WELL I’m in my final week here before I go back to New York for the start of pre-season training. The eight weeks that I have had off have flown by and I’ve had a superb time with the family.
As an athlete nowadays you never really have too much of a break and that was no different for me. I actually took just two weeks off and have continued to train in the gym at Hereford. Mixed in with all the training, I have been doing some coaching A-licence work down in Cardiff with the Welsh U16 squad.
Now these boys are every bit as important as the first team, it only seems like yesterday that I was where they were but believe me time flies by and before you know it your approaching the end.
One thing that I stressed to the kids was to go out and give it their best shot they can, enjoy playing and working hard and have no regrets.
It was refreshing to see the lads enjoying their football and wanting to win, something that needs to be installed back into Welsh football.
I must thank Osian Roberts , the technical director of Welsh football, for allowing me in to help, and he will have a big say in the development in Welsh football throughout in the next decade.
It was also great too see the new Welsh manager, Gary Speed. We had a laugh and joke as he was keeping an eye on the future players and as a player, when you see that it makes you work even harder.
Believe me when I say Welsh football is in good hands, with the plans that Gary has in the next few years. Lets hope the exciting times come back!
FA Cup weekend was full of shocks as usual with the three north east teams flopping, another few Premiership teams going out and Man Utd spoiling King Kenny’s dream Liverpool return, albeit with a bit of controversy.
One minute in and a dodgy penalty given, half hour gone and Liverpool lose their captain and best player Gerrard.
It was never going to be their day, but I do think that they will now kick on up the league. Oh and the "twitter " jibe by Ryan Babel about the ref Howard Webb being a Man Utd fan! Should it be taken as a joke or an insult?
I must also mention the unsavoury incident at the QPR v Blackburn match – Jamie Mackie on the floor with a broken leg and El Hadj Diouf insulting him. Well we have all heard Neil Warnock’s comment and what was said, surely we do not need that in the game? Ok this stuff seems to happen a lot on a pitch, but when the lad is down seriously hurt, should anything be said?
For me this is the bad side of the game, 99 per cent of people wouldn't even think about saying anything but you always get one! Bang out of order and I sincerely hope the boy goes on to make a full recovery.
Everyday seems to be a manager losing his job, what is going on? Nowadays you’re lucky to be at the same club for two years.
Some decisions are strange, others are justified but some are just the stupidest decisions ever, but as I always say, the chairman/owners put their money in so they can do exactly as they please.
Finally I must mention the David Beckham saga. The will he, won’t he go to Spurs has been dragging on for nearly two weeks now.
I do believe that LA Galaxy want him back for the start of the season as he has missed that every year since joining the MLS. Will Spurs sign him for one month then add him to the 25 man squad only to see him leave?
That is a big risk and something I’m sure Harry Redknapp has a cunning plan for.