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THE STEVE GOLDBY COLUMN 1-7-04
Isn't it great that Red Roman Abramovich got a slap in the face this week. It is so easy to forget that the professionals view the game in a different light to us mere mortals and do not carry the same allegiance to their clubs that we do, baring notable exceptions. Steven Gerrard is currently the most notable. Let's not be under any illusions here.
Football is big business these days and it will not be making a return to it's working class roots now. I don't object to that at all, as the game is far more exciting now than it ever used to be. The downside to that advantage is the likes of Abramovich coming over here and thinking he can buy our Premier League title. Well listen here, sonny- you can't do that! It doesn't work. Money may be able to buy you political favours and the like but it won't get you our Premier League title. Only one man has pulled that off and that was Jack Walker at Blackburn. We didn't begrudge him that because he was a genuine lifelong fan, who stepped in when the club was in trouble. The 'buying' of the title came later and they were still relegated 3 years later, with Walker still at the helm. I have a sneaking suspicion that Abramovich's Chelsea 'project' is doomed to failure. Relative failure, that is. Or, when the rich man gets bored with his new plaything, will we have another Leeds United on our hands?
So with Liverpool out of the market for a new midfielder, it looks as though Owen Hargreaves is possibly being lined up for Boro. This could be a useful signing but at the risk of pouring cold water on an exciting prospective new signing, didn't Hargreaves have some part to play in Portugal's late equaliser against England in Euro 2004. I distinctly remember him carelessly giving the ball away at our end and sitting back watching, as the Portuguese ran straight up the other end and scored. In amongst all the scapegoat searching, Owen seems to have got away with that little blunder. Have another watch if you can. I'm afraid I remain unimpressed.
On the other hand, Michael Reiziger looks the part. I thought he was excellent going forward in the quarter and semi finals. He also took the coollest penalty of the lot in the quarter final, if that counts for anything? However, I am a little concerned about having seen him play 4 matches now, all in Euro 2004 and not having seen him really defend. Perhaps there is something in the old saying, 'the best defenders are the ones who are never seen.'
On the subject of Euro 2004, last Friday, it was reported that Steve McLaren would be back at his desk at Rockliffe Park that afternoon. The England squad didn't leave Portugal until the Friday lunchtime and by my reckoning, that means that Steve would have gone straight from Luton to Teesside and started work immediately with barely an hour of normal office hours to go. Sorry, but I do not buy this one at all. Nice reporting to get the fans going I thought, however a little far fetched from reality. I would wager that he didn't see his desk until the Monday morning. Which is quite right as well. It's good to have him back. I think that our manager is in for a career defining season, which unfortunately may see him being made a better offer sooner rather than later. Let's hope not. Or let's hope he took note from the Steven Gerrard saga!
The next time I write this column, Euro 2004 will be all over and either Greece, Portugal or The Czech Republic will have won it. I find it ironic that in the same year that all of the big guns crashed out of the Champions League early, the same thing happens in Euro 2004. No 'superpowers' in the final stages of Europe's major international and club competitions. I am predicting Portugal to lift the trophy on Sunday and then both the European Championship and European Champion's League will both be held by Portugal. And when Ireland gives up the rotating presidency of Europe, they will pass the mantle to... Portugal.
But whatever happens in the final on Sunday, my one long-lasting, over riding memory of Euro 2004 will always be under fire Dutch boss Dick Advocaat's wife sporting a t-shirt bearing the slogan, "I'm standing behind my Dick!" So am I love, so am I.
Until next week.
Steve
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