It was something I thought would be pretty standard practice, and whilst the majority of the football world accepts it is, there are some who seem outraged beyond belief. Some, are fighting for column inches. Slate Leeds on social media/the press etc and you’ll have your name all over – profile raised. The others, I cannot figure out – with the utmost respect, some must be a little thick – there is no other reason I can think.
Jermaine Jenas suggested we must be docked points – before back tracking to a heavy fine when he realised how stupid that was. The most bizarre for me was Stan Colleymore – ‘the match should be replayed’. Is that a serious thought? We should replay the game because someone looked over a hedge?
Diving is cheating
Appealing for a throw in when you know you kicked it out, is cheating
Feigning injury, is cheating
Grabbing someone’s shirt in the box from a corner, is cheating
Watching a training session from public land – IS NOT CHEATING.
Whilst loads of work has been done to stamp a lot of issues out of the game, let’s not kid ourselves that there are some massive problems – racism, homophobia, tapping up players, financial fair play (what a joke that is), illegal approaches and historical sexual abuse need everything throwing at them – but Jenas, Lampard, Colleymore, Andrews et all seem to think ‘spying’ (we call out it scouting) is where we need to focus our attention. If this was Lincoln or Morecambe (no offence to those clubs), would it be national news? No chance. But you know what – all it’s done is increase the siege mentality-something we thrive on. I didn’t think I could love our manager any more – then he does this, and my love has gone up a notch.
*subnote to pay respect to little Toby Nye who sadly passed on Saturday, and Phil Massinga, a true gent. RIP and thoughts and love with both of their families*