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Truth that dare not speak its name ahead of the World Cup
OK. I’m going to suggest something that I know we are not really supposed to say. I know not all of you are going to agree and some will find it hurtful. Others will find it challenging, a jolt to their belief system, how they view the world.
Some will even think it’s inappropriate for their children to read. This week’s edition will be hidden under the coffee table in many homes – and may be banned from schools and libraries. In extreme cases it will be burned! So if you see a beacon on Primrose Hill tonight it’ll be a pile of our papers in flames. I’ve warned Reception to expect placards.
Certainly, saying this kind of stuff would be illegal in other countries; it’s probably semi-outlawed here. A roomful of lawyers have been arguing all week over whether we should even go to print. I know I risk the charge of blasphemy, but here’s a shout for freedom of speech. I’m going to say it. John Terry isn’t that good!
Yes, his team beat Arsenal. Yes, he’s an OK player and he’s pretty competent at heading. But he isn’t that good. It’s just that at Chelsea he’s surrounded with some of the world’s finest players. When he’s not playing with Essien, Drogba and Anelka he’s just another defender.
Until we admit our players aren’t all that good, winning the World Cup will remain fantasy. There, I’ve said it!
ACCORDING to Arsene Wenger, Sunday was the day to judge his beloved Goons.
After years of criticism of his squad’s inexperience, he said it was their coming-of-age moment. Probably not a great idea to pin such significance on a game they were always likely to lose. Chelsea beat them easily, making them look flimsy and blunt when it came to the final third, and the conclusion was obvious: If this is Arsenal’s moment, then they’ll never win anything.
In the aftermath Wenger turned bitter, and a bit stupid, saying Drogba “doesn’t do a lot.” You have to wonder whether he’s ever bothered to watch Arshavin standing around shrugging his shoulders for 85 minutes of every game.
When Wenger gets past the usual, churlish chat about how everything went against Arsenal and they were robbed of a penalty etc, he should be thinking about the gulf between the two sides.
Spurs, meanwhile, appear to be performing as expected. Lose to the teams above them, draw with those around them, and beat those below. If we maintain this consistency, it will be a very good season.
It was a beautiful and rare moment to see Michael Dawson lash home a goal on Saturday, and to witness the astonishment on his face when the ball actually flew in. |
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