Post by Tangerine Sherlock on Mar 2, 2011 9:03:30 GMT 1
Tottenham Hotspur coach Les Ferdinand hopes Blackpool FC striker DJ Campbell matches his own achievement of graduating from non-league football to play for England.
The Bloomfield Road forward netted his ninth Premier League goal of the season against Spurs last week, and in the aftermath of Ian Holloway’s side’s victory, Campbell suggested his ultimate aim was to catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello.
Speaking prior to his sending off against Wolves at the weekend, Campbell had said: “I do think of England. It’s a dream of mine.
“It can be a funny game and I could end up getting a cap. I could be another Les Ferdinand or Ian Wright, who both played in non-league football too.
“I’ve met Cyrille Regis a couple of times as well. He started off in non-league and did it.
“I’d love to think that I’m now proving to kids who have had knock-backs and are playing non-league football that it can be done.
“People think it can’t happen in this day and age, but it can.”
One of those people is Newcastle United legend Les Ferdinand, who has been hugely impressed with the former Stevenage Borough and Yeading star. Ferdinand, who moved from Hayes to QPR in 1987 before making his England debut in February 1993, believes Campbell has been instrumental in the Tangerines superb Premier League season to date.
When asked if he thought Campbell could play for England, Ferdinand told Sport.co.uk in an exclusive interview: “I certainly hope so. I’ve been really impressed by what DJ has done this season.
“The one thing a club like Blackpool needs is someone scoring goals on a regular basis and he’s been doing that.
“Every time I’ve watched him play, for his size, he’s been a menace throughout the game, causing defences’ problems all over the place and rightly, as I’ve said to our boys, if you work hard enough, you are going to get your rewards and that’s certainly what DJ Campbell has done.
“He’s got great movement and he’s so willing. He makes those runs into the penalty box and if you keep doing it, as he has, you are going to get you opportunities.”
The Bloomfield Road forward netted his ninth Premier League goal of the season against Spurs last week, and in the aftermath of Ian Holloway’s side’s victory, Campbell suggested his ultimate aim was to catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello.
Speaking prior to his sending off against Wolves at the weekend, Campbell had said: “I do think of England. It’s a dream of mine.
“It can be a funny game and I could end up getting a cap. I could be another Les Ferdinand or Ian Wright, who both played in non-league football too.
“I’ve met Cyrille Regis a couple of times as well. He started off in non-league and did it.
“I’d love to think that I’m now proving to kids who have had knock-backs and are playing non-league football that it can be done.
“People think it can’t happen in this day and age, but it can.”
One of those people is Newcastle United legend Les Ferdinand, who has been hugely impressed with the former Stevenage Borough and Yeading star. Ferdinand, who moved from Hayes to QPR in 1987 before making his England debut in February 1993, believes Campbell has been instrumental in the Tangerines superb Premier League season to date.
When asked if he thought Campbell could play for England, Ferdinand told Sport.co.uk in an exclusive interview: “I certainly hope so. I’ve been really impressed by what DJ has done this season.
“The one thing a club like Blackpool needs is someone scoring goals on a regular basis and he’s been doing that.
“Every time I’ve watched him play, for his size, he’s been a menace throughout the game, causing defences’ problems all over the place and rightly, as I’ve said to our boys, if you work hard enough, you are going to get your rewards and that’s certainly what DJ Campbell has done.
“He’s got great movement and he’s so willing. He makes those runs into the penalty box and if you keep doing it, as he has, you are going to get you opportunities.”