Less is best

It was Mark Twain who famously said, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog". Unfortunately in recent times, this quote has been made redundant in sporting terms, as the importance of skill and technique has been replaced by strength and power. It appears if you're not able to run all day or don't have a big build, then you will be relegated to the bench or the stands.

Scouts are sent out to find the athletes of the future, not the footballers of the future. The club can teach them how to become footballers. However, not every club has this outlook. And it's a good thing they don't, as if they did, the world would have been cruelly denied of one the most naturally talented footballers the world has ever seen.

The magnificient Lionel Messi was born with a growth hormone deficiency, and would almost certainly be placed in the football wilderness today. Yet, Newell's Old Boys recognized his talent, and Barcelona subsequently were willing to gamble on the little Argentinan's brillance.
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And how this gamble has paid dividends for the Catalans. Once again he was superb in the Champions League final. Balance, first touch, distribution, dribbling, finishing- he has all the attributes needed. And of course, he has a wonderful link-up play with Xavi and Iniesta.

Ironically, they are of a similar build to Messi. They are small and light, yet possess great awareness. They should be too small to compete in the midfield sector, but they succeed every time, because they are fast and intellegient.They don't allow their size to prevent them from dominating.

And it's not just in soccer, where the little men excels. Colm 'Gooch' Cooper, Gaelic Football's star player, is not a big man. However, his size is not as issue. He can compete against any player of any size. It will be the Gooch who will be remembered in the generations that follow, when the big hefty full forward is long forgotten.

BBC commentator, Mark Sidebottom claims that Jamie Clarke of Armagh dosen't go to the gym, because he dosen't want to lose the ability to fit into skinny jeans. I'd imagine this decision is not favourable with the Armagh management, but if he continues to perform like he did on Saturday night, they'll forgive him. He was phenomenal, jinking in and out, and destroying the Down defence.

So perhaps, managers in both codes will begin to acknowledge that the best way to succeed is to find the most naturally gifted players, regardless of size or physique.