Easy Targets In The Theatre of Hate
OVER the past few days I have been musing on the nature of collective public hate in football and the strange process by which Boro's legitimate terrace targets are selected for systematic monstering. The Big Picture column in the Gazette this week looks at the demonisation of Nick Barmby - a possible visitor with Hull tonight - and the sustained creative bile he faces from some less cerebral sections of the Riverside crowd. It also riffs on the theme to bring in the gallery of ghoulden greats like Zenden, Merson, Ziege and Beagrie.
All those have become instantly recognised anti-heroes among the Boro crowd with public pledges of unending animosity towards them a rite of passage on the journey to uber-fandom. They are pantomime villains to be booed and vilified on their every appearance. They are the personification of various degrees of foul treachery, unforgiveable disrespect and deep and lasting unanticipated damage to the club. Worse still, they are heretics from the one true club.
No wonder the tunnel visioned defenders of the faith have a religious zeal in hounding them.
We can all reel off the crime sheet of these cartoon cutout badmen because it is part of our socialisation as fans. Barmby - boo! Left and dared to tell his new employers and fans he was glad to have signed for a big club! Merson - boo! Left fearing for his own health and sanity and citing the drink culture at Boro... the very culture that Boro fans were using to beat Bryan Robson with. Zenden - boo! Imagine leaving Boro for the European Champions just because the club wouldn't give him a new deal that matched what he thought he was worth.
All of them are guilty of one thing and one thing alone: seeking to advance their career when the opportunity arose. For one reason or another they moved to what they saw as better jobs. In terms of the football industry that is a routine occurrance devoid of any moral content. Moving to another club is no more "evil" than me going to the Echo or a plumber, accountant or truck driver moving on. It is the dynamic that keeps the machine ticking over. And, it must be said, it is the mechanism by which Boro acquire players.
But for supporters that perspective is anathema. That is the ultimate taboo. Because their motivation is not financial, professional or part of a personal ten year career development plan. Their motivation is an unconditional, binding relationship with an institution that goes beyond economics or even reason. For supporters their club is the ultimate expression of their pride and loyalty and playing for it the highest achievement possible. For them there is no better job.
But the almost mystical selection process that decides who should be cheered and who should be jeered is deeply flawed. Almost every player who leaves voluntarily to a club of equal or higher status is equally guilty of the same knife-through-the-heart betrayal. Yet some are branded Judas and others - Juninho for instance - Jesus.
The Juninho question is one that has always left me frustrated and confused because on paper here is a player who has shown more disrespect to the club and the fans than anyone yet has against all the rules somehow been elevated to a demi-god by a cult that exhibits an almost religious dimension (I can feel the hate mail being scribbled furiously as I write).
Juninho, lest we forget, was the first player to bail out after relegation in 1997 in a deal that must have been agreed before the FA Cup final and felt he owed the fans so little that he opted out of the open-topped bus parade around the town. Two years later he showed the club even more disrespect as he played footsie over a £10m return then pulled the plug leaving Bryan Robson and Keith Lamb sat embarrassed at a pre-arranged press conference for a confirmation phonecall that never came. And in his final signing for the club he spent three weeks threatening to collapse the deal if he did not get more money.
In short he is guilty of crimes far greater than poor Nick Barmby or Peter Beagrie but should he return he would be cheered to the echo and surrounded by acolytes wanting to touch him. Why? The forgiving plea of the Juninhoistas is that in leaving Boro for Madrid in the first place he "was only pursuing his World Cup dream." The underlying assumption is that like the fans "he loves this club." Don't be daft. If he loved it like the fans he would never have left. He just moved jobs because it was financially and professionally advantageous.
And how is that different for any other player moving on? It isn't. It is not that the Little Fella should be vilified too, more that the others should be given a break.
Barmby was squeezed out by the club amid a low level whispering campaign and unsavoury rumours because with Juninho in the team their was one Midget Gem. Merson left because he was ill and his string of delusional statements about the club were an attempt at self justification by a man torment by the demon drink who should be pitied rather than persecuted. Zenden was a free agent who thought over the club's offer but then opted to move to the European Champions. Beagrie was a young man who had been made redundent and like so many other Teessiders in the 80s had to get on his bike. None are great crimes - and certainly not ones that should be still attracting such invective five, ten, 20 years later.
The one person who perhaps deserves any admonishment is Christian Ziege. Moving to another job is fair enough but to use such underhand and unethical methods and breach business norms put him beyond the pail even in an industry full of shysters and sharks, a fact recognised by the Premier League and the High Court. But even he doesn't deserve to be vilified personally for the rest of his life. He moved, we got paid (plus costs), his career disintegrated. Result.
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Anthony Vickers
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" Juninho, lest we forget, was the first player to bail out after relegation in 1997 in a deal that had been agreed before that last match at Leeds and before the FA Cup final and felt he owed the fans so little that he opted out of the open-topped bus parade around the town. Two years later he showed the club even more disrespect as he played footsie over a £10m return then pulled the plug leaving Bryan Robson and Keith Lamb sat embarrassed at a pre-arranged press conference for a confirmation phonecall that never came. And in his final signing for the club he spent three weeks threatening to collapse the deal if he did not get more money....,
And of course you have proof of all of this?
DON'T just say that YOU KNOW it to be true because that just doesn't cut it as I can quote back endless stories straight back at you.
If you are to make such grave accusations, and they are very grave, then you should at least have the guts to quote people, because when you don't, you just sound bitter and jealous like Bernie, THE LEGEND Slaven.
It's a real pity that you have chosen to slate people without any hard evidence, as you have just ruined what is a very good blog.
I challenge you to provide hard facts or remove your original post.
TB
**AV writes: All these things are a matter of public record and were extensively written about in the Gazette at the time. Of course, that will cut no ice with those who see Juninho as infallible and beyond criticism. There is a cult of personality surrounding him which makes it almost impossible to have any rational discussion.
Vic
And Ziege, like Bolo, deserves points for slagging off Lambie!
We are fortunate at Boro for having so many local lads in our squad who might be playing for something a little more than the wages. But I still wouldn't expect them to turn down a mega offer if it came - it's their career.
Because we're fans we unfairly transpose our feelings onto people - players, managers and coaches - who are doing their job.
Because we pay their wages and we are the continuity that sustains the club we have the right to criticise what they give at work but none to criticise if they choose to leave to better themselves; particularly as if the club wanted rid of them they'd be out of the door sharpish (although come to think of it we seem to have a number of Club 34-40 members hanging around, though again, no one forced the club to give them long lucrative contracts)
I could do with a little less of the badge-kissing 'theatre' which encourages a mis-reading of that process and plays on fans feelings, sometimes cynically.
There was an interesting conversation between the ex-players on the panel on Sky's Gillette Soccer Saturday recently on this topic which Merse was part of. They discussed the difference for them between where you went for money and prizes and those clubs that you had genuine feeling for - and also what it meant to be a professional.
At one point Boro came up and one panellist - in the hackneyed way of these things - said that he couldn't believe anyone went to Boro for anything other than the money.
Everyone turned and looked at Merse who said that, yes, he had gone to Boro for a very good deal at a time in his career where he needed it. And what was wrong with that? He then said that he was a Pro and that he felt that he'd put in the effort for the club, earned his wages, and helped Boro get promoted whilst he was there.
He then said that he could have seen himself staying there to finish his career but 'things off the pitch' meant he couldn't and that, if the offer came ever came, he would gladly go back to coach or manage.
A rather more serious answer than I think the bad 'joke' was intended to provoke but a good enough explanation of what we are talking about.
There was an interesting contrast at The Valley on Saturday. When JFH's name was announced the Boro fans were unsure what to do but engaged in some dilatory booing (after he scored the booing got worse).
Now, on most folks reckoning we'd have been better off keeping JFH this season, if only to encourage Messrs Veruka and The Yak and most think it was a poor decision by Gate to let him go. So far as anyone knows he and the other players concerned were keen to see him stay and no-one can argue he didn't do a job for us whilst he was at Boro.
Contrast this with the Charlton fans with Euell who were generous in their applause for him when he was warming up, when his name was announced and when he came on as sub. I'm not saying that they don't have their betes noires too but it was interesting.
AV - What upsets supporters is when the likes of Ziege does a full page article in the Times praising the Club and saying that he has never broke a contract in his life.
He then does exactly the opposite and does the dirty on the club. As you stated it all went pear shaped for Ziege and he can expect sympathy from no one.
Zenden had every right to leave but upset the fans because of his empty promisies of staying if we got in Europe.
Juninho as you said seems above any criticism.
In his first spell at the club he was a great player, however ultimately put cash above staying at the club.
Regardless of players 'wanting to better themselves' in the end it all comes down to money.
This is the reason why Ugo did not leave and why Schwartzer is playing for Boro and not Pompey.
In many cases we have to realise that players are no different to us.
If you start out as an office assistant and are offered the chance to train and gain qualifications you take it. If a more attractive job offer comes along at a bigger firm which means promotion and better career prospects you take it.
Each of the cases AV mentioned were different. Barmby and TLF couldnt play in the same team as they wanted the same role. So Barmby left to progress his career.
We got relegated TLF did the same, that is no different to many top players.
Merse had his own demons to deal with but it was badly handled by him. A Villa source stated he was in the Villa boardroom discussing his contract before he flew out for England and before a hint of the story was made public.
Zieges career was on the rocks before he was rescued by Robbo. His move was typical of the big club poaching, no doubt we contributed by allowing the contract loophole. The funniest part was the conversation with my scouser mate saying what a great buy he was as they needed a left back! I suggested he wasnt safe to be allowed out alone in a back four and history proved me right. He got his just deserts.
Bolo did exactly what it says on the tin. No arguments from me or quibbles. He asked for a one year contract which he honoured and left when a better proposal was put to him, to play in the champions league and a chance to get to the world cup.
And that finally brings us back to TLF and his departure. He was loved because of his all action style and the fact he did seem to really care. Sometimes he got in the way of us moving forward because of his need for the ball.
The thing that will stick in my craw is the apparent shoddy treatment by MacMoses and Co. We brought in JFH and Viduka and finally got some fire power and TLF was even not given a chance in pre season. We went to Preston and were poor first half, second he came on and lit up the pitch getting rave reviews in sundry reports. The club website did not even mention him in the report.
He then spent his time solely in the stiffs squads. Even Greening, in midst of moving to WBA was given time in the first team pre season matches. He was just frozen out, we even paid for him to leave.
I have no qualms with him leaving if he was not thought up to it, if we had put him on the list. I have already voiced the view that at times he got in the way. From afar it looked like a cowardly piece of work. At the time I posted exactly the same views and that it may come to haunt Mac.
Sadly, rightly or wrongly, that was the start of the end for Mac as more people looked at what he said and did, didnt trust him, didnt believe him. It started the disatisfaction amongst the fans.
Was it right or was it wrong? Truth is players show the same loyalty as clubs show. They all seem to get very well paid, cant blame players for taking what is offered.
The only thing constant is our love for Boro, booing players who leave for decent reasons is wrong. Imposing values we wouldnt impose on ourselves is wrong. Now Ziege, there is a different kettle of fish....
Football fans take rejection personally. Its like being dumped by your girlfriend then seeing her arm in arm with someone else.
Bolo honoured his contract and left all talk of speculation until the end of the season.
Juninhio was forced out half way through his contract which was unbelievable when you look back the season before when he scored 8 league goals.
In the end, some players treat the club shoddy and some players are treated shoddy by the club. it isnt always one way with players doing the dirty work. i bet plenty of times managers have promised a player a new contract that never came. Just remember it is their job and career. If they acted like fans then every team would be full of local players.
I will always applaud players like bolo and jfh because without them we would not have won the carling cup or reached the uefa cup final
The animosity is reserved for players who leave for bigger clubs. No one cares if someone leaves for the Championship because it shows the player has outlived their usefulness. No one cares if we get shot because then we are in control.
But if someone moves onwards and upwards to a bigger and better club when we don't want to lose them then it hurts because they reminded everyone of the status quo.
If a player leaves for Liverpool it reinforces the fact that no matter how much we have progressed in recent years we are are still miles behind them.
Just think how much it must have hurt Villa fans to see Ugo, the Gate and George come to Boro.
I think local lads get it even harder. The stick Beagrie gets is crazy. That was 20 years ago and the club had gone bust. I can't see how anyone could blame him for it - especially not the idiots who slate him now even though they probably wearing nappies when it happened.
I dread to think of the stick Downing will get when he goes. He is local so he is expected to tie himself to the club for life and pay to play.
Juninho didn't get the stick despite doing exactly what all players do because he became a living symbol of a certain moment in our history when we had a new ground, sold out every week, were smashing club transfer records every few months and looked to be on the way up.
His arrival crystalised a moment when everything looked possible and people don't want to give that up. To slate Jninho would be admitting that moment was over for good.
On to current players who may or may not leave, namely Viduka.
Hasn't Keith Lamb learnt anything from the Zenden fiasco?
How is it not possible to talk about a contract in January, because everyone is fighting the cause, yet it will become ok to talk on February 1st? Does Mr Lamb have a crystal ball and know that Boro will be safe by then?
Or is as seems likely, Mr Lamb waiting to see what offers Boro receive for Viduka? Is he hoping to be able to cash in on Viduka or hope that there is no interest and then try and offer him a lesser contract? Whatever the reasons Mr Lamb always comes across as someone who is hopelessly out of his depth.
so in ricketts case, it is the opposite and we hate bolton and big sam for giving us him.
I see Keith lamb is being clever with viduka, telling him to wait until the transfer window is over before sitting down to talk contract - by which time boro will have another striker in and so in a stronger position and viduka would have missed out on a january move. Then he may have to accept things on boro terms and it keeps him playing for a new contract. if he signs a new contract in january he may take his foot off the gas.
I think its just down to us not wanting to pay the same terms as on his current contract and we are taking the gamble of getting him to renew on reduced terms. The club have to think of viduka beyond next season and in the long term as he gets older if he will give value for money
zenden was a different situation, zenden didnt want to decide his future until the summer. that was his plan when he signed the 1 year deal.it was nothing to do with boro stalling him.
" Hasn't Keith Lamb learnt anything from the Zenden fiasco?
How is it not possible to talk about a contract in January, because everyone is fighting the cause, yet it will become ok to talk on February 1st? Does Mr Lamb have a crystal ball and know that Boro will be safe by then?
Or is as seems likely, Mr Lamb waiting to see what offers Boro receive for Viduka? Is he hoping to be able to cash in on Viduka or hope that there is no interest and then try and offer him a lesser contract? Whatever the reasons Mr Lamb always comes across as someone who is hopelessly out of his depth. "
Alleluiah ! ( sorry if I spelt it wrong ). At LAST a post that has it spot on - in my opinion anyway.
Mark Viduka IS NOT STAYING, because Mark Viduka IS NOT AN IDIOT, even if Mr Lamb thinks that he is, and even if Mr Lamb thinks he is very clever, when he is in fact way out of his deapth as has just been said.
I have seen this so, so many times before over the years at this club and I will cut off my left testicle off if he stays. Why? Because Mr Keith Lamb has ALWAYS liked to play these contract games, and even though it really, really pains me to have to agree with Mr McClaren, who said it spot on when he openly accused the club ( or Keith Lamb ) of letting Zenden go.
He used the word, " letting " and repeatedly used this word whenever he was interviewed and he repeatedly said that, " It was a mistake..., to let him go ".
McClaren was quite clear in what he said and by what he meant each and every time he was interviewed on the subject.
In reply to Mr Vickers...,
I applaud you for having the guts to post posts like mine that do not agree with you, and to then reply.
That said, please, PLEASE don't tell me that all you have to go on is what the Gazette had to say about Juni as these are the official spokespeople for the Boro, and everyone knows it.
The Gazette print what the club tells them to print in return for exclusive features, and that's why the Northern Echo and the Sunday Sun never carry most of what the Gazette does.
When players come out in support of the manager they are put their by the club with the player never having spoken a word to anyone.
How do I know this ? My best friend works for the Gazette in the sports department and THAT'S how I know.
TB.
**AV writes:
To say that the Gazette is the official organ of the club is to fundamentally misunderstand the situation on the ground and one that would make club officials from the very top down laugh. It is far more of an adversarial relationship. And, your 'best friend' - who presumably sits within feet of me at work - should have told you that.
"When players come out in support of the manager they are put their by the club with the player never having spoken a word to anyone." That is just nonsense.
Players quotes can be predictable, cautious, repetitive, divorced from reality, cliche-ridden and inane and they will always support the boss in public because he picks the team - but they really do actually say those things. No really, they do. No-one makes them up, not a sinister club black propaganda machine and certainly not us.
Football fans think money grows on trees and dont understand that a club has to manage its wages structure. or do football fans think players play for free?
Let me start by saying what a great blog this is, and I would again like to applaud you for answering your critics, people like me that is!
I am applauding you again only because I intend to stick around and test you to the full my friend...
So what will you have to say, " WHEN " Viduka ( and Xavier ) leave the club ? What will YOU personally say in the Gazette by way of questioning Mr Lambs way of doing business ?
If he leaves, and if you are a true fan, and if you have the freedom to speak out as you say you do, then you will at the very least question the way that the Viduka issue has been handled.
Even the so called, " Legend " Slaven said that Mr Lamb was conducting himself badly.
He questioned his reasoning for waiting for the transfer window to close and said that Man UTD wouldn't wait for the window to close before they opened talks with Rooney.
As I said, Viduka is no fool, and as others in here have said it is clear what Lamb is upto and in my opinion it will back fire on him - AND ON ALL US BORO FANS, as he will leave.
In my opinion he will be yet another top player who we say we need to keep at all costs who will go they way the rest did, namely leave directly as a result of Keith Lamb.
This is how I see it.
TB
**AV writes: for all the talk of canny negotiating strategies and shrewd transfer window brinkmanship I think the issue is quite simple: money.
I don't believe the club are willing - or able - to offer him anywhere near what he wants or is currently getting which if you remember was based on a deal of some complexity, a legacy of his Leeds contract.
That is why they have not made him a firm offer. If they did offer £XXX now his agent would simply tout it around interested clubs who could then better it leaving Boro gazumped. It is a question of waiting with fingers crossed and hoping no one of substance comes in.
It is not a very sophisticated approach but the strategty of 'leave it latethen make one 'take it or leave it' offer worked last seson with Boateng. Maybe the club feel it could work again and that Viduka will not get a better offer.
If you really feel the need for evidence of my willingness to criticise the club's financial strategies and management policies when it is neccessary the just have a quick flick through the archives on here or Gazette back-numbers over the past decade or so.
I have to agree with your response to ALF's comments. It is amazing that people can't see that it is all about MONEY and it is a negotiation.
Vidula like most footballers has no great affinity to Boro - he will do the best he can whilst he is here and will keep his options open about where he might play in future. No diffferent to 95% of footballers.
He has one last contract left in his career and he wants to do the best he can for himself and his family.
If we offered £100,000 per week for 3 years he would sign tomorrow. However Boro need to try and negotiate the best deal they can. This is incedibly difficult when his agent is trying to interest many other clubs and thereby complicating the whole process.
I personally think we should leave it intil after January. We need to to show him that we're on an upward path by commiting to bringing in a few new players and then pitch the pay offer such that no other club will offer much more.
It will then be for Mark to judge whether staying with Boro is of more value than a little bit more cash. The big problem is that different clubs will place a different value on his services.
Lamb is doing the best he can in a very difficult situation.