Captain Splarg
28 May 2004, 09:48 AM
http://www.football365.com/teams/leeds_united/story_111464.shtml
from football365.com :
No Justication For Smithy's Judas Act
Thursday May 27 2004
All football fans other than those of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea might as well give up and do the unthinkable; like watch rugby.
Alan Smith playing for Manchester United? I?m a southerner but I?m pretty sure they hate each other. Isn't Alan Smith a Leeds fan? I don't watch Leeds but even I know that. What must this be like for the Leeds fans that have worshiped him for the past few years?
As a Tottenham fan, I can begin to imagine.
Is this another case of football as a business and to hell with the fans, the lifeblood, of this morally-void sport? Maybe, but maybe not. More and more people are finally opening their eyes to what Smith's transfer represents: the absence of any integrity.
I can't think of one valid justification that Smith could give to appease Leeds' fans hatred for him now. Let's look at those he may try:
"It will help Leeds out if I leave because they'll get money."
Manchester United use the same currency as everyone else - moving to another club will also give Leeds a big pay off. This one just doesn't wash.
"I want to win things."
Who gives a toss if you have loads of medals to look at when you're sixty? Phil Neville has won six Premiership titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup. Does this make him a great and respected player? On the other hand, Alan Shearer (whom I think we can assume is a great and respected player) has one league championship. Who would you rather be?
"It's best for footballing reasons."
Well, football is about the passion the fans bring. Without the fans (us), football is nothing. What if everyone who got a call from Manchester United or Arsenal left? What's the point of this whole league? What's the point of spending money to go and see a club whose main ambition is to get a player good enough for Manchester United? There is none, and I don't actually think the world is like that yet.
However with more people like Smith, it might be. So no, Alan, the move was not good for football reasons.
The real point, I feel, of the above 'justifications' is that they would still all apply to Smith even if Leeds stayed up. Smith would've left for Manchester United anyway - and that makes him one thing.
He says he's ready for the 'aggro' that he may get, and I for one hope he is - for his sake. He deserves it. Too harsh? Is it just a game? In that case, lets all support Real Madrid and sod our clubs. And if it's just a game, why are you reading a website about it?
Meanwhile, Smith and Campbell will be playing for France this summer: they want to win things.
from football365.com :
No Justication For Smithy's Judas Act
Thursday May 27 2004
All football fans other than those of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea might as well give up and do the unthinkable; like watch rugby.
Alan Smith playing for Manchester United? I?m a southerner but I?m pretty sure they hate each other. Isn't Alan Smith a Leeds fan? I don't watch Leeds but even I know that. What must this be like for the Leeds fans that have worshiped him for the past few years?
As a Tottenham fan, I can begin to imagine.
Is this another case of football as a business and to hell with the fans, the lifeblood, of this morally-void sport? Maybe, but maybe not. More and more people are finally opening their eyes to what Smith's transfer represents: the absence of any integrity.
I can't think of one valid justification that Smith could give to appease Leeds' fans hatred for him now. Let's look at those he may try:
"It will help Leeds out if I leave because they'll get money."
Manchester United use the same currency as everyone else - moving to another club will also give Leeds a big pay off. This one just doesn't wash.
"I want to win things."
Who gives a toss if you have loads of medals to look at when you're sixty? Phil Neville has won six Premiership titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup. Does this make him a great and respected player? On the other hand, Alan Shearer (whom I think we can assume is a great and respected player) has one league championship. Who would you rather be?
"It's best for footballing reasons."
Well, football is about the passion the fans bring. Without the fans (us), football is nothing. What if everyone who got a call from Manchester United or Arsenal left? What's the point of this whole league? What's the point of spending money to go and see a club whose main ambition is to get a player good enough for Manchester United? There is none, and I don't actually think the world is like that yet.
However with more people like Smith, it might be. So no, Alan, the move was not good for football reasons.
The real point, I feel, of the above 'justifications' is that they would still all apply to Smith even if Leeds stayed up. Smith would've left for Manchester United anyway - and that makes him one thing.
He says he's ready for the 'aggro' that he may get, and I for one hope he is - for his sake. He deserves it. Too harsh? Is it just a game? In that case, lets all support Real Madrid and sod our clubs. And if it's just a game, why are you reading a website about it?
Meanwhile, Smith and Campbell will be playing for France this summer: they want to win things.