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Man To Watch vs United

By Guest Paul Grech,
January 7, 2003 in FF - Football Forum

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Guest Paul Grech

Posted January 7, 2003

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Posted January 7, 2003

Man To Watch vs Sheff Utd: Michael Tonge

When Neil Warnock was handed the job of managing the club he had supported all his life, his stated ambition was that of leading Sheffield United back into the highest division of English football. Yet he was faced with the endemic problem of modern football: lack of money.

A problem partially solved by his eye for talent and ability to spot a bargain. But to move up the league ladder, you need that little bit of quality that is rarely available on the cheap.

Fortunately for Warnock, United already had in place a productive youth system. And it is through this system that his biggest headache was solved.

When Michael Tonge made his first team debut as an eighteen-year-old, he immediately impressed not only for his natural ability but also his mature performance. He quickly became a regular, pinning down a place in the centre of midfield from where he could dictate proceedings. A midfielder who loves to break forward, this season he has been one of the best players in the First Division winning his first cap for the England U20s in the process.

By his own admission, Houllier has closely monitored Tonge’s progress. So he should be quite aware that the young midfielder is equally comfortable on the ball with both his favoured right and left foot. Houllier will also have warned Diao and Gerrard to close Tonge down before he gets a glimpse at goal, particularly since he likes to shoot from distance given a chance.

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