Football Food For Thought / Frank Gregan / 19 September 2008 /

Frank Gregan tells us about role play with Steve Clarke and just how much of a gamble the former Chelsea Assistant Manager has taken by swapping Stamford Bridge for Upton Park.

I have had to carry out some strange tasks during my time in football but probably the most bizarre was playing the part of a ten year old boy who had been subjected to sexual advances by one of his adult coaches. It was during a role play exercise on a coaching course at Lilleshall and my 'counsellor' stuck with the task of handing out the sage advice that would be pulled to shreds during the de-brief was former Chelsea number two Steve Clarke.

I gave a Brando-esque performance, so much so that tears were in my eyes. I confess that they were probably there trying to suppress laughter but we got through it and gained another tick in the box on the epic journey that is the UEFA A License. I sat next to Steve for the duration of the week long segment of the course and got on well with him. He was just coming to the end of his spell as number two to Bobby Robson at Newcastle and his career was at a crossroads.

It reached another important junction this week with his decision to leave the comfort zone of his spiritual home at Stanford Bridge and trek across to the other side of London to join forces with Gianfranco Zola. A brave decision, but the security of a three year contract (albeit on reduced wages) and the knowledge that he will be working alongside a friend who will be relying heavily upon him must have made the choice easier. His input at his new club will be much more significant than it would have been under Scolari.

The role of the assistant manager has changed over the years and with ever-increasing squad sizes the coaching staff swells commensurately. The modern Premier League assistant manager is the second in command in a team of coaches that often reaches double figures and as such is the senior counsellor to the manager. His opinions and ideas are very often acted upon.

Betfairians don't appear to be too impressed with the new management duo. West Ham have been matched at their highest price of [18.0] for a top six finish recently and that price is probably currently still achievable.

There has been money for them to be relegated with a best back price currently available of [9.2]. I think that is a very low risk lay but the penalty is harsh should the worst happen so although I will be laying the Hammers for the drop, it will be for modest stakes.

More fun can be had with an FA Cup wager and I will be making the Hammers my early choice and backing them expecting to get a match at around [55.0]. Given a bit of rub with the fall of the balls in the first couple of rounds that and price will look very good if they reach the last sixteen and allow an opportunity to trade in play.

If you prefer a quicker return there is [2.12] available now for them to get off to a winning start against Newcastle on Saturday.

Away from Betfair, there has been a mixed reaction to the arrival of Zola at Upton Park. He certainly has his supporters who believe his appointment to be the bold decision needed to take the club to the next level. The doubters argue that he lacks the experience in order to get the crucial decisions right.

Steve Clarke has considerable experience as an advisor to some of the biggest names in the game and is a member of the 'been there, done that' club in just about every major event in club football. If Zola's recruitment of players is anywhere near as good as his selection of his assistant manager then plenty of bubbles could well be popping as well as blowing at the Boleyn in the near future.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: