HARTY: On Albion and the England captaincy
ARE the Albion "too good" to go down?
A simple enough question but ask supporters of West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Norwich City, Southampton and Newcastle among others and the answer is sometimes the one you don't want to hear.
It's often said that it's never dull supporting the Seagulls and this season is clearly no different. From the highs of the league win on Sky at Southampton and the great showing in the FA Cup at Villa, to some pitiful home form that once again finds the club in a relegation fight.
That all adds up to some anxious match days ahead for the Withdean faithful.
While I firmly believe that the four sides in the relegation zone at the moment will remain there, even I've been known to get it wrong before.
What is the problem?
Has the fortress Withdean factor well and truly gone?
But was it ever really there in the first place?
I remember interviewing Norman Hunter on SCR the first time Leeds came to Withdean, and he said the issue over the surroundings was a fallacy.
He stated professional footballers were just that, professional, and would be able to play anywhere, regardless of surroundings.
Clearly he wasn't always right as some sides did let the sparse nature of the stadium get to them. But, then again, I doubt after 10 years playing at the ground, many sides arrive with trepidation.
Visiting teams can win at Withdean too easily for my liking this season. So, therefore, it shouldn't be that hard for the home team to record some wins.
Brian Clough once said football was about 90 per cent ability, 10 per cent belief. Quite simply, the Albion have got to start believing in themselves, otherwise an unwelcome start at Falmer still outside the Championship looks more than a distinct possibility.
Should the England football captain be a paragon of virtue?
Or more's the question, can he be?
John Terry's coverage at both ends of the national newspapers and our television screens have certainly split the nation.
Should he be sacked? Only Fabio Capello will know the answer, and if the axe falls, which I don't think it should, it will almost smack of double standards.
Was Peter Shilton sacked in 1980 when he was caught in a "compromising" position in the back of a car?
Is drink-driving a lesser offence than adultery?
Ask Bryan Robson and Tony Adams, who both were convicted of this during their England careers. Adams went to prison but came back to captain England.
One player suggested to replace Terry as skipper, Wayne Rooney, is not exactly Sir Cliff Richard when it comes to his reputation.
Another candidate, Rio Ferdinand, was banned for missing a drug test, and is facing a ban for violence on the field.
I'm not saying what Terry has done is blameless, but where do you stop?
If he were an adulterous, but top-quality accountant, would you stop him from doing people's books because of his bedroom antics?
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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