Dalglish's Dignity Destroyed

How long before we see football making headlines for what happens on the pitch? Yesterday Spurs hammered Newcastle, Norwich and Swansea served up an end-to-end goalfest and, almost unnoticed, Manchester United defeated their arch-rivals Liverpool with two strikes from the in-form Wayne Rooney. Sadly scandal and outrage have once more undermined the efforts of the players to entertain fans growing increasingly tired of seeing the game’s name dragged through the mud.

After weeks of racism, court cases, captaincy rows and red cards, the stage was set for Old Trafford to remind us why it is that football is known as the ‘beautiful game’. Instead, we were served up an ugly and undignified mess which looks set to prolong and exacerbate the mutual enmity between two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

All it would have taken was a gesture: a brief touch of flesh on flesh which might have doused the flames of this most combustible fixture. Instead, Luis Suarez’s immaturity ignited the tinderbox and his manager poured fuel on the flames.
Despite myopic Liverpool fans’ protestations there is only one person to blame for the non-handshake: Suarez. His decision to ignore Evra’s offered hand was immature, idiotic and, worse of all, premeditated. Certainly Kenny Dalglish, had seemed convinced the player would make the important gesture: Suarez knew otherwise and, in an instant, undermined his manager and his once-proud club.

Perhaps Dalglish’s fervent and misguided support of the player was inspired partly by embarrassment and anger at him – he certainly lost his cool in a way rarely seen from a man more usually associated with taciturn and monotone post-match interviews. Sadly his reaction was inevitable after the tunnel-visioned support he has offered his player throughout this whole farrago.

From the very outset, Dalglish has fostered a siege mentality which has seen Liverpool FC close ranks to protect their player. In the Scotsman’s eyes, the criticism of Suarez has become a witch-hunt – a media conspiracy propagated by Sky Sports News and designed to deliberately harm and hound his controversial striker. This view is utter nonsense, of course. Suarez is under such scrutiny thanks only to his profile, his behaviour and his refusal to apologise to a man he wronged.

Kenny Dalglish’s half-baked conspiracy theories hold absolutely no water. And he has absolutely no evidence to back them up. When the FA released the water-tight 115 page document proving Suarez to have racially abused Evra, Dalglish hinted that the full truth had not been heard. But he failed to provide the required evidence to prove Suarez’s innocence. And given the club’s utter conviction of his innocence it seems strange that they didn’t lodge any form of appeal.

Instead, we’ve seen ill-advised T-shirts in support of Suarez, heard Dalglish welcome Suarez back from his spell on the sidelines by insisting that “he should never have been out in the first place” and now, an absolutely astonishing post-match attack on Geoff Shreeves, Sky Sports and anyone who would listen. Daniel Taylor summed it up brilliantly in The Observer: “outraged by everything, ashamed of nothing”.

His strident defence of his player was shocking and appalling. Pleading ignorance of Suarez’s refusal of Evra’s hand was silly at best. But furiously suggesting that Shreeves was “bang out of order for blaming Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today” was absurd beyond belief. Seeing one of the game’s greats acting in such a manner was hugely embarrassing – not least because he missed an ideal opportunity to take the sting out of the situation. All Dalglish needed to do was point out that Suarez’s actions didn’t help the atmosphere and that he’d have a word with the player in private. Instead, he fanned the flames.

Admittedly, Manchester United were not blameless. Evra’s celebrations at the final whistle were clearly cathartic – a massive pressure relieved in front of his own fans – but were certainly over the top and hardly likely to calm the situation. Sir Alex Ferguson rightly criticised the left back.

The United manager did go over the top in his criticism of Suarez, however. Having kept his counsel for so long, he then exploded. He was clearly incensed by the striker’s conduct during the day but his suggestion that Suarez ought never play for Liverpool again was an area he ought to have kept his nose out of. Dalglish neither wants nor needs Ferguson’s attempts to destabilise Liverpool FC – he’s doing a good enough job all on his own.

The Invisible Booking

As Patrice Evra waved an imaginary yellow card at referee Andre Marriner, the Anfield crowd made their immediate displeasure known. Boos rang out at the French fullback which continued for the rest of the game. Even avuncular old Uncle Ray Wilkins was disgusted – or as disgusted as he’s ever likely to be. When Wilkins expresses the opinion that the ref should be allowed to ‘do his job’ it’s as unhappy and critical as the man is ever likely to be. But why is calling for another player to be booked such a big issue?

The incident in question saw Liverpool winger Stewart Downing take a blatant and appalling dive. If that act of simulation had successfully hoodwinked the match officials Evra himself would almost certainly have found himself in the referee’s notebook. Is it fair that Downing should commit an offence - which would have seen the fullback walking a disciplinary tightrope for the rest of the game - go unpunished? Surely not. He attempted to get his opponent into trouble in order to gain an advantage – why shouldn’t Evra retaliate in the same way? Evra was not the cheat in this situation – he was the player calling for the appropriate application of the game’s laws and a suitable punishment for the player who broke them.

Ray Wilkins’ opinion that the referee should be left to do his job seemingly only applies in certain situations. When a match official gets a penalty decision wrong, for instance, players expressing their anger are occasionally criticised for the way they broach the subject with the referee but rarely for being angry about the erroneous spot-kick decision. Why? Because it’s a game-changing decision? Because it happens to be in the eighteen yard box? Either way it’s still a challenge to the official’s control of the game and ought to be no different to the brandishing of an invisible yellow card.

Perhaps it’s because the ‘invisible booking’ is a trait which appears to have been imported from our cheating foreign cousins (much like diving was in the early days of the Premier League). Maybe this kind of cheating is less palatable than some traditional British steel – English football’s constant defence of robust (and potentially leg-shattering) challenges that ‘he got the ball’ is an utterly redundant one if the player was cleaned by a tackler ‘out of control’, but it’s one which is constantly heard from fans, players and managers alike. And it's a defence which misunderstands the rules and laws of the game.

Even Uncle Ray (a cultured player who plied his trade in Italy) seems to believe that bending and breaking the rules is more acceptable when done with some bruising muscularity. His defence of a Jamie Carragher tackle on Ryan Giggs, “Wily little bodycheck there from Jamie Carragher. Good defending”, is a perfect example. According to Wilkins' contradictory stance, the manlier form of cheating is perfectly acceptable. It’s not. And appealing for a player to be punished for his misdemeanours ought to be entirely justified, regardless of how he’s contravened the rules or where on the pitch the offence took place.

Premier League Preview

Until the transfer window slams shut it's difficult to guess exactly how the Premier League season will shape up. But ahead of the traditional curtain raiser, the Charity Shield, here's my club-by-club assessment of the upcoming season...

QPR
Adel Taraabt inspired a romp to the Championship title which ought to have Hoops fans salivating at the prospect of Premier League football. Sadly, many are utterly disillusioned with the direction the club is taking under billionaire owners Briatore and Ecclestone. Taraabt’s head appears to have turned, Neil Warnock undermined at every turn and free signings such as the injury prone Kieran Dyer have not inspired confidence. If goals can be wrung out of DJ Campbell then QPR might hang on to top-flight status – but both are tall orders.

Swansea City
The first Welsh club to ply their trade in the Premier League have really got their work cut out. They’ll be hoping that a fearsome home atmosphere intimidates visiting teams, but a lack of quality will surely be there undoing. The Swans play attacking, passing football so may seek inspiration from Blackpool’s exploits last season. But ultimately the Tangerines went down and it seems likely that Swansea will follow a similarly entertaining path back to the Championship.

Norwich
Paul Lambert has done nothing but impress in a managerial career which has seen him work his way through the divisions and Norwich will be hoping they can keep him through to the end of this campaign: it would be no surprise if Lambert’s name were linked with the next Premier League club to dispense with their manager. Astute use of the loan system and Lambert’s tactical nous may see them safe, but relying on the likes of Steve Morison for goals is a brave move.

Wolves
Mick McCarthy has done a great job at Molineux and thoroughly deserved to keep them up last year. He’s an entertainingly honest manager and has quietly added some quality to his squad with Jamie O’Hara and Roger Johnson – players who will add goals from midfield and shore up a decent defence respectively. Kevin Doyle will be fully fit and Steven Fletcher pops up with vital goals – it’d be a surprise to see Wolves go down.

Wigan
Roberto Martinez is an extremely likeable chap and his commitment to attractive attacking football is admirable. But surely this year Wigan are due to return to the football league? A team which survived by the skin of its teeth last year has been shorn of quality with the departures of Charles Nzogbia and Tom Cleverly. It’s vital that the fee received for the Frenchman is well invested but Martinez has not always been convincing in the transfer market. Relegation beckons.

Blackburn
When Indian chicken company Venky’s promised to sign players like Ronaldinho for Rovers their fans were almost prepared to forgive them for sacking Sam Allardyce: a manager who comfortably kept Blackburn afloat. Since then, things have gone badly wrong. The inexperienced Steve Kean has seen the team go backwards under his stewardship and Chris Samba looks likely to leave. It’ll be another season of struggle at Ewood Park – although there will be rejoicing if the club manage to dispense with El Hadji Diouf’s services before the big kick-off.

Bolton
Bolton flattered to deceive last year. Although Owen Coyle’s team played better football than Wanderers fans had seen for some time, the fact remains that their season was decidedly average other than one purple patch of great results. They ended the season very badly and have seen attacking talents like Sturridge, Elmander and Taylor leave the club. With a full pre-season under his belt, however, the fans will be hoping Coyle’s methods will be more firmly ingrained.

Stoke
Tony Pulis is a canny operator who has firmly established little old Stoke as a Premier League force. Their football is not as direct as people seem to suggest – Matty Etherington’s craft and guile supplies as many goals as Rory Delap’s long throws. Jonathan Woodgate will be an excellent signing if he stays fit and fans at the Potteries will be expecting more goals from Kenwyne Jones this time around. Mid-table beckons.

Newcastle
The Toon Army must be the world’s most bewildered fans. Whilst early signings such as Cabaye and Marveaux hinted at a promising 2011/12, internal bickering and strange player sales have seen the wheels fall off at St James. The sale of Andy Carroll seems to have led directly to club captain Kevin Nolan dropping down a division, Jose Enrique looks sure to depart and the Joey Barton saga is becoming farcical. Restoring a sense of order and recruiting a goalscorer are vital – a few bad results could see a mutiny amongst players and fans.

West Brom
Uncle Woy did an amazing job of steadying the ship at Hawthorns and this season looks set to be even better for them. Peter Odemwingie has resisted the overtures of bigger clubs, Ben Foster has replaced calamitous Scott Carson, club favourite Zoltan Gera has returned and Owen Hargreaves may well sign for the Baggies. Although they still lack depth, West Brom’s first team is impressive and organized enough to finish comfortably in mid-table.

Sunderland
Steve Bruce loves a transfer window. Approximately 872 players have taken a spin on the Stadium of Light’s transfer merry-go-round this summer, leaving Bruce with an almost entirely new team. Experienced defenders like O’Shea and Brown will shore up the back four but a new midfield featuring the likes of Larsson and Gardner will need to gel quickly if it’s to supply sufficient ammunition for the impressive Asamoah Gyan. It’ll be another transitional season at Sunderland – how many more will the fans tolerate?

Aston Villa
Despite having lost two England widemen, Villa’s can still feel reasonably confident about the attacking areas of their team. Downing and Young might have gone, but they’ve got ready replacements in homegrown Albrighton and big-name signing Nzogbia. With players like that creating chances for Darren Bent, Villa ought to score goals. Fans will be hoping that Alex McLeish can instill some defensive solidity (signing Shay Given was a step in the right direction) but time is not on his side: the fans will turn very quickly on the former Birmingham man.

Fulham
After the bizarre departure of Mark Hughes, Fulham fans will have been delighted with the acquisition of Martin Jol. The amiable Dutchman will not do anything radical at Craven Cottage but has made some shrewd buys in the transfer market – John Arne Riise fills a problem position for them and will contribute much-needed goals. Up front, the returning Dembele and Zamora will prove a handful for anyone and Fulham will be hoping to finish in the European places.

Everton
Nothing has happened at Goodison Park except the sale of James Vaughan. With no money to spend it seems that the best David Moyes can hope for is loan signings and he should probably be looking to bloated squads in Manchester to pick up some quality to complement his solid squad. He’ll also be hoping for improved contributions from Arteta and less injuries for the likes of Fellaini, Saha and Cahill. But whilst others are improving their squads, Everton are standing still (at best).

Liverpool
The biggest question at Anfield is how Kenny Dalglish will combine the midfield talent he now has at his disposal. Stewart Downing brings genuine width, but Liverpool are overstocked with players who gravitate towards the centre. Perhaps Downing and Suarez will play either side of Carroll with the likes of Adam, Gerrard, Lucas, Meireles et al competing for three central berths. Left back remains a problem, so it would be no surprise to see three at the back occasionally. But if Liverpool are to break back into the top four they’ll need to settle on a team and a formation fairly quickly.

Spurs
Having failed to qualify for the Champions League, Spurs have stagnated a little this summer. There has been little recruitment, Luka Modric has had his head turned and they now have a bizarre trio of experienced goalkeepers. The club will need to hope that Defoe, Pavlyuchenko and Crouch better last season’s goal output – with creative midfielders like Bale supplying the crosses it’s inexcusable for the strikers to contribute so little. The top four will be out of their reach again.

Arsenal
Discontent at the Wenger regime has never been more apparent. The manager needs to make some big decisions regarding Fabregas and Nasri – they’re distracted and a distraction. Regardless of their future, Arsenal are well stocked in midfield following the emergence of Wilshere and the return of Ramsay. But as always doubts remain over the defence (which should be bolstered by the return of Vermaelen) and goalkeeper. Striking cover for the brittle Van Persie has arrived in the shape of Gervinho but Arsenal will face a fight to finish fourth.

Man City
Could this be the season City make a genuine title challenge? Mancini has presided over a quiet evolution rather than a revolution this summer, with adjustments to the back four and some low-key departures. The exception to this is obviously Kun Aguero – a wonderful player who would improve any team. Managing some big personalities will be key for Mancini – particularly up front where combustible talents like Balotelli and want-away Tevez will test the manager’s patience. They’ll probably finish second – with or without Tevez.

Chelsea
Another year older, Chelsea are now relying on players the same age as their manager. Lampard, Terry and Drogba are still the most influential players at Stamford Bridge, but Roman Abramovich will be desperately hoping that recent big-money purchases like Torres, Luiz and Ramires can deliver this year. Josh McCechran and Danny Sturridge will also hope to make their mark in what looks likely to be a transitional season – although Chelsea will comfortably finish in the top four.

Manchester United
A team that comfortably won the title has added £50m worth of talent to its squad – although the loss of experienced campaigners like Van Der Sar, Scholes and O’Shea will be felt. The Old Trafford attack has rarely looked stronger – with the problematic left wing addressed by Ashley Young’s signing. And with a young player as back-up in every position the future looks rosy – especially if Tom Cleverly is as good as Sir Alex Ferguson seems to think. If not, the failure to recruit Wesley Sneijder could be costly. But they’ll win the league regardless.

Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool

The triumphant return of King Kenny proved to be something of a damp squib as a contentious penalty decision took the sting out of a potentially combustible encounter at Old Trafford. United were awarded a penalty with just 31 seconds on the clock as Dimitar Berbatov crumpled under minimal contact from Daniel Agger. It was a silly challenge on the touchline with the striker going nowhere and there remains some debate about whether there was even a touch on the Bulgarian. Either way, the current climate will see a player hit the deck any time a player hangs out a leg – and so it proved as Berbatov went sprawling. Ryan Giggs duly despatched the spot-kick.

The half could have ended as spectacularly as it started as the much maligned Jonny Evans – who grew into the game as it went on – smashed a header against the post from a flighted corner kick. It would perhaps have been harsh on Liverpool who had weathered United’s early possession effectively and might even argue that they’d enjoyed the better chances. But in truth it was a scrappy forty-five minutes with nobody covering themselves in glory.

Dalglish won instant credit from the travelling fans by dropping Paul Konchesky from the match-day squad. But his creditable decision to restore Steven Gerrard to an attacking position off Fernando Torres was sadly doomed to failure once the Liverpool captain launched himself into a reckless two-footed challenge on Michael Carrick. Admittedly the ball was there to be won, but Gerrard was off the floor, out of control and clattered into the United midfielder. Only the most myopic Koppite could argue with Howard Webb’s decision.

With United in cruise-control following the interval, Dalglish sent Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Babel into the fray. At last, the urgency which Liverpool had been lacking was injected into proceedings. A few purposeful runs and forays into Mancunian territory resulted in Fabio Aurelio sweeping a majestic kick towards the top-corner. Tomas Kusczcak was equal to it and turned it around the post.

The substitutions were certainly the catalyst required. Suddenly the game became stretched and Liverpool threatened sporadically. United, however, continued to create the better chances. Javier Hernandez flashed a header wide, Reina blocked Berbatov at close range and from the resulting corner a bout of pinball saw Reds defenders throwing themselves into brave blocks and sliding tackles. Reina ultimately tipped over from Patrice Evra and the danger passed. It will have been heartening for Liverpool fans to have seen a level of desire and commitment which was often missing (even with eleven men) under Roy Hodgson.

In the end, the writing was on the wall for Liverpool following that controversial early penalty. But the Reds’ display really does call into question their professionalism. The same players rarely expended so much energy under their previous manager and it doesn’t reflect well on them that a different face in the dugout elicited such a change in attitude. Carry on like this, however, and the Hodgson-induced malaise may soon be forgotten. United, meanwhile, were able to play within themselves and took the spoils without getting out of second gear - they stroll on unbeaten.