Hartson can be a hallowed leader of the line

James Corrigan
Sunday 17 November 2002 01:00 GMT
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It is already part of the folklore in Wales, a country that never knowingly lets the truth stand in the way of a good legend. The story goes that before that night against Italy last month Big John Hartson – as the Principality likes to call him – was asked by one of the Azurri's media entourage what he thought of Cannavaro. "Not a lot," Big John replied, "I prefer spaghetti bolognaise."

Quibble with the tale's authenticity if you must, but leave its sentiment be. Because within days of this statement Fabio Cannavaro, and indeed Alessandro Nesta, had been made mince meat of by the burly centre-forward who respects reputations in the same way that sheep respect wellies. While Simon Davies and Craig Bellamy were earning the rave reviews for the 2-1 victory in Cardiff that put Wales on top of their qualifying group for the European Championship, Hartson – along with Robbie Savage – were getting the knowing nods of approval from those experts who can spot a vital cog when they see one.

For if Savage is the perpetual motor that enables Davies, Bellamy and – don't forget him – Ryan Giggs to switch through the gears then Hartson is their AA recovery man; on hand when the move breaks down, his deft touches waiting to put the Welsh attacks back on the road.

The 27-year-old is a half-decent delivery man, too, as he has proven for Celtic with a recent burst of 10 goals in four games – two of them as substitute – and in downtown Baku on Wednesday, Wales will be looking to their leader of the line to trample down Azerbaijan. A win will hoist Mark Hughes's side five points clear of Italy and, with the return leg against the group's minnows awaiting next March in the now mythical Millennium Stadium, even the cynics will start dusting off their passports for Wales's first trip to a championship since 1958.

Before this comes the unenviable trip to Azerbaijan, however, where Wales will be relieved just to hear the first whistle. For never has a match in the old Soviet state featured so heavily in British headlines. First Hughes – backed by the Fifa four-day rule – insisted his players did not turn out for their clubs today and instead make their way to Cardiff for tonight's flight east. Then Fifa backtracked, perhaps realising that taking on the collective might of Manchester United, Everton, Fulham, Birmingham and Celtic was probably not advisable when the alternative was that world power called the Football Association of Wales.

As ever, the players were the pawns in the middle of this stand-off, but Hartson for his part was happy "just to be wanted" by Celtic for today's visit of Partick Thistle. "Wednesday is a huge game for Wales," he said. "After the start we have had we are in a really strong position and Sparky [Hughes] just wanted all of his best players. It's nice to be wanted on both fronts. There could be a case where neither manager was bothered whether I go or not, so when I look back in years to come it will be nice to think about this."

Such insecurity not only arises from Hartson only being able to cement a regular place in Martin O'Neill's starting line-up in the last fortnight, but also from the fact that five managers have chosen to sell him in a nine-year career. The flipside is that six have chosen to sign him, collectively investing a sum topping £20m.

As Hughes says: "So many managers have bought John, because they know they are getting a player with the ability to get goals as well as lead an attack." And while the "goals" have not been as plentiful as some hoped – averaging under one in every three games – each manager has traded him with that nagging suspiscion that they never quite got the best of that 6ft 2in frame.

O'Neill – and certainly Hughes – may yet prove the exception. Since the former so succesfully found a way to fit Hartson, Larsson and Sutton into the same XI at Ewood Park on Thursday night, the odds on the Swansea-born striker moving on again in the January sales have lengthened dramatically. Just as dramatically as the odds of Wales being in Portugal in summer 2004 have shortened.

Hartson is not surprised on either count. "This is all about the hard work put in by everyone over the last three years since Mark Hughes took over. We are unbeaten in the last seven games and have lost only two of the last 15. There's a lot of confidence, but there will be those thinking that the Italy win was a fluke."

Next stop Baku, in Wales's and Hartson's fight for recognition.

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