15-11-2014, 18:33
Really interesting article about Berahino from the perspective of the Academy managers: http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/berahi...84894.aspx
The most intriguing section offers a different point of view on Saido's well-publicised troubled patch last season:
"It's ironic now when we read what Alan (Irvine) says about Saido being the last player off the pitch because he was no different when he was 11 or 12. I would be wanting to go home and he would be wanting to practice and I would have to say 'Saido, we’ve got to go now, it's getting late'.
"During last season it was quite difficult for Saido because there were things me and him were talking about and he was saying 'Mark, I don't want people to know'.
"He was doing extra sessions and I was quite disappointed in the way he was being portrayed. He had made mistakes and had been a little bit naive. But he also came up on a number of occasions and did extra sessions on our academy site without anybody knowing. He didn’t want anybody to know he was doing extra work with some of the younger players, which was brilliant for us. This was all during the time he was being reported on but he asked me at the time not to say anything.
"I said I wouldn't but I think now is probably the time to make people aware."
The most intriguing section offers a different point of view on Saido's well-publicised troubled patch last season:
"It's ironic now when we read what Alan (Irvine) says about Saido being the last player off the pitch because he was no different when he was 11 or 12. I would be wanting to go home and he would be wanting to practice and I would have to say 'Saido, we’ve got to go now, it's getting late'.
"During last season it was quite difficult for Saido because there were things me and him were talking about and he was saying 'Mark, I don't want people to know'.
"He was doing extra sessions and I was quite disappointed in the way he was being portrayed. He had made mistakes and had been a little bit naive. But he also came up on a number of occasions and did extra sessions on our academy site without anybody knowing. He didn’t want anybody to know he was doing extra work with some of the younger players, which was brilliant for us. This was all during the time he was being reported on but he asked me at the time not to say anything.
"I said I wouldn't but I think now is probably the time to make people aware."
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley