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Archives for May 2010

Bending it like Beckham pays dividends

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Jack Ross | 14:18 UK time, Sunday, 16 May 2010

There is no doubt that has been responsible for many a fashion and hairstyle trend over the years, but are there any significant changes in a football sense that could be credited to his hugely successful career?

For me, one of his legacies was to make dead ball delivery a specific, sought after skill that players could attempt to add to their armoury and that teams would feel was an essential part of their game plan.

I am not saying that before Beckham came along no player posed a threat from set pieces, and no team achieved success from such positions but rather that the technique he employed and subsequent delivery from it was new, exciting and launched thousands of attempts at imitation.

As with all trends, they don't last forever and someone is always keen to launch the next big thing. In respect of free kicks, it arrived in the shape of the Brazilian at Lyon, and was taken to arguably greater heights by .

The outcome of this change was much the same in that it continued to create and score goals but the biggest difference was the way in which the ball was struck.

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Little time for reflection as players weigh up futures

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Jack Ross | 12:12 UK time, Monday, 10 May 2010

As the season ends, managers and players will allow themselves time for reflection upon their respective successes and failures.

However, these regressive thoughts will be brief as almost immediately everyone in the game begins preparations for the forthcoming campaign.

The contractual situation of a player will determine the types of decisions he has to make over the summer months.

Those under contract will simply concentrate on being in good physical condition for their return to their current club, or perhaps be fortunate enough or good enough to be the subject of transfer bids and therefore have to cope with the pressures such attention will bring.

However, for an ever-growing number of players, freedom of contract will apply and thus they will make a choice as to whether to remain where they are or to utilise their position and seek fresh challenges.

I would imagine that the most cynical would say that these decisions are easy for a player to make as money talks and they will simply go where the salary is greatest.

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Do you agree with my SPL team of the year?

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Jack Ross | 11:06 UK time, Monday, 3 May 2010

were presented on Sunday evening and those players deemed to be the best by their fellow players received their well-deserved accolades. I therefore thought it would be appropriate for me to name my team of the season.

This is undoubtedly a selection that will also be made by a number of journalists, pundits and supporters the length and breadth of the season and it will be interesting to analyse whether my choices, based on competing against these players, will differ much from the opinions of others.

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