We pick this week’s media stuff up pretty much where left off. Mind aren’t we so lucky! (Article) (Article) and (Article). Note; all those links are from the Guardian and no Louise Taylor. Amazing really. I’m only going to give you those links though, I think they tossed a coin to see who would write the report and then just passed it around for general distribution. We’ve already touched on this last week and in Monday’s “thru Black and White eyes” we rarely get the credit when it is due. Had this been Chelsea or Liverpool say, finishing with 3 fit defenders and a right footed central midfielder at left back, talk would have been about “grinding out a result in adversity.”

Heaven only knows what sort of orgasmic reaction the press would have had if that had been The Beasts, going by last week.

Later reaction spoke of how unhappy Spurs were with the ref (Article) and how we are “going to do it for Shearer.” (Article) Now there’s original, cutting edge sports journalism. We did at least get some credit (eventually) for showing a tougher side (Article) and (Article). So far the only real positive comment has come from Alan Hansen (Ed – wonder if that anything to do with our manager’s playing days?). (Article) At last something positive, somewhere other than locally!

Without time to catch breath, the FA patent ball heater produced the ties that suit the FA best for the semi finals. (Article) Not that I’m suggesting any wrong doing of course, but these lads came close. (Article) and (Article) If we do, the unspeakable act that is, actually do it no one can deny we’ll have done it the hard way. (Article) Cardiff as a location is a pain to get to I’ll agree. (Article) and (Article). However everyone knew the score at the start of the season, including these whinging Mancs (Article) and (Article). It’s not like they’re a million miles away, if anyone should be upset it should be us! As long as I don’t see anyone on Sky Sports talking about “enjoying the day.” The only way I’ll enjoy it is if we win. I beseech you all, if you find yourself with a camera in your boat race at Cardiff, use of that phrase is forbidden. And no silly hats please. Not that I know anyone who has EVER done that at a cup semi like.

In the same helter-skelter way the last month has run, we then were straight into the Olympiakos return leg. Robert gushing about his new found relationship with Souness (Article) and talk of our 100th European game. (Article) Given our injuries we had to make sure in this game. And what pleasant surprise we got, with the obligatory “Greeks bearing gifts” one-liner being dusted off for good measure. Mind you we were again told how “lucky” we were to demolish the Greek champions 7-1 on aggregate.

It did spark another Kieron Dyer love-in session at Thomson House though. (Article), (Article) and (Article). I’ll give them that though this time. His post match interview was quite frank, in which (without trying to put words in his mouth) he just about admitted he’d been pissing his career away under SBR. Interesting. Keep it up and you get that bit closer to redemption. For some!

We did at least get some credit for how well that makeshift side did. (Article), (Article) and (Article) the best pieces in my humble opinion. That said if any of you had heard my favourite “expert” Steve “what league do this team play in again” Claridge commentating on The Beasts on Thursday gone you’d think they had won the tie not been dumped out. At least there’s plenty of foam there to cushion the fall.

And so to the UEFA Cup draw. And Sporting. Again. This format, I tell you. Of course Mr Viana was desperate to play against us. (Article) No way. That was the deal, that’s what we stick to. What more can he want? Despite his talent I still say we are well rid.

Speaking of being well rid, Lomana Lua Lua had plenty to say this week too. Before the game with Portsmouth, (Article) and (Article) and after (Article). I can’t take him seriously. He was either going to be a genius or a clown. He’ll now always be the latter. And as for furthering his career, he obviously had the same careers advisor as Olivier Bernard. Pillock.
 

What week would be complete these days without the rumbling will he, won’t he saga with Shearer’s retirement? (Article) and (Article) I think he’ll stand by his decision for what its worth. And the Football Focus’ “Shear-o-meter” to measure his progress to Milburn’s goal tally a pathetic attempt to copy Soccer AM. Pack it in BBC will you. Finally for this week news reached us via the ever impressive and totally essential nufc.com, that Billy Whitehurst has been accused of fraudulently claiming £12000 incapacity benefit. I wonder how much of that relates to 1985-86? Surely he would have been entitled to it back then if memory serves me right.

NM