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Sam Wallace: Ferguson's law states there's one rule for him and another for those he hates

It is a talent peculiar to men like Ferguson to see things exclusively their own way

Ferguson was furious that his team were not awarded a penalty in the second half

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Ferguson was furious that his team were not awarded a penalty in the second half

As a student of American politics, and an interviewee of David Frost, Sir Alex Ferguson will be aware of the killer line in the recent Frost/Nixon movie. Pressed on his role in Watergate, Richard Nixon utters his self-serving justification that reveals his megalomania: "When the President does it, that means it's not illegal."

Let's take that theory and apply it to modern English football. How do we know when a Premier League manager is acting with arrogance and contempt? When Ferguson says he is, of course. Or, when Ferguson spots an innocuous gesture from Rafael Benitez, whom he happens to despise, towards Sam Allardyce, who has proved his unwavering acolyte. That is Ferguson's Nixon principle: it is because I say it is. And how could we be so stupid as to argue with him?

In applying the Ferguson/Nixon principle on arrogant behaviour between managers, suddenly things become a lot clearer. For instance, there was no arrogance involved when Ferguson picked Paul Scholes for a Premier League game against Middlesbrough in September 2002, having first withdrawn him from Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad. It was by no means humiliating for Eriksson to be sat in the Old Trafford stand when this took place.

Anyway, Ferguson was never contemptuous of Eriksson, especially not when he mimicked his Swedish accent and stock answers in a magazine interview in 2003. "He sails along, nobody falls out with him," Ferguson said of Eriksson at the time. "He comes out and he says: 'The first half we were good, second half we were not so good. I am very pleased with the result.'"

Arrogant and contemptuous attitudes were right off the menu when Ferguson's players and staff were aggressive, hostile, abusive and provocative in a confrontation with Chelsea's groundsmen last April. That was not my description but that of the Football Association independent commission that found overwhelmingly in Chelsea's favour in December over that incident. Presumably the QC in question, Nicholas Stewart, had not applied the Ferguson/Nixon principle. What the hell was he thinking?

It is a talent peculiar to men like Ferguson, to see things exclusively their own way. When Ferguson described Benitez's "game over" gesture against Blackburn Rovers on Friday, he said it was "beyond the pale", as if the Liverpool manager had sneakily executed a Nazi salute in Sam Allardyce's direction. At most, Benitez just looked like a harassed supply teacher trying to restore order.

Remarkably, Ferguson claims that he spotted Benitez's gesture towards Allardyce himself, which must have taken a lot of rewinding and pausing of his Sky+ as he scrutinised Benitez's conduct for something that could be considered controversial. Not since Mary Whitehouse has the television age known someone so easily offended.

The more obvious explanation is that Allardyce told Ferguson about it, largely because Allardyce is a very enthusiastic disciple. Other managers such as Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce, Roy Keane – even yesterday's opponent, David Moyes – have sought to put some distance between themselves and Ferguson. They are well aware that however chummy, if Ferguson wants something – your best player for instance – then it will be business as usual.

Perhaps the most laughable aspect of Ferguson's justification for his attack on Benitez: that Allardyce was undeserving of it because of his sound work for the League Managers' Association, as if that organisation was – at that very moment – endeavouring to solve Africa's poverty and bring peace to the Middle East. Perhaps with Big Sam in the vanguard, uniting warring factions through lectures on ProZone stats and the necessity of having a club nutritionist.

The LMA doubtless does much good work, but membership of it does not alone necessarily confer righteousness. It has, like any professional organisation, its own self-interest. The great irony is that the serving England manager is given the honorary title of LMA president and when all the backslapping is done, that same LMA president has to fight against the LMA's leading members withdrawing their players for international friendlies.

It is not impossible to discern why a foreign manager such as Benitez feels an element of distrust towards the LMA, especially when it is used against him by Ferguson in arguments such as the one the United manager ignited on Friday. Ferguson may have a polite tradition of writing to every new young manager who joins the profession, but that avuncular style is not exclusive to him. In the only interview he has given since leaving Sunderland, Keane singled out Benitez as a manager who had been generous with his time.

Contempt, arrogance – these are every manager's stock in trade when the moment requires it. When Ferguson refused to shake the hand of Claude Puel after United's defeat to Lille in the Champions League in 2005, the French manager might well have regarded that as arrogant. Ferguson's dismissal of Manchester City this season – "still lingering in mid-table" – was not dissimilar to Benitez's "small club" jibe at Everton.

What Ferguson is attempting to do is to isolate Benitez because he clearly senses a hardening of feeling towards the Spaniard among his managerial cronies. It also suits him to do so as the season reaches its conclusion with Liverpool still very much in the running.

It is all the familiar mind games, the usual nonsense. But let's be clear about one thing: giving Big Sam a bit of stick does not make Benitez arrogant. Even if Ferguson proclaims it so.

Itandje gives game an image it doesn't merit

For those of us who do not subscribe to the view that all professional footballers are overpaid wasters with no concept of how to behave appropriately, it can be an uphill battle sometimes. You do your best to point out that there are some really impressive characters playing the game in this country whose personalities have not been affected by wealth and fame. I've met many doing interviews in the course of this season alone. Then Charles Itandje comes along and confirms all the prejudices of those who want to believe the worst.

Put the champagne on ice, please

First they play the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, then they dish out champagne for the winners. What next? A medal presentation? On Saturday, no one deserved a swig of the bubbly more than the architect of Chelsea's win Frank Lampard, but the triumphalism looked a bit premature. No doubt it's all the idea of the sponsors – they tend to be the experts when it comes to ruining things.

Cameo shows why he's magic Johnson

Fabio Capello was at Wembley on Saturday so he missed an impressive cameo on the right side of midfield from Glen "I'll-shoot-from-anywhere" Johnson at Fratton Park. The use of right-backs as wingers has not always been successful – note Emmanuel Eboué – but Johnson's display was one more reason to believe that come the World Cup he will be a very useful man (if England qualify).

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excellent article good to know your saing it as it is james lawton
[info]maradona_786 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 01:48 am (UTC)
i cant disagree with your article and im glad your saying what most proper football fans think of fergies latest rant with his mate fat sam
[info]winningman wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 03:09 am (UTC)
There's always two sides of every story :)
Wow!
[info]jimliverpool wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 06:34 am (UTC)
That this is JL saying these things makes it even sweeter :-D

Yes, AF's use of the phrase "beyond the pale", was one of the more despicable aspects of his rant. We wont even go into how he managed to stop us getting Gabriel Heinze last season. Made up for Everton, too; well done

I hope Rafa just states the ... facts :-) this morning, briefly, and moves on swiftly to discuss tomorrow's game then ends the questions and gets those lads prepared
Re: Wow!
[info]fairuptoapoint wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 01:28 pm (UTC)
I completely agree with the article's exposure of Ferguson's antics.

The phrase "beyond the Pale" meaning beyond what is commonly accepted, originates from the word pale meaning a stake which formed part of a fence (paling). It means, "from the wrong side of the fence". It is not inherently a despicable phrase.
Re: Wow! - [info]jimliverpool - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 01:33 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Wow! - [info]fairuptoapoint - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 05:41 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Wow! - [info]jimliverpool - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 05:51 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Wow! - [info]pearsongooner - Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 07:24 am (UTC) Expand
Re: Wow! - [info]fairuptoapoint - Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 01:18 pm (UTC) Expand
Ferguson/Benitez
[info]davemac2009 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 07:05 am (UTC)
Benitez called near neighbours, Everton, a 'small club.' A lot of Liverpool fans were incensed by that. It is a fact that Manchester City are still lingering mid-table. Remember that last year some close to the owners were going on about the hundreds of millions they were going to spend on players and sweep all before them. Fergie was right, too, about Eriksson. He did sail along, not falling out with anyone, being the proper gentleman. Most people wouldn't have a problem with that if his tactics were right and he was successful. Remember the Portgual match, when he put Heskey on when England were defending. Only a fool puts a forward on to defend. The result was that Heskey gave away a penalty and England lost. Of course Fergie is arrogant, he has more right to be than anyone. And, as for withdrawing players for friendlies: I wish more managers would do it - and so do the fans. It's ludicrous to expect a club to allow their finest players to play in friendlies just before the final league run in and the Champion's League knock-out stage.
Re: Ferguson/Benitez
[info]j_rennison wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 08:14 am (UTC)
Took the words out of my mouth, Dave.
Re: Ferguson/Benitez - [info]lkdamo - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 04:45 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Ferguson/Benitez - [info]gibsonsway - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 05:21 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Ferguson/Benitez - [info]baxter1976 - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 10:59 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Ferguson/Benitez - [info]the_town_crier - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 06:07 pm (UTC) Expand
Alex Ferguson Arrogance
[info]mickscouse wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 07:06 am (UTC)
Totally agree with this article. Kettle and pot form the Blackburn manager and that muppet from the other end of the M62.

Both managers do not speak to Match of the Day after games.... they send their footman to do that, is this arrogance?

Ferguson did not speak to Sky Sports after "his best squad ever" were thumped by Liverpool 4 1 at home.... arrogance???

He showed a total lack of respect to the Football Association, its members, Everton and his own paying fans with his team selection yesterday and then blamed the Wembley Pitch....... WHO IS REALLY CRACKING UP HERE??????

Keep it up Alex..... the only trophy's you will win this season are the ones nobody else wants!!!!

Now THAT'S arrogance.
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance
[info]eder82 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 07:49 am (UTC)
No mickscouse, those are not examples of arrogance, they are examples, which you can't forgive, of contempt.
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]j_rennison - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 08:11 am (UTC) Expand
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]the_town_crier - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 06:22 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]jabez_clegg - Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 01:11 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]the_town_crier - Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 04:41 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]stonegroove - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 11:39 pm (UTC) Expand
Re: Alex Ferguson Arrogance - [info]whisky_nose - Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 10:07 am (UTC) Expand
alex ferguson
[info]annieroader wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 08:17 am (UTC)
davemac2009 no amount of justification will excuse this man's behaviour.

Research why he was sacked from St Mirren many years ago and you will see that he has not changed one jot. Presumably his study of american politics has encouraged his dirty tricks repertoire.
His attitude towards fellow professionals is appalling, his behaviour towards those he considers a threat is insulting and contemptuous, those in charge of clubs lower down the league are patronised and match officials abused. He is a bully pure and simple and to quote his own words his behaviour is 'beyond the pale'.

He would have been reined in by now in any other job and it's about time the powers that be found the courage to sort out his behaviour with effective punishment not just paltry fines

By the way Moyes himself called Everton a smalll club in the weeks before Benitez when he was complaining that 'small clubs like his do not get the rub of the green'
The biter bit
[info]doreblue wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 08:52 am (UTC)
Your argument was given powerful support yesterday with Ferguson's reaction to David Moyes' supposed comments regarding Mike Riley being a United fan. His face was an absolute picture when saying ' and it was used at a press conference and can play on referees' minds.' This is exactly what he has himself being doing for years and it was wonderful to see him get a dose of his own medicine.....too many cliches there methinks but as an Evertonian, what the hell!

Rob, Sheffield Blue
Being correct is not a defence davemac2009
[info]ghost_of_th14 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 10:43 am (UTC)
davemac2009, you seem to think that being (in your opinion) correct in his disrespectful statements about Man City and Ericsson means it is ok to make those statements. In that case Benitez' gesture was fine because Liverpool won.
Agreed!
[info]dicksonator wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 10:50 am (UTC)
Ferguson's rant served two purposes; firstly, having another bite at Benitez, manager of the team giving Ferguson the greatest concern in the league is par for the course, secondly, highlighting the 'small club' jibe of Benitez was a useful ruse for his own slight directed at Everton, namely his contempt at fielding an inexperienced side in the semi-final of the major domestic trophy.
[info]tonysmyth wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 10:51 am (UTC)
Too much jealousy of his success methinks.
Regarding the pitch Aresene Wenger also criticised it.
Regarding the choice of team, I don't think ANY Liverpool fan can criticise that, as Benitez has been rotating his squad as nauseum all season. Kettle black??
Since when have psychological tactics in football been made illegal ?
Rotation or reserves
[info]dicksonator wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 11:14 am (UTC)
Benitez surely rotates his squad, but much less than most people imagine, especially this season. The facts that differentiate this instance are the numbers of players 'rotated' and the importance of the fixture.

Psychological tactics are not of course illegal, but its instructive to shed some light on the protagonists motives and even their hypocrisy.
(no subject) - [info]annieroader - Monday, 20 April 2009 at 11:20 am (UTC) Expand
RE:
[info]geeboy wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 11:23 am (UTC)
Excellent observations - Alex Ferguson is a good manager who has done well for his club. Like an African dictator who has been in power for too long, he is beginning to see rivals from behind every bush in the desert. He has always been contemptuous towards froeign managers and his moronic attacks on Rafa is no exception. Big Sam - for a big guy he is rather sensitive. If he felt humiliated, it was because of the manner of the defeat his side suffered (regardless of any injury worries). It has become apparent that Little Sam and Phil the Clown (Hull) have also taken on the Ferguson habit - Arsene Wenger has had to deal with the bile from Phil this season too.
Hopefully, Fergie and his sidekicks will grow up a little bit rather than make puerile comments about other managers.
sir kenny dalgleish
[info]daves23 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 11:29 am (UTC)
as mentioned on radio 5 kenny should be knighted. for the service he did to the hillsborough families and quietly with no publicity.

then we would have a football knight worth respect.
Twaddle
[info]cavjjc wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 12:03 pm (UTC)
What a load of twaddle - a journo using his position to vent his spleen over someone he dislikes; hysterical carping from Liverpool fans; it's a game for heaven's sake!

Regarding the football match.....Everton did well over 120 minutes, but so did United's "disrespectful" youth - they probably shaded it over course of normal play - does that mean Everton also fielded a weakened team and should be castigated?

Good luck to Everton - honest, hard working and with a manager who will become one of the best from the Isles!

Hope they do as well in the final - they deserve it.



Re: Twaddle
[info]jimliverpool wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 01:39 pm (UTC)
James Lawton has not, to my knowledge, "disliked" AF all these years; indeed, he has always found a reason to hae a pop at LFC and it is the very (however welcome, albeit belated) change in tone which startled me into a reply
Liverpool/Heysel
[info]davemac2009 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 02:20 pm (UTC)
Not really on this subject but...

The government producing the Hillsborough papers ten years before they are due. Maybe someone will produce the Heysel papars, too. Whatever anyone says, Hillsborough was a tragedy based on an accident.

Heysel was premeditated football hooliganism of the worst kind. Respond to the that, Liverpool fans, if you dare!
Re: Liverpool/Heysel
[info]juliecat2 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 05:56 pm (UTC)
Heysel was followed by public prosecutions. People served jail sentences and the stadia owners were heavily fined. You clearly don't know what you are talking about. There was no "premeditated" hooliganism at Heysel, it was the kind of typical hooliganism between 2 sets of fans that routinely blighted matches in the 70s and 80s. This led to a collapse in a wall which tragically killed Juve fans.

There are no "papers" or cover-ups to be released.
The truth
[info]alstubbino wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 02:28 pm (UTC)
At last!!!!
Fergie's Law
[info]cashforhonours wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 02:53 pm (UTC)
Some people seem to be attributing this article to James Lawton. That it is in fact written by Sam Wallace is even more surprising. I have long been perplexed by his match reports, particularily on Liverpool. Take for example his report on the Champions League final loss to AC Milan. He railed against Benite'z perceived negitivity when Milan appeared to be there for the taking, arguing that, had it been Manchester United, they would have went for the jugular whilst seem in to forget the fact that the same gung-ho attitude had seen them resoundly beaten by Milan earlier in the competition. This is just one example but there have been many others. He does seem to have particular issues with regards to Rafa Benitez.

So as I say, this makes the article all the more remarkable. Well done Sam, I may now be able to read the Independent's sport section with renewed hope of some balanced reporting on your part, hell I might even be able to overlook your remarkable likeness to the venerable but somewhat flawed football correspondent Julian Clary.
Sam Wallaces' rant:
[info]angustaff wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 03:06 pm (UTC)
My how you've taken so much time and effort to analyse Alex Ferguson. Mr Ferguson - although not God Almighty himself - is one of the most successful managers the English league has ever seen.(Like Shankley was for Liverpool) Yes he's all the things that his opponents claim he is but he does not have all the answers just as he is not above the FA or FIFA. He is however allowed to chose whom he speaks to and who he criticises... just like those who criticise him. He is however very proud, caring of his players (that's why they set a far better example off the pitch than most other footballers) he is tenacious and ruthless in his passion for the game. His contempt for Mr Sven Goran Eriksson is not ill-placed after all he ripped of your FA and still got paid millions even when sacked for not delivering! Mr Ferguson has played mind games with many previous managers and as well as giving plenty of stick also received plenty. Most England fans hated Eriksson so therefor surely cannot disagree with Fergie. Why the newspapers themselves publicly mocked him and his 'off the pitch' antics which rediculed the England team management. The British press are drawn to Fergie like a magnet because of his personality and actions - whether right or wrong you cannot deny his success and if his competitors feel aggrieved they should follow the proper channels... he is not God unless of course you are a United fan... like me...lol.
Re: Sam Wallaces' rant:
[info]hansenisgod wrote:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 11:29 am (UTC)
Is kicking a fan an example of good conduct? How about missing drugs tests, fighting with groundsmen at Chelsea or fighting with Arsenal players? Not to mention rolling around on the ground like you are breakdancing after the slightest 50-50 contact. These are all stunning examples to young fans of how to behave. Refusing to fulfil contractual requirements of receiving money for televising games shouldn't be a matter of personal choice, rather it is an obligation. It has nothing to do with who you support, it is about having manners and a sense of what is right.
journalistic bias
[info]topbalcony wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 04:54 pm (UTC)
this piece could have been posted on a liverpool supporters forum such is it`s one-sidedness. Journalists really should try to temper their bias with some display of even handedness. Benitez began this spat with his bestman`s speech from his jacket pocket in January.
As an Everton fan it would be nice if yesterdays events mentioned the blue half of the city, te behavour of the fans the passion of the team and particualrly that of Phil Neville whose dignity and sportsmanship at the end was fantastic and so out of keeping with the generally low standard of behaviour of players and managers he should be considered for player of the year if only to set an example to the young,
Re: journalistic bias
[info]hansenisgod wrote:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 11:33 am (UTC)
Ferguson actually started the whole thing by talking about Liverpool constantly. Rafa was merely responding to him. Congratulations on the win on Sunday - I think most Liverpool fans were hoping you would win.
Sam Wallace article
[info]lfcnopasaran wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 05:49 pm (UTC)
At last someone in the media has the guts to write what Ferguson is really like. When so-called journalists call him "crafty Sir Alex" on Saturday it is reassuring to read such a well-thought out and well-written article. The number of people who have been deeply offended by this man are too numerous to mention. You did include some - just also check the comments of Sunderland's Bob Murray and the PSV chairman for people in football to say what Ferguson is really like. This time of year the dreaded words "mind games" appear in the media and iit s also when the friends of Ferguson like to portray him as some sort of Freudian genius. the man is no more than a selfish, mean-spirited cowardly bully. Why no press conference after the defeats to Liverpool and Fulham? I would like to see how this small-minded bigot would fare in La Liga, say with Valencia, or Serie A with Roma and see if he's as good as everyone likes to say he is. See if he could win the league then!
It was all going so well
[info]grizzly81 wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 06:22 pm (UTC)
right until you started to mention Glen Johnson as a potential international footballer.....

stick to yout prawn sandwiches, it will be Wimbledon in a few weeks time for you to enjoy.
So you're offended. And.. ?
[info]tim_hinchliffe wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 07:36 pm (UTC)
The same tedious debate comes round again and again. The response is also the same : You have the perfect right to say that you are offended; and I have the right to say 'Good for you. So what ?'
Fergie is seriously cracking up!
[info]rodchristopher wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 09:44 pm (UTC)
I couldnt agree more with Sam Wallaces' version of what is really going on regarding a certain Alex Ferguson. Its gone on for far too long now, when Fergie it seems, can say anything he likes & not have his words questioned because he IS the mighty Alex Ferguson of all conquering Manchester United!

It's about time that people started to stand up to him a bit more. He may be the most successful manager in history, but this should not excuse his words to be questioned. What he said about Benitez was about as low as any manager can go. Using words like 'Arrogant & beyond the pale' Seriously - what is this man on? The fact that Rafa didnt even entertain the comments only says great things about him & his work at Liverpool FC. He has bigger things to concentrate on, as i can only see this years league heading to Anfield.

SO what now that the dust is settling? Will Ferguson & Allardyce make a public appology to Mr Benitez. Will the FA get involved & discipline them both?

I think that Liverpool will win the premier league & Barcelona will take the champions league, so Man Utd have the Carling Cup! Serves them right though. In my view Man Utd are englands 3rd best premiership team at best & if you care to look deeper you will see that for yourself.
Re: Fergie is seriously cracking up!
[info]maradona_786 wrote:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 12:57 am (UTC)
spot on pal with your comments and good luck to leeds united as a arsenal fan i have great respect for your club and fans and the atmosphere at elland road is something else all the best in the play offs
Disgrace duo!!
[info]diggatrigga wrote:
Monday, 20 April 2009 at 09:54 pm (UTC)
Sam and Fergie are a disgrace. They obviously sat down together to concote this ridiculous story even though they both deny it. If Sam continues to serve as Fergie's vassal, putting his teams at Man Utd's disposal and not standing up for himself, he will be left managing teams involved in relegation scraps as his ill-advised stint at Newcastle proved. What about concentrating on winning some trophies too to embellish his CV instead of always giving someone else a leg-up? Blackburn deserve better!!
This is a Joke
[info]elkhayam wrote:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 12:28 am (UTC)
Firstly for the liverpool fan who is upset that we didnt sell heinze to liverpool. What are you talking about?!?! since when do players go from united to liverpool?!?!? would you accept liverpool selling Alonso to united?!?! I don't think so. Secondly, this article is arrogant. The wording, the elitist nature of the man to refer to political history to back up his views. Firstly, your job is to report football, so don't get into 20th century US politics (which i am said to say you seem to know little about). Secondly, you don't seem to know much about football either. For you to try to imply that foreign managers such as Benitez are getting ganged up on by british managers is a joke, just as the Benitez "fact" speech was a joke. Your references to Erikisson are the oddest part of your article though. The fact that you refer to Fergusson's view of Erikisson as arrogant is funny, seeing that every reported in the english press (includig you) had repeatedly critisized Erikisson during his time as england manager to a point where you would be seen as arrogant in your remarks. Lastly, for a man to come out and make a comment about City being in mid table is a man playing mind games, its a little thing managers do from time to time incase you havent heard of it. But for a man to call Everton a small club is just absurd, arrogant and insulting to Everton FC. Please, next time you decide to write an editorial like this use your words more wisely, or people will think you are arrogant.
Fickle Journalists
[info]dextur wrote:
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 at 02:41 am (UTC)
Okay, you journos are as fickle as Aston Villa fans. Fergie can't be lauded for his mind games one minute, then called ridiculous and arrogant the next. It was clearly just another attempt to rile Benitez, and it's was good copy for you guys so why you're critisising I don't know.
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