Former Republic of Ireland defender Steven Reid speaks to BoyleSports about tactical lessons, transfer risks, and emerging managers.
Reid discusses his relationship with Craig Bellamy, describing him as a “leader” while also offering his insight into Caoimhin Kelleher’s move, Ryan Mason’s West Brom vision, and Irish football’s future.
Reid’s Modern Market Value
Looking at some of the transfers from the Championship to the Premier League now, you’re looking at some £15m signings, some £20m signings. I’m not very good at giving myself compliments, but maybe you’re talking in the £15m to £20m mark.
Can do a job: right-back, central midfield, out wide. That utility player.
My Favourite Moment
I’ve hit balls cleaner than that on the training pitch. But the art and the beauty of it is doing it in a Premier League game where there is a lot riding on it, with the pressure and the tension. There’s a different feel to it.
It’s one of those where you don’t even feel the ball hitting your foot. My eyes lit up. I concentrated on the contact and the technique. It is definitely one to remember. It’s the one everyone remembers.
If I were to see someone and we’re having a conversation about football, that’s the one moment they bring up. I think it’s still among the hardest balls struck in Premier League history, so I’m proud of it.
Bellamy Was A Pest
It does change your game, but on the flip side, it opens up opportunities. Craig Bellamy would get in down the sides. He was a constant pest, a nuisance running in behind. There is going to be some adapting to what you have. For a team like Arsenal, it’s about building up from the back and link play.
I always think it depends on the tools you have. If it’s a big number nine, it’s about getting it forward more. For Arsenal, it may give them that option. For City, they play, play, play, they but also have the weapon of Haaland, which gives them an option to go a little longer.
Whereas if you have that quicker, shorter player, it might be the option of going down the sides or in behind more.
Leader Bellamy
I had a really good relationship with Craig Bellamy at Blackburn. I saw him a few months ago. I went down to Wales and did a presentation for some of the Welsh staff. He was very demanding! But for me, that was in a good way. He would never ask any player to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.
He was a model pro. He had some really bad injuries as a younger player. I watched him doing all his prehab in the gym, making sure his body was as good as it could be. He worked so hard on and off the pitch; he was demanding. He was a leader and a winner.
At times, he could be ruthless as well. But we look at players now and we talk about leadership. Are there enough leaders coming through? He was a leader. Look at Roy Keane; he was the same, a leader on and off the pitch.
He could be ruthless and demanding, could have an acid tongue at times with teammates, but it did lead us to a 6th-place finish in the Premier League, and he was a catalyst for that. Unfortunately, it was only one season before he moved to Liverpool.
Mistake Selling Kelleher
I think Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford sounds like it was a proper grown-up conversation about where he’s at and where the club are at. He’s at that point in his career where he needs to be established as a number one goalkeeper in the Premier League. He’s earned the right for that.
The club have probably shown him that respect. Maybe there was an agreement for another season, and then we’ll reassess. I think the service, as well, has probably come into effect. They have respected his wish to play first-team football.
It will be interesting, because it wouldn’t surprise me if in a year or two he goes again for big money. He’s a number one and has probably grown frustrated that he’s not had game time.
I wouldn’t say it was a mistake, probably a grown-up conversation with respect. Granting him his wish to play first-team football. He’s a top, top goalkeeper, no doubt about that.”
Ryan Mason Will Learn From Ange
It will be interesting whether he brings his own style of play to West Brom or whether he will lean on the style of Ange Postecoglou over the last few years. I’ve been impressed with him in general, how he’s conducted himself. I’ve met him a couple of times after games. He seems like an amazing person.
I’m expecting probably a build-up style of play, football from the back. It will be interesting how that will fare in the Championship. He knows the English game and I’m sure he’ll be realistic and smart as well; he’ll mix it up too.
The teams coming down will be strong again. I think the aim will be to just sneak in the playoffs. If you look at what they have now, I think that will probably be the aim. One of my good friends, James Morrison, is still on the first-team coaching staff, and you’re reading reports that he’s in a good way.
I think there is that bit in Mason that, because his career was cut short, he has that burning desire in himself just to achieve all he can in the coaching world.
Dike Key To Success
It depends on what they have to spend. The key in the Championship is that spine. If you can add that striker who can score 20-plus goals in the league, that would be great. You still have Karlan Grant there, and the big one will be trying to keep Daryl Dike fit. If you keep Dike fit, then it’s almost like a new signing in itself.
I think the key areas would be in wide positions and strikers in getting out of the Championship.
Bet on Football Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
