bobwhitehouse

To the tune of Skip to my Lou Who invented claret and blue? Who invented claret and blue? Who invented claret and blue? Super Aston Villa! Useful education for all those teams that copied our colours.

Salifou Der Spielmacher “The Playmaker” in other words. Here are some comments from German web sites about Moustapha Salifou (whose name might actually be French for Mad Sally). My German is far from fluent, and these translations are software-assisted. You have been warned. Good Boy - “Moustapha Salifou stood out with this technique, calm and presence.” “Moustapha Salifou played in a higher league of his own.” “The change brought on Moustapha Salifou - and more order to the Wil game. Like against Locarno, it was a joy to watch him at work. A more defensive 4-4-1-1 turned into 4-4-2. More stability and more possibilities came as a result.” “We had a good player” - his manager commenting on his transfer Bad Boy - “An inglorious end to the game for Moustapha Salifou, whose play did not equal his latest performances. After a Wil fan had loudly expressed his displeasure in added time, the midfielder got his own back. As the players did a wave for the fans at the final whistle, Salifou stepped out of line and let his frustration run free - an action unworthy of a Togo international.” And a curious claim - “The Togo midfielder is staying in England this week on trial with Blackburn Rovers.” - 24 Aug 2007

I've got one of his World Cup games for Togo on tape, and I looked at it last night. His touch is excellent, when he dribbles the ball stays glued to his feet, and some of the balls he played in to the strikers from central midfield were amazingly accurate. But in every other respect he looks like he's got one hell of a lot to learn. And let's say he's got a bit of a temprament. Here's hoping he's coachable.