Let's see the skilful talent shine through

HAVE you ever seriously thought what sort of coach and tactician you would be, given the chance to manage any half-decent football team?

I regularly pick teams in my head of which few would agree with, but in our minds we think we know best and although the domestic football season doesn't really kick off until this afternoon when those starting whistles blow at Port Soif, the Corbet Field and St Peter's, I have already been scratching my head at some of the line-ups seen in the build-up to the 2009-10 Division One campaign and asking . . . why?

Of course, when the likes of you and I choose the teams and formations, we are immediately at a disadvantage in that we don't get to be on the training ground and see where all the hard work is done.

Nor do we have a pair of eyes and set of ears in the dressing room where players can have a positive influence or otherwise.

But, that said, it ceases to amaze me how often a good skilful player gets sidelined or marginalised by negative tactics or formations and the coach goes for the grafter, the one who always says 'yes boss', run there, here and everywhere.

As six more sides play their opening league games this afternoon, I hope we see the skilful players get their opportunity to shine, as it is they who light up an afternoon and will be those the emerging youngsters want to emulate.

Skill has been stifled too much in the modern game and for that reason I hope this is the season we see the twinkle-toed types given greater licence to produce their best, not tucked away tracking back and stuck to rigid formations.

So, who will be the players who shine this year, and get the neutrals purring with admiration?

I've picked five who I'm looking forward to seeing develop into serious challengers to Tony Vance's senior island squad and put the established under threat.

This is the season we should see North's Matt Loaring step up a level and turn rich promise into something more substantial.

His game drifted a little last year, but fully focused and given the right opportunity, he should make a real mark on the game.

At St Peter's, Matt Le Prevost has something special about him and I only hope that he gets the physical protection in the middle of the park which will allow him to flourish.

Kyle Stone's return to the game at Vale Rec is potentially exciting and very beneficial to the Yellows, while at new club Athletics it will be interesting to see the extent of the impact young Luke Winch can make on the top flight.

Compared to the rest listed he is no less talented, arguably more so.

The fifth and oldest of my five to watch is American Marc Laws, who in two seasons at Bels has shown glimpses of real quality but too often has not seemed to relish the physical nature of playing high up the pitch and disappeared the same way as the Republicans in his homeland.

But under new management, Laws has been operating from deeper and with it shown that he may have more quality than imagined. Island quality? I doubt, but we'll see.

I'd like to pick out a few defenders to watch but, to be honest, I'd like to see the back lines run ragged more often than we have seen.