Charlton's slow starter feels the need for speed

14 April 2012

For one of the fastest men in football Dennis Rommedahl has made a surprisingly slow start to life in the Premiership.

The Danish flyer is stuck in the starting blocks. Rommedahl began his Charlton career following a £2million summer move from PSV Eindhoven on the bench as his side crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Bolton and has made little impact since, starting just four games for his new club this season.

Manager Alan Curbishley has a sometimes ill-deserved reputation for caution but his use of Rommedahl, surely the most exciting player at the club, has surprised everyone.

The 26-year-old has frequently been played out of position on the left side of midfield, negating his ability to get an early cross over from the byline, but after a disappointing start is not one to curry favour.

Rommedahl said: "It's been very difficult and everyone has struggled. We've not played the football we're capable of but it's very difficult with a new team. It will take time because there are five or six new players but we'll be okay in the end.

"It's been difficult for me. At PSV we had the ball all the time and always had to win, but here it's different. In some games we don't have much possession and there isn't the same pressure to win every game.

"The tempo of the game is a lot higher and it always goes on for 90 minutes. In Holland if we were winning 2-0 we would just kill time but you cannot do that in England as the other team will pressure you. The games are much harder physically and I'm tired all the time."

If there is any consolation for Rommedahl it lies in the fact that he has always been a late starter. He never planned to be a footballer. After starting at Business School in his native Copenhagen as a 17-year-old, he was destined for a career in computing before the invitation to train with Lyngby changed his life for ever.

Playing with his friends at small club Hoje Gladsaxe, Rommedahl failed to recognise his ability but Lyngby coach Benni Lenartsson had no such doubts, offering him a contract on the back of one training session. Lenartsson's judgement paid off and within 18 months Rommedahl was on his way to PSV as the biggest young star in Danish football.

He said: "I've played football all my life but it was just for fun, messing around with my mates. It was a very low standard and we used to win 20-0 every week as we had some good players. No scouts were watching so it took a while to break through and I didn't realise how good I was.

"Some of my friends at school were playing at Lyngby, they invited me to training and 18 months later I was at PSV. It was an amazing journey and went really fast. I was still at school but took my chance because everyone wants to be a footballer. You only get one chance and have to take it. My life has been like a dream."

Rommedahl's main asset has always been his pace but he is keen to put one particular myth to rest.

He said: "I read somewhere that I can run the 100m in 10.2 seconds but if that's true I'd be the fastest man in Danish history - 11.5 is more realistic. Pace is definitely my best weapon and I've never played against anyone quicker."

Blackburn should discover exactly how fast he is tonight as Rommedahl is expected to return to the side after missing last week's Carling Cup win at Grimsby. Shaun Bartlett and Matt Holland (both ankle) remain out and Jonathan Fortune (ankle) and Luke Young (back) are doubtful.

Charlton v Blackburn, The Valley, tonight, 8pm (live on Sky Sports 1)

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Charlton's slow starter feels the need for speed

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