[lfc-news] Waiting game over at last - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 18 Jan 2005
Waiting game over at last
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

ANYONE who ventured to a Liverpool reserve game last season heard the
same phrase repeated.

"How the hell does (insert name of expensive, failed midfielder) get in
the first team ahead of John Welsh?"

On some occasions, it wasn't just supporters but a few players, members
of the coaching staff and, in a private moment, probably even the
chairman and chief executive (as well as Academy director) echoing such
sentiments.

At 21, midfielder Welsh knows he's well overdue the break needed to turn
him from exciting prospect into first team regular.

Two years since his graduation from the Academy to Mel-wood, the England
under-21 international could finally make his first Liverpool start at
Burnley tonight.

If Rafa Benitez gives him the opportunity, he has no intention of
letting it slip.

"I'm not taking it for granted I'm playing tonight, but I'm hopeful,"
said Welsh today.

"I was due to be on the bench when the game was supposed to be played
the first time, but the way we lined up in our final training session
means I might have a chance to start.

"I'm not sure because the boss never tells the players the team until as
late as possible. Even if I'm on the bench, I'll be made up.

Just to be involved in the squad is great for me."

Salif Diao's negotiations with Birmingham removed another possible
threat to Welsh's hopes of lining up in the centre of the park at Turf Moor.

Diao is one of those whose preference ahead of the untried but talented
Scouser has mystified fans for the past two seasons, but the youngster
is philosophical about why he ' s yet to make the breakthrough.

"I have to admit I did feel gutted on a lot of occasions when I wasn't
picked last season, but it was nice to hear people saying they thought I
deserved a chance," he says.

"This year has been a bit different. It's been like a rollercoaster for
me. I didn't start on my best form when the gaffer arrived, but in the
last few months I think I've started to do a lot better.

"I have not really felt down or frustrated about not being in the first
team because when you see the club has brought in a class player like
Xabi Alonso, obviously he's going to be in the side.

"It's great for me to train and learn from some of the foreign players
like him.

"I'm not too sure why it's not happened for me yet. I wish I knew the
answer, but I'm very positive about the future.

"The gaffer has been very helpful to me since he arrived.

He's always giving me and all the young lads tips, talking to us about
where we can improve our game and giving us a lot of attention.

"It's been that way for all the young lads, and I think the faith he's
shown is one of the reasons why there have been so many good
performances in the Carling Cup.

"It's great for us he's giving us another chance and it's up to us all
to take it now."

Welsh's role the last time 'Benitez's Babes' stepped out was significant
in ensuring Liverpool reached the semi-final of one competition, and the
manager believes they can repeat the trick in another.

"I came off the bench against Spurs and got involved in the game
straight away," recalls Welsh. "I remember the gaffer saying to myself
and Igor Biscan to go out and attack, to get forward and try to push
them back, which is what we did. I really enjoyed myself.

"I see myself as more of a ball winner than a creator really. The one
thing I would like to work on is my goalscoring record."

Should Welsh play this evening, he could be one of at least six
Liverpool players making their FA Cup debut.

He'd prefer it to be more enjoyable than his earliest memory of the Reds
in the competition.

He said: "The first FA Cup tie I can remember was sitting in front of
the television in 1990 when Liverpool played Crystal Palace in the
semi-final. We'd beaten them 9-0 earlier in the season and everyone
expected us to win. Then we lost 4-3. It was a shock at the time."

One hopes the youngster's first experience of playing in the tournament
is more satisfying.


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