I don’t really mind on the goal celebration thing, the bit I find annoying is more in the pre-game interviews (don’t know if Wheeler did one and if he did I didn’t read it, I’m just talking in generalities).
“So Player X, big game for you, what will be going through your mind as you face your former club?”
“Well, I enjoyed my time there, but I’m a Wycombe player now and will be giving everything to get the three points”.
Um yeah…I’d kind of hope so, because if you didn’t you’d rightly get hooked at half time, if not before.
Bonus points for, “It’s just another game to me and I’m only focused on the result”, giving the cold shoulder to the former club without overtly dissing them.
I can understand it if it's a close to 1 man club, someone like Lampard who played 15 or so years and was a club legend, coming back for a one off with a new team.
But not a standard stay of a few years sort of journey man.
Jefferson Louis would end up hardly ever celebrating!
Monkey butlers. Now that’s a Musk project I can get behind. Odds on seeing them at Adams Park before Nathan Bishop?
This season’s start. I’m not sure we were ‘tucked up’ or ‘done over’ by Man U. That would suggest some deliberate foul play and I’m assuming we haven’t signed papers or handed over money for him? We just fell foul of a club in chaos. We learn and move on. Plan B next time.
I think a big part for the shaky start is the loss of leaders from within the players. Yes Bayo meant we played a unique way and we have to unlearn it but that’s the lesser problem. Over the years we have been blessed with an extraordinary group of leaders. Bayo, Darius C and others added so much beyond what they did on the pitch. I think Anthony Stewart did so as well. Much credit must be given to Gaz and Dobbo and co. for helping players with such potential develop their off-field skills and I’m sure given time others in the squad will be nurtured and so step up. It may mean this is a holding and developing season but unless we get relegated (which we won’t) then I have great hope for next year. And I would bet much against us still surprising everyone this year.
And as for Rob saying we are aiming for promotion. Well of course we are. I’m not sure aiming for mid table is ever a wise strategy or makes much sense. Doesn't every team go out to try to win every game and therefore, logically, the season? “Right lads, we’ve picked up a lot of points and got a bit lucky. Sixth with ten to play is not what we were aiming for so try not to score tomorrow”
@PBo with all due respect to the skills of @bluntphil and @glasshalffull (I love those guys but...) I rarely bother to pin my ears back for pre-or post match interviews/pressers with managers or players as they tend to run to a few templates of media speak as you outline above. It's rare you get a prawn sandwich style interview with a player or manager...largely because (as happened with Keano) they get pulled by a terrified media team.
Imagine if Tuchel had said 'I'll deck the b*****d next time round...' on MOTD.
You’re spot on, and when you do get someone prepared to speak their mind (like Souness on it being a ‘man’s game’) they get jumped on by the just-waiting-to-be-offended mob.
Interviews are certainly difficult (though what other club's media team ask their manager about his boots?), but the match commentary is always delightfully free of cliches. @Jonny_King did really well as usual for the Exeter game, so a shout out there too.
I think the Souness thing was unfortunate wording, but I knew what he meant with regard to blokes kicking lumps out of each other like the olden days. I was a bit of a stretch to suggest he was discounting the women's game to me, but I can see how it might cause some offence.
Surely it can only cause offence to those who wait for an opportunity to be offended. As @Wendoverman stated, he knew what he meant, as did I. Take the words solely on their own and out of context, it is easy to pick out the worst!
I repeat, he was clearly talking about the game he had just watched in the men’s PL. He was not suggesting that the game is exclusively for men. Granted, he might have chosen his words better but that doesn’t make him a misogynist as some people were suggesting. I thought this was a discussion forum for a variety of topics and if you don’t want to discuss it why did you bother to respond?
It's as bad as telling someone to 'man up' - and we wonder why there's still such reluctance among men to talk about mental health. That and the multiple other problems with it. I find outrage culture nauseating, but people have taken issue with this for the right reasons as far as I can see.
Souness was clearly saying it was a man’s game in reference to men vs boys type adage.
That said, if you can’t see the issue in the historical problem in describing any game of football as a “man’s game” especially what happened this summer, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Language can and does evolve. This is be an example of when that should happen.
Comments
I would give this post ten likes if I could. It's like a groom not celebrating his wedding because his ex-girlfriend is in the crowd.
I had to burn a phone recently following a disastrous tinder date. I guess that's why it's called tinder
So your number became a hotline?
I paid for the plastic version. If ever they start running trains again on Saturdays I will be able to check whether it still works....
I would love to see a disgruntled fan furiously march up the dugout ready to tear up their season ticket, only to realise...
I don’t really mind on the goal celebration thing, the bit I find annoying is more in the pre-game interviews (don’t know if Wheeler did one and if he did I didn’t read it, I’m just talking in generalities).
“So Player X, big game for you, what will be going through your mind as you face your former club?”
“Well, I enjoyed my time there, but I’m a Wycombe player now and will be giving everything to get the three points”.
Um yeah…I’d kind of hope so, because if you didn’t you’d rightly get hooked at half time, if not before.
Bonus points for, “It’s just another game to me and I’m only focused on the result”, giving the cold shoulder to the former club without overtly dissing them.
I think every player who scores against their old club should do an Adebayor or just not bother playing.
I can understand it if it's a close to 1 man club, someone like Lampard who played 15 or so years and was a club legend, coming back for a one off with a new team.
But not a standard stay of a few years sort of journey man.
Jefferson Louis would end up hardly ever celebrating!
Think you mistook the name/reason behind burner phones
Monkey butlers. Now that’s a Musk project I can get behind. Odds on seeing them at Adams Park before Nathan Bishop?
This season’s start. I’m not sure we were ‘tucked up’ or ‘done over’ by Man U. That would suggest some deliberate foul play and I’m assuming we haven’t signed papers or handed over money for him? We just fell foul of a club in chaos. We learn and move on. Plan B next time.
I think a big part for the shaky start is the loss of leaders from within the players. Yes Bayo meant we played a unique way and we have to unlearn it but that’s the lesser problem. Over the years we have been blessed with an extraordinary group of leaders. Bayo, Darius C and others added so much beyond what they did on the pitch. I think Anthony Stewart did so as well. Much credit must be given to Gaz and Dobbo and co. for helping players with such potential develop their off-field skills and I’m sure given time others in the squad will be nurtured and so step up. It may mean this is a holding and developing season but unless we get relegated (which we won’t) then I have great hope for next year. And I would bet much against us still surprising everyone this year.
And as for Rob saying we are aiming for promotion. Well of course we are. I’m not sure aiming for mid table is ever a wise strategy or makes much sense. Doesn't every team go out to try to win every game and therefore, logically, the season? “Right lads, we’ve picked up a lot of points and got a bit lucky. Sixth with ten to play is not what we were aiming for so try not to score tomorrow”
@PBo with all due respect to the skills of @bluntphil and @glasshalffull (I love those guys but...) I rarely bother to pin my ears back for pre-or post match interviews/pressers with managers or players as they tend to run to a few templates of media speak as you outline above. It's rare you get a prawn sandwich style interview with a player or manager...largely because (as happened with Keano) they get pulled by a terrified media team.
Imagine if Tuchel had said 'I'll deck the b*****d next time round...' on MOTD.
You’re spot on, and when you do get someone prepared to speak their mind (like Souness on it being a ‘man’s game’) they get jumped on by the just-waiting-to-be-offended mob.
Absolutely right Alan.
It was a stupid comment by Souness, who then doubled down on it (despite conceding he doesn't always 'get it right').
Interviews are certainly difficult (though what other club's media team ask their manager about his boots?), but the match commentary is always delightfully free of cliches. @Jonny_King did really well as usual for the Exeter game, so a shout out there too.
Why was it stupid? He was talking about the Premier League which consists entirely of male players.
I think the Souness thing was unfortunate wording, but I knew what he meant with regard to blokes kicking lumps out of each other like the olden days. I was a bit of a stretch to suggest he was discounting the women's game to me, but I can see how it might cause some offence.
Would you use such a turn of phrase in your commentaries @glasshalffull ?
Having enjoyed your work over the years, I would like to think you’d have used more nuanced language.
Surely it can only cause offence to those who wait for an opportunity to be offended. As @Wendoverman stated, he knew what he meant, as did I. Take the words solely on their own and out of context, it is easy to pick out the worst!
This.. people are just too busy waiting for the opportunity to be offended about something these days
The thing is, if you don't understand why it was stupid then you either don't want to or are incapable of doing so.
Ether way, not much point having a massive discussion about it.
I repeat, he was clearly talking about the game he had just watched in the men’s PL. He was not suggesting that the game is exclusively for men. Granted, he might have chosen his words better but that doesn’t make him a misogynist as some people were suggesting. I thought this was a discussion forum for a variety of topics and if you don’t want to discuss it why did you bother to respond?
Then explain to us who are incapable. To leave it where you have isn’t very clear.
A few years ago I doubt if anyone would have objected if I had used that phrase, but we live in different times.
It's as bad as telling someone to 'man up' - and we wonder why there's still such reluctance among men to talk about mental health. That and the multiple other problems with it. I find outrage culture nauseating, but people have taken issue with this for the right reasons as far as I can see.
Lest we forget this is the same guy who described players overreacting to contact as "very Latin".
Souness was clearly saying it was a man’s game in reference to men vs boys type adage.
That said, if you can’t see the issue in the historical problem in describing any game of football as a “man’s game” especially what happened this summer, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Language can and does evolve. This is be an example of when that should happen.
I appreciate the reply, thanks.
Not many years ago girls were completely excluded from playing football in their schools.
but times, they say, are a changin’
Would not call it stupid necessarily...I doubt he is anti-womens football...just an unfortunate turn of phrase on a live programme.