Originally Posted by
Niall_Quinn
Modern world, modern game. People don't get paid what they deserve they get paid in relation to what others have managed to wrangle before them. So every excessive deal in gypo or chavland has a knock on effect elsewhere. Even mediocre players are getting paid silly amounts now. Whatever the players and their grubby agents pretend, it's all about greed and excess and all without loyalty and gratitude. This is the real definition of "professionalism" in the modern world. You can behave like an utter fuck and it's okay because it's the professional thing to do.
Among fans, the lowest rung of football hell is reserved for the plastic. The guy who cheers for Club A one minute and then switches allegiance when Club B rises to prominence. Nobody takes that guy seriously. Everyone laughs at that guy. These aren't real fans, they are hangers-on who abuse the game because they can. The can afford the ticket when swathes of genuine fans can't. Fortunately these types are few and far between because the typical fan still recalls how to be a fan.
The same can't be said of the part-time, fair weather "fans" that are privileged enough to be playing the game. Most of the players are leeches with zero connection to the game. They have found a way in and a way to exploit and they have no appreciation whatsoever of the tribal nature of the sport - because they are "professional". We don't reserve the lowest run of hell for these bastards except in the odd case where the betrayal runs deep. Sol Campbell, Robin van Judas, Wayne Rooney if he'd have got his way.
Some will say it's money, it's a career, it's putting food on the table and you can't be sentimental about these things. But this argument has no perspective. When the fans pay for a ticket that's about money too, a significant portion of their livelihood. Fans aren't forced to be fans but neither are players so restrained. If money is all they care for then they should become vulture bankers and be done with it. But they prey on sport instead because it's easier given their talents, talents which are significantly on the wane since money became the key factor by the way.
I don't buy for a second the idea loyalty and tribe becomes insignificant or can legitimately be used as a bargaining chip simply because financial dopers down the road can pay a bigger fortune than the one you already enjoy. £100k per week or £200k per week, what's the real difference other than material excess? You can throw the "ambition" thing out the window, that's never been a valid argument. Loyalty and ambition are a great combination and some of the best stories in sport are tales of loyalty being rewarded. We hate the Gerrard story because he's not our tribe, but I'm thinking the Liverpool fans would love to see that loyalty rewarded (slightly tarnished loyalty when viewed in the cold light but impressive enough when taken in comparison to your usual player).
Tony Adams scoring that goal against Everton, Henry scoring that goal in the FA Cup. You have to go beyond the contract negotiations and the "professionalism" of money to ever achieve those moments.
So when Walcott and Arsenal sit down I hope there's more to it than cash and terms. I fear there won't be but if you are riding off on your shield having fun with the spud's tribe having contributed to defeating them then if that moment means anything at all the two parties will reach a compromise and Walcott will continue to play for Arsenal for the right reasons. Arsenal will have to give a little to acknowledge the hopelessness of the modern environment, Walcott will have to demonstrate a desire to be here for more than the cheque. This could all be achieved without agents, such a shame these vile bastards are permitted to foul the game.
Personally I think Walcott will be kissing a different badge next season. A shame. I WILL NOT under any circumstances understand of accept that decision if it turns out that way because it would be wrong to accept it. Theo isn't a kid looking for his big break any more. He made his way up the ranks and chose his club, hopefully for the right reasons. If he sticks then good for him, if he goes then fuck him. Whatever happens, 99.9% of the fans will stay like we always do. We give, they take. The ones who give a bit back are the real legends. Matt Le Tiss still gets the piss taken out of him for "blowing his career" with Southampton. For me he's the epitome of what football should be about.
