Natural Born Leaders

William Gallas of Arsenal has found himself the subject of much derision for his antics shortly before and after the final whistle at St. Andrews. Gallas walked away from the rest of his teammates and, essentially, sulked. He has subsequently been condemned in some quarters for his actions. But I cant help wondering if its actually exactly what we would want to see in an Ipswich player.

Arsenals season has been characterised not by the beautiful flowing football and outstanding quality on show, week in, week out. That has not come as a surprise to anyone who has seen Arsenal play in the last 10 years.

No, this season has been characterised by the apparent steel the club has developed. The common perception was that, for all the great football they play, there was a weakness that could be easily exposed by any team willing to adapt a more physical approach to the game. Yet this season, it has no longer been the case and Arsenal have found themselves able to adapt and counter this.

Read those last two paragraphs again and replace the word "Arsenal" with "Ipswich". The only difference is that Ipswich still cannot claim to have learnt to adapt to the kind of approach used by Watford or Stoke.

Arsenals new aggressive streak has, according to fans, been a result of Gallas and Flamini holding down places in the side. Neither of which had the best of seasons last year, owing to injury, suspension and just simply finding others preferred ahead of them. Both players hold the same characteristic- they are winners. Gallas may sulk in the middle of the pitch, may complain to the papers if the club arent signing players, may berate his teammates for lack of performance, but it is because he is a winner. Losing is something he cannot tolerate. Roy Keane used to react in much the same way- remember his outburst against the "prawn sandwich brigade"? His walking out on the Ireland World Cup Squad? His criticism of teammates on Manchester United TV?

Who was the last Ipswich player you can remember who acted in the same way? Who was outspoken, who shouted and screamed on the pitch if things werent right? You are probably thinking of Jim Magilton.

Watching Gallas losing control on Saturday left me wondering whether, actually, this might just be the thing we are lacking. Perhaps its not the "Ipswich way" to behave like that. But then, it probably hasnt been the Arsenal way in recent years either.....