Michael Calvin on Grabban

Established1982 · Jan 20, 2014

Has anybody on here read the Michael Calvin book about Millwall (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Death-Football-Frontline-Proper/dp/1906850267).

First up, I'd recommend it to anybody interested in the game. The access Millwall gave him is unprecedented and the book is a really intelligent look at culture within a football club and the reality of what goes on. I work in professional sport (not football), so have some expertise to back up that statement..

The reason I bring this up now is because Grabban was at Millwall that year and comes out of it very very badly. Calvin makes most players look pretty good, if a bit flawed, but Grabban comes across as a moody space cadet that Jackett got so frustrated with he loaned him out - despite thinking he was one of the most skilful players in the squad. There was also a major issue with him around Ramadan because he is (was at the time at least) a devout Muslim who refused to break his fast and was therefore hardly match fit for at least six weeks.

Interested if anybody else had read it and took away the same perception of Grabban, which made me quite nervous of him coming here. Jackett also comes out of it as a top bloke and very good operator.

Mr Bridger · Jan 20, 2014

Millwall fans didn't like him and were amazed we offered 1m for him.

Guinness Boy · Jan 20, 2014

Established1982 said:
Has anybody on here read the Michael Calvin book about Millwall (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Death-Football-Frontline-Proper/dp/1906850267).

First up, I'd recommend it to anybody interested in the game. The access Millwall gave him is unprecedented and the book is a really intelligent look at culture within a football club and the reality of what goes on. I work in professional sport (not football), so have some expertise to back up that statement..

The reason I bring this up now is because Grabban was at Millwall that year and comes out of it very very badly. Calvin makes most players look pretty good, if a bit flawed, but Grabban comes across as a moody space cadet that Jackett got so frustrated with he loaned him out - despite thinking he was one of the most skilful players in the squad. There was also a major issue with him around Ramadan because he is (was at the time at least) a devout Muslim who refused to break his fast and was therefore hardly match fit for at least six weeks.

Interested if anybody else had read it and took away the same perception of Grabban, which made me quite nervous of him coming here. Jackett also comes out of it as a top bloke and very good operator.

Thanks for the book tip. Seems like a good one to check out.

However I'm not sure this would or should have put us off. If you look at our squad this season both Lita and Agustien were said to have attitude problems at Swansea. Neither have made a huge impact but we still signed both. Going back we also had Vicente The Sulk, Barnes the Ref Kicker and Bridge the Out-Of-Love-With-Football. Poyet turned Bridge around and Oscar managed to get Barnes to keep his temper but we certainly don't seem to mind players with attitude. Perhaps because you can't help it in this day and age or perhaps because St Calde anoints them as they first cross the Amex threshold. Must have missed Vicente.

AZ Gull · Jan 20, 2014

On the other hand, Grabban was awarded Academy Scholar of the Year at Palace in May 2006.

And I'm struggling to see someone being devoted to their religion as a negative (surely it is up to the buying club to be aware of such issues - would you have much sympathy with a club buying an African international player, who then complained if he was unavailable for the duration of the African Nations Cup?).

drew · Jan 20, 2014

Ramadan starts on the 28th June and you only fast during daylight hours so it's not as though you starve yourself for 30 days! Next year it is a bit later but again, don't see how it will affect you too much other than possibly eating late!!!!

Gullys Cats · Jan 20, 2014

Firstly it is a great book!, I recommend it to!, as for Grabban he always had visible ability but a bad attitude also!, if he has grown up a bit he could go onto bigger things, is he worth the gamble,, I'm not sure!

spongy · Jan 20, 2014

drew said:
Ramadan starts on the 28th June and you only fast during daylight hours so it's not as though you starve yourself for 30 days! Next year it is a bit later but again, don't see how it will affect you too much other than possibly eating late!!!!

And when the last time a player played a game in June if it wasn't at an international tournament? Most are off sunning it up at places most of us are unlikely to visit.

Thunder Bolt · Jan 20, 2014

Zesh Rehman didn't seem to have a problem when he was on loan to us during Ramadan.

Albion Dan · Jan 20, 2014

Thunder Bolt said:
Zesh Rehman didn't seem to have a problem when he was on loan to us during Ramadan.

Well he was bloody awful so let's do him a favour and put it down to being hungry!

KJP · Jan 20, 2014

drew said:
Ramadan starts on the 28th June and you only fast during daylight hours so it's not as though you starve yourself for 30 days! Next year it is a bit later but again, don't see how it will affect you too much other than possibly eating late!!!!

I think it's more to do with not having any fluids, not even water I believe

Thunder Bolt · Jan 20, 2014

Albion Dan said:
Well he was bloody awful so let's do him a favour and put it down to being hungry!

Harsh, but then I've noticed that a lot of your posts are.

JCL - the new kid in town · Jan 20, 2014

spongy said:
And when the last time a player played a game in June if it wasn't at an international tournament? Most are off sunning it up at places most of us are unlikely to visit.

I believe it's a moveable festival and will sometimes fall within the season but I would have thought that proper planning and dietary advice it shouldn't affect the player too much

Superphil · Jan 20, 2014

JCL - the new kid in town said:
I believe it's a moveable festival and will sometimes fall within the season but I would have thought that proper planning and dietary advice it shouldn't affect the player too much

It does move, it's the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, which is different to the gregorian months, and by our standards it varies each year. It lasts 29-30 days depending on the moon.

albion534 · Jan 20, 2014

Ramadan doesn't start on the 28th June, it varies every year, and if your a devout, your not even allowed to ether spit or swallow

Captain Sensible · Jan 21, 2014

AZ Gull said:
On the other hand, Grabban was awarded Academy Scholar of the Year at Palace in May 2006.

And I'm struggling to see someone being devoted to their religion as a negative (surely it is up to the buying club to be aware of such issues - would you have much sympathy with a club buying an African international player, who then complained if he was unavailable for the duration of the African Nations Cup?).

Until he does the quinelle?

Jesus Gul · Jan 21, 2014

drew said:
Ramadan starts on the 28th June and you only fast during daylight hours so it's not as though you starve yourself for 30 days! Next year it is a bit later but again, don't see how it will affect you too much other than possibly eating late!!!!

Ramadan moves forward about 12 days a year

AZ Gull · Jan 21, 2014

Captain Sensible said:
Until he does the quinelle?

WhingForPresident · Jan 21, 2014

albion534 said:
Ramadan doesn't start on the 28th June, it varies every year, and if your a devout, your not even allowed to ether spit or swallow

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