Pete Gill thinks I'm obsessed with Emile Heskey. 'Obsessed' is a strong word, but it's fair to say that I have fought Heskey's corner consistently and vociferously over the past decade or more. I'm not quite alone in my feelings for the big man but that's exactly why I've been so strident in my protestations - anyone in a minority knows they need to shout louder to be heard and that's always been the case for Heskey's champions. We're a small but ear-splitting crew.
The big man has attracted a ridiculous level of derision and ridicule over the years - mostly because successive England managers have consistently put him in their football teams. And when in those football teams, he has done exactly what has been asked of him.
In over 56 hours in an England shirt, there has barely been a minute when Heskey has shown a lack of effort or a lack of discipline. Can you say the same of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Wayne Rooney? Can you say the same of any England player whose international career has stretched over 12 years?
You can accuse the man of a lack of finesse and certainly a lack of composure in front of goal, but the six England managers who have picked Heskey have known exactly that when they've sent him out onto a football pitch. They have known they don't want Heskey in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. They have picked him because he enables other players to get into those positions in his stead.
You can also argue that a footballer as big, awkward and agricultural as Heskey should no longer have a place in international football. It's a valid argument that's backed up by the teeny-tiny tippy-tappy nature of the European and world champions. I would have readily agreed prior to Heskey's retirement that his England days should be over, that he and the 4-4-2 formation that his presence dictates should be swept out with any new broom. But I would have blamed Fabio Capello for any future call-up, not the player himself.
There will be laughter at his retirement and there have already been comments of the 'I thought he'd retired four years ago' variety. Would that be before his recall by Steve McClaren that rejuvenated England's ultimately-unsuccessful (after injury to Heskey ruled him out of the key games) Euro 2008 qualifying campaign? Before he was an integral part of England's cruise to this summer's World Cup? Before he was clearly England's best player in their flawed performance against the United States?
But those who choose to laugh and point at Heskey will have no truck with facts, memories of Heskey's part in the 5-1 thwacking of Germany or the successful 2002 World Cup campaign, or observations of a player who always delivered in terms of effort if not in terms of quality. They will not listen to the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who would prefer to play with Heskey than each other. To the ignorant it's simple - Heskey is a laughing stock. Look at him, he's a muppet and a clown. It's a safe stance that unites every idiot in the pub.
Has any one footballer ever attracted this level of criticism simply by not being really very good? It's not fault his qualities have been appreciated by managers and teammates while his deficiences ignored. It's not his fault that England have resorted to a certain way of playing football when he's been on the pitch. All he's done is show up with his boots 62 times and played the very best football that he can muster. And for that he's a clown? Really?
Sarah Winterburn
The big man has attracted a ridiculous level of derision and ridicule over the years - mostly because successive England managers have consistently put him in their football teams. And when in those football teams, he has done exactly what has been asked of him.
In over 56 hours in an England shirt, there has barely been a minute when Heskey has shown a lack of effort or a lack of discipline. Can you say the same of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Wayne Rooney? Can you say the same of any England player whose international career has stretched over 12 years?
You can accuse the man of a lack of finesse and certainly a lack of composure in front of goal, but the six England managers who have picked Heskey have known exactly that when they've sent him out onto a football pitch. They have known they don't want Heskey in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. They have picked him because he enables other players to get into those positions in his stead.
You can also argue that a footballer as big, awkward and agricultural as Heskey should no longer have a place in international football. It's a valid argument that's backed up by the teeny-tiny tippy-tappy nature of the European and world champions. I would have readily agreed prior to Heskey's retirement that his England days should be over, that he and the 4-4-2 formation that his presence dictates should be swept out with any new broom. But I would have blamed Fabio Capello for any future call-up, not the player himself.
There will be laughter at his retirement and there have already been comments of the 'I thought he'd retired four years ago' variety. Would that be before his recall by Steve McClaren that rejuvenated England's ultimately-unsuccessful (after injury to Heskey ruled him out of the key games) Euro 2008 qualifying campaign? Before he was an integral part of England's cruise to this summer's World Cup? Before he was clearly England's best player in their flawed performance against the United States?
But those who choose to laugh and point at Heskey will have no truck with facts, memories of Heskey's part in the 5-1 thwacking of Germany or the successful 2002 World Cup campaign, or observations of a player who always delivered in terms of effort if not in terms of quality. They will not listen to the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who would prefer to play with Heskey than each other. To the ignorant it's simple - Heskey is a laughing stock. Look at him, he's a muppet and a clown. It's a safe stance that unites every idiot in the pub.
Has any one footballer ever attracted this level of criticism simply by not being really very good? It's not fault his qualities have been appreciated by managers and teammates while his deficiences ignored. It's not his fault that England have resorted to a certain way of playing football when he's been on the pitch. All he's done is show up with his boots 62 times and played the very best football that he can muster. And for that he's a clown? Really?
Sarah Winterburn
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