In the aftermath of yet another derby day shafting from "supposedly impartial" match officials, David Moyes considers that maybe it's time for a re-think about aspects of the team's play. Too right it is!
I hate to say this but in an age where the Premiership is all about high finance, greed, TV rights, sponsorship, mercenaries, and a succeed at all costs mentality, our players really do need to drop this corinthian, fair play to all attitude. Am I the only one who is heartily sick of our club being done over by some incompetent/corrupt/inconsistent/starstruck crank who is paid good money to officiate FAIRLY AND EVENLY at Premiership matches?
It seems clear that the way in which our players go about their business on the pitch, is a hark back to a time when most teams recognised that was how the game should be played. And that is great, so long as everyone acts the same way. Our players always get up off the deck after being launched up in the air by some dog's arse, and then shake hands.
They do not surround the referee and claim for every decision under the sun. They do not try to con free kicks. They do not snarl and sneer at the opposition. In fact, they do everything in the correct manner and in the spirit of sportsmanship. However, just when you think they should be recognised for this sterling attitude, the exact opposite is constantly the case. They are regularly on the receiving end of abysmal and high-handed treatment from officials. Where does fair play get us? Absolutely nowhere!!
It's blatantly obvious that to survive in the game at the top level these days, you need to snarl, dive, cheat, abuse officials and just generally flout all the set laws of the game. If any example of that was needed, Saturday's derby match was a perfect one. The Liverpool manager may chose to not comment on the nonsensical and ridiculous red card issued to Jack Rodwell for a clean tackle but, by doing so he is epitomising all that is wrong with the modern game. And, with his attitude, he is also condoning his own player openly cheating to get a fellow professional sent off.
Therefore, I do find it sad to have to reach this conclusion, but our club needs to get real and, unfortunately, change its ways to survive at this level.
