Ian Harte

Last week Ian Harte became Bournemouth's second signing of the summer, joining fellow defender Elliott Ward on the newly promoted club's books. Aged 35, Harte is certainly a very experienced footballer, boasting a career that has seen him play in the Premier League, World Cup and La Liga. Harte has earned 63 international caps in his career and The Cherries are his 7th club since he began his career at Leeds United.

Harte scoring vs Spain in the 2002 World Cup

To gain an insight into the player we have signed, I found a Reading fan (@Jamie_Hodder21) who was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about Ian Harte.

Firstly, could you briefly introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Jamie Hodder im 21 and I'm a Reading Season ticket holder. Been a life long fan of the Royals. My Grandad took me to my first ever game and since then I've been hooked. The last 7/8 years have seen us become a stronger side and promotion contenders year after year. Just hoping the next 7/8 years we can see ourselves cement our place in the Premier League. 

Ian Harte spent 3 seasons at Reading, would you consider his spell at the Madjeski successful?

Over the 3 seasons Harte spent at the Madejski I think the majority of Reading fans would definitely see his spell as a successful one. Brian McDermott took a risk bringing him to Reading as many people doubted him at this level considering his age. While at Reading he saw himself get to a Play off final, become a League Winner and obviously make a return to the premier league which showed all doubters he could do it. He quickly became a fan favourite and his performances were fantastic. 

Harte is a veteran of the game now, but do you think he is still capable of playing at this level?

Ian Harte as you said is a veteran of the game. He has been around a very long time and probably knows the game better than anyone. As he is approaching the later years in his career it is obvious to see his lack of pace which will be seen as a weakness and many wingers may try and exploit this. Having said that, his experience can make up for it and you may see him give himself a few yards to position himself then make the tackle. In the Premier League where the wingers and forwards are world class, his positioning couldn't help him. He was torn to pieces in some games he just couldn't keep up, but looking at the championship this season, I could still see him doing a very good job. But only time will tell! 

Are his set-pieces as good as they say?

Ian Harte's set pieces. They talk for themselves. They are probably not AS good as they used to be, but if you have a decent striker on the end of it, he will put the ball in the right place every time. In our promotion winning season in 2011/12, his set pieces were vital, he came up with many balls into the box that caused alot of trouble for defenders, not to mention the goals he scored straight from free kicks (Middlesbrough away a personal favourite). His penalty taking is also a highlight although i do remember him missing a few! Give him the chance to put a ball in the box and he will punish you. I think you'll be surprised at the amount of chances you'll make from his magical left foot. 

Finally, will you be making the trip to Dean Court this season?

Yes I definitely plan on coming down for the Game at Dean Court. Sadly many of our fans are annoyed that its on a night, many of us wanted a weekend at the beach! But that aside I think you'll see a good atmosphere when we come down. Looking forward to it as I've never been to Dean Court before. I'm sure Harte will get a superb Reception both times we play you! Good luck for the season!! 

Welcome to Bournemouth, Ian.

The Wrongs of English Coaching

1966. A year that stands out for many English football fans because it was the last year our country won the world cup. Yes, a country of around 50 million people, with some of the world's best facilities, and an undeniable love of football hasn't won a major tournament for 46 years. Countries such as France, Italy, Spain and others have all won World Cups recently, and that's because they are making the correct decisions from the national team to the 10 year old's.

Every person that has played football in England will often hear three phrases repeatedly while playing, or watching a football match; "get stuck in", "get into 'em" or "whack it" are consistently yelled by coaches across the country, the same coaches that likely believe a good footballer has to be above six feet tall. Our national team's failure over the past three or four decades has become almost laughable, the 4-1 defeat to a youthful German side in 2010 highlighted how far behind English football was from the rest of the world.

It is expected of English footballers of all ages to be physical, to love leg-crunching tackles and hoofing the ball up the pitch on a muddy, rainy day. Throughout history the English have been an aggressive race, the power and rapid speed at which the British Empire expanded demonstrated the skill and determination we have when it comes to an aggressive pursuit of something. However, as a country, we cannot let our naturally forceful mindset translate to the football pitch. When players are 16, physicality obviously makes a huge difference and will likely produce a winning team because it is so easy at that age to simply hoof the ball up the pitch to a massive, strong striker who can force the ball into the net. But the problems come when we try to do this at a professional level. Teams such as Argentina and Spain are not comprised entirely of physical specimens, they are balanced, but each and every player is technically gifted. Take Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, who both stand at 5 foot seven inches tall. Neither is going to become a dominant centre-back, but they are both two of the most talented players in the world. In a match, John Terry wouldn't be able to touch Messi or Iniesta when they have the ball at the feet. From when children first begin football, a technical approach to coaching must be applied, implementing this style of the game from a very young age, as our current system is severely outdated.

At Euro 2012, Italy found it so easily to completely outplay England because they played with a far more intelligent, and technically superior mindset. Even at his age, Andrea Pirlo was able to control the game, spraying passes all over the pitch, splitting apart an England defence that was barely given a moment's rest. Italy's team was built from the foundations at the back. Buffon, an extremely smart goalkeeper had total vision of the pitch, leaving him able to direct his stout, but more than capable defence. The two full-backs consistently got up the pitch, but were always there to defend when needed. The midfield found success playing neat, interchangeable passes all around the pitch, resulting in chance, after chance, after chance. In contrast, the English team simply played a counter-attacking system, hoping that pure speed on the break would result in a lucky goal that they could try and defend for the rest of the match- a terrible plan.

In summary, it is important for everyone involved in English football to eat a large portion of humble pie, admit defeat and start fresh. The country consistently produces very talented football who go to waste because people automatically assume that only the physically strong can make good footballers. Truthfully, coaches must teach the 6 foot centre back how to play with the ball at his feet, and also teach the stepover-loving winger how to put in a ball-winning tackle. With this approach, who knows, maybe in ten years we will see the next Lionel Messi wearing the England shirt at the 2022 World Cup.