The coach from the Czech Republic has started his Malta mission with a cold shower. The disappointing performance in a 0-2 defeat at the hands of a young Moldova side yesterday has given him an indication of the hard times ahead.

After a few weeks since taking over from Horst Heese, he is already leading his side to play in the Malta tournament which is held every two years.

Yesterday was Fitzel’s baptism of fire as his mostly experimental side took on Moldova. Next Wednesday it will be the turn of Georgia to provide the opposition.

Of course, it is still very early to start making assessments even though one might have expected better things after those two exceptional draws against Bulgaria and Croatia. But we have to be patient and give the coach a fair chance of proving himself.

Yesterday’s match and result aside, I must say that Fitzel has started on the right track. In fact, I was pleased to note, as everyone is now aware, that some players – either complete newcomers or those who are making a welcome return – have been called to join his squad. Everything points to Fitzel trying to build his squad on what he found, giving a clear indication that he wants experience and youth to be blended together, working for the present and the future.

That was certainly a positive aspect to the start of Fitzel’s era. Whether or not this will be successful still has to be seen. But it is imperative that the coach always selects the players who are most in form and showing consistency in their League matches with their respective teams.

The return to the squad of Mario Muscat and William Camenzuli as well as Fitzel’s recent comments about Michael Galea show that the new coach is being a frequent visitor at Premier League matches but, for fairness sake, there are also a few other players who should be given the chance, either to make a return to the squad, or else be given a promotion from the Under 21 side.

I am, of course, referring to Sliema midfielder Stefan Giglio and Marsaxlokk’s Cleaven Frendo. I am not trying to impose my opinion on that of the coach but I feel that these two players are a must in our side at present, considering their current form, especially that of Frendo, who is still under the age of 21. I am sure that their presence in the squad will continue to enhance our chances of showing more improvement.

Problems related to the past, especially in the case of Giglio – he had been dropped by Heese for some offence during a trip to Iceland – must be solved in the best interests of the squad. We cannot afford to miss our best players. Disciplinary measures have to be taken always, no doubt about that, but these cannot last for ever.

When commenting about our young players, I cannot fail to mention Under 21 coach Mark Miller, now also confirmed assistant national coach, as well as his predecessor Ray ‘Zazu’ Farrugia. Both also worked hard to groom a large number of youngsters, most of whom are already in the national squad and others already knocking seriously on the A squad door, such as Cleaven Frendo and Andre Schembri.

There might be those who claim that it is not right to push such youngsters into the big frame at such a tender age. I do not agree with such a mentality which used to dominate the minds of our football authorities in the not too distant past.

We only have to take a look at some matches on TV. Just to mention four players – Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Kaka. They all started their careers at their respective clubs at a very young age. They are now already considered as world class. And despite being so young, they have also hit the headlines with their respective national teams. Let us also not forget that the great King of Football, Pele of Brazil, started his famous and illustrious international career at the tender age of 17 in the World Cup in Sweden. Well, that was Pele, one might say. But I am sure – and I remember quite well – that no one knew about him until he was seen in action, except perhaps for his team’s selectors.

I am certainly not qualified and do not have any right to interfere with the coach’s selections. That remains his prerogative. But I sincerely hope he continues to select those most deserving – in the interest of Maltese football in general.

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