Martin Laursen will come back stronger says Aston Villa legend
Apr 15 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
FORMER Villa favourite Chris Nicholl has backed Martin O’Neill to prolong injured captain Martin Laursen’s career.
The Danish defender has been sidelined with a severe knee problem since January and is likely to miss the rest of the season.
But Nicholl is convinced Laursen will come back stronger because of the way O’Neill has helped him adapt his game.
Villa’s 1977 League Cup winning captain believes O’Neill has protected Laursen by stopping him going to ground as often.
“Martin O’Neill’s improved Martin Laursen so much,” said Nicholl. “He’s helped him prolong his career, absolutely. When I first saw him, any time the ball was on the floor it was a desperate lunge.
“He used to go on his backside and he was on the floor too much for me, it was all last-minute desperation. But he’s got him standing on his feet and I think that’s why, apart from the latest injury, he was doing so well and playing so many games.
“He has a history of injury problems, that’s because he was falling over all the time. Martin’s stopped him falling over. It’s all about balance and he’s now better balanced at the back. He makes better decisions, he still comes and heads it out.
