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Job Applications
On a very random note, I'd like to mention my recent job applications. I have applied and been rejected for the following jobs. Manager of Celtic, West Brom, Hibernian, Juventus and Manchester United. Each letter detailed my love for the club, my strengths on Football Manager and how we ought to aim for the future.
I've received encouraging but declining respones from four of the five clubs. Guess who didn't write back?
Hibs. True story.
Dan (Celtic had the fanciest paper and envelope) Kelly, Belfast
The Big Tevez Question
Perhaps I've missed it but I have seen no mention of the crucial questions that should be on everyone's lips concerning Carlos Tevez's probable move to Man City.
Will he still be welcome to hang out with Patrice and Ji, and go to Ji's house for parties?! Will they let his move to Man U's great rivals break up their man-love?? Will Patrice and Ji find another member for their threesome? Will Michael Owen be the one??
Waiting with bated breath...
Michael Collins, Aldershot
Best Game Ever?
Next seasons El Classico derbies in Spain will feature a collection of the world's finest attacking talent including the current top three players in the world (Ronaldo, Messi and Kaka) as well as possibly E'to, Henry, Iniesta, Xavi and Benzema. Maybe even Ribery too?
Does that not beat the boll*cks off Sky and their Grand Slam Sunday?
Gavin (clearly Fletcher, Nani and Valencia vs Malouda, Belletti and Cole is a close second) Flannigan
Not Giving Money To Fat Mike
Reports this morning of NUFC season ticket sales at a 20-year low point.
This is a quick rebuttal for all those furiously scribbling in about fair-weather Newcastle fans jumping ship like rats, etc etc.
I have had a season ticket for past few years now but I refuse to renew it until that fat b***ard and his entourage of ignorance sod off out of our club. I would imagine I speak for a vast majority of Newcastle fans who simply want this cretin GONE for good, and refuse to stick any more money into his (and, by proxy, purveyors of pastry goods) pockets. I will buy tickets on a match-by-match basis if necessary but I will not give this man a penny more in advance.
Go Ashley; leave us and never darken our doors again.
Ben Greener, Newcastle
Not Arsenal's Year Actually
I admire the optimism of those Gooner writing in saying how it's going to be Arsenal's year but, quite frankly, it isn't.
Let's take an objective view. They've not won any trophies in five seasons, let alone a major one. Last season they finished fourth, 18 points behind Man U whereas the season before they were third and only four points behind. That doesn't point to an improving side. Indeed, it backs up the view that they had a real chance in 2008 and blew it (the same argument could be made about Liverpool last season).
The squad has not, to this point, been strengthened hugely, let alone enough to overtake Man U, Liverpool or Chelsea. Man U do look weaker ahead of this season, but Chelsea have added a quality winger and are after a creative striker - the areas which they were lacking last season. Johnson is a quality addition to Liverpool and if they can keep hold of Alonso and Mascherano then they will be up there again.
I think Arsenal fans should be more worried about the emergence of Man City and a potential challenge for the CL spots, rather than deluding themselves about winning the league.
Tom Birkert, London
A Defensive Question
I know these players all bring different qualities to a team, but if you could only choose one of these central defenders currently playing in the Premiere League, who would you want in your squad?
1. Rio Ferdinand
2. John Terry
3. John Lescott
4. Nemanja Vidic
Honest answers please.
Sam M
Defending Terry, Cursing Suggitt
As a supporter of a Division One side, I like to think that I can enjoy the Premier League without carrying the sort of ridiculously biased opinions that the likes of Andy Suggitt hold. In response to his list of why John Terry's so 'bad':
1. You've made no constructive point at all, apart from blaming that the downfall of the entire Chelsea team is down to John Terry. That makes you sound ridiculous.
2. John Terry's attitude in 2001. This pretty much summarises the complete nonsense of Andy Suggitt's views. Terry was 21 years of age and acted a bit of a pillock. Big deal, I also acted a complete prat at times when I was 21. I've matured somewhat since and would never behave like that again, and I'd find it quite harsh for people to judge me on something I did eight years ago when I was immature.
3. You've summed up Vidic as well. I take it he's also crap.
4. The fact that Terry throws himself in front of the ball is a critical point? I think every supporter would love a centre-back in their side who commits himself in the face of possible injury. Clearly this riles you, and concludes the fact that you're no more than rose-tinted fan of one of the other three major teams and have a ridiculous vendetta.
Looking forward to reading some more balanced viewpoints.
Boris Chapman
...I know I'm being greedy now (shout out to Conor Byrne!), but it pains me even more when people fail to read my posts completely. One such individual is Andy Suggitt, who appears to have stopped reading my letter yesterday after the point at which I called him an idiot. I hope this will be the last post on John Terry.
The gist of my post yesterday morning was simply to highlight the fact that John Terry is one of the best defenders in the league regardless of the PERCEIVED terrible character he has in the eyes of the easily swayed. He was the best defender in the team that conceded the least goals in the league. Your first point in your reply is therefore null and void.
I did acknowledge that he has committed public indiscretions which are very embarrassing, but most were committed when he was a young lad who was not established in Chelsea (Terry was 20 in 2001, I did worse things at that age when drunk, but out of fear of prosecution, I'll keep it to myself...). The point here is that you are holding something against him for an incident in his youth that he was punished for and apologised for profusely and has no bearing on his ability or leadership. He has matured tremendously since 2001 and his reaction after the CL semi was exemplary which was publicly acknowledged by some of the best players in the World such as Xavi, Iniesta and Messi and commended by Pep Guardiola. The refs have also slept more easily over the past year.
Your third point is a subjective one and tries to use a few incidents to sum up his entire career and ability. Things every centre back (bar Maldini when he played there) has been accused of. I won't even bother.
He has never conceded a penalty for handball or has been accused of intentionally using his arms as a tactic. You were really clutching at straws with that one.
Lastly, he has been fantastic in 2009, reason compels me to use that as a measure to predict how he'll fair in 2010. If you actually watch England you'd realise he and Ferdinand are awesome together and I see NO reason why that should change.
Public Service Announcement: Stop The Hate!
Ashley (will refrain from calling people idiots in fear that they might act like one) Wilson
...I'm a Liverpool supporter, but even I can't believe how much stick John Terry's getting. I don't like the guy, hate the team he plays for, but the man's quality. He's tough, quick enough, great in the air. He's got to be better than Gary Pallister was!
Someone lumped Vidic and Carragher into the 'actually not that good' pile too, and they have a point - of sorts. The three are very similar players (as is Gallas at Arsenal). Strong tacklers, and brilliant in the Premier League, but they do have the tendency to get caught out at times. It's only so pronounced because they so rarely actually make a mistake. On the odd occasion they do stuff up people jump all over it - plus it was on telly because nobody cared about the Bolton game!
OK, so Torres made Vidic look a bit silly last season, Carragher was lucky not to have more penalties awarded against him, and so on. But they, and the other two I've mentioned, are generally thought of as some of the best the league's ever had, and were part of some of the strongest defensive lines in the game last season. Which team outside the Top Four wouldn't take them?
They also constantly play against better players thanks to the Champions League, so are bound to look average at some stage. How the hell would you feel having to defend Ronaldo, Kaka, Messi, Henry etc? Would you rather have Terry when Eto's on the field, or Anton Ferdinand (no offence Anton)?
It easy to hassle a big name from a big team because they're media cannon fodder. Nobody really worries about hassling players in teams lower down in the league, cos they already have to put up with being in a s***e team on far less money.
And yes, it IS Liverpool's year - or I will eat my wife!
Glen (she's hot) Stuart
Ronaldo Would Be Rubbish For Lorient
Just a quick thought...I have been reading lots of people saying that 'Obertan only managed to score one goal when he played for Lorient last season'. It seems to me as if people think he should be scoring more goals playing for a mid-table French team thats bereft of big-name players (top scorer in the league for Lorient last season was Kevin Gameiro with 11). My point is Ronaldo or any other player would have scored less goals last season had he played in a less talented team as would have any player. I think everybody should just shut up and not question his ability until we see him play in the premiership for a few games and not a minute before.
Luke 'I got there first Rob' O'Brien
No, There's No Logic In Obertan Signing
To Mr David (Danny Welbeck only has one 'L', people!) Walker
You Sir, are a pompous fool.
Your entire email drips with arrogance as you label us 'fickle' and 'naive'. Your entire argument rests on the assumption that SAF and United have a better chance at 'advancing' Obertan's talent that poor, useless Laurent Blanc and the combined resources of Bordeaux and Lorient could not. You obviously worship the United Academy and conveniently forgot the dross that went into your United Academy and came out...well, drossier. How did the next Roy Keane project aka Liam Miller go, by the way? I also heard the Weapon X - David Bellion experiment went brilliantly well. And Jordi Cryuff?
Obertan is not David Petrucci, Zoran Tosic, Rossi or Pique where their previous clubs will happily keep them to be promoted into their senior teams. Face it - Obertan is just a youth reject that Laurent Blanc had given up on. Even Laurent Blanc himself is scratching his head here and basically saying SAF had gone bonkers; what more evidence do you need? Reasons of why anyone should actually shell out three million pounds on this kid on a postcard please.
Bob (I don't care how many Ls are there in Welbeck) Taylor, London
...Being French and hence following Ligue 1 (yes there are still some of us). I can tell you taht the Obertan signing is as strange as it sounds. While he is a great talent, he is mentally and physically weak, and while for the past 2-3 seasons, there was talk of him being the next great talent, but he was never able to break through.
He might end up proving me wrong and becoming a great player, but there is also a good chance he might be a bust, a la Nani.
Oh and while we are the subject; Obertan and N'gog are imcomparable. As a PSG fan I can tell you I was not sad to see the back of N'Gog, and he has never been hailed as a future leader of the French national team for years.
Guillaume (NUFC fans should be happy, at least they'll have a shot at winning a trophy next year) Paris
Good Manager v Good Club
I just read CR9's interview where he said that Fergie is his 'football father' and it got me thinking. Does a footballer now prefer to play for a certain team because he's 'dreamt about it' or would he prefer to play under a certain manager who will nurture/develop him into a world-class player? For example, why would a player choose to be managed by Phil Brown rather than Arsene Wenger just because Phil Brown manages a team the said player has 'dreamt about' playing for? What does this say for managers. That CR9 chose to move to Madrid which is managed by Manuel Pellegrini (who from my limited recollection has won nada, nothing, nuda-fa-shudda) rather than be managed by Fergie or Mourinho? Does that mean that managers are a non-entity as far as a player's dreams are concerned?
Hezz, (my fat team of Robinson: Richards, Dunne, Bramble, Dossena: van der Meyde, Lampard, Huddlestone, El Zhar: Windass, Viduka) would eat all those other line ups), Nairobi
Not The Real Ronaldo
While trawling through the masses of transfer stories on forums in an attempt to pass away the days until the season begins I've spotted a disgusting trend. Many moronic/ignorant/ten-years-old-and-so-don't-understand-anything (delete as appropriate) fans keep referring to Cristiano Roanldo as "proper Ronaldo," with the legendery El Phenomenon being relegated to the monikor 'fat Ronaldo'.
Now I realise that considering the Corinthians striker's weight over the years that a dig in this area isn't totally unjustified, but come on, to consider Cristiano as the real Ronaldo, world player of the year or not, is frankly bats**t mental. Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima was (along with Zidane) the greatest player of his generation and in my humble opinion one of the greatest players ever. The guy has a club record of something like three goals every four games and has scored more than 60 goals for Brazil. He has the record for most world player of the year awards, has scored more goals than anybody in history at World Cups and despite being constantly written off, 32 and having proper dodge knees; he's still banging them in at Corinthians!
Cristiano may well turn out to be one of the all-time greats, though I doubt it, but at the minute he isn't fit to make Ronaldo's somewhat hefty dinner!
Craig (still gutted my e-mail pitching a sitcom starring Jens Lehmann entitled 'Lehmann's Terms' wasn't printed) Denham, Edinburgh
Not Laughing About Proud Phil
I'll admit I'm having a bit of a sense of humour bypass about this one.
Hull City fans will agree that our manager can get up people's noses - but it's part of his job - he has helped to make a name for the club since we entered the Premiership by being mouthy, and yes, being 'proud'. It's also part of the job letting the publicity officer write quotes for him to big up his achievements in anodyne football-speak.
He's trying to attract players to an unfashionable club, in an unfashionable city (but do note, there's some lovely countryside around and a fast motorway that will get any self-respecting WAG to the shops easily) - so, what do you expect him to do?
We've been patronised to death even more since we confused everyone by not doing a Derby.
There aren't any City (that's Hull City) fans waving placards and demanding his resignation. We certainly don't want a series of results like the second half of last season, but we also remember the amazing performances and results that he and the team orchestrated in the first half. So, for now at least, he has our loyalty.
I would much rather you resume normal service and just ignore us, rather than scribble lazy, cheap and snidey articles like this.
Anyway, I'm glad we didn't spunk all the telly money on Owen - and I'm fully prepared to see him return to form this season, just to be annoying.
Jenny (I think I used to work upstairs from you - does that get me published?), York
