PST
323 posts
Sep 14, 2009
7:41 AM
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Whether coaches want to admit it or not, star players make the difference in the big games. That is why teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United buy these players=for championships. The same should be said about youth soccer, but far too many coaches put team play and team balance before their star players and in fact, restrict/stifle these star players from doing what they can on the field.
The truth be told, great teams are made up of great players too!! They co-exist.
League title unrealistic - Reina
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina feels winning the Premier League title is "not a realistic objective" for his side this season.
The Reds finished second last term but their hopes of a first league title since 1989/90 have been hit by two defeats in their opening four games.
Reina told The Guardian: "There isn't frustration, there is resignation.
"Maybe it's time to get realistic and not think about the title but just about winning the next game."
Liverpool sold midfielder Xabi Alonso during the summer and, despite them spending around £38m to bring in Glen Johnson from Portsmouth and Alberto Aquilani from Roma, question marks remain over the depth of manager Rafael Benitez's squad.
Reina feels his side lacks the quality that is needed, adding: "We know what's in the squad; we can't do anything about it. All we can do is roll our sleeves up, work hard and try to win matches.
"Teams like Manchester United have lots of players who can tip the balance; we haven't got the individuals.
"There are games that get congested and we haven't got the vision other sides boast. Chelsea have Didier Drogba, who can bring down any ball - a useful option we haven't got."
The 27-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, whose only silverware with the Reds since making a £6m move from Villarreal in 2005 is the 2006 FA Cup, called upon the club's American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to improve Liverpool's chances by giving Benitez more money to spend.
"It would be good if the owners made an effort economically, if they pushed." Reina said.
"It would be lovely if we found ourselves in an economic position where we can bring in players and build a squad that can compete with other sides.
"But it's up to the owners to try to bring players in, not us."
Reina feels that Liverpool's title hopes are not over yet but admits they are struggling to live up to their pre-season billing as one of the main challengers.
"Can we win the league? I think so but there are other teams that are very capable of winning it - Chelsea, United, Arsenal, Manchester City.
"We can't set ourselves objectives. We all want to win the league but right now it is not a realistic objective."
Last Edited on 14-Sep-2009 7:42 AM
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