Daley’s so happy to be putting breaks on
THE winter break will eventually add years to the career of the average Premier League star.
That’s the view of ex-Aston Villa and Wolves winger Tony Daley ahead of English football’s first-ever mid-season interlude.
After his illustrious playing days were curtailed by persistent injury in 2002, Daley spent
15 years as a fitness coach – with Sheffield United and then Wolves.
So few are better placed to highlight the importance of allowing Harry Kane and Co the chance –
– to rest weary, often-crocked limbs.
Daley is adamant the effect of an annual half-term break will seriously help to extend a player’s life at the very top.
The Villa Park legend,
52, said: “You can’t underestimate what a mid-season break does for the game in England.
“There have been major developments in science and the way we monitor players’ fitness in recent years.
“But every top athlete needs time to recover properly. Both physically and mentally, a few days off is a massive boost.
“The longevity of careers in this country will improve significantly now we have a gap in the calendar.
“Look at Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The way they’ve performed at such a high level over such a long period is incredible.
“But they’ve always enjoyed a week or two off around Christmas and New Year in their leagues.
“Unfortunately, this time it’s come too late to stop Kane getting injured – but in the long run all our players will benefit.”
Daley added: “It’ll really help managers and coaches, too. It will give them a moment to pause and reflect on the season.
“It’s 24/7 for them. Their job is so intense.”
HARRY PRATT
RAUL JIMENEZ reminded Danny Ings and Southampton of the divide between the top dogs among the scrappers – and the hounds relentlessly on the tails of the thoroughbreds.
The Mexican striker scored twice as dogged Wolves came from 2-0 down to stay in touch with the top four and another European adventure next season.
Southampton were looking upwards themselves after a storming run of seven wins in 10 games, but they were given a sharp cuff round the ear from a hungry Wolves team whose energy defied the fact this was their 39th game of the season.
Brilliant Portuguese youngster Pedro Neto led the fightback with the first goal, before Jimenez’s penalty and a 76th-minute winner overcame Saints goals for Jan Bednarek and Shane Long. Once more, VAR played its heavy hand – overturning a penalty decision that enabled Jimenez to score from the spot to make it 2-2 and then dismissing a handball claim against Adama Traore that might have ruled out Jimenez’s winner.
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted both sets of fans’ blunt rejection of VAR makes him uneasy and said: “We speak so much about VAR every week and it’s still not clear.
“When you hear what the fans in the stadium think of VAR – I don’t want to repeat it – but is shows that something needs to be done.” His job here was to lift a team 2-0 down at the break and the response – as Neto, Jimenez and Traore pulled and tugged Saints out of shape – was impressive.
Crucial to Wolves’ cause was Neto’s poise, elegance and finishing power.
Had the teenager not had goals wiped out by VAR at both Anfield and Old Trafford, he would now have four in six games.
“He had two moments of individual glory taken away from him but he’s a young boy and he deserved what he got,” added Nuno.
Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had only one complaint about his team’s failure to hold on to their lead – the fact that referee Darren England did not look at touchline screens to rule on Jack Stephens’ foul on Jonny for the penalty. “It hurts and it would be easier to accept if the second goal hadn’t happened that way,” he said.
“Everyone knows I am a big fan of VAR. It makes the game more fair.
“But the final decision in these moments should be with the referee.
“I asked him why he didn’t look at the screen and he said he cannot do it.
“He said he can only do it for a red card but I think it is dangerous if the final decision is not taken inside the stadium.”