This week has seen it’s fair share of complaints and controversy, creating a perfect start to the season for those starved of managerial banter and things to talk about in the local pub.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronmacphotos/7100541513/
The first real controversy of the season came with a Fernando Torres football goal, and no it wasn’t the fact he scored one. It was that he was offside for the crucial goal against newly promoted Reading with whom they were drawing 2-2.
When Ashley Cole sent his cross to the Spanish striker – who has won three football trophies in the space of two years for club and country – he was at least a foot offside, and before the ball had time to nestle in the back of the net, Reading boss Brian McDermott was arguing with the official.
The goal stood however and Chelsea went on to win 4-2, giving them the top spot on the table for the first time since November 2010. It was a basic human error, but one that cost Reading what would have been a massive scalp if they could have even drawn the game.
Brian McDermott wasn’t the only manager complaining, with Alex Ferguson criticising his team’s performance and lack of penetration in their opening game against Everton which they lost 1-0, the first time United have lost their opening fixture since 2004. Ferguson was frustrated at the lack of service new signing Van Persie received, although he was more likely seething that they were beaten by a simple football tactic, the long ball forward.
Everton had clearly been practicing this using their football training equipment and football bibs to perfection, and Fellaini will be dangerous this year if they continue to perform as they did against United.
Meanwhile Leeds United ‘keeper Paddy Kenny has had a complaint lodged against him for sending abusive messages to QPR’s Technical Director Mike Rigg and Chairman Tony Fernandes after he was sold to Leeds just weeks after helping the Rangers get promoted to the Premier League. If he is fined he might have to downgrade to some cheap goalkeeper gloves for this season.
The Andy Carroll saga continues with Liverpool boss Brandon Rogers’s outburst about being a ‘nutcase’ if he were to let Carroll got back to Newcastle for less than they sold him to Liverpool, and that the Magpies were taking a liberty when they offered a paltry-by-comparison loan deal worth £12m.
The Reds bought the misfiring striker for £35m last year and Rogers has finally come out and confirmed that he intends to keep Carroll on the roster at the club, although this is no guarantee he won’t be kept on the bench.
Rogers’s underlined the fact that he needs at least three strikers and with recent signing Fabio Borini along with Luis Suarez he has his three of choice, although Carroll spent the majority of the opening game against West Brom on the bench.
Fulham have also reported Liverpool for their behaviour in pursuing their out-of-favour striker Clint Dempsey. Liverpool’s owners put a story on their website claiming they had signed the midfielder when in fact they had only enquired about him.
So with battles being fought on and off the pitch, the season has got off to a speedy start.
