Jozy needs focus

Soccer America reports on what Jozy Altidore needs to do to succeed in the English Premier League.

Hull City manager Iain Dowie says U.S. striker Jozy Altidore, on loan this season from Villarreal, must focus on training harder and work on his "football intelligence" if he is to achieve his potential.

Altidore is suspended for the rest of the English Premier League season following his red card on April 24 against Sunderland.

He finished with one goal in 28 EPL games. According to Dowie, "for the level of investment it's probably not enough."

"I've spoken to Jozy a number of times since I've been here and, if Jozy can train the way he plays, I think he's got a great opportunity but he needs to understand that it's that day in, day out," said Dowie. "He's a lovely, laid-back boy and there's no side to him but he needs to focus on training at a better level. Kevin Kilbane keeps turning it out because he trains at that level, Nicky Barmby can keep playing because he trains at that level. It's a different level than Jozy's used to training at and he's got to get used to it. He found the physicality of the Premier League very hard when he came in. He's got used to that now but he must not get comfortable."

Dowie, who he would not be surprised if Altidore would have a good World Cup, has lots of qualities.

"He's got the right attributes if he can play to his strengths," said Dowie, "and that is turning defenders and running at goal. He's a monster of an athlete but he's got to use that physicality, it's about imposing that."

Dowie said the key to a player's makeup was his mental approach, listing players such as Teddy Sheringham, Alan Shearer, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, who are "two yards ahead of you in their head."

"Their football intelligence is bright," he said, "and I think that's also something probably Jozy needs to work on."