PRIAULX-WINNER Mick Le Prevost says that coaches have to be responsible for raising the standard of local football, rather than wholesale changes. GFA president Dave Nussbaumer has put forward a number of ideas to try and improve the game. They include setting up an under-21 league and introducing semi-professional players.
Yet North boss Le Prevost, whose team won this season’s Priaulx League by 16 points, believes that change is not the answer, but coaches and players working harder is.
‘I don’t think these are going to improve our football,’ he said.
‘It’s down to the coaches to raise their players and raise the standard of football. We could be a lot sharper.
‘From what I saw at the Muratti, we could have been fitter. Fitness levels have dropped a bit and all the clubs need to pick up their fitness.
‘The standard of football needs to be quicker.’
Le Prevost also believes that it would improve if coaches used their players more effectively.
‘It’s also because players aren’t playing in the right positions,’ he said.
‘I’ve seen a lot of football competitions this year and I’ve seen people playing out of position. It would be better if they weren’t.
‘I’m not naming names, but with me I started Matt Dorrian in the midfield and then I put him at right back to see how he’d do and he did even better.’
Le Prevost also did not agree with Nussbaumer’s idea of scrapping the Jeremie, Wheway and Collins cups in favour of a larger Channel Islands competition, although he is keen on winners of the Priaulx going into the national FA Vase competition.
‘I think that’s a good idea and it would improve their football,’ he said.
‘I agree with that.’
Guernsey centre back and St Martin’s captain Kevin Graham believes the association is going in the right direction.
Graham returned to local football this season after spending more than seven years playing at a semi-professional level in Yorkshire and while he is not a fan of paying players cash in hand, he does like the idea of the under-21 league.
‘I think that’s a very good idea,’ he said.
‘The difference between youth football and senior is too big a leap for some players.’
Graham also believes the island’s best young players need to play in the UK leagues.
‘The clubs won’t like this but I think players like Dave Rihoy and Simon Tostevin should go away and play,’ he said.
‘We’re not talking about for as long as a season, just literally go over for games. It would do them the world of good and it would benefit Guernsey a lot more. But it comes down to how much the boys want it.’
Overall, Graham backs the GFA and says they should implement changes regardless of the clubs’ views.
‘If the clubs don’t want to change then Guernsey football should push on regardless,’ he said. ‘I’d back the GFA all day. I’ve never heard the GFA be as pro-active as they are and they need to be.’
Article posted on 22nd May, 2007 - 12.00am
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