Non-stop Talbot fine captain

Press, 14 June 1978, Page 20

Non-stop Talbot fine captain

By

DAVID LEGGAT

May 6, 1978, is a date which the captain of the touring England soccer team, Brian Talbot, will cherish all his life.

On that day Talbot and his Ipswich Town teammates beat Arsenal in the F.A. Cup final. 1-0, in a game as entertaining as any final in the last 20 years. “We were always quietly confident about the match. We had a good record against Arsenal in the past two or three seasons and had been promis-

ing so much for five seasons that we were very determined not to mess things up,” said Talbot. Talbot said that what made the success even more enjoyable was that it could not be claimed that Ipswich did not deserve its victory.

“Normally you get one or two players who don’t have a good match but in that game the whole 12 (including the substitute) played to their full poten-

tial. We did not have one weak link that day.”

For Talbot it was a great experience, especially considering he was a beaten semi-finalist in 1975 when West Ham won the Cup against Fulham after a marathon semifinal tie with Ipswich. In certain respects, Talbot provides a case history of the early life of a typical professional. He joined Ipswich straight from school at 15 and

4 i served a two-year apprenticeship before becoming a fully-fledged professional. “Discipline is the main thing that clubs try to develop in young players. All apprentices, no matter how good they are, do odd jobs around the ground like cleaning boots and looking after the balls.”

Talbot himself can remember sweeping the grandstands out. He gradually progressed from the youth team to the reserve side before finally winning a place in the senior team. Around this time, Talbot spent two seasons playing in North America during the English summer. He regards this as a particularly valuable experience. “It helps develop you as a person as well as improve your football. You have to learn to look after yourself.” Talbot has played four full internationals, his first recognition at that level coming in November, 1976, when he was called into the England squad — “a great thrill” — for the World Cup qualifying match against Italy. He came on against Northern Ireland last year and later played against Scotland at Wembley. In addition, Talbot took part in England’s tour of South America last year, playing against Brazil at the giant Maracana Stadium, Argentina and Uruguay. “It was a great experience playing against some of the best players like Zico and Rivelino.” Talbot believes that one of the most significant changes in soccer over recent years is in tactical approach. He said the game now revolves much more around tactics and organisation. “One of the big problems in British soccer is scoring goals. Teams are generally a bit too defensively minded.” He cited Nottingham Forest, the team which made an amazing return to the first division this season by winning the league championship and the Football League Cup,

as a good example of current British footballing trends.

“They are renowned as an attacking side but when they lose possession every player gets himself between the player with the ball an their goal. When they do get the ball they attack in numbers.” Talbot has firm views on players making money from the game. “We have a very short career and it is a 'ruthless game. You must earn what you can while you can but I believe you only get out what you put in.”

The best team Talbot has played against? “Leeds United three or four years ago. They had great footballers all over the park, they had confidence and they really made you work. They began as a defensive, aggressive side but gradually improved in attack and dominated the scene for years.” His hardest opponent? “Trevor Brooking of West Ham United. He is one hell of a player. He’s very gifted and a really graceful player.” Talbot added that Kevin Keegan is the best playerhe has played with and against. “He always wants the ball, he is always available for a pass, he can beat people and can score goals: one of the best around, a brilliant player.” Talbot, a friendly, personable 24-year-old, has been the outstanding player on the English tour. His non-stop energetic performances have singled him out as a player who must surely have a great future in the game.