Marlon Harewood: A welcoming attitude
Monday, 23 June 08, 06:07 AM · Comments (30)
Marlon Harewood was definitely not the signing Villa fans expected this time last year, and certainly the jury was out.
But there is one thing that cannot be ascribed to the man mountain signed from West Ham and that is a non-professional attitude and lack of dedication to the club.
I know Damian has been impressed with his press-talk before, and once again he has been playing a sweet verbal-concerto which is music to any Villa fan’s ears.
He told the official website; “I’m looking forward to my second season here and hopefully I can show more of what I can do and hopefully I’ll get the chance to shine.
“The fans saw what I could do in the second half of last season and I just want to get out there and show my stuff again next season.”
Marlon has amazingly started only 1 league game since joining Villa a year ago and considering he has had a proportionately massive 22 league substitute appearances, it is clear that last season Martin O’Neill saw him as a £4 million ‘super-sub’.
Considering how disillusioned professional footballers must get with sitting on the bench, it is perhaps even more significant that he was effectively signed to be a squad player and bench-warmer. Whether that was the impression Marlon received when he signed over the summer, what is sure that he must realise that is the case now after a season at Villa Park.
As fans of the club it is players like Harewood who need to be given full support for their attitudes. Compare the situation with that of Shaun Maloney. He has made a comparatively titanic 16 league starts since signing from Celtic 18 months ago, and only a few weeks ago was believed to be close to bringing to an end a ‘frustrating’ time at Villa Park after struggling for first-team opportunities.
Maloney faces, if anything, less competition for his place as an attacking midfielder/forward (Young) than Harewood does as a striker (Carew, Agbonlahor), and has been given much more of a first-team chance than his counterpart.
Furthermore, Marlon’s words are particularly important considering the interest paid to him from rival clubs. The papers have been full of reported interest from throughout Britain, by clubs who are well-aware of the appearance statistics quoted above and a presumed desire to become a first-team regular, wherever it may be.
Although Fulham and Stoke are not going to compete with Villa next season, nevertheless he would expect to have a starting position and still be playing in the Premier League. But that Marlon is still prepared to prove himself to the manager in training and when coming off the bench and is not looking to jump ship, as many players would do, leads me to doth my cap at his feet.
If Villa are going to push on next season it is players such as Marlon who are going to be key. The best teams need the best squads and that means that the players outside the best/starting XI are equally as important as the season progresses.
Disillusionment and discontent rumbling under the surface will be the downfall if players go out of form or suffer injuries, but if they have the right attitude and a utilitarian dedication to the club rather than the individual, Martin O’Neill will have his players exactly where he wants them.
I really hope that Marlon is a huge personality and respected in the dressing room and his attitude sends positive vibes to his team-mates.
And where was he in the captaincy debate?
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30 Comments · Add yours
my favourite player for villa, adds noise to the dressing room, which was well known to be quiet @ villa park
This is what annoys me about martin o neill >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Marlon did 3x what our other strikers did when he came on as a sub, he still had to wait ages for a debut
AND WHEN IT CAME
- Away at manchester united, terrible weather conditions, man united on top form, villa on rock bottom.
Charming.
All teams could do with more Marlon Harewoods, a man who clearly thinks about the team before himself, could the same be said of some other players?
Bouma got his head down when he was left out and nailed the left back spot.
Petrov hasn't got a guaranteed starting berth but keeps quiet and knuckles down.
Davies stuck at it and waited for his chance to come and was very honest (a rare thing) about his 'pub team performance'.
Samuel and Sorensen were very vocal about not playing and where are they now?
Players like Marlon, Bouma, Davies and Petrov keep everyone else on their toes.
I mentioned this in the Forum earlier, and fully agree with you Matt.
Marlon is a very good 'impact' player and his loyalty to MoN and Villa are worthy of note. Not least because I cant remember the last time (if ever) we had fringe/impact players happy to be part of the club.
Love the bloke, didnt want him when he came but boy did he change my opinion, would be gutted if he was shipped out to Fulham or Stoke!
It's "Harewood" for me on the new shirt as a sign of support. It'd be good if a load of people did it so he can see although he's not playing that much he has got the backing of the Villa army!
Keep paying footballers 100k a week and you'll see less and less of players like mr harewood. England is full of mercenaries with over inflated egos just because the money here tells them it is.
Cap wages, cap transfer spend, increase the spend on training kids and we'll see more marlons.
Great to hear the comments made by marlon. i remember him last season against newcastle he was fantastic.Hope he starts a few more games this season.Remember feed the hare#######
how good is it to hear a player willing to stay and fight for his place. much respect marlon. i think i need to eat a huge slice of humble pie.
Well said...Marlon's been fantastic in the role and has truly been a difference-maker off the bench. I know he'd prefer to be starting, but at least he can look in the mirror and know he does contribute and changes games. That he's loyal and wants to be here is a welcome sound coming out of Villa Park, especially in light of the Barry saga.
What they said.
Feed The Hare!!
Don't you dare say about selling him.
andy5759 i agree
FEED THE HARE,FEED THE HARE![u][/u] ;D ;D
if we want top 6 next season marlon needs to be sold,the fact qpr want him says it all really,he wants to stay because he knows he is very lucky to be at villa.martin oneil will sign toulalan from france think he plays for lyon. ;D
David Platt is a Pr*ck. And ugly to boot. Wish I could tell him how average he was at times. No pace, no tackle, no heading ability....remind you of somone??? Times have changed. Platt you would not be in the first 22 now......if we had one
Feed the hare! Feed the hare!
doesnt rhyme but its good enough for me!
UTV ;D
[quote]the fact qpr want him says it all really,[/quote]
They are the richest club in the world, if he went to QPR he would earn more than he earns at Villa.
(not as stupid comment as it sounds, he is wanted by pl clubs so in order to persude him to drop down a division he would be offered more money)
Time to give the hare a run out,
Feed the hare! Feed the hare! and watch him go!!
I already have his name on my shirt from this season, I will be doing the same again next year!!! feed the HARE!!!
I put my hands up and admit I was part of the moaning bunch with regards to Harewood but his attitude has been first class since he joined the Villa.
If we are going to climb that quality ladder (at once) then you need players with fire in their bellies as much as the gifted ones: I'd rather have a committed Harewood over a big time Charlie like Anton Ferdinand anytime.
Same applies to Luke Moore, who could have done much worse than observe Marlon patiently wait for his chance on the bench and work his ass off in training instead of sulk like a menstrual primadonna.
As a result, Mr Moore the eternal promise will probably warm WBA's bench for a season or two then move on to Chesterfield, Rochdale or Gillingham.
At least there he'll be guaranteed a game. Maybe.
Harewood is amazing, he will stay at an employer that pays him thousands and thousands of pounds to kick a ball and not even have to do it all the time, he is just 1 in a million, how he manages to do it I will never know. My grandad was at d-day but hearing about people like harewood makes me realise what a real trooper is.
Enthusiasm is infectious. That statement goes for you too Matt Cutler, the author of this piece. Its great to see someone addressing the Villa fans in a positive manner and not trying to coerse disruptive opinion. Would like to see more of your articles please! Fantastic to see such a great reaction from the fans of the Hare too! Mon won't sell.
Taglor - :D - always good for a smile.
I'll have a word and see if he can't get his wages reduced to 2 n'6 for next season. You may have to buy him his cloth cap though!!. I bet Florence Nightingale could say the same about your wages and lifestyle!! Sometimes you just gotta live with it, it's called progress. Unfair it may be, but it's still progress.
go late thunder! harewood is golden :)
taglor - is your ring tone zoe "sunshine on a rainy day" or something?
in all seriousness though i do agree its hardly amazing of him seing as after us realistically he'd have to take a huge step down (qpr mentioned) - if someone like spurs came in for him im sure it'd be different
and im glad we can have 7 subs next season, cos as much as i like marlon id still rather see delfuenso get a chance, i might even learn how to say/spell his name!
Delfounso, i think you will see in the subs against Wigans and Fulhams next season! Next Gaby in my opinion.. Well i hope so anyway. Think MON should at least give him a chance. When Harewood ariived last year i agree with you all i wasn't that impressed but well weve all been shown that MON can really spot talent and bring out the best in players. Really is a devoted player Marlon.. Feed the Hair!
UTV!
This message is for all the MON doubters.
I also had eye brows raised when mighty Marlon was signed, but I've changed my tune now, as has everyone else.
This just proves that MON has the eye for quality signings... he doesn't just look for a quality footballer, but a quality person that will get on with all the other lads and wont disrupt the team. I assume this is why he takes SO DAMN LONG to sign players... but it has been worth it so far, right? We finished SIXTH PLACE for crying out loud. Brilliant.
I fully expect Marlon to be knighted in the queens hounours list this year for sitting on the bench and picking up £15-20K per week. How tough life must be for the big fella!
Taglor - mate. Think for a second because I'm afraid this time you've given yourself away.
Your negativity is just a way of getting noticed..had you been able to kick a ball I can assure you you wouldn't be spitting bile on here, you'd probably soak up the compliments, drive a tarted-up top car and you'd be very, very grateful for it all.
Alas, you can remain a minor celebrity on here, beats total obscurity eh? ;)
I agree M H is a breath of fresh air - always given 100% when given the chance - we need a squad like that
Mick70 I'm sorry it may be cheap but I would never in a million years want to be famous but I would love the money as I could start an animal sanctuary and also I hate cars maybe I could stretch to something functional though.
Taddy lol
Taddy meet Taglor..a match made in negativity hell :)