Brown: Injury Comeback Proved Tough Test
13/7/04 7:49 AM
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"I knew I wasn't 100%, but all I could do was keep working. I knew I was better
than that."- Wes Brown
Wes Brown admits the timing of his return from injury "wasn't right" when he ca
me in to replace the suspended Rio Ferdinand in January.
Brown, who had just recovered from an eight-month injury lay-off following knee
surgery in May 2003, was thrust back into first team football with the charge
of maintaining the record of the Premiership's meanest defence.
It was a catch-22 situation for the 25-year-old defender, however; delighted to
be back in the side, but aware that, as the title race began to gather momentu
m, his match sharpness was some way below the required level.
"The Gaffer put me back in and he believed I could still do it so I was really
happy about that, but as it turned out the timing wasn't exactly right for me,"
Wes told the summer Season Review Issue of United magazine.
"I knew I wasn't 100 per cent, but all I could do was keep trying and working b
ecause the only way I was going to get fitter was by playing games."
A period of adjustment was inevitable for the recovering Manchester-born defend
er, and it took a mental strength acquired from two previous career-threatening
injuries.
"I just kept on going and stayed focused and made sure I didn't listen to every
thing that was being said about me. I had to hope that my game would improve th
e fitter I got."
The criticism levelled at Brown was in stark contrast to the preceding years of
his United career, where praise was lavished upon him, most notably the manage
r ascribing the tag: "the best natural defender this club has had for years and
years".
"When a young player comes through at United," Brown explains, "praise gets pou
red on you. It happens, that's the way it works... But my injuries have always
stopped me from achieving something. It's always halted my progress for six mon
ths, eight months at a time.
"But you just have to keep your head up and believe in yourself and keep workin
g. When I first came back I wasn't happy with my form at all. I knew I was bett
er than that, but, like I said, sometimes the timing isn't quite right."
Brown's performances did come good; a rock solid display against Arsenal at Hig
hbury in the 1-1 League draw was just reward for his hard work and even led to
calls for Brown to be included in England's Euro 2004 squad. A summer of rest w
as seen as more beneficial.
And Brown says his motivation to get back to his best is a result of his love o
f the game and baby daughter Halle, now 18 months old.
"I want to do everything I can to win a game. I love football; I wouldn't be th
ere playing if I didn't love it so much. I don't think you lose that desire and
will to win, it's just that when you have been out so long your body has to ca
tch up with what your mind is thinking.
"And during the time when I was getting a lot of criticism and the team wasn't
doing so well I think it would have been much harder for me if I was just sat a
t home on my own.
"But when you've got a beautiful daughter there to take care of, you don't even
think about it. Everyone who's had a kid knows that it's hard work, but it's g
reat - I really enjoy it."
With a summer's rest, Brown will be able to have a clean run at a new season an
d, hopefully, a clean bill of health
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