This week I’ve been particularly amazed by the things people have chosen, or been allowed, to say. Harry Redknapp, for example, appears to be allowed to call Samir Nasri a “diver” in order to cover up his team getting thumped?
“Really I think he's dived for the first penalty,” said Redknapp, ignoring the fact not only that it was a blatant penalty because you can’t trip people up in the penalty area, but also that we had a stonewall penalty turned down at 0-0, a perfectly good goal ruled out for off-side at 1-0 and that Robbie Keane’s equaliser was offside. Apparently it’s okay for him to accuse Nasri of diving. Sky didn’t feel the need pull him up on it. No news from the authorities either.
Redknapp also baited Wenger before the match with the comment: “You need to win. Winning is great and the fans want to see some trophies. I wouldn't want to be sitting in a position where the fans go: 'It was good, he played all the kids and didn't win nothing [sic] but he has a good youth team'. That doesn't work - not for me." 1-4 work for you, ‘arry?
[Having played down the Carling Cup so much in recent years, I’ve been careful not to give too much attention to the thrashing of Spurs at WHL. For those of you who feel differently, you can enjoy the highlights again here.]
Stoke were also mouthing off again this week. The team which managed to make Ryan Shawcross and themselves the victims out of Aaron Ramsey’s broken leg at the hands of, urm, Ryan Shawcross, have been complaining they’re yet to receive an apology from Arsene Wenger for pointing out their thuggish defenders are in danger of ending someone’s career with their reckless tackling. That was on Monday. On Wednesday Stoke’s Andy Wilkinson nearly ended the career of Fulham striker Dembele with a needless tackle on the touchline while 2-0 up in injury time. Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp said: “There is no malice in his challenge - it is just over-enthusiasm." Heard that before, Dave. Guess he’s not that type of player… and Stoke are not that type of team.
Arsenal didn’t escape the idiot talk either this week. Our fourth-choice goalkeeper, what’s his name, you know the one… blasted “Despite our talks before the season, Arsene Wenger seems to forget he has a goalkeeper named Wojciech Szczesny in the team. He is avoiding me at every occasion. Wenger told me to fight for a first-team place, but then he didn't include me in the squad for the Carling Cup game. I'm ready to play at the highest level but I need a club that believes in a 20-year-old. In Arsenal there's no such bravery… if there's a move option, we'll have words." Don’t worry about the words Arsene, show him straight to the door. After all, this is the same “top-level” goalkeeper who in 2008 broke both his arms trying to lift too many weights in the gym. If he can’t judge that right, what chance does he have on crosses?
One player who hasn’t said much this week is Titus Bramble. Three weeks ago, however, I read in The Sun that Titus, the world’s worst ever centre back, was a changed man following 2003 allegations that he’d been involved in spit-roasting a 17-year-old girl with seven other footballers. "You have to stay strong and not give anyone anything to write about. Let your football do the talking,” he had proclaimed. Imagine my surprise then to see Titus charged with rape this week. Best not give anyone anything to write about, eh Titus?
Finally… I was pleased to be sent this viral in the week. So I no longer have to go through conversations like this is exactly why I write this blog [it contains very offensive language and probably shouldn’t be played in the office]:
No comments:
Post a Comment