Allyuh fellas torkin so much sh!t bout Latas, whatever de white man do, allyuh fall hook line and sinker, again, allyuh full of pure sh!t, at 37 years old, Latapy is STILL BY FAR DE MOST TALENTED WARRIOR ON DE TEAM! If yuh doh see it, yuh blind!
From de Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.tt/letters.htmlWe want to see Latas play, Leo
Congratulations so far to the T&T football team. They may not have exceeded some Trinis’ wildest expectations (some of us are capable of the most fantastic dreams), but certainly, with a well planned and determined professionalism, they have surprised their fans, and the world, with their exploits so far. I am very proud of them.
While our performance has undoubtedly been a team effort, I have really seen players blossom individually as well. Cornell Glen’s pace and skill, Carlos Edwards’ transformation to one of the best right backs of the World Cup, Denis Lawrence’s marking and organisational skills and, of course, Dwight Yorke’s renaissance as T&T’s man for all seasons and defensive maestro (who would think an old dog could learn new tricks…and so well) stand out for me as the highlights symbolic of the team’s growth.
But there is one thing that doesn’t please me. I want to see Russell Latapy play at this World Cup. He has given the T&T cause so much service and has undoubtedly shown himself to be its most stylish and committed servant. Everything that a football fan of my generation has dreamed of doing on a football field, Latapy has shown us how.
If ever there was a local hero, he is it. We’ve grown up with the “Little Magician” and he’s never disappointed us—from school days to preretirement.
Leo may not know the extent of the T&T football fan’s appreciation to Latapy but if I for one had to choose between qualifying for the second round without him, or giving him a substantial run out as reward for his service and losing, then I’m going for the latter.
I know Latas himself, the ultimate professional, would probably insist on team over individual concerns, but I am a fan and I want them to know that I don’t demand results over human concerns.
The Trini fan is someone that has great appreciation for effort and service and to this day, despite the achievements of the current team, my proudest World Cup memory is winning the FIFA Fair Play award in 1989 after losing the most important match of our lives.
So manager Beenhakker, if you feel that you have to bypass Latapy because he is not the physical presence you need, that there is pressure on you to produce the first Carib-bean side to reach the second round and so you can’t take chances with someone who doesn’t tackle so well, then rest assured that even if you take that chance and fail, just like in 1989, we’ll still love you all. But also be assured that Latapy is no millstone.
He is the greatest footballer we’ve ever produced so I want to see him get an extended run on the world’s greatest stage.
Especially now that we must win and win big, who better to have in the team than a magician (albeit a little one). Whatever the outcome, you won’t be disappointed.
John Borely