for TEAM and ii), putting the ball in the opponets goal!

Unfortunately if the opponent is always getting to the ball first and keeping it away from you and your teammates it means....

I am viewing Langley (The Langley I saw last!) and Claude Davis (The Claude Davis I am seeing in the EPL) among others as not where we (...I) would wish our Reggae Boyz to be!

I am also acknowledging that if they are the very best we have there is no choice...but, in having our third-rate performances!

...YES!
We must strive to make that TEAM best it ever can be...but, the reality is it can only be a third rate TEAM if the performers are only third-rate.

[Karl]

How fast was Tappa!?

...and, what was the level of Tappa's technical and tactical ability?

[Muadib]

What the HELL are you talking about ?

Slow in what way ?????

[Farmah]

Dread, Langley is at Luton but he is on the IR list. He is rehabbing an injured knee and says he should back to full fitness by February. He thinks he could make a go at it right now because he feels good; however, he has decided to follow the doctor's order and go through the full length of therapy. He is looking forward to first team play at Luton and helping the ReggaeBoyz in the World Cup Qualifying.

He is accessible and will answer any queries you have. Contact him at:
langley@icons.com

[TheDread]

which team Langley is playing for now?

[Farmah]

But Ronaldinho is a slow baller in the present-day game. How does he cope?

Shavar belongs with the ReggaeBoyz. His perceived lack of speed is a deception. I've seen him win foot races with speedy ballers in the MLS.

[Mosiah]

How fast was Tappa!?

[Karl]

Karl, I too like a speedy baller. But there have been many very good "slow" ballers who have contributed immensely to their team's case. I'm sure I don't have to name names.

Sometimes in war/stratagem - and that is what it is when one team confronts another - the turtle can outdo the hare by skillful maneuvering and anticipation of moves. Even Sun Tzu (in the Art Of War) alluded to this when he said that:

"whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted."

Personally I think Langley can contribute to the ReggaeBoyz. And as Tilla pointed out until we can find enough players for a midfield pool, then Langley will have to do.

As long as he can figure in The Prof's plans he should be called into camp.

See reply to Tilla!
...and, we shall see!