The Page Which Is Feeling Ropey
Thursday April 07 2005
Could this be what was under that chap's hat on the Chelsea bench?
Excuses, Money, Principles And Happiness
Mediawatch was going to begin this segment with the rhetorical question of 'Are managers ever happy?' but then realised that Jose Mourinho has just revealed that they can be.
Angry at what he perceived as a lack of support from the club's hierarchy after he was banned from the touchline, Jose threw a prissy fit and was, apparently, 'on the brink' of walking out on the club.
A couple of days and a £1m-a-year pay rise later and Jose has apparently forgotten all about that point of principle.
Presumably Roman's novel solution to this little domestic was inspired by Arsene Wenger's request for him to reveal his colours and provide a voice for the club. So that's the language of money, then.
Anyway, where were we? Oh yes. Managers. Never happy.
Just a few weeks ago, Sir Alex of Red Face was at pains to blame England's congested fixture list for his side's continuing misfortunes in Europe.
"There is a stupid sense of fairness about our game that hinders teams in Europe," he complained. "Why should Manchester United not be able to play Everton in the cup on a Friday night before a big European game in midweek? Because of TV demands.
"In countries like France and Portugal they will change to accommodate you. Italy will play on a Saturday but not a Sunday. Chelsea had to play Newcastle on a Sunday with a four o'clock kick-off before they went out to Barcelona."
And so what did Juve coach Fabio Capello blame for his side's defeat at Liverpool this week? Er, a lack of congestion after Serie A matches were called off this weekend as a mark of respect to the Pope.
"In that first half we just didn't play, we didn't get started. The doubts I had before the game about not having played on Saturday and not being sharp enough were well founded."
Never happy&oops&erm&Always got an excuse, havent they?
The Class Divide
Announces the banner back-page headline of The Independent:
'German aristocrats overrun by an English working-class hero'
The Englishman in question is, as you may have already guessed, Frank Lampard.
World class he may be but a 'working-class hero'?
Being a footballer may be a job, but it's hardly work, is it? Or at least the honest days toil commonly associated with the concept of a working-class hero.
And since when do working-class heroes earn £72k a week?
Expert Analysis
"These guys don't play to outscore you" - Ray Wilkins on Sky Sports in the build-up to the Chelsea v Bayern tie.
Tactless Headline Of The Year
'Drobny has Nurnberg trial' The Sky Sports website reports on the departure of Aston Villa's unsettled Czech international Vaclav Drobny.
What were they thinking? And we don't mean those goose-stepping invaders of Czechoslovakia.
Back To An Old Theme
'After days of intense speculation - with John Gregory, Gordon Strachan, and Brian Little all named as possible Pompey candidates - chairman Milan Mandaric said: "We have our number one candidate and that is Alain Perrin from France"' reports The Daily Mail.
That 'intense speculation' couldn't include the Daily Mail's exclusive on Monday which announced that: 'Gordon Strachan is set to take over as Portsmouth manager in the next 48 hours. The former Southampton and Coventry boss has performed an astonishing U-turn by agreeing to take over the struggling South Coast club', could it?
That Election Choice In Full
Spot the difference, ladies and gentlemen...
"I believe in a country where hard work and merit, not privilege or background, determine success.
"A country where Britain's families get the modern healthcare, education, childcare services they need, and on a fair and equal basis.
"...How we carry forward the investment in our immigration service to protect our borders to ensure we have indeed strict controls that work.
"A country where people who play by the rules get on and those who don't, don't" Tony Blair, the leader of the Labour Party, sets out his campaign principles, April 5th 2005.
"I believe passionately in fair play. People are fed up that their hard work is not recognised or rewarded. We will reward hardworking Britons...
"We can afford world class public services - the good, local schools and clean hospitals that hard working Britons deserve.
"We will reduce immigration by setting an annual limit on the number of people who can come and settle in Britain.
"By rewarding people who do the right thing, who play by the rules." - Michael Howard, the leader of the Conservative Party, sets out his campaign principles, April 5th 2005.
Headline Of The Day
'Mourinho takes the rise out of Chelsea with £5.2m deal' The Times
Worst Headline Of The Day
'Magpies have more than a Sporting chance' The Times. well, you can't be right all the time.
Runner-Up
'Ear We Go' The Sun
Quote Of The Day
"If I say what I feel in my soul, I will attract more headlines and more trouble. It is strange that in this industry, when you say what you feel and believe, you pay for it" Jose speaks out in his press conference. He just doesn't get it, does he?
Thanks to today's Mediawatch spotters: Dan Tilles, Keith Lynch, Graeme Tait.
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