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THE CROW by RICHARD OSLEY & PAUL COWLING
Published: 8 November 2007
 
Support Brits in Europe, even Moan United!

"MY name is Sir Alex. And I’m a moaner…” And so began the latest meeting of Moaners Anonymous.
The Taggarty-faced Moan United manager just can’t help it. He is an addict craving his next hit of moaning.
Even when his team escape Ashburton Grove with a draw, he can’t resist having a right old moan. There was a foul. The fans were calling me names. My face is all sour looking. And so on…
Sir Fergie is the only manager who refuses to attend post-match press conferences at the Emirates Stadium.
I’ve seen managers whose teams have been thumped 7-0 or been unfairly robbed of a victory in the last minute go in there and answer the questions. They face the music when, just like Ferguson, they would rather be on the team bus and making as quick a getaway as possible.
But it’s as if fluking a treble gives you the right to make your own rules up and the grumpy-bum only talks to United’s own TV station or Sky after a match. When he does all he comes out with is a moan. It’s a shame.
You have to be astute to run a club like Moan United for as long as he has and he probably has some sensible things to say somewhere along the line .
But if all he can come up with is “Arsenal have too many foreigners” – zzzzzzzzzz, change the record, haven’t heard that one before mister – then maybe we should be grateful he fudges off on his own.

AS my only day off each year is Christmas Day, I can only dream of avoiding chimney sweeping duties for an afternoon to watch Channel Five’s uninterrupted Uefa Cup coverage – what better way to idle in front of the telly and put on a stone in weight?

Instead, it will be an 18-hour day of wriggling up those blessed sooty stacks, just so the gentrified folk can toast marshmallows.
If I could get time off I’d love to see my early childhood side Tottingham take on Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel Aviv.
And what’s more, I’d be cheering Spurs on; not because I used to support ’em, but because they are British and playing in Europe. It doesn’t matter who the team is; it could even be Portsmouth, who I loathe (as a Plymouth Argyle fan), and who have stolen a rampant march on us since those Battle of the Port Days, when we were classed as equals.
So, I have to ask, if I can cheer on Pompey in Europe (and it might happen next season!) and if I can put up with that stupid bell their fans keep on ringing, then why can’t Arsenal and Spurs support each other in European games? Why do Spurs fans get so much pleasure out of Nayim lobbing David Seaman? And just because Spurs are rubbish, why do Arsenal fans think they are too good for the Wafer Cup?
Come on! Support other English sides in Europe.

Paul Cowling is a Plymouth Argyle fan who lives in Tufnell Park

• The New Journal is inviting readers to tackle Osley in The People’s Perch. Send your column and a photo to The Crow, 40 Camden Road, NW1 9DR or by email sports@camdennewjournal.co.uk








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