Israel, contrary to popular belief (including cynical RTG previous postings), played out of their skins to rescue England on Saturday. But thank God for the cynicism of a nation and its media. No-one could see how an Israel team, that had nothing to play for, would be victorious over a Russian team that shared many footballing, cultural and, above all, financial links with them. However, the pressure exerted by the English media, forced the Israeli coach to call a press conference prior to the match to deny ‘undue pressure’ had been applied from ‘outside’.
In a complete reversal of circumstances, following the result, the head of the Russian FA, Vitaly Mutko, cried foul. He has all but accused the English media of influencing the result of the game by energising an Israeli performance which had removed his team’s destiny out of their own hands. Additionally, it appeared to cause the Russian team to, in the words of one of their players, “shit in their pants”.
Did the English media play their part? Only the players involved can really tell. The point is that it seems normal these days to have to play a PR offensive in various media channels prior to any important match. Over many years, Sir Alex Ferguson has used various pronouncements on potentially lenient or easily led referees or xenophobic stereotypes, to head off possible obstacles to his own interests. This now seems to be a widely acceptable practice exercised by the majority of managers and coaches.
As England supporters, for once, the media has undoubtedly helped us out. Its record over the years has been the complete reverse. It has been the hirer and firer of England management over the last 35 years. And look where it has got us! For that matter, where has it got the English Premiership? Have their been any great debates about the most significant event to occur in the last five years – i.e. the arrival of billions of pounds in the form of Roman Abramovich and the securing of two Premiership titles? No. The media chose to focus on the fact that it would make the Premiership competition better by adding Chelsea to the competitive mix (i.e. to challenge Arsenal and Manchester United’s dominance of the league). Astonishingly, no downside could be appreciated, or anticipated. In fact, they chose to be positively sycophantic toward Chelsea and Abramovich. There were even pundits and commentators who expounded that blatant cheating was, in their terms, ‘excellent professionalism’. Hang your head in shame Andy Gray.
In a complete reversal of circumstances, following the result, the head of the Russian FA, Vitaly Mutko, cried foul. He has all but accused the English media of influencing the result of the game by energising an Israeli performance which had removed his team’s destiny out of their own hands. Additionally, it appeared to cause the Russian team to, in the words of one of their players, “shit in their pants”.
Did the English media play their part? Only the players involved can really tell. The point is that it seems normal these days to have to play a PR offensive in various media channels prior to any important match. Over many years, Sir Alex Ferguson has used various pronouncements on potentially lenient or easily led referees or xenophobic stereotypes, to head off possible obstacles to his own interests. This now seems to be a widely acceptable practice exercised by the majority of managers and coaches.
As England supporters, for once, the media has undoubtedly helped us out. Its record over the years has been the complete reverse. It has been the hirer and firer of England management over the last 35 years. And look where it has got us! For that matter, where has it got the English Premiership? Have their been any great debates about the most significant event to occur in the last five years – i.e. the arrival of billions of pounds in the form of Roman Abramovich and the securing of two Premiership titles? No. The media chose to focus on the fact that it would make the Premiership competition better by adding Chelsea to the competitive mix (i.e. to challenge Arsenal and Manchester United’s dominance of the league). Astonishingly, no downside could be appreciated, or anticipated. In fact, they chose to be positively sycophantic toward Chelsea and Abramovich. There were even pundits and commentators who expounded that blatant cheating was, in their terms, ‘excellent professionalism’. Hang your head in shame Andy Gray.
Lost in the midst of the Italian scandals of undue influence being exercised by referees in favour of the top teams in Serie A, was the manipulation of viewers of Italy’s most popular football analysis programme to those big teams. That is, controversial decisions made against the top teams were highlighted as being ‘unfair’ while controversial decisions made for those teams were glossed over and presented in a favourable light. RTG finds it hard to believe that these same sorts of influences are not being perpetrated by the media in this country.
The media in England have complained steadfastly over the last few years over lack of access to players and their remoteness. Yet, the fact is that, in its efforts to look after its own interests and not ‘bite the hand that feeds it’, the media has actually become just as remote itself. Laudable and debatable initiatives are raised but quietly and conveniently swept aside and forgotten. The Observer published a series of articles under the banner of ‘The Game that Ate Itself’ and FourFourTwo magazine published a special feature on ‘100 Ways to Save Football’. All very interesting but what has actually been achieved as a result? Nothing! Above all, what has been heard of the Stevens Report recently? What action has been taken? Nothing.
The media in England have complained steadfastly over the last few years over lack of access to players and their remoteness. Yet, the fact is that, in its efforts to look after its own interests and not ‘bite the hand that feeds it’, the media has actually become just as remote itself. Laudable and debatable initiatives are raised but quietly and conveniently swept aside and forgotten. The Observer published a series of articles under the banner of ‘The Game that Ate Itself’ and FourFourTwo magazine published a special feature on ‘100 Ways to Save Football’. All very interesting but what has actually been achieved as a result? Nothing! Above all, what has been heard of the Stevens Report recently? What action has been taken? Nothing.
That’s why we’re doing this. There needs to be a body of people who are prepared to act. For the few of you who are reading this, we ask you to pass on the url to your fellow supporters and ask you to register with us now.
Reclaim the Game - The Weekend's Events
- As predicted in this very blog, Scotland go back to being also-rans and having to support whoever is playing England as their brave attempt to qualify from a tough group fell just short of the mark once again. A lot of talk about 'passion' and 'Scottish fans being like a twelfth man' came to nothing against the World Champions on Saturday. Ultimately, if you concentrate on good results against France and forget that you have to beat teams like Georgia, no amount of 'passion' makes a blind bit of difference. Better luck next time lads. You'll probably need it.
- Hard-hitting Times journalist and Sports Writer of the Year,2005, Martin Samuels, seems to have hit upon something that the rest of the English football-watching public missed. Speaking on the Sunday Supplement this weekend, he attributed England's problems to (and we quote) "our juniors having to play on a full-sized pitch". With no apparent explanation further than that. And there was RTG thinking it was maybe down to poor coaching, an apathetic and self-centred FA, years of neglect and unintelligent English players. Give that man a job in the FA someone!
- Moves are afoot to follow Sheffield Wednesday's example and ban the band from England games. We give this our wholehearted support. Not only are they an irritating and distracting dirge in the background of England games, they also contribute nothing to the atmosphere or encouraging England fans to sing and shout. In fact, they probably have the opposite effect. Whoever thought this was a good idea, are probably the same people who think a good England manager is one who clenches his fists a lot, runs around his technical area whistling and who makes waving hand gestures at his players that they neither see nor understand.
- England have been thrown a lifeline. Two things we should remember about this. Firstly, this does not mean that performances against Russia, Croatia and Macedonia have gone away. They still happened and they were still bad. Secondly, Steve Mclaren is not suddenly a good manager. We're not there yet but, if we get there, (and in the absence of any likely appointment of Jose Mourinho) he's probably as good as anyone available for the job. Hopefully that hasn't depressed you too much.
Hat's Off, Take a Bow (or not!)
Player of the Week - David Healy. Broke Davor Suker's record for number of goals scored in a European Championship qualifying campaign with a tally of 13 so far. Admittedly he has had 12 games in which to achieve it which Davor most likely did not. Interestingly, he can't get near goal-starved Fulham's starting eleven.
Villain of the Week - All those people (RTG included) who predicted Israel would lay down and roll over for Russia. Shame on us all! But thank God we answered our country's call when it mattered.
Hero of the Week - Omer Golan. Nice one old son. At least for the time being got us out of a tight spot.
Cliche of the Week - 'Golan Scales New Heights.' Or something similar.
Shock of the Week - The effort and sheer determination put in by Israel to prove that they were going to go for it.
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