March 29, 2024, 03:45:06 AM

Author Topic: Latapy is best Barr none  (Read 2839 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25253
    • View Profile
Latapy is best Barr none
« on: August 06, 2006, 06:41:37 AM »
Latapy is best Barr none
By Ewan Smith (Scotland on Sunday)


DARREN Barr hopes to be roared on by the Falkirk crowd long after Russell Latapy hangs up his boots but the memory of the Trinidadian veteran will still linger long in minds of the adoring public.

Youth product Barr chose yesterday, his full home debut, to net his first strike for Falkirk and mark himself down as one to watch for the future. However, while he has many years to make an impact on the game, the long-lasting talents of Latapy have just a few months to run as he rolls back the years to turn in a series of midfield master classes.

Last week it was Dundee United who fell foul of the wizardry of Latapy, who turned 38 last Wednesday without showing any signs of waning. And while another birthday has passed, it seems he will spend the next 12 months putting the icing on the cake, with many hundreds and thousands dazzled by his enviable talents.

"You say to all young players that they should watch TV and learn from the top stars," revealed Falkirk manager John Hughes after the game. "Russell is one such player but while he's doing well I have told the youngsters to learn because he won't be around forever."

In Trinidad, Latapy is known as The Little Magician which is entirely apt as he has an uncanny knack of tormenting sides with his trickery. Indeed, it took Latapy just ten minutes to stamp his authority all over this match as his inch-perfect delivery from the corner led to the opening goal.

Darren Barr was the profiteer from Latapy's set piece as the youngster raced into the six-yard box to head the ball past a stranded Roddy McKenzie to give Falkirk a deserved lead. If that wasn't hard enough to take for the visitors, Latapy then pulled Dunfermline apart at every available opportunity and could well have added a couple of goals himself to make the first-half lead more emphatic.

A 35-yard free-kick was the closest of his two efforts, with the ball taking an unfortunate turn to go just over McKenzie's crossbar just when it seemed destined for the top corner. For Dunfermline, most of the opening period was spent keeping Falkirk at bay.

A striker's crisis which has sidelined new signings Noel Whelan and Jim McIntyre left them with Mark Burchill as the only recognised forward in their 18-man squad. Winger Freddie Daquin partnered him up front and looked on in agony as his team-mate missed a gilt-edged opportunity to make it 1-1 on 15 minutes.

Stephen Simmons burst down the right flank before delicately chipping the ball into the path of Burchill's run into the 18-yard box. All it seemed to require was a first-time strike from Burchill to level the game but he mishit the ball and the effort went harmlessly over.

Alan Gow's solo run and shot caused Dunfermline further worry, without adding to Falkirk's account before the Pars missed a golden chance to square it up just before the break. The superb Simmons weaved his way into the penalty box but as Falkirk keeper Scott Higgins raced out to narrow the angle, the midfielder's strike ended up wide.

The second half started in very much the same vein as the first did, with Latapy dictating from the middle of the park - without getting the goal his play so richly deserved.

He had a chance to do so on 51 minutes when he left Gary Mason trailing in his wake on the edge of the 18-yard box, only to see McKenzie grasp his low drive at the second attempt to keep the score down to one and leave Dunfermline six points adrift of their neighbours.

"It's a hard league, there's no doubt about that," admitted Dunfermline manager Jim Leishman. "But we'll keep battling away and I hope we can add one or two new faces in the next few weeks."
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline Quags

  • use to b compre . Founder of the militant wing of the Soca Warriors
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8309
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2006, 07:06:27 AM »
OK I only read the first paragraph and i say latapy should be playing home inspiring our kids .

Offline jose

  • Sr. Warrior
  • ****
  • Posts: 365
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2006, 08:35:26 AM »
latapy needs to be given some role with the national team

Offline andre samuel

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4921
  • "ah love it!!"
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2006, 10:10:11 AM »
I wonder what kinda of impact a player like Jason Scotland would have on a team like falkirk.

The more i read of latas' 90 minute exploits, the more i feel hurt inside, and i dont have to explain why

ah love it!!
Andre Samuel, who controls all the rights to the phrase "ah love it!!"

Offline trinbago

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2226
  • Warrior For Life !!
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2006, 11:23:52 AM »
We need to get some of that magic back home.......
Warrior For Life !!

Offline SHOTTA

  • HE WHO HESITATES MASTURBATES
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3800
  • NIGGAS JUST HATE ME BECAUSE THEY CANT BE ME
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2006, 12:52:42 PM »
ANDRE U KNO I WAS THINKIN

a player like scotty go be a good addition for a side like falkirk

and with 90min latas pulling the strings i think scotty could get falkirk up there

the question is would falkirk manager trust another trini??
now that we have mastered the language we can wield it as we may

Offline andre samuel

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4921
  • "ah love it!!"
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2006, 01:59:10 PM »
Samuel - Good (B)

Latapy - Excellent  (A+)

Rahim - Fair (C+)

Theobald - Poor (F)

Take away dat (F) shotta, and Trinis ent looking too bad.

nb: i gave rahim a C+ because he was their young player of the year the first year he was there!!

Jason Scotland for Falkirk!!

ah love it!!

Andre Samuel, who controls all the rights to the phrase "ah love it!!"

Offline Madd Ras#13

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 684
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2006, 02:29:52 PM »
OK I only read the first paragraph and i say latapy should be playing home inspiring our kids .

i fuh one totally support dis comment  :applause:
all dat is necessary is necessary

Offline Lower St. John

  • It's All About Unity, Togetherness..........
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 845
  • Don't cry as it's over, continue to enjoy it.
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2006, 02:39:00 PM »
After reading about Latas over the last couple of weeks, the questions begs to be asked, "Is Latapy running all game or because of the level of play in the Scottish League (and moreso the teams Falkirk played in the last weeks) he is allowed to walk around in the midfield for long periods of time then popping up to show his mastery?" ???  ???  I for one did not think that he had this sort of running left in him after a long 2005-6 season and training with the team for the World Cup at the start of summer.  

It is always nice (and expected) to hear that Latas is doing well early in the season but it hurts that much more that I was not able to see it during the World Cup in the National colours. :'( :'(

Blessings.
Germany 2006 Was A Lifetime Experience Not To Be Forgotten!!!!!!!!!

Offline ON DE BLOCK

  • Sr. Warrior
  • ****
  • Posts: 387
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2006, 06:27:18 PM »
Latapy is proof  that there is such a thing as a 'trini brand' of  football, just as there is technology transfer there is also skills transfer which explains why europe is ahead in world football at present, youths who have seen Latapy play and copy his moves will no doubt look impressive, Latapy is a key part in the puzzle we call the trini brand, I hope he is given the chance to pass on the wealth of knowledge he got over the years to our footballing future....

Offline davidephraim

  • Do Good and Live!!
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2986
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #10 on: August 06, 2006, 06:37:15 PM »
I wonder what kinda of impact a player like Jason Scotland would have on a team like falkirk.

The more i read of latas' 90 minute exploits, the more i feel hurt inside, and i dont have to explain why

ah love it!!

Oh lard Andre, I mash up horse. Is like every body else (Scottish League) gettin to appreciate "we boy" and we didnt get to but for a mere 20 mins in de WC. If de man had a next WC to go it would have been okay but we magician is gone and he didnt get to bid we farewell in style.....
Oh lord Beenie man what yuh do we .... what yuh do we beenie man.....
Warren N. Boucaud

Offline Tallman

  • Administrator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 25253
    • View Profile
Veteran puffer Latapy's up there with superstars of Arsenal
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2006, 06:18:59 AM »
Veteran puffer Latapy's up there with superstars of Arsenal says Cregg
By Anthony Haggerty (Daily Record)


RUSSELL LATAPY was on fire again as the Bairns kept up their 100 per cent record in the SPL.

And although it's well known the little Trinidadian enjoys the odd cigarette, his team-mate Patrick Cregg rates him as highly as the superfit Arsenal men he used to train alongside.

Cregg spent some time at Highbury prior to being snapped up by John Hughes last season and the Irishman admits he has been mesmerised by some of the skill his 38-year-old teammate has displayed.

This was another vintage display from the former Rangers and Hibernian midfielder and if he cannot be persuaded to play on until he is 40 then it will be a travesty.

Latapy has played for the full 90 minutes in both of Falkirk's league games this season and The Bairns sit atop the SPL alongside St Mirren and Hearts.

He scored the equaliser from a free-kick against Dundee United at Tannadice last week to start the Bairns revival, then set up the winner for good measure.

He is undoubtedly Falkirk's talisman. He was kidding us on at the end of last season when he said he would probably retire after the 2006 World Cup finals.

And why should he quit? He is one of the finest imports ever to have graced the SPL and Alex McLeish, his old boss at Easter Road and Ibrox, knew what he was doing when he brought him to these shores.

Bairns defender Darren Barr grabbed the glory on Saturday with the game's only goal after just 11 minutes.

However, it was Latapy's star turn that had his team-mates and manager gasping with admiration.

Cregg said: "In terms of natural ability, he's one of the best players I have trained with.

When you consider how good his touch is, he would settle in at Arsenal easily.

"Honest to God, he's as good as any player I ever trained or played with at Arsenal.

"Two weeks ago, we played a friendly with Norwich and one pass he played with the outside of his left peg was fantastic.

"I haven't played with another footballer who is capable of doing that.

"I played with the Arsenal first team and trained regularly with them for six months before I came here to Falkirk and Russell would fit in there. He's magic.

"He's teaching me good stuff in terms of my awareness of the game, so I hope he will stay for as long as possible, please God.

"Obviously, he is not going to be able to do it every week as that's asking a bit much.

"Being a youngster, I want him to teach me when he's training with us because he's a good coach.

"I respect him and I want to listen to him."

Cregg signed a contract extension with the Bairns last week after boss Hughes labelled him a future Falkirk captain.

There is a bit of devilment about Cregg, which is always great to see in a player, and the yellow cards keep coming thick and fast but the Irishman can certainly play .

And he admitted to being flattered by the manager's praise of him.

Ironically, Cregg only came back into the first team after Hughes decided to axe Tam Scobbie, who had performed outstandingly in the 2-1 win at Tannadice last Saturday.

Cregg said: "It is flattering to hear the manager talk about me as a future captain but it is important I keep playing well every week.

"Just because I have signed an extension, I can't rest on my laurels and I want to build from here.

"I was captain in pre-season and that was good experience but there are a few lads older than me at the club.

"I'm not intimidated by anyoneand I want to be as good as, or better than, the older players.

"I could have gone to Belgium or League One before coming here but I know what my ambitions are and I hope to God John Hughes can help me achieve them.

"I want to be in the team every week and I feel sorry for the other person who gets left out but it will happen to me sometimes as well.

"The gaffer showed faith in me to put me in the team so I want to repay him."

Cregg is delighted that Falkirk have made an unbeaten start to the season.

He said: "We'll keep playing that way and hope it pays off.

"It has been great to win the first two games of the season but our main objective is still just to stay in the league."

Manager Hughes still believes the Bairns will feature in the battle for survival come next May.

And he admitted that it upset him to leave Scobbie on the bench for tactical reasons.

Yogi said: "I still fully expect us to be caught up in the relegation dogfight come the end of the season.

"I am delighted with the point and felt we were worth maybe a couple of goals in the first half.

"The performance wasn't as good in the second half but we dug in and all you can ask from your defenders is a clean sheet.

"Generally, I am happy with the way we went about our business.

"Tam Scobbie was the man of the match against Dundee United last week and I changed a winning team for tactical reasons.

"I sacrificed him and he took it very well. His time will come again but it broke my heart to have to do that."

MAN OF THE MATCH
Russell Latapy (Falkirk)

MAN BY MAN
Scott Higgins: Great save denied Simmons certain first-half equaliser. 7
Jack Ross:Powerful performance. Rampaged up and down right flank to supplement attack. 7
Darren Barr: Give Bairns early lead with bullet header. 7
Karl Dodd: Aussie centre-half can play a bit and kept it nice and tidy defensively. 6
Kenny Milne: Always a threat running into space and got forward down left side to good effect. 6
Patrick Cregg: Fiery Irishman enjoys midfield combat but needs to learn to control temper. 7
Vitor Lima: Used ball wisely enough but must impose himself more. 6
Liam Craig:Put in solid shift once he got going. 6
Russell Latapy: Vintage performance should have been capped with a goal. Choose any superlative you like. 9
Alan Gow: Excellent feet and balance. Gave Bamba the runaround. If he could finish, he'd be world class. 8
Pedro Moutinho: Inventive player who gives it his all. Has good understanding with Gow and Latapy.6
The Conquering Lion of Judah shall break every chain.

Offline fishs

  • I believe in the stars in the dark night.
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3856
    • View Profile
Re: Latapy is best Barr none
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2006, 08:00:51 AM »
De talent latas have he cyar teach dat.
Dat is god given and god does only dole dat out once in ah generation.
What latas could do for trinidad is bring back de aventurism in our play , make de lil school boys want to get the ball and turn man inside out an ting... which could only be to our benefit, players an fans
Ah want de woman on de bass

 

1]; } ?>