Sammy's year
Wednesday, 29 December 2004.
TheFA.com continues to tickle your festive taste buds this holiday season with a series of interviews from across the footballing fraternity. We re-live the highs and lows of 2004, and discover the hopes and aspirations for 2005. Today Senior Team coach Sammy Lee gives his review of the year gone.
| Sammy Lee Profile |
 As a player Sammy Lee made almost 200 appearances for Liverpool, winning two European Cups, three League Championships and four League Cups. He was also an England international, making 14 appearances in the early 1980s. Following his illustrious playing career, Sammy moved into coaching with Liverpool reserves and was subsequently promoted to work with the first team under Gerard Houllier. Having worked with the England U21s and the Senior Team whilst at Liverpool, he left Anfield in July 2004 to become a full-time National Coach. |
On The Field
Best individual performance: Xavi's performance for Spain in Madrid against England was the perfect exhibition of the midfield playmaker.
Best team performance: England's performance against Wales. It was a derby game in international football terms with a great deal of pressure around it. It was a performance that took the emotion out of the situation, keeping it very professional and organised throughout.
One thing you would like to change: The last 15 minutes against Austria in Vienna in our first World Cup Qualifier. Obviously we wanted to get the three points but, from a personal perspective, I was also disappointed at my own reaction to the result. I was a bit down in the dressing-room afterwards and don't want the players to see me like that.
Perspective is an important thing and that was only the first game in our whole qualification series. Moreover, preparation for the next game starts the moment the last one has finished. It's important to look forward and to do so with a positive outlook.
Best football quote of the year: I can't remember the exact wording - and it may not be appropriate - but when Harry Redknapp got hit by a rogue ball whilst doing an interview. That one sticks in the mind.
A name to watch in 2005: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) and Ben Watson (Crystal Palace).
One rule change you would like: More clarity around the offside rule.
Professional ambition for the coming year: To be better in everything I do.
Off The Field
Celebrating Christmas this year: Watching games. I won't be training with players this year which, as something that I've done for so long, I'll miss a bit, but I'll be seeing as much football as I can. For everyone in football, Christmas is a very busy time.
New Year's resolutions: See professional ambition.
Where in the world would you'd most like to visit in the next year: The only place I'm thinking about visiting at the moment is Germany in 2006.
Most like to meet: The man who hands over the World Cup to the winners.
If a film were to come out next year about your life, who would you like to play you? Danny DeVito - he has all the qualities required to do the job!
Log on to TheFA.com over the festive period for more end of year reviews.