Tom Ross: Birmingham City star Carr was a superb signing
HAVING commentated on our local teams for BRMB over the past 30 years I cannot remember a better pound-for-pound signing than the capture of Stephen Carr by Alex McLeish.
I am not talking about players who have come through the youth system or loan players. I mean genuine contract signings.
Carr, a former Republic of Ireland international with Spurs and Newcastle, retired from football in 2008 after failing to find a club. Many were reportedly interested but would not take a risk because of the persistent knee problems that saw Carr miss the whole of the 2001/02 season.
While at Newcastle he missed a lot of games and that resulted in Kevin Keegan refusing to renew his contract at St James’s Park.
However, his short time away from the game – during which he completely rested his troublesome knee – has had a positive two-pronged effect on his life. It’s given his knee time to recover, proving that rest really is the best cure for many footballing injuries. In addition it’s given Carr a renewed enthusiasm for the game.
He has been nothing short of sensational for Blues since turning his one-month loan signing into a permanent deal.
However, because of his reluctance to give interviews, preferring like Paul Scholes at Manchester United to keep a low media profile, he has not had the national media credit his performances have deserved.
It does throw up the question about clubs rushing players back from injury too quickly and not allowing them sufficient time to rest and recover. The pressure on managers for results makes this understandable, if not altogether acceptable. Are players written off too quickly? Stephen Carr’s story would say the answer to that is yes.
Who do you think was your club’s best ever pound-for-pound signing? Leave a comment below...
