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Classless approach to recruitment
I have to take issue with Len in Ireland saying United are doing their usual arrogant classless approach to recruitment, so paper speculation suddenly becomes United being arrogant and classless? The only player I know of United being genuinely interested in at the moment is Jadon Sancho who they have enquired about to Dortmund. Correct me if I’m wrong but approaching the club is now considered classless is it? I presume the Premier League is awash with classless people having the audacity to enquire about the availability of a player waving their wad around helicoptering their dicks shouting out random numbers.
If Len takes what the red tops say to heart then god help him as United have been linked with around 20 players already this upcoming transfer window the classless bastards.
Paul Murphy, Manchester
Len, Ireland: sorry to burst your bubble but you do know that paper gossip doesn’t directly relate to actual truth, right? United may well want all those names but there is precisely zero proof of that at this point; it’s just rumour-mongering to sell papers and garner clicks. There are plenty of things for which you can criticise United, so you hardly need to resort to blaming them for the inane ramblings of overpaid tabloid hacks.
Ted, Manchester
Len,
I’m going to let you into a secret.
Football ‘gossip’ pages are the most inaccurate pages in sports journalism.
If anyone so much as breathes the name of a player not currently playing for them, it apparently means they want to buy them.
You know it doesn’t mean that. I know it doesn’t mean that. Like a broken clock is right twice a day, a gossip page is right twice a season. The gossip page also gets to brag about it afterwards.
Pete Blow
Not sure what Len, Ireland is about.
He begins begin his mail by saying that we are beginning to go into “transfer speculation silly season again” but a few sentences later accused United by saying that they are “showing their usual arrogant classless approach still thinking they can just go out and buy some of the best teams in Europe’s top players.”
Umm, Len you just admitted that we were entering speculation silly season…..so why are you treating those reports as facts then? I’m sure there’s some fire somewhere with all the smoke but why are you judging Man Unites by them given you seem to agree that many of these “reports” are usually BS?
I mean if “reports” were to be trusted, Jose Mourinho was to be the next Real Madrid manager too……….
Yaru, Malaysia
I’d like to congratulate Len, Ireland for discovering F365. Well, I assume it’s his first visit, as it appears he’s never seen Mediawatch, and therefore believes the crap about United wanting to buy everyone under the sun has, in fact, emanated “arrogantly” from United itself rather than being click-bait created by the media. Though, tbh, as a United fan, I’m pleased we’re back to being arrogant wankers as a club – means we must be doing something right!
Big Kev, (United fan who doesn’t hate Liverpool anymore – must be the lack of detestable Scousers in the team …..), Surrey
Alternatives to National Divide
Been a while since my last mail, life had gotten the best of me and all that! But the F365 feature on Alternatives to National Divide got me in hysterics (and not the good kind) and, with the mailbox still suffering from its Scouse vs the world hangover, I thought it would be an opportune moment to scratch a little further below the surface of Mr Chicken’s 5 proposals (and anything to get my mind off the will we/wont we win it questions I see/read/hear/dream)
Height: Would butcher the game. Surely the 6-1”s, 6-2”s, 6-3”s would all be managed by the likes of Messers Pulis, Pardew, Allardyce et al playing ultra defensive “counter-attacking fusball” against the 5-6”s, 5-7”s littered with beautiful exotic tacticians of the game. I’m happy sticking to my weekly premier league subscription thanks! Also; how would a fan pick his allegiance? Will it really address the “real football fans” debate? I may be 6’1 but I’m a sucker for David Silva gliding through the game with ball at feet; hence my die hard allegiance to the 5”4s would surely spark similar questions of me being a Liverpool fan from Kenya?
Weight: Would this mean that we finally see salads and sushi served in football stadia? Can you imagine the lack of half time queuing for Innocent Health Smoothies at the home ground for the Under 60kgs? Would also need a large number of categories to create enough teams for a 32-team world cup together with qualifying, which would mean we’d probably see the “150+kgs” being hammered 16 goals to nothing; not that they already have any issues with self-esteem. But at least McDonalds and Coke would finally have a team they could relatedly sponsor!
Age: Similar issue to Weight around the number of teams, which would see players in their 40s, 50s also putting teams together to fill the numbers. Time wasting for medical treatment would take a whole new meaning. But can you imagine the Over 60’s pulling a coup a-la-Leicester and winning the world cup? SCENES!
Random: I would pay serious money to see Messi, Paul Konchesky and Hal Robson Kanu on the same team. Period
Hobbies & Interests: I’m excited at the prospect of Peter Drury commentating on the history of the “Star War-rriors”, but can you imagine the media sh*t storm surrounding poor Raheem Sterling when he joins the “Supercar-Owners” or “I Bought Mommy A Housers”? The Daily Mail need no further ammunition!
Billz, LFC (but could we really win it?), Nairobi
Tony Cascarino’s Irish struggles
Just on the question about players not knowing the language of the country they played for, I am reminded of the tale with Tony Cascarino’s struggles with the Irish tongue.
The story goes that in the aftermath of Ireland’s defeat to Italy at Italia 90, then-Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Charles Haughey, visited the dressing-room afterwards. Amid all the handshaking and revered silence, big Cas asked tall Niall Quinn who he was, with Quinny responding ‘he’s the Taoiseach’.
Anyway, another adopted Irish hero, Andy Townsend wasn’t quite sure what was going on either, so asked Cascarino the same question. Cas replied: ‘I don’t know, Quinny says he owns a tea shop’.
Urban myth or not, its a funny story of a multicultural dressing-room.
As an aside, I would compare Charles Haughey to newly resigned FAI CAO John Delaney, but it would fly over the heads of the uninitiated. Essentially, Irish football is rotten to the core at executive level.
Brian (Google Delaney though-he’s Sepp Blatter-esque), Wexford
Decline of Irish Football
In response to Rob, Gravesend, I’d have to agree that Wales appear to have a very impressive and exciting squad coming through. As for the ROI, the current performances are only reflective of the gradual erosion of the game as a result of a hugely incompetent and self serving organisation that is the Football Association of Ireland (FAI)
As it so happens, the greedy, greasy charlatan who is steering this sinking ship to ground over the last 15 years has become embroiled in controversy yet again over this passing weekend. And it may eventually back him into a corner and force him to raise his shameless snout from the trough and hop off the gravy train that has been the FAI. However this gouging vulture has shimmied his way out of controversies before and with his Teflon nature I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land comfortably on his feet. There appears to have been financial improprieties and inconsistencies which have come to light in the last week. rumours were awash on Saturday that the infamous John Delaney (CEO of the FAI) had handed in his resignation. However it turns out that he has stepped into a newly fabricated role to soften his fall from grace and kick further dirt into the eyes of the Irish Football Fan. He now goes by the title of Executive Vice President. This fabricated position allows him to retain a senior position within the FAI, which in turn allows him to continue as a member of UEFA’s executive committee, a role which he receives €160,000 for, on-top of his salary (for consistent incompetence as CEO) of €360,000. And it has recently come to light that the organisation was paying rent on two separate properties to the tune of €3,000 a month on each property, which more than likely is legit but just adds to the wasted resources being thrown into the bottomless cesspit that is the maintenance of the lavish lifestyle of an FAI executive. Over the past year a number of players from League of Ireland (LOI) clubs have been forced to go on strike over unpaid wages whereas the FAI this very weekend thought it a suitable move to create another salaried executive position to leach off the game further. The FAI have had no plan or foresight to try and develop the LOI. Instead they have been happy to see it fester and flounder as they gleefully cream off state funding.
The LOI should be the FAI’s primary concern. Instead they have left it to try and fend for it self as it struggles to keep its head above water. The LOI will never be a rich league, but with the correct planning, marketing and foresight it could be developed in tandem with the international setup. There was huge amounts of money wasted on big name International managers in recent years. It’s like trying to put a hugely expensive sticking plaster on a severed limb. Irish soccer needs to hit the reset button big time. Ireland will never be world beaters, and the current crop of players and manager are doing their very best with the gradually disintegrating fabric of Irish soccer, which they have inherited due to the greed from an incompetent organisation. However with correct planning and structures adequate standards could be reached. Netherlands have a population of 17M yet are consistently considered a decent footballing nation amongst nations with twice, 3 times, 4 times their population due to their focus on coaching and development of players within their domestic league. Belgium with a population of 11M the same. Uruguay with a population of 3.5M. Iceland Punched above their weight with just a population 360,000 which again was down to a plan. And I’m not saying that Ireland will ever be a Netherlands, Belgium Uruguay or even Iceland, but their structures should be looked at and aspired to. And any spare cent should be put towards a goal of achieving these, and not fattening the waistbands of executives or throwing money at expensive sticking plasters.
In the past we had players such as Paul Mcgrath, Ronnie Whelan, Roy Keane who could cut their teeth in the Irish League in their late teens, very early 20’s. And then they made the step up over to England. The FAI also depended upon nicking players from England who had an Irish granny or owned an Irish Wolfhound, and may have just fallen short of their own international setup. However the way the premier league has developed, has contributed to a reduced pool of experienced players to select from for England, and as a result, for Ireland. It was always a lazy approach by the FAI to rely on their players being developed by English clubs and academies. We could avoid the recent debacles with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish. And I respect these players decisions as why should they commit to a sinking ship and they are a couple of generations removed from their Irish heritage. I have no problem with “the Granny rule” being an option but there should be a motivation and foresight to try and set up structures that at least gives young players over here a better opportunity. It would take 10/15/ 20 years …. but start now. If the league of Ireland was supported properly and marketed right it provides an affordable accessible option for Irish football supporters. And I would have no problem with it being a feeder league to the premier league. Once it is not young teenagers being sent over to be spat out by academies. We need young players cutting their teeth in a buoyant domestic game that is enthusiastically supported. A league of everyday men with the possibility of cultivating future stars that might improve their chances of succeeding in the richer leagues, and proud to represent their country.
Eoghan, Ireland
Concussions
I totally agree with Paul (Spurs) T.Wells mail on this subject… concussions should be taken more seriously by enforcing a substitution even when the team is out of subs because whether will like it or not football is a game and life is the most precious gift bestowed on man and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Fifa should really take this issue more seriously and realize footballers are human and find solutions to limit health risks
Kayode Ajaja MUFC Nigeria
England line-up tonight
As Dier will be out injured for the Montenegro game, I hope James Ward-Prowse is given the nod over Barkley. History suggests Montenegro are the Burnley of qualifying groups and master the low block, bodies on the line tactics adopted by other small nations whilst also having the nous to pull the tactic off effectively.
One key facet of Southgate’s tenure has been the importance of set pieces. Previously this has focused on intricate runs and use of blocking to create space but someone with delivery like Ward-Prowse could be an asset to this team, especially against teams like Montenegro. If it is tight, a quality free kick or corner delivery could result in a much needed goal. Likewise he is one of the few in the squad I would fancy to score from a direct free kick.
Other than that, hope Southgate sticks with the same XI and would be interesting to see how many of the current squad go to the u21 championships in the summer. That is the final frontier for the all-conquering age groups of the previous years.
Joe, Midlands
Gareth Bale and the ongoing hate
Hi
I’ve just read Graham Kirk’s letter about Bale and it’s the first time a letter on this page has got me so wound up that I’ve wanted to write a reply.
Bale doesn’t know the words to the anthem? I just watched it back and he was singing wholeheartedly. Gareth Bale is one of the proudest Welshman there is, his performances and dedication to his country, no matter what the game prove that. In regards to him not speaking Welsh, a lot of people in Wales don’t (but this is on the increase thankfully) but that doesn’t make him unpatriotic.
And calling him a loner? God forbid the man is a professional, shuns the limelight and chooses to still knock around with his school mates. Redknapp should be grateful he had him to carry that Spurs side.
I wonder if Gareth was English he’d come in for so much stick from people like Graham and everyone else that chooses to knock him? His Spanish may not be great but he’s achieved more at Madrid than any English export to foreign shores in modern times.
Leave him alone ffs.
Stuart Smith, Neath, South Wales
Women’s football
I thought Daniel Storey’s article was quite interesting but I would have to agree with a couple of the respondents in this morning’s mailbox who felt it was unfairly aggressive. This idea of ‘you’re either with us or against us’ seems to me to be now deeply ingrained in so many issues. There is zero room for debate or balance, it’s either black or white. The article basically ends with an instruction to ignore anyone with a different opinion. That is astonishing. The article felt to me like a response to the droves of morons who populate Twitter and spew their nonsense endlessly. I have no doubt that many of them are misogynistic clowns and should be ignored but they do not speak for anyone but themselves. They are just loud – that doesn’t mean they are the majority.
I don’t claim to speak for anyone but myself but I think it is fair to say that, if you take The Guardian for example, there is a clear issue of disproportionate coverage in relation to reader interest when it comes to women’s football. They also commonly (obviously purposely) do not label matches as women’s and will leave the accompanying picture vague so a relatively uninformed reader may be under the impression that the article they are clicking into relates to the men’s game. I suppose an unintended click is a click all the same. Now, it is obviously an editorial decision to try to actively promote the sport but this comes at the expense of lower league men’s coverage for example. Is this a big problem? I honestly don’t know but I certainly think it is worthy of debate. The problem, as Daniels article proves, is that even the barest hint of criticism/request for debate is met with in-bad-faith smear tactics that shut the conversation down immediately.
This is a shame because I don’t think anyone with half a brain wants to stop the impressive growth of women’s football. Arguments like Daniel’s do not help. They sustain this ‘good vs evil’ drivel that results in anyone with a vaguely oppositional position feeling unheard and judged.
Stephen, Dublin
