ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 9

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

HINTS TO OUR SELECTORS. “ PARTICK THISTLE’S” PLEA FOR YOUNG PLAYERS. Representative talent is being spotted, and no doubt the Taranaki selectors are finding their task more difficult this season than, in the past, probably owing to the large increase in the numbers playing the game, and also to the fact that players who have been holding down various positions in representative matches have arrived at

the going 'back stage. Therefore, has it ever struck the selectors that they have been too orthodox in their selections? “Partick Thistle” does not intend throwing stones at any individual, but simply to take facts as lie sees them, and at the same time throw out a hint on a matter which has been sadly neglected in the past. It is common knowledge that selectors have not dared to venture on daring experiments. Whether it is because they may be termed too old, or because they prefer to rely more or less on players with reputations, than to risk defeat by selecting players who have not already made names for themselves, is not for me to ascertain. The time has arrived when these colts must be taken into cowsiderar tion. What i-s the use of keeping on saying we have good material coming on, if .selectors will not give the colts the opportunity of finishng off their education? An opportunity to play in a representative side is all that is necessary to show whether the youngster is capable of delivering the goods. Then, again, if given his chance, he will be playing in company that is capable of giving him that final touch of self-confidence to enable him to give of his best. Whether that best is up to standard remains for the selectors to decide. If our selectors this season would infuse a dash of. novelty into their selections for these games, it is a certainty they would reveal amongst our younger school of senior players some fine lads with the true temperament. There is no necessity for selectors to be reckless. At the same time, “Partick Thistle” is of the opinion that they should risk a. little more on the chance—and it isn’t a. remote chance either—of making discoveries that would redound to their credit, and to the credit of their province, and probably to the country.

The best representative team is that built with an eye to co-ordina.ton. It must blend and must also have balance. Knowing these to be the two main features in. selecting teams, it is surprising how difficult some selectors find it to get away from the same old has-beens.

“Partick Thistle” i« of opinion that if he dare mention the side which he has been able to. get his eye on during the season and offer it as his selection for the Taranaki selectors, they would probably cast- reflections on his judgment. And so one or two youngsters will just have to keep plodding along until their day arrives, and when it does, such and ouch a selector will have the nerve to say, “There you are,

I discovered him.” But it is these rising players selectors should turn their attention to and get amongst. The form of the seasoned player is already known, and can be depended on when the time arrives.

Not only is it necessary to give the young, player his opportunity to represent his province, but he is entitled to consideration when it comes to, selecting a team to represent New Zealand, and it is only through having a show in the provincial representative team that he can hope to rise to higher honours under the present system of selection, which is no system at all. If we are looking to the go-ahead policy of the game, then selectors j should do the one thing required to j push the game along. So why hesi-l tate to give the young players their j opportunity ? “Partick Thistle’’ acknowledges the fact that selectors of rep. teams very often come in for harsh criticism, and find that after having gone to a great deal of trouble, their final selection meets with very little approval by people; who, in their own opinion, could place a side in the field that could beat the selectors’ choice very easily.

Often, suck teams are submitted by j these outskle selectors, and in many cases the players set out would make a splendid side if they could only deliver the goods on the “big day” as they appear capable of when set out on paper. What the selectors have to first make a careful study of is. will Jim be able- to fit in with Bill or the wing? Does their style of play fit in ; if not, then what is the use- of attempting to have them in the side; they will only be mere, indivdualists. The “amateur” selector on setting forth his team makes a .point of having eleven cracks, who, as individualists, have no equal. These players very often in club football have caused their management a great amount of worry in the attempt to secure a suitable mate.

It is a smooth running machine the selector has to erect, otherwise his team will be all out of gear. There is no more striking instance than in the case of Charlie Buchan, Sunderland’s great leader. In club football he is the best ever, but the English selectors have seen fit to overlook this wonderful player on many occasions, simply because they were unable to find the man* whose play would dovetail in with that of Buchan’s, and still a leading Home writer has the following: to say of Sunderland’s wonder: “Who is the most artistic footballer in England to-day? If a vote could be taken of all enthusiasts, there is no doubt that Charles Buchan, of Sunderland, would head the poll. He has rivals, but there is a consensus of opinion among old and present-day players, and also among passive and speculative students, that Buchan stands by himself. This is not due to his height, which I is useful for heading—especially when I centres and corner kicks come" across j the goal. Nor are weight and speed I his assets. 'Tis his -ball-power, hisJ use of either foot, of the inside- and the outside, backed by a scheming intelligence, that makes Buchan' the master. Has his skill paid him? Not ; yet can he sport the gold medal of the winners of the Association Cup. Not yet has he had the honour of playing for England against Scotland Although he is 32 or 33 years of age, he does not despair of these distinctions. But hi.s skill has been wonderfully profitable. Since the war, Buchan has headed the goalscorers for Sunderland in each season viz.. 22 in 1919-20, 27 in 1920-91 91 in 1921-22. and 30 in 1922-23—0r’ 100 coals exactly in four seasons of League matches only. This is his sovereign test—week in. week out in League strife, and in this Severe competition, first division all the time

has now registered IS3 goals for the "Wearsiders. The question of his reward for fine play, for real skill, requires no other answer. Every for- ! ward cannot be a Buchan, but surely his career is an object lesson which should stimulate other forwards to cultivate ball-control with either foot. In the vernacular, how often have players said: ‘lf we pan stop big Charlie we can win.’ Quite so, but. the fact remains that Buchan’ has scored IS3 goals, and that in the last seven full seasons he has played for the Durham Club, he has six times scored more goals than any man in the team, and never less than 21. If any one footballer could prove the overwhelming importance of being an artist, and not relying on mere pace, that man is Buchan.” CHINESE TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND. The Chinese team are having a great reception everywhere and are showing themselves capable of playing exc'eh lent Soccer. They meet Taranaki a f Hawera on Wednesday next, and their visit here will rouse the keenest interest and enthusiasm. They are plavinu Vi anganui to-day, and the remaining fixtures are as follow: Aug 6 Hawera; Aug. 9, Auckland; Aug. 13, Rotorua; Aug. 16, Auckland; Aug. 20, Hamilton; Aug. 23, Wellington; Aug. 27, Timaru; Aug. 30, Christchurch; Sept. 3, Dunedin; Sept. 6, Dunedin; Sept. 10, Invercargill; Sept. 13, Christchurch; Sept. 17, Greymouth* Sept. 20, Westport; Sept. 24, Nelson.