Jon-Paul Pittman scores again - a League One player can make the national team. Elsewhere, a relatively quiet week in England.
By James Curtis
Soccer by Ives posted the news that Jon Paul-Pittman scored his second goal in as many games, in what turned out to be the winner as Wycombe Wanderers beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 on Saturday. It drew plenty of response on why Ives had posted such a "pointless" story, raising the question can a League One player compete at a national level?
JPP is regarded highly by the Wycombe fans, and there is no doubting he has ability to be a top league scorer by the end of the season. In today's football climate, it is becoming more common for top clubs to scroll further down the league in search of talent, and it wouldn't be surprising if JPP was offered a contract for a Premier League team if he catches the eye this year.
It's something of a catch-22 as to why top flight clubs are dedicating more time towards finding talent from the lower leagues.
Because the money has dried up for many, managers are being forced to search for talented players from as far wide as the non-league circuit. "Doing more with less" was the way managing director of the Baltimore Sun Thomas Klebanow put it, in American television drama The Wire.
This summer, 19-year-old midfielder Fabian Delph was signed by Aston Villa from League One side Leeds. He impressed by featuring heavily for the Yorkshire club in 44 games last season, scoring 6 goals.
Keith Andrews is another good example. The Irishman was bought by Blackburn from MK Dons in 2008 and has now played 33 games for the Rovers, earning 6 international caps along the way.
In the way of Non-League, Cody McDonald was snatched from Isthmian Division One North side Dartford, by Norwich in February 2009, jumping from the eighth tier of English football to The Championship in one move.
The saddest part resides in the fact this type of talent has always been there, beating in the dark beneath a world of egotistic big money signings, lazy scouting systems, and lazy business. This is the catch.
But ultimately these agendas are ringing positive, because we are beginning to see a new surge in the level of football as first-team places are no longer guaranteed like they once were. Cheaper players who can perform to the same standards as aging stars are beginning to get the nod.
The third tier of English football too, should be taken more seriously. Charlton Athletic, Leeds United, Norwich and Southampton have all been Premierships teams as far back as 2005, and as near as 2007. Ironically, the dip in money available has brokered a more fiercly contested world for football.
So I remind JPP of Cody's McDonald's words: "If you are scoring goals you are going to get noticed." At just 22 years-old Pittman is young enough to gradually progress and work his way up the football pyramid. He has every opportunity to reach the the higher end of English football and then, playing for the national team would be within reason.
Keith Andrews is another good example. The Irishman was bought by Blackburn from MK Dons in 2008 and has now played 33 games for the Rovers, earning 6 international caps along the way.
In the way of Non-League, Cody McDonald was snatched from Isthmian Division One North side Dartford, by Norwich in February 2009, jumping from the eighth tier of English football to The Championship in one move.
The saddest part resides in the fact this type of talent has always been there, beating in the dark beneath a world of egotistic big money signings, lazy scouting systems, and lazy business. This is the catch.
But ultimately these agendas are ringing positive, because we are beginning to see a new surge in the level of football as first-team places are no longer guaranteed like they once were. Cheaper players who can perform to the same standards as aging stars are beginning to get the nod.
The third tier of English football too, should be taken more seriously. Charlton Athletic, Leeds United, Norwich and Southampton have all been Premierships teams as far back as 2005, and as near as 2007. Ironically, the dip in money available has brokered a more fiercly contested world for football.
So I remind JPP of Cody's McDonald's words: "If you are scoring goals you are going to get noticed." At just 22 years-old Pittman is young enough to gradually progress and work his way up the football pyramid. He has every opportunity to reach the the higher end of English football and then, playing for the national team would be within reason.
The other bright news around the Football League, was Brad Friedel's clean sheet, in Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Clint Dempsey's Fulham. Eddie Johnson made his first contribution of the season, coming on as a late sub for The Cottagers. In League One, Jemal Johnson, started and played over an hour, in MK Dons 2-1 win over Exeter.
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