Angry Fans
WHAT was it again that Niall Quinn said when he was asked whether Roy Keane would ever make a great manager? “I doubt it.” Is it his own experience of management that’s led him to change his mind?
FOR ME the idea of Roy Keane taking over Sunderland is a massive gamble. Sure, the only way is up but they’re a doldrums club playing as badly as it is possible to get. Their financial clout is limited and their youth team supply line is not as good as elsewhere. I admire Keano for taking this on, but I have my doubts about its wisdom
: True, the idea of Keano ending up at Sunderland sounded a bit like one of those novelty punts — Ian Paisley to become Pope, that sort of thing. A massive gamble is right — but who’d bet, with confidence, against him making a go of it?
FANTASTIC start by Martin O’Neill showing the Premiership exactly what it’s been missing. Now for the new signings, starting with Petrov.
WOULDN’T it be a better idea for Roy Keane to have taken a coaching role at a Premiership club rather than heading for the Black Cats (what will Triggs make of that?) What a combination he could have been with Martin O’Neill at Villa Park.
SO another billionaire joins the Premiership with Newcastle next up for takeover and Liverpool still looking for a sugar daddy. Why don’t they just name it the my-wallet’s-bigger-than-yours league?
RANDY Lerner? Is this name for real, or is it something that’s been invented by Jasper Carrot to poke fun at his neighbours?
: Look, if the US team can be manged by a man called Bruce Arena, I’ve no problem with a Lerner driver taking the wheel at the Villa.
LIAM, with another Ireland game looming I’m still angry over what happened at the last one against the Netherlands, and it’s a non-footballing matter I am writing about today.
I feel that our sponsors, Eircom, did us a great disservice on Wednesday, August 16.
On several occasions I looked all around the ground, only to see our stadium decked out, wall to wall, in bright orange Eircom hoardings.
There was even one orange hoarding beside the benches declaring that Eircom are the “Official Team Sponsors”. Of what team, I ask?
We all know the Dutch celebrate their orange colour as much as possible. I suspect this was not lost on the Eircom marketing department.
It’s unfair to presume what motivated Eircom’s decision to strikingly adorn our stadium in our opponent’s colours as they thrashed us 4-0, but I guess that a shrewd marketing manager saw an opportunity to catch the eye with Eircom’s orange brand colour. Either that, or our sponsors are thoughtless, brainless, and aren’t the football fans they claim to be.
I found it very disheartening being beaten out of sight by the Dutch, only to find that our sponsors were busy getting the most out of their advertising space, even if it came at the expense of the team they have so often claimed to be “proud sponsors” of.
So I ask Eircom, our official sponsors, who were you supporting? The Dutch, Ireland or just yourselves?
: I feel your pain, Brian, but I think the colour of the backdrop was the least of Irish football’s problems against the Dutch. I’d be more concerned about the red on the faces myself.
WHAT’s happened to the “liberté” and “fraternité” parts of the French national slogan, and why are they threatening Claude Makalele who only came out of retirement to help them to the final of the World Cup? Presumably the same threats will be applied to Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram?
I’M NOT surprised Chelsea are hacked off with France over their bullying of Claude Makalele.
Along with Zidane and Thuram he had already withdrawn from selection a year before the World Cup because Domenech called him up and didn't use him.
In response to desperate pleas from Domenech all three agreed to make themselves available, and their presence was probably the key reason why France qualified and made it to the final.
Before last season ended Chelsea rested Makelele so he could be better prepared for the World Cup, and all the French media noted commented that he was the best prepared player in the squad. He's since been injured and has only just come back into the side and now the French Federation are issuing threats against him.
They’re right in the letter of the law and wrong in the spirit.
: I’m normally one to favour country over club but this time I’m with you, Matt. Not sure about a highly-paid international footballer qualifying as a “slave” though, as the excitable Jose would have it.
OWEN Hargreaves for United? Mascherano for Arsenal? Both top players who will improve their sides. But where is the world class centre half that Liverpool need? We’re sorted up front. Now for the final piece.
: Well, that’ s the Premiership sorted so. Almost.
IN the days of player power (José Antonio Reyes, William Gallas, Ashley Cole) well done Chris Coleman for standing up to Steed Malbranque and sticking him in the reserves without a second thought..
: Aye, but how long will Chris remain standing himself?
WHAT’S a guy to do? José tries to give the rest of the Premiership an even break by giving rivals a head start and look what happens . . .
Arsenal can’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo, Liverpool don’t take their chance, and Mark Schwarzer makes ludicrous comments about Chelsea not knowing how to lose properly following their streaky win.
At least we can rely on Manchester United to take things seriously. Roll on September 17 and the visit of Liverpool. Then the season can really begin.
: Good to see you again, Cork Blue after your summer of somnolence. The past is history and we’re all friends now. People may be shocked, but despite our well-publicised differences, I think we can work well together this season. Still, just for old time’s sake, have a red card.
HEY Liam, I think the best thing from the summer transfers has to be the simple fact we (Charlton) took Dowie from Palace and them whining and bitching about compensation. Hey, there’s always survival Sunday in the championship for them to manage to survive for once while we get set for Europe.
As for Simon Jordan, well, he can cuddle his teddy at night knowing Dowie won’t return for a competitive league game in Jordan’s lifetime as they’ll never be promoted and we’ll find it harder to get relegated than to survive.
Maybe less money on his hair and appearance should be spent than on the market.
Ah well, monkey see monkey do!!
: For no other reason than that it’s a refreshing change from missives from the Big Four gang — and because it’s nice to see someone signing themselves ‘Addick For Life’ — have our inaugural Letter Of The Week prize Barry. But I have a feeling it may be the last thing you’ll win this season.
