Off The Record: lies, corruption and plain stupidity
Throughout the summer, I’ve heard various sets of fans (from clubs that struggle to fill their stadiums, plus those that boast about their small ones (stadiums, that is)) that Manchester United is in decline.
Watching United kick the shit out of Fulham’s defence in 20 minutes of ‘champagne-football’, do I really need to remind you how stupid you guys look now (yes, ‘Paddy Murphy’, you stupid little cunt, I’m talking to you)?
Arsenal vs Reality
When Arsene Wenger denied rejecting a bid for Ashley Cole, I called ‘bullshit’, but in the process had dozens of Arsenal fans jumping all over the site saying that I didn’t know what I was talking about.
End result? We come to the same point we started with - that managers are known to obfuscate the truth and that it’s part and parcel of the game.
I agree that certain things have to kept out of the media, but here’s the deal - managers are smart enough to know when they are deliberately lying and when they are just keeping sensitive info (such as the actual terms of a transfer deal yet to happen) out of the press.
My point? It pisses the hell out of me when managers lie. And yes, Rocky, I complain when Ferguson does it as well.
I’ve heard rumours saying that the problem in the transfer is with Ashley Cole and his agent, not Arsenal or Chelsea. However, Wenger had put the blame squarely on Chelsea, hence my anger.
Rooney vs The FA
Rooney’s reckless threat against the FA does not take away from the fact that the organisation is corrupt and inept.
Much as my reasoning faculties tell me that Rooney’s recent threat to the FA is ill-advised, I can’t help but think that it’s time that the FA management pulled out their heads from their collective ***** and realised that they are there to protect their own players, not bend in favor of any individual interests (whether internal or external).
Apologies to UnitedRant, but I’m copying portions of a letter you guys printed last week - an email sent to the FA (I’ve put the critical parts in bold):
Compare and contrast. The FA bent over backwards to get UEFA’s rules changed to allow Liverpool into the Champion’s League when they did not reach the qualifying criteria. Yet, the organisation issued Rio Ferdinand with a ban for missing a drugs test that was longer in duration than the majority of players who actually fail these very same tests.
Then Gary Neville, a loyal and talented servant and ambassador for our country’s game at club and international level, received a fine for kissing the club crest on his shirt when celebrating a goal; a goal scored against Liverpool none-the-less. Yet how many times has Robbie Fowler gesticulated at United fans in reference to the number of European Cups Liverpool have won, but he continues to go unpunished?
How many times have we watched Jens Lehmann in Arsenal’s goal commit acts of verbal and physical violence at the slightest provocation only to be “warned about his future conduct”? It seems increasingly clear with each passing incident that the referees and the governing body are judging decisions not on their merits, but instead by looking at the individual involved. Certain teams are there “to be made an example of” in your kangaroo courts.
This is not justice, it is completely unacceptable.
The FA have been getting things horribly wrong for some time now, and they need to clean up their act. Otherwise, Rooney is not the first player who they will alienate, and he certainly won’t be the last.
Surprise - Liverpool still suck
Well - the PC brigade would have me call Liverpool a team ‘in transition’, but let’s face reality now - this squad has been tipped to be the most obvious challengers to Chelsea, on the basis of a handful of victories in cup matches.
The reality is - almost everything Liverpool have managed has been down to their manager’s tactical skills - he’s made them over-acheive, and now it’s gone to the head of every half-assed Liverpool fan and also to the heads of quite a few ’sane’ ones.
Liverpool have done well in the past two seasons, but like Arsenal (who did quite well to reach the CL final last season), they still lack consistency - they hit great form last season but the start of a new season and putting together a good string of results in the first three months is not something that Liverpool have managed in recent years. To expect a much-changed squad to do so now is blind optimism.
The similarities between Tottenham and Newcastle United
Ok, this is a cheap dig, but I’ve noticed that both sets of fans (Tottenham and Newcastle fans, that is) tend to vastly over-estimate the potential of their clubs, and then bring out all sorts of facts to prove their point.
Reality Check #1: Neither of you are going to the Champions League
Reality Check #2: If your team sucks, please don’t waste your time in determining the relative crap-level of your team with respect to other crap teams. All it does is make us pity you more.
On a positive note, I think both clubs are shoe-ins for a European spot, and it will take something very special from the other teams (Everton, Blackburn, Bolton, Aston Villa, Portsmouth) to put these two out of the top 7. Oh well, at least the mid-table battle will be interesting this season…
A word on Chelsea, too
Mourinho has promised to play more attractive football this season - an attempt to win some actual fans, methinks. The problem with Chelsea and their fan club is that too many of them are fresh recruits - it will take several years for them to establish the sort of fan base they are expecting to monetize, and it can’t be just because of how good the team plays.
Mourinho’s policy of not having superstars is neither realistic nor possible - a football fan needs heroes to idolise, and Chelsea need to develop some of their top players as credible heroes. Sheva and Ballack will sell tons of shirts, but as far as a long-term bet is concerned Essien and Joe Cole should be brought up to the same status afforded to Terry and Lampard - they are arguably the two best players in Chelsea’s midfield and will be there for a long, long time.
Question of the day - will Chelsea be able to fill their stadium by 2010? Comment.
Lessons learned from football blogging
In the short time that Soccerlens has been up (5 months or so), I have managed to ruffle quite a few feathers. Most of them have been Arsenal fans, although Tottenham and Newcastle fans are on the list as well. Anyway, the funny thing to come out of this is the amount of hatred from these people - and their willingness to return to a website day after day after day, despite disagreeing with almost every single thing I say (hey Sid, how you doing?).
I’ve realised that people will argue with you needlessly if you just happen to support a different set of beliefs (in this case, a different club), even if the two of you would normally agree on that point OUTSIDE the context of football and particular clubs. No matter what I say, some idiot will find a way to disagree with me (Manchester United fans have complained that I don’t like Silvestre, for example).
Football blogging requires a thick skin, but maybe football fans should develop the patience to hear something against their clubs as well….yea right.
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Link bait, anything for a few hits and a few adsense clicks pfff
It is quite funny though watching the results of what you say, the fact is most Tottenham fans are complete c#nts anyway so I’d expect no less from them
oh btw why did I censor the word cunt when it was used in the opening paragraphs
tottenham fans are cunts (as are gooners)
What is it with the constant mention of Spurs… come on now if we werent a threat we wouldnt be mentioned… even your beloved Sir Alex has mentioned us as a threat. people need to stop talking shit and start actually WATCHING football… idiotic net critics… makes me sick!
Agree with your Newcastle comments, they will struggle with a CL place but I say a top six finish minimum and a good chase for fourth spot if they bring in one good striker and a solid central defender.
TheKop - We are cunts? ok…. coming from a scouse GET A FUCKING JOB scum…
muahahahahaha. We rule.
dude, after having countless football conversations, I (we all) have probably found, what, two people who agree with me (us) on a lot of things? I mean, dammit, I’ve met United fans who don’t know jack about United and keep liking Silvestre and Fletcher - so I hope you’re doing it for the kicks, if you ain’t making money off this
And just by the way, no chance that you, Paddy Murphy and Sid will settle down to a nice tea party any time soon, is there?
lets just wait and see. the season is too young to be judgemental. Oh i do hope liverpool continue to ’suck’ and ‘overachieve’. they must be really shit to win the champions league, the uefa cup, european super cup (twice), fa cup (twice), and league cup (twice) in the last 6 years. They might have not had the best players but they had players who were preparedto die for the red shirt and knew what it means to play for the club. Its not blind optimism. The truth is liverpool have ALWAYS been in contention to win trophies and WILL be this season!
I have been reading your articles for a little while now and I take it your a United fan? Your articles stink of United bias, which shouldn’t really be the case. It’s fine to love your team and make that clear but to use the website to belittle other teams achievements and look over United’s bad points is really sad. I follow Newcastle but I love football in general, and can appreciate that Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal have much to shout about in recent seasons. The football has been incredible to watch and the competition and rivalry is immense. Spurs, Newcastle, Everton, Blackburn and other mid-table teams all play passionate football and at times very intelligent and aesthetically pleasing football. But that doesn’t matter in your eyes, because you’re a United fan. And you’re the best.
I like cheese
I remember reading one of your articles a few months back. It was utter shit. I haven’t been back since. Apart from this time obviously, you dense cunt, which was indeed forum link. I’m not going to come back either.
plastic scouser - let’s see…apart from the champions league, you really thing the rest are worth anything in front of the premier league title? REALLY?
Spencer - I totally understand your grievances. I havent written anything nice about Newcastle United for .. well, ever, but mind you I have praised the good teams when they have played well, and I definitely dig Scott Parker as a top -notch midfielder.
Hey, I think you guys will make it to the top 7 this season - what more do you want?
So, you think its ok for Rooney to threaten the FA with, in effect a financial punishment for the organisation unless they do what HE wants? I wonder if you’d think that was ok if it was Steven Gerrard or John Terry?? Alan Shearer used to pull this stunt and was roundly criticised for it (esp. by still-bitter Man U fans) but you seem to be saying that if you play for England & turn up for a few photo shoots you should be treated differently to every other player in the Premiership.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the FA are the most ineffective and corrupt organisation outside the Tory Party but I cannot believe that it will be good for the game for England ’stars’ to be treated differently to, say French players or indeed non-internationals.
In fact I think most of the England squad should be put in stocks in town centres after their dismal performances in the summer but that’s a whole different thread!
Did i say they were worth winning ahead of the premiership title? did i? yer daft cunt. I was merely stating the OBVIOUS point that considering you think that we suck and overachieve, we have won rather a lot. Yes the big one would be nice but we have got to be realistic and compete on a tactical level (where rafa can help!). Not even the manc and arsenal can compete against romans dodgy billions.
Also - Arsenal vs Reality?? How do you get your ‘inside info’ on this? I’ve heard rumours that the problem is his wage demands, not the fee. So AW could reasonably say its chelsea’s fault if after tapping up a player they then try to negotiate on his salary. That wouldn’t be ‘lying’, would it? At least not compared to saying that Michael Carrick is worth £18m! That’s PROPER bullshit.
About Rooney, I’ve said that I’ve already said that his stance is ill-advised and won’t solve a thing. Read the article that the bloody link sends you to.
About Arsenal - Why would his wage demands be a problem, when he’d be getting MORE than he gets at Arsenal? Plus, I never said that Carrick’s worth 18m (more like 10m), and this whinge about other teams tapping up your players is getting SO OLD. Keep your house in order and no one will tap your players up.
Or in Ashley Cole’s case - you’d better be careful on who is representing your players.
Cashly cole wants a loyalty bonus before he leaves, thats why the deal hasn’t gone through - cheeky fucker
Ahmed - “ill advised”? That’s hardly a damning verdict! How about “arrogant beyond belief” or “idiotic”? I don’t think its by any means clear where you stand on this when you say that the FA “are there to protect their own players” - so its ok to elbow foreigners in the face?? Maybe just pre-season?
I’ll tell you what’s OLD: Man U fans weeping about how they’re picked on by the FA. Grow the fuck up.
The problem, alledgedly with Cole’s wages is that he wants £100k a week and he’s been offered around £80 - 90k p/w. I agree that’s more than we’re paying him but it would appear to be important to him. I was accusing you of being a biased twat, not a liar. Ferguson is the liar re: Carrick, and I think you know that.
The reason that bans for missing drug tests are as long as those issued for failing drug tests is that drug cheats would just avoid the tests and take the lower penalty. Sorry, but no secret anti Man U conspiracy with that one.
Ahmed mate, mostly good points! Some controversial
lol.
Few points on Chelsea though.
Chelsea fill their stadium almost every week. Against weaker teams and in pre-season they don’t like most other clubs. Was a full house against Man city the other day, and they are pretty far down the “dying to watch that match” pecking order.
The Liverpool fans put most other clubs to shame, turning up in their droves regardless of the fixture, so fair play to them, but using them as the only basis for Chelsea having poor support is desperately unfair.
& I don’t think you need stars to love your team, look at our lower leagues to see how passionate and well attended matches between teams with no stars can really be!
Ps. Liverpool had 2 players sent off in the same tournament a few years ago, and the cards stood, but the bans were cancelled by the FA. Exactly the same circumstances this year for Man Utd, and they decide NOT to rescind the bans.
Do they really want us to believe that they aren’t protecting Liverpool?
Elbow foreigners in the face? I’d like to think that you’re saying this based on video evidence - which you will find here (http://soccerlens.com/analyzing-manchester-uniteds-red-cards-vs-porto/1330420.html). See the clips, then get back to me.
Protecting their own players? I’m picking up on the same thread of reasoning that the email I’m quoting takes. Read, once again.
Oh yup - Ferguson saying that Carrick is worth 18m is definitely bull, but here’s the deal - it’s 14m, with extra payments based on how well we do in the Premeirship and CL. Plus, Ferguson has said that they had to pay more for Carrick because they were buying from the Premiership.
But no doubt - we overpaid Tottenham for Carrick.
The reason people come back is because you say what you think with a huge amount of club bias and that is essentially the stuff the we like down the pub. The reason people slag you off is because you rely on mis-quoting and bad reporting. Its all well and good taking a red-tinted view of situations and taking up the doctrine of “if I tell a lie a thousand times it’ll be believed” but there are always those that will point out your mistakes on the web whereas those down the pub will just be used to the drivel you come out with. Inspire debate - god knows we need the forum but please at least cover the facts!
i would’nt mind paying 12 mill for Carrick, we paid 14 mill immediently and 2 mill respectively if we win the epl and cl respectively, its not that FUCKING BAD ! I WOULD MUCH RATHER PAY THAT FOR CARRICK THEN 25 MILL FOR CASHLEY ”FEKER” COLE
mis-quoting and bad reporting? Please point them out. Till now, the reaction has been either to a) that I’m a United fan or b) that I’m speaking against someone’s club.
This article is part opinion and part fact, and it is pretty obvious to make out which is which.
What mis-quoting and bad reporting are you referring to? I’d like to know…
I have supported Newcastle United for ten years now and im fan mad about the team and im always ontop of the teams updates. If u think Newcastle is a mid-table team ur mistaken. Newcastle have been in the top 7, every year apart from sad Souness’s era so of course were gona finish in the top 7! In Glenn Roeder we have a manager, which yes is inexperianced but knows what he is doing, and how to handle tight situations and tricky questions from the media unlike past managers. Apart from that he is a good manager, the starting line-up, the substitutions he makes is all good uptil now, long may it continue. I can only say if Newcastle do get Martins from Inter we have a real good chance of winning somthing at bloody last and making it into the champions league (just like Sir Bobby’s Days)! Just imagine the pace of the team; Martins, Owen, Duff, Dyer, N’Zogbia and young Alan O’Brien! scary i know! Its sad that u and others think Newcastle is equal to Spurs Blackburn etc.. when Newcastle in these 10 years for what i can remember has always ended above them (except recently we ended just behind spurs -mainly due to Souness’s dreadfull management and injuries again)!
Come On Newcastle bring on the Champions League!!!
If anyone thinks for one second that Chelsea would have sold Duff to Man Utd you need your head looking at.
Realisticly the top 4 will be Chelsea Man Utd Liverpool Arsenal. If Chelsea concentrate too hard on Europe United can pip them to the league. Liverpool should finish higher than Arsenal depending on what they do against each other, and the same goes for Arsenal over Spurs. Newcastle should pick up 5th and my money is on Blackburn and Villa for 6th and 7th in any order.
Cunty cunt cunt cunty cunt.
The first game of the season’s been played and you’re jumping to huge conclusions. When people say that Man u are in decline, one win doesn’t change anyone’s opinion (well other than the sheep who’re just saying what everyone else is saying). A team in decline is usually a slow process Utd have gone from favourites to win the title, to favourites to get second, to favourites for third - that’s decline and it’s to be seen whether this decline will continue.
As for Liverpool still sucking, is this opinion based on one game which we had only one of our best 4 defenders playing and were only able to make one second half subsitute. Admittedly we played badly but drawing the first game isn’t reason to believe that Liverpool will continue to get bad results in the first two months.
Liverpool lack consistency? After the first two dissapointing months, Liverpool went on a 9 win run and ended the season with 12 games unbeaten. We picked up the most points in the league from October onwards so if anything we were the most consistent team from October onwards.
Do you actually believe that Liverpool have been tipped to be the most obvious challengers to Chelsea because of our success in cup competitions? Do you think it should be Utd? Liverpool were just one point behind them last year in the league and have improved their squad a lot more than Utd. Without selling any key players, we’ve managed to fic the problems we’ve had in attack and the right-wing as well as improving the squad in general. It’s a long race and it’s premature to right off Liverpool so early because of a draw in the first game.
Manchester United contrived to throw away more than half a dozen points near the end of the season.
‘most consistent team from October onwards’.
That’s the fact you use to support your argument.
‘Liverpool started their season badly, and despite being the best team in the Premiership after October only managed to finish 3rd’
That’s the fact I use to support my argument.
My point is, the facts are in front of us, we draw our own conclusions.
I also think that Liverpool’s squad additions are over-rated, and that while Arsenal have had a worse transfer season than ours, people still continue to pull down United (part of it has to do with media-dislike, but most of it has to do with playing up United’s lack of summer spending).
United have a good enough squad to win with the Premiership if you take Chelsea out. In fact, DESPITE Pool’s additions I think United have a better squad. Don’t agree? Sure. I don’t expect you to.
I love how all you ManUre and ScouseFc bicker amongst yourselves but as soon as it gets to heated, one of you mentions the evil Roman Empire and both of you become best mates united against a common foe!!
It amuses a chelsea fan a great deal. Anyway:
1) True chelsea fans are worried this season. Last 2 seasons we were confident of the title - this is season is gong to be really tough for all teams.
2)I think LFC has really improved and is a real title contender as long as their key players don’t get injured. Although LFc play exceptional Cup football (I would rather play Barca without del Horno in the team) I just don’t see them playing at that level all season.
ManUre will be a lot better this season as fergie is a great manager and has added to thr squad. However I think a lot of pressure will be on the ginger prince to perform and I don’t know if he has the legs anymore. Rooney is quite simply orgasmic (still can’t believe we spent £24mill on Drog’s when we could have bought Rooney) but if he gets injured I think the team will struggle. Ronaldo is good, but would take Robben/ J. Cole anyday (however he is probably better then SWP).
The Arse are where I crap myself most. No matter who they lose to injury - Arsene’s young bloods always seem to come up trumps. I cannot see how any sane person cannot acknowledge that fact the Arsene Wenger is more astute in the transfer market then any other manager in the world and plays the most attractive football in Europe. Being honest I would give my left arm for Chelsea to play like the Arse. I don’t think we see another drop in form at the beginning like last season and I expect them to compete on all fronts.
3) Both ManUre and ScoreFC have history that all clubs are jealous off. The Arse is in 3rd with a great premiership record. their time in europe will come. Chelsea are the new kids on the block and we look pretty hot with all our rouble’s dripping from our pockets. But don’t be fooled - the chelsea machine if managed successfully through Roman’s eventual departure could leave a legacy to compete with those of ManUre and ScouseFC.
Let the best team win.
For goodness sake you people, get a life, football chooses you, not you choose it, bit like alcoholism and smoking. Enjoy it for wot it is, a game, and move on!
dustcontroler - you win the comment of the week award, surely
i dont know what you people are on about but FERNANDO TORRES to MAN UTD would be legendary
I know one thing: Spurs are gonna kick United’s butt on September 9!!
Is it just me or there are way too many dumb Man U fans around… Listen up and listen well… LIVERPOOL HAD AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT WITH THE DUTCH FA THAT RED CARDS WERE NOT TO BE REPORTED TO THE FA!!!!!! what is so difficult to understand about that… Fergie should have made the same preparations end of story. Blame your stupid club for the bans!
Brilliant article … brilliant comments!!!
(This goes for the Steven Gerrard one as well)
I like the way “some” people try to point “basic” things out to “some” people (who are oviously blessed in areas other than IQ) with no success indeed. Very funny
I found myself really laughing out loud here at work.
If ManU is really in decline, how come they accumilated more points for the past 2 seasons than they ever have before?
2 Years ago, SAF paid the price for ignorance. Chelsea surprised them (actually everyone) because everyone was looking at ManU vs Arsenal for the title. Chelsea then had a superb season. Last season, SAF was actually prepared for Chelsea. He called back the players earlier and started ManU’s season earlier. Chelsea again surprised everybody by having an en better season than their first outstanding one. Deep down, SAF (and everybody else) actually expected Chelsea to crumble last season and right the previous trophy off as luck. Unfortunately, they have to face the facts…
Chelsea is an excellent, consistent team and Mourinho is a brilliant coach.
This season, WE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
The fact is… its not that ManU is in decline…its that Chelsea is on the incline…
Reallity is:
Writing shitty stories about ManU sells more papers than writing good stories about Chelsea!
(can you perhaps see hour our opinions get shaped by money? )
We should not read anything into 1 game, but I am really confident that THIS YEAR we are going to kick some SERIOUS butt!!!
Stumbled onto this website by accident but your articles do tend to lean towards MU but what am I complaining about, I’m a Manchester United fan. The thing that still don’t sit down well with me is just how people write us off completely and think the Rafalution and Arsenal young guns are those that will push Chelsea all the way this season. With Liverpool, false hope seems to dawn more frequently than not. Remember the Spice boys, and the Houllier era? Rafa Benitez’s side will soon peter out but don’t take it from me, only time will tell. The next thing is that Arsenal has been likened to our treble winning generation and Fabregas at the heart of it. Young guns my arse. They will continually shoot themselves in the foot by not preparing to take that ugly shot. Then there’s the fact that Arsenal are just a bunch of pussies and I really can’t see them winning any game at all if Gilberto Silva, yes him not Henry, don’t play. They miss Vieira and Whinger will not admit it until they finish the season nearly missing out on Champions League football. Just hope they get piped to it by Tottenham but then again, Tottenham will soon turn into Newcastle. Then there is Chelsea. I can’t say that I like them but I admire what they have achieved. It’s not easy to spend money and win the league with it but Mourinho just manage to do it. I expect Chelsea this season to have the most harmonious dressing room but that will be wishful thinking now won’t it. Now that I’m done, attack me all you want, just don’t forget to wash your mouth after you’re done.
Cheers for the response Ahmed. With regards to Rooney, does he really have that much control over the FA? When will it stop? Will he threaten to do that every time he gets a ban? Great player but what a cunt!
Cheers for the top seven prediction! I’m not entirely sure that’s realistic with what we have at the moment!
Newcastle will finish above Spurs, and Man U are not in decline, they just haven’t bothered spending. Liverpool is on the up though and Arsenal is a bit quiet, seems they’ve lost a bit of confidence. Chelsea has a massive team, with great players, but i think many will want to leave in search of regular football. Could well see two more Chelsea players at Newcastle in Bridge and Huth. Interesting to see how Mourinho will handle the pressure in the dressing room with many hungry players not playing, i think his arrogance will cause a few front page headlines. Its going to be one hell of a season, especially with a world class player in Martins to lead the line for Newcastle.
GET WELL SOON SIR BOBBY!!!!! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!