Source: Northern_Echo
St Ledger won’t be watching World Cup draw
SEAN ST LEDGER admits he won't be able to bear watching the draw for the 2010 World Cup when it takes place on Friday.[LNB] The Middlesbrough and Republic of Ireland centre-half has reluctantly given up on his dream of playing in South Africa next summer, but a part of him clings on to an irrational hope that FIFA will reverse their initial decision to refuse a replay of France's World Cup play-off victory.[LNB] On returning from the match in Paris St Ledger, who is living in a North East hotel until he finds permanent accommodation, spent hours in his room reflecting on what might have been.[LNB] Gordon Strachan has urged his players to improve their levels of concentration during matches and St Ledger acknowledges he must dispel any lingering feelings of disappointment and focus on Boro's promotion drive.[LNB] It is hard to forget about the World Cup, he revealed.[LNB] You look in papers and see the line up for the tournament and it hurts still. But the more games I play the better it will get. I have to try and turn my attention to that.[LNB] I'm not really that interested in the draw but I hope France get put in the toughest group possible. I will watch it next summer as I am a football fan and it's the greatest tournament in the world but when France play I won't be supporting them.[LNB] I can imagine France now winning the World Cup.[LNB] Everyone has said they are not a great team but they have got great players and it would be ironic if they won it.[LNB] I have got maximum respect for them as footballers and Nicolas Anelka is the best player I've ever played against.[LNB] This afternoon will stir up more distant memories for the 24-year-old when he lines up against the team where he began his football education.[LNB] St Ledger's formative years in the Peterborough team were captured on the BBC documentary Big Ron Manager and the defender admits his behaviour on the programme was that of an immature brat. He insists that he has grown up considerably since then and knows that his current manager would never tolerate such antics.[LNB] I'll never forget what it was like at Peterborough and to play in the lower leagues,[LNB] he said. It is where I came from and it is tough, really tough.[LNB] Those leagues are very physical and very hard. I have a love for the club because of everything they did for me at the time. I was at Peterborough for ten years after joining as a nine-year-old and my football education was there, I thoroughly enjoyed it.[LNB] But if I was like that now I would be out the door. I have had to learn from it and I'll never ever be like that again.[LNB] I am a completely different person and I am sure the three managers I have had since would say the same thing. I haven't looked back since and I have always tried to improve myself.[LNB]
