Some stuff on Grabban

I read a book about Milwall's 200/10 season a few years ago. Here's an extract about Grabban.

"Lewis Grabban, uncommunicative but by no means unintelligent, had the most pertinent questions to answer. Tall, lithe and quick, his attributes as a natural athlete led to Kenny Jackett spending ?150,000 to sign him from Crystal Palace in January 2008. At 21, he had reached the crossroads of a career compromised by the complexities of his character. A devout Muslim, he had just endured a difficult Ramadan. He had taken the advice of James Collins, the club?s part-time performance nutritionist, and taken fish oils, multi-vitamins and anti-oxidants to supplement his diet during the hours of darkness, but tiredness radiated from his red-rimmed eyes. He had refused the discreet offer of Bobby Bacic, who suggested he rehydrate during matches and training by sipping surreptitiously from a plastic cup placed in the shower area. Jimmy Abdou, the club?s other Muslim player, agreed to compromise his faith by doing so. Grabban had been Millwall?s best player for the first half of the previous season. The tipping point came at Hereford, where, according to team-mates, he was abused as ?a lazy black c**t? by his own fans. He was alienated by media coverage of the incident, which generated initial sympathy. His form matched his depressive mood, and dipped alarmingly. He became increasingly diffident, played a peripheral role in pre-season matches, and was marginalised in the dressing room. ?He presents differently?, observed Collins. ?He?s aloof and doesn?t respond when you discuss things with the group. But he is listening. He is interested. He?ll come back later, when no one is around, and almost surprise you by asking the right questions.? Bacic agreed: ?He plays on the image of being a loner.? Jackett is, by nature, pragmatic. ?No one condones the abuse Lewis took, but football is about mental strength?, he rationalised. ?This is a big year for him. He can learn from Jimmy. Our fans love him, because he gives everything of himself. Lewis is a talented lad but he?s way out there, without a doubt. It?s going to be difficult for him. He needs backing to an unbelievable degree. Most of my group are men. Their lives are sorted.? Jackett dispenses with the niceties of selection ?if you don?t feature in the pattern of play training sessions 48?hours before a match, you?re not in his team ?and gives short shrift to those seeking explanations. ?I don?t encourage it. You can spend all your time talking, say too much to them, and then have your words thrown back at you later on. Actions speak louder than words. They know, deep down, why they?re not in the team. They shouldn?t need to be told, but if they need to know why, I?ll be blunt and to the point.?"

Posted By: Trent_Canary, Aug 26, 19:59:25