From: scogpw@thor.cf.ac.uk (Gordon Walker)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer
Subject: John Harkes + Shef Wed News
Date: 3 Sep 92 17:42:38 GMT
Organization: University of Wales College of Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, UK
X-Mailer: Cardiff Computing Maths PP Mail Open News Gateway

In response to enquiries about what John Harkes is up to, this season, the
answer really is: not much so far!
He's only been picked for the first eleven once (and was substituted), and
has been sub about 3 or 4 times. The matches I've seen him play in, he
hasn't exactly done much to make him demand to be a regular. He is
mainly in contention for the right-side midfield spot (almost a right
winger but not quite that far forward all the time), which he has
contested usually with Danny Wilson. As it's been pointed out to me
Wilson can look a donkey compared to Harkes (all be it a small one!),
but Harkes' main problem seems to be his lack of pace and agression.
Wilson is hardly the fastest player on the field, but seems to get about
alot more, and whilst his passing often leaves a lot to be desired he
does release the ball a lot quicker than Harkes. Often Harkes seems to
get caught in possession it seems. And when it comes down to physical
presence, Wilson wins hands down despite being one of the shorter
players on the pitch (except when we play Everton!). There is also the
question of experience when other senior players are out, which again
leaves Harkes behind a bit. The added problem for Harkes now is that
with Waddle fit, he may be 3rd choice. Francis does want to hang on to
him though - maybe he sees him as a good squad player, which is hardly
what Harkes wants to be. So, either he improves, or injuries let him in
to the first team regularly, or he might be on his way soon. BTW the
crowd generally like him depite his shortcomings!

Meanwhile, the season is hardly progressing smoothly for Sheffield
Wednesday, despite a promising start. The last two matches have seen two
defeats, David Hirst injured (out for 4-5 weeks :-( :-( ), Carlton
Palmer mysteriously not playing against Arsenal, Phil King seemingly
injured and Nigel Jemson proving himself to still be pretty crap. The
biggest worry here is Hirst's injury - due to an awful tackle by Steve
Bould of Arsenal. In fact most of the Arsenal defence tried to kick
chunks out of him apparently - nice lot these North Londoners......:-).
The performance against Arsenal went downhill once Hirst had gone off
injured, having been fairly decent up till then (so I've been told - I
wasn't there). And then, against Coventry, Wednesday have 90% of the
play but only score once, whilst Coventry break away for 2 goals from
about 2 chances. Such is football.........but this won't do moral any
good at the moment. The plus points out of all this is Waddle's
performance on his home debut, and the continuing high promise of Chris
Bart-Williams (who's been picked for the U-21 squad and some journalists
even reckoning he ought to be in the full squad ahead of Palmer -and
he's still only 18!!).
The other disappointment with Hirst's injury is that most people would
have expected an England place for him for next week. This isn't the
first time this has happened to him - I think the only thing to do is to
rest him 2 weeks before an England match!. Mind you, I wonder if the fact
that he was favourite for a place above Ian Wright, who's team contrived
to kick him off the park, had anything to do with it! (This isn't really
a serious suggestion Gunner fans before you get angry, although you
never really know do you................:-)

Up the Owls (hoping for slightly better things in the near future!)

gordon