Back To School With Albert Luque
Do you remember the first day back at school after the summer holidays? That magical day when you were actually excited about getting to the playground to see what new trainers everyone had and if the smelly kid called Steven had finally got his hands on a new school uniform, or whether his trousers were still so short they ended half way up his calf.
Happy days, at least until the first double science lesson with Ackers Knackers, the goggle-eyed science teacher with the tight grey Farahs who - like Alan Shearer on International Match of the Day - had a nasty habit of showing a little too much of his lunch box while explaining the complexities of the periodic table. And I don't mean his sandwiches.
Well, the same sort of thing probably happens when footballers return for the first day of pre-season training. Except at Newcastle’s Longbenton training ground on Monday it will have been new sport cars and 4x4s rather than trainers and, instead of Stinky Steven, whether Albert Luque had actually bothered to turn up at all.
I’m not saying that Luque wears trousers that are too short for him and he doesn’t smell judging by the few times I’ve spoken to him, but he has been a bit of a Newcastle misfit hasn’t he?
However, there is a new head teacher at Newcastle and if Sam Allardyce wants to prove he really is one of the best man managers in the game then Luque is the perfect test.
I have to be honest, I’ve always liked Albert. He’s friendly and approachable, honest and humble, it’s just, when your are paid vast sums of money to play football it would be nice if you did so every now and again.
Personally, I think Glenn Roeder has to take much of the blame for what happened to Luque last season. He said he was going to get a fair chance at the start of the season, that he hadn’t given up on him and then dropped him twice after he had scored crucial goals in Europe. No wonder Albert couldn’t be bothered anymore.
Some of you will argue that it is up to the player to prove he deserves to be in the side, but as nice an idea as that is, it’s also a little simplistic.
Footballers are complex, they all respond to different things and Albert clearly didn’t appreciate being held up as an example of everything that was wrong with foreign footballers - as he was by Roeder several times in public - and then dropped, even after he scored vital goals as he did against Palermo in the Uefa Cup.
Nevertheless, while I like Albert, he also needs a kick up the backside. He obviously has talent - mugs don’t get nine caps for Spain - but it is up to him and Allardyce to ensure he uses it.
If Big Sam can motivate Luque in the same way Sir Bobby Robson did with Laurent Robert then it could be - as the cliche goes - as good as a new signing for the Magpies manager. It will also do wonders for his reputation as a motivational manager and prove that there is weight and conviction behind his impressive words and ideas.
With Damien Duff injured until November and Charles N’Zogbia’s head looking at the workings of his own digestive system for most of last season, Luque has a chance to stake a claim for a place on the left side of midfield/attack in pre-season.
Contrary to popular belief, Luque is not a centre forward and, at Deportivo La Coruna, he played on the left side of a three-pronged strike force. Interestingly, Allardyce is a fan of this sort of 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation if his teams at Bolton are anything to go by.
At £9.5m, whoever signed him - Souness always insisted it was Freddie Shepherd and vica-versa - has wasted a lot of money on a player who has made just 14 starts in two seasons. Hmm, interesting, isn’t the same number as a certain Michael Owen!?
But, I repeat, there is talent there. While certain people were congratulating Shepherd and Roeder last season for not allowing PSV Eindhoven to take Luque on loan without paying at least 50% his wages, it ignores the fact that PSV, who were in the latter stages of the Champions League at the time, wanted a player who, according to Roeder, was a waste of space. Erm, strange that Glenn!
Luque is not a waste of space he has just been allowed to become one. It will be fascinating to see what Sam does with him in the next few weeks, but ultimately Luque has to work with him.
I’ve stuck up for him here, but if there are not signs of improvement, give him a beating, steal his lunch money and send him to Coventry!
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Totally agree, spot on.
Would rather he had a go with Luque til xmas than spend 5m on Gudjohnsen!
A new signing indeed. At £9.5m Luque needs to weigh in with a fair share of goals and assists and ram his critics (Me included) words down their throats.
I like the idea of a forward three and Luque could be most useful in this set-up, but it's if Uncle Sam can get his self proclaimed "Special skills" of motivation into Mr Luque's currently idle mindscape.
He has never come across to me as the most overtly physical type of player and certainly Big Sams sides have always outmuscled teams (As Mr Wenger will tell you)
Finally Luke, should I be concerned, is there a Mrs Luke? or more to the point, why are you looking in the direction of Alan Shearer's lunchbox? Paul.
Note From Luke
Some things, no matter how distressing, are just impossible to ignore! After the game against Argentina, there were even complaints made to Points of View about Al's groin huggers.!
As for being worried, you're probably ugly so I wouldn't! There is a Miss Luke, but we're not married. Too much expense, you don't need to get married these days, why bother with the hassle etc etc
Can you add a disclaimer saying all characters (well obviously apart from the footballers and managers etc) featuring in this piece are entirely made up and any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental?
Thanks
Steven
Note From Luke
No I can't Steven - although I can assure readers that this Steven is not the stinky Steven referred to in the piece.
Luke - Touche!
Have a look at the compliation clips of Luques goals for Deportivo on 'You Tube' and then tell me the guy does not have talent. Same old story at Newcastle. Make him feel wanted, motivate him, encourage him but most of all, play him in his natural position. If he fails to respond, bin him but not until.
Note From Luke
Here Here Brian
Absolutely right Luke! Albert Luque was grossly mistreated by Glenn Roeder last season. Firstly, Albert Luque has never been a centre forward. Playing Albert centrally is as absurd as the ill-fated David Beckham experiment i.e. playing him in the centre of midfield. Playing both these players centrally is to take away their most vital asset - the ability to play quality balls into dangerous areas. Secondly, to drop a player after scoring vital goals in Europe for industrious, but lets face it jouneymen footballers such as Alan O' brien and Matty Pattison only goes to prove how little Roeder knew about the game and seriously questioned his supposed man mangement ability.
All of us who witnessed Albert Luque in his pomp during his champions league days with Deportivo realise that Newcastle have a quality footballer on their hands - a left sided one at that! Quality is permanent! With the right management Albert Luque can do a good job for Newcastle United. Hopefully Mr Allardyce will realise this!!!
Luke,
I respond to Craig's response. What are we doing looking at Gudjohnsen for? From what I saw of him last season, he lacks pace and close control. I have no doubt that is why he was dumped by Chelsea
Finally someone makes some sensible points about Luque.
No-one seems to notice that we have a player who was worth what we paid for him and have never played him in his natural position.
This (for me) is a exactly what happened with the European Young Footballer of the Year we bought a few years ago. Viana was presented alongside Eusebio (past) & Luis Figo (present) as the future of Portugese football just before we bought him. He was then punted to the left side of midfield when he was (and still is) a central midfielder.
He is still getting caps for Portugal (more than Dyer by the way) whilst Roeder and Souness did such a number on Luque that he hasn't added to his caps for Spain.
Big Sam wasn't my choice for the Toon job but I agree that if he can get Luque playing it will be like signing a player worth 10mill.
He showed when he played in the UEFA/Interto games that he is skilful (if rusty) and the way he has been jerked around these past 2 seasons has been shameful.
It is to his credit that he hasn't done what a certain frenchman did and complain about the club on the internet ("What? No. That wasn't me. I like it here. I've been misquoted/badly translated!". Git!)
Get your revenge on Fred/Souness/Glen/Critics this season Albert and show them what they have been missing!
It would be great to see Luque playing well.
I was a huge fan of Viana when he first arrived and thought that (If nurtured) we had a huge player on our hands.
Sadly throw in a couple of dodgy displays (Including a misplaced back heel in his own penalty area against Birmingham at St James's Park, that didn't lead to a goal) various sections of the fans started to get the feeling that he wasn't premiership material.
But wait? Hang on is he still our player on loan somewhere or Im I imagining it? Correct me if Im wrong please.
I'd personally like to see him back. In place of Dyer.
But on the subject of Luque, a new era at the club, a new Albert Luque maybe? Paul.
Lets get this formation thing straight.Luque played in the Spanish formation 4-2-3-1-he was the left side of the 3.Newcastle will not play that because we are sure to play Viduka and Owen up front.That leaves left wing as his only chance and in my opinion he hasnt got the pace,the crossing ability or the dribbling ability to play there. This is Viana all over again-once again Viana played in a 4-2-3-1 formation/left side of front 3, we tried to put him in a 4-4-2 and it just didnt work.This is Newcastle just not doing there homework on players-by ticking or not ticking the box can this player adapt to the english formation and english football.
As for the decision to buy that was Souness,the price clearly was down to Shepherd,but lets be clear Luque had only 5 caps in competitive games at the age of 28, the rest were in friendlies so he really was overpriced.
I have never seen Albert on Utube or anywhere other that at Newcastle. The odd glimpse I have had has shown me that the player certainly has talent but seems to lack the application we all know is needed in spades in the PL.
However, I for one am happy to see BS try to reserect his career at the toon, especially as we will still be paying his not inconsiderable wages for another two years yet.
With any luck, Duff will struggle to get back in the side come November due to fabulous performances by Luque as a result of BS giving him another chance. This has the added benefit of giving cover for injuries and competition for places in the team, all good IMO.
Spot on Luke!!! Cannot believe Glenn Roeder's rationale for dropping him!!! Should never have got the job, 1 year wasted for everyone!!!
Some players are just lazy full stop and no amount of shouting from the manager will make any difference. Remember what Robert was like ?
The key issue with players like these is whether you can fit them and their talent into your system and they justify being there with a return in goals and assists.
Highlights of luque scoring wonder goals are all well and good but anyone whos seen him play in spain for previous clubs will know that he just doesn't run around much or get stuck in.
I think the best we can hope for from Luque is the type of performances we saw from Robert. Which wouldnt be that bad, but then again if it was enough to satisfy fans with Robert why shuld we settle for the same again simply out of sympathy for luque or belief that at some point down the line Allardyce will change the way hes played his entire career as a footballer.
If his best position is left in a 4-3-3 and we change to that simply to suit where does that leave other players who have proven there ability to work for the team, wasnt Roeders problem accomodating big names on repuatation over performance. I cant see the zog taking well to another season behind a player thats done less for nufc than he has.
Want to see Luque back in action!.What a waste buying for nothing. Hopefully our Big Sam will turn Luque into killer machine like Deportivo time.
Note From Luke
Mohamad, I don't think Albert Luque was a serial killer in Spain, oh I see, you mean a good player. Phew, I thought you knew something we didn't then.
Sir, I respect you. You have just said what I've seen saying for the last two years on my weblog and on various forums. This guy is a top player, who is lacking in confidence and one can only hope that it is BS who can sort him out. I used to watch him in La Liga and I have to admit, he is one top player when on form. You justhave to give such players a chance. The thing is, I feel that Roeder always thought Luque will never been good enough in the Premiership and that is why he was constantly dropped. Hopefully,Sam can give the guy a new life and bring the flare back.
Thanks again for a wonderful piece!
Note From Luke
My pleasure!
N'Zogbia and Luque are players who need to be motivated and an arm round their shoulder. Roeder was incapable of motivating a team and even said that players should motivate them selves which, while trying to put it in the politest way, was a giant pile of steaming man-cow... dung.
Players need motivating and Roeder's handling of not just these two players, but the entire squad, was really poor. When Duff was having a shocking season/run of form, he was still picked ahead of charlie... and when we didn't have any strikers OR left wingers available, Luque wasn't even considered. No wonder they struggled with motivation.
Both those players could be brilliant for us and I hope the work Roeder did to team morale isn't lasting.
Note From Luke
Have you been on holiday Rachel or sulking about the fact I wrote about cricket? Haven't heard from you in a while, but good points nonetheless.
It was the cricket. Also, I wanted to post on the Glastonbury/Sunderland Fans blog, something along the lines of Glastonbury -> Hippy Festival -> Unwashed -> Sunderland but I'm far to polite to point that out on the t'interweb.
Note From Luke
So your implying that I'm an unwashed Hippe as well then!
Well, only for a weekend...
I blame Michael Owen.
Seriously. Hear me out. If the Owen deal did not go through on the last day of the transfer window, Souness was planning on playing Alan Shearer (in his extended final year) supported by (the reformed) Kieron Dyer and Albert Luque in a 4-3-3 (Parker, Emre & Butt making up the midfield). Owen signs, NUFC revert to 4-4-2 so and that put Luque as a left winger who needed to support the defence (where have we heard that before?). He got injured, hardly got back into the team and was ultimately replaced by Duff. See... all Michaels fault! ;-)
Note From Luke
A slightly leftfield argument but I think I like it. I'm also going to blame Michael for the fact I didn't pick a single winner or each way beat at the Northumberland Plate last weekend
I agree Albert wasn't really given a chance by Roeder but he's going to have to do a lot of good things to convince me that he is anything other than someone who only moved to English football for the money.
Albert was a class act at Deportivo and if given a chance this season on the favoured less side i think he can cause teams a lot of problems. You dont pay 9.5 million for a player whos useless even if youve got graeme sounness in charge!
I never looked forward to going back to school, and it could never compare to the dawning of a new season.
I believe Luque is a top quality player and it is typical that Newcastle United do not know how to get the best out of him!
Hopefully Fat Sam can work him out, and get him to perform to his potential.
Who would buy a new car, and leave it in the garage because it has a couple of flat tyres?
Luke, I like the analogy to school, but how about starting a new job with full enthusiasm and ambition, only to find out that your immediate supervisor hates your guts. And no matter, what you do the supervisor will neither acknowledge your ability or at then your presence. After a while, all you will be begging to do is find a new situation. Certainly some footballers enjoying taking the money, but most want to play. Heck ask Michael Chopra. I hope Luque is finally given the right opportunity. From the last few weeks it is clear he has a better suoervisor.
Fair point, check out youtube to see just how good Luque was!!
Here we go again .... slow news day Luke?
Yes Luque has ability, just like the kids who do ball keepy ups and tricks.
What he doesn't have is pace, just a little important in the premiership,and physical presence.
What next - Marcelino, was he really a success at Newcastle - oh dear.
Note From Luke
A valid point about pace Oxboy, but Frank Lampard isn't exactly blessed with pace is he, neither is David Beckham. I think Albert is partly to blame for his failure, but he might have done a lot better had Roeder not treated him so badly. It will be very interesting to see whether Sam gets more out of him because he's had two years to adapt to the pace of the English game. He certainly has more technical ability than James Milner for example.
As for comparing him to Marcelino, other than the fact they are both Spanish, I can't!