Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has revealed how West Ham United managed to land Michael Carrick as a junior - because no club in the Northeast wanted to sign the Geordie!
"He grew beyond his strength in those early days. He suddenly went from 5ft 6ins to 6ft 1in. He was like a beanpole, no strength, growing pains, problems with his knees.
"He knew what he wanted to do but couldn't get around the pitch to do it. It was a case of waiting for him to develop and fill out. Eventually he did and now he looks some player, a super passer of a ball."