There's little doubting that most of his supporters already consider him a
God for winning Euro 96 in such fine, imaginary style, but this week Terry
himself showed that he also sees himself as some kind of magician, following
reports that he wanted to manage at the Riverside until 5pm on a Saturday
afternoon, but be back in London for about 5:15pm, fresh to expertly guide
the nation on why Boro had just been beaten..again.
No, it may only be early December but Middlesborough's decision to back out
of a deal with Venables can almost be counted as this Christmas's first
official airing of, The Great Escape. Nobody wants to criticise a man who
seems to be struggling to find work, but his recent track record suggests
that there was not a great likelihood of success at the Riverside.
Since his departure from the England job, Terry would have to admit that he
has failed at Crystal Palace, Australia and Portsmouth. His success as
England manager was realistically limited to one game against a very poor
Holland side and although he had slightly more success back in the 80's, it
has to be said, so did Ron Atkinson!
Elsewhere this week, it was nice to see Chelsea getting back to winning ways
after an abysmal run of results and a turbulent week with regards managerial
staff. Some might suggest that it was the departure of Rix and Wilkins, which
brought about a change in fortune against Man City yesterday, but I would
argue that it was the change in interpreters, which finally did the trick.
Yes, it was interesting to see Ranieri alongside a new interpreter in the
post match interviews yesterday. I wonder what was wrong with the last one?
Did it transpire he couldn't speak a word of Italian? Were the Chelsea men in
power afraid that post-match interviews were starting to take on the look of
a Little and Large comedy sketch? Who knows? I don't suppose it'll matter for
much longer, another few weeks with Dennis Wise and Ranieri is bound to be
facing the cameras alone, eloquently telling us he is, "gutted that the lads
failed to stick it in the back of the net."
Finally this week just a quick tip for those of you who take notice of
betting tipsters in the tabloids. I'm sure I'm not speaking for all of them
here, but I am a little concerned after reading one tipster writing in the
Mirror on Saturday, who suggested that his, "Bet of the day" was for
Sunderland to "batter" Everton at the Stadium Of Light tonight. I don't wish
to be over cruel here, but I was under the impression he was supposed to be a
betting expert. Who's to say Sunderland won't batter Everton tonight, but
having won their last three games, won away at Newcastle and Middlesborough
already this season, beaten Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks, and conceded
only 1 goal in their last 200 minutes of football, I would certainly not
expect Everton to be a pushover. Fairs fair though, we can surely only judge
a tipster in hindsight, so I feel I'm being a little bit fairer to the chap
in question when I tell you his, "Worst of the Day" was Chelsea to beat Man
City yesterday. Enough said! I'd keep your money in your pocket tonight!
