One of my many readers thought this could be a tribute to Edgar Davids (pretty good memory by the way). In a way it is, Sam. Wilson Palacios plays the game much like the Dutch bulldog. It's unfortunate we caught Davids so late in his career, because he was a true terror in his youth. As for Palacios, we have him in his prime, and I've never had so much respect and admiration for a Spurs player as I do him.
Palacios is a Honduran international who was bought by Harry Redknapp from Wigan shortly after Redknapp was appointed manager. At first I couldn't believe the transfer fee of around 14 million pounds, but it has been money very well spent. Despite being about the size of Jermaine Defoe, Wilson has become one of the most feared hardmen in the game. If you gave me an odds on bet whether he would get a yellow card in any given game, I'd take it. He never even receives a yellow for dissent, but purely for mistimed challenges, repeated fouling, or professional fouls. His work ethic has rubbed off on everyone and even has big Tom Huddlestone working his socks off. Not an easy feat mind you. If you watch him just casually, you will notice he often gives the ball away. If you pay closer attention, watch how he hustles his ass off to win the ball back. That is a true teammate and work horse. It has been said that Tottenham has not had a true hardman in recent times. We do now.
There was a play against Fulham where someone gave possession away in a really bad spot. The Fulham attacker was running full bore down at our two central defenders and out of no where Palacios came in with a perfect slide tackle to dispossess him from behind. It was a play that won't show up on a highlight reel or receive much attention from the pundits, but it typified Wilson and the kind of all out effort he gives every match regardless of the score. I remember my good ole playing days. I can't tell you how many times I watch Stephen Berlucchi get stuck in within the first five minutes of a match. Immediately the intensity of the entire team would spike up a couple of notches and get everyone in the mood to give full effort. I imagine the same feeling must run through the Spurs team watching Wilson track down any attacker no matter how far away. They must think, "If he is giving maximum effort, then I must as well." At least that was what ran through my mind back then. Again, watch Hudd runs his fat ass up and down the pitch and close down defensively with Wilson around. Go back and watch Hudd when he was paired with Jenas and you can see the difference clear as night and day. You can't put that mentality and motivation on a score sheet, but it is priceless.
Palacios became an immortal Spurs hero in my mind after this story last year. His younger brother was taken hostage in Honduras and there was a ransom put on the brother's head. Wilson ended up paying up the ransom, but the attackers still killed the boy. At 1 a.m. the night before a big Premiership match, Palacios was informed that the police had found his brother's body. I think most people would just pack up their things and head for home, right? Instead, he waited up all night so he could personally tell Redknapp he needed to leave in the morning. He has so much respect for his coach that he didn't want to disturb his sleep. It's absolutely unbelievable. It is a sad personal tragedy, but even in his toughest personal moment, he still put others above himself. That quality is easily seen on the pitch.
Tottenham went from relegation all the way up to eighth this season. That change happened when Redknapp and Palacios both arrived. A coincidence? I think not. His unselfish nature and work ethic has rubbed off on the entire team. The hardman we once craved for is finally here in Wilson Palacios. I will end this with a quote from the gipper that accurately sums up my favorite player:
"Palacios has made a massive difference to this club. He gets on with it, he's strong, he's aggressive - he's what Spurs haven't had. You get a little group who have seen Palacios come in, work his socks off and close down opponents, and it rubs off on people. He's not a big-time Charlie, you need people like that to be successful." Spurs boss Harry Redknapp
wow, didn't know that about his brother, thats awful. but yeah, you gotta have a wilson in midfield, we need jermaine jones/edu to step it up. not a big ricardo clark fan.
ReplyDeletei could write a similar ode to alex song, who has been a revelation this year, even though he is apparently dumb as dirt.
and dont be too worried about the algerians, they showed their true colors last night, i think me u and steven berlucci could get in behind the ivorian back 4...