There were interesting reports in last Sunday’s newspapers, quoting TV pundit Alan Shearer in criticising the style of play/entertainment value of Newcastle Utd last season. The former Toon and England centre-forward, apparently condemned last season’s fayre as ‘hard work’ to watch. In fact, he claimed that it was so boring that he found it hard to give away free tickets to his pals! Moreover, urging Alan Pardew to turn Newcastle Utd in the ‘great entertainers,’ Shearer states:
We had a dreadful back half of the season and it was hard work watching it. This season I am hoping that we can produce a brand of football that can excite the fans. I would love it if we were going to be in the top four. Realistically, it is not going to happen. So, we have to look at other ways to entertain. I hope we can go out and produce a brand of football that will excite 50,000 supporters.’
West Ham fans will be bemused by these reported comments, considering the way in which Mr Shearer, commenting last season on MoTD, dismissed the concerns of Hammers fans about the poor style of footbal, under Sam Allardyce, and the way it contravened the club’s most cherished traditions. So, we must ask: why is it ok for Hammers fans to endure ‘hard to watch’ football, but not Newcastle Utd supporters? Why must Toon fans be entertained, but not Hammers fans? What on earth is the essential difference? Alan Pardew got the results to guarantee Premier League safety for Newcastle Utd, according to Mr Shearer (talking about the Hammers on MoTD) that is the crucial thing. So, why is he not satisfied?
Does Mr Shearer think that one set of standards should apply to his club and another to ours? It would certainly seem so!
SJ. Chandos.