Surprisingly, the press chose to focus less on the inept Phil Dowd and his ridiculous decision to let Kieron Richardson stay on the pitch after bringing down Luis Suarez when clean through on goal with only four minutes gone, and focused more on Liverpool’s failure to break down a team, who were fortunate to still be playing with 11-men. Mostly coming under ‘surprising’ attack was striker Andy Carroll. I use the word ‘surprising’ in a sarcastic manner – the £35 million price tag will ensure certain members of the press will focus on his every touch, unfairly or not – that’s what a massive price tag brings. I was, however, surprised that the attack on Carroll was as instant as it was, whilst being totally unwarranted – Carroll was far from the worst player on the pitch.
I was genuinely more surprised at the seeming knee-jerk reaction from the ‘Chief Sports Writer’ for the Observer, who based an entire article in The Guardian on the fact that Carroll has not lived up to his £35 million price tag – from his performance against Sunderland. In the first game of the season. I wonder what his article would have been based on if the referee had failed to correctly disallow Carrol’s goal for a slight push? You got that one right didn’t you Mr. Dowd.
The reactive article on Carroll is something Liverpool fans better get more accustomed to this season, if results are not positive. And by this I mean press-positive i.e 3-points. The unfair criticism Carroll received comes from him not yet being given a chance to gel with his new side, and especially new strike partner Luis Suarez, thanks to an injury-plagued start to his Liverpool career at the end of last season. A fact conveniently forgotten by those keen to write a negative reaction piece.
In total opposite to the media’s obsessive negative pressure mounting at Anfield, the vast majority club’s supporters are remaining calm and sensible – for now. Most have realised that this is a rebuilding season and whilst it seems there are exciting times ahead and the future looks bright and optimistic, that time may not yet be right now. New signing and youth need to gel into a team that can push for honours but for now patience is the key. Maybe owner John Henry’s comments of a need to finish at least fourth this season didn’t help, and allowed the press to frenzy again – but those demands are the level every Liverpool fan is already hoping for – anymore this season, will be seen as a welcome bonus.
Written by Jimmy Areabi for FootballFancast.com. If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!
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To all Reds, my appeal would be this. We’ve managed to wait all of a stagnant 20+ years, and just seen MUFC overhaul our record 18 titles record. The in between of a UEFA CL and lesser treble cannot erase the pain of what could have been for the Kop Nation.
We ARE rebuilding. It is we fans who need to remind the world instead of awaiting journalistic largesse. That will NOT come in any Red’s lifetime.
Are the objective media highlighting our stealing of Suarez? Is the media highlighting the largely galvanizing effect the new owners and Kenny has brought to LFC? Is anyone in the media fraternity wondering aloud about MUFC’s massive debt and what next after Fergie leaves? Is anyone in this media fraternity spending a close look at Wenger and his management of Arsenal? How about Chelsea’s continued managerial musical chairs? How about Sunderland having bought more than any team in the PL during the summer?
We cannot rely on the media. Their rose-tinted glasses only use a big target that Liverpool FC is to escape problems in their own teams’ backyards.
I will borrow from an Akan proverb that says it’s only man who matters. I call all manner of valuables, gold, cloth, and none answer. Only man matters.
Likewise, only the Kop Nation’s stand with their team matters. The media can largely take a hike to the seaside, wait for the high tide then commit suicide.
YNWA!