PS3N

THAT WAS THE WEEK....

PROFESSIONAL EVOLUTION?

This week, Ross Hutchins, best friend and ‘roomy’ of Andy Murray spilt the beans on what our talismanic Scot does to relax. He chills out with Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer.
I wonder if the various releases of Konami’s annual football fest have found their way into Murray’s on court game. Slight improvement year-on-year but glitches remain. This year, for example, has seen a glossy and professional appearance, somewhat unrealistic tricks that come off against the odds but all punctuated by the occasional laggy performance.
“Andy is so much better than me but he’s been playing for years” said Hutchins. “He’s a big Barcelona fan and he plays as them a lot.”
Don’t feel too bad Ross. You wouldn’t be the first to be on the receiving end of a Barca-bashing!
If only Murray could, like a computer game, choose to play as ‘the best’ in a Grand Slam Final. One that’s so much better than everyone else - at the flick of a button.

MONKEY BUSINESS

Portsmouth’s plight is something we should all feel great sympathy for. Another truly historic institution finds itself in a financial mess that may not only see the first Premier League club go under but sound serious consequences for the others.
As the ‘Pompey chimes’ turn into a death knell, we should all consider carefully who runs our great clubs and just how competent they are to do so. Fast money has overtaken toil and graft. This trend of the ‘quick fix’ in modern football represents a departure from moral values and the work ethic that served so well for generations. Is there no depth to which we will not go in order taste the riches of the few? Liverpool and Manchester United, two of our greatest clubs, have sold their souls. These Faustian pacts may well lead to their permanent decline in stark contrast to others who are sampling new found wealth.
But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No-one really cares where the money comes from in the present climate. Like the proverbial three monkeys, if it has a wallet we’ll see, hear and speak nothing of it. I doubt any fan would bat an eyelid if they found out Osama Bin Laden had ploughed riches into their club. Who cares so long as we can buy anyone? And who would dare try flying the ‘Terrorists Out’ banner?

LIFE ON MARS

The papers have been awash with stories about John Terry. The gagging order, on the grounds of ‘protecting his family life’ was laughable given the damage his alleged actions (and I stress alleged) have caused to his family.
Most of the stories were the usual titillation of stolen moments with a mistress, sneaking here and there and generally having his cake and eating it. There was nothing to get too riled up about and certainly nothing that doesn’t go on week in, week out within every other profession in the country. But, as always, the devil was in the detail.
You see, this is different. Having an affair in itself is not an issue but messing on your own doorstep is – for England’s captain. How can John Terry be trusted as a leader when he can’t be trusted by his closest friends or those that serve under him? To betray a team-mate and cause his potential withdrawal from the World Cup squad has done the opposite what those Terry apologists say – it has affected the England squad.
Listening to pundits this week defend his position as England captain is a sign that just about anything is forgivable - so long as you are John Terry.
If the stories are true, no matter how good, how much money or how much respect he commands in the secure, unrealistic planet that professional footballers live on, keeping John Terry as Ambassador for the England team is an insult to those that could do the job so much better.

AND FINALLY...

On a personal note, this transfer window has been a huge disappointment. It was full steam ahead on the ‘Good Ship Fulham’ until breaking news brought me the story of Diomansy Kamara’s loan move to Celtic. What an excellent move by Tony Mowbray. Not that Mr Kamara will do very much for the Hoops in the SPL. Mowbray’s only possible reason for this signing is Kamara’s stats on Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. He’s taken my Fulham to lofty heights this season and Goody990’s Celtic will now reap the rewards.
Mowbray has been ‘outed’ as a Pro Evo addict. (Feel free to join us here at PS3N, Tony). And at least, unlike Murray, he is no 'Slave to Barca'.