Style prejudice

It appears that Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce are drawing attention to themselves again. They seem to be suggesting through various channels of the media, that the deficiencies experienced by the like of Arsenal and Chelsea are blind-sided by Wenger, Ancelotti et al. Instead the managers of these so-called bigger clubs, use the chance to moan about how Blackburn, Stoke, Villa, Burnley etc play football.

The implication of these statements from the Stoke/Blackburn/Villa managers is that they want some kind of humility shown by Wenger and Ancelotti. They want praise for the way that Blackburn or Stoke played the game.

This is like McDonalds demanding that Gordon Ramsey compliments them on their ability to sell and serve food - the preparation, ingredients and balance of flavours is neither here nor there. It is the fact that they provide this and give it to humans to ingest, and remain almost alive on that they want praise for. In fact, why stop there? Maybe I should suggest that the food aid agencies also have a pop at Ramsey for the lack of appreciation in their culinary achievements?

Except this isn't about Ramsey, food aid and so on. The style of football played by these teams is one based on damage limitation followed by snatching a draw or even a win. They have strong defences but their attack is pedestrian and ugly. They have long throws and high kicks but their passing is dull, into space rather than to feet and like rugby, they will kick into touch to achieve, gain and pressurise a territorial advantage.

So my point is this: A person who was once slim and is now overweight, like myself, can look in the mirror and see glimpses of what used to be. An ugly person can get used to looking at themselves and draw comfort from recognition and knowing where bit of their face and body should be. Nothing takes away from the fact that judging yourself is a ridiculous and narcissistic activity - unless your intention is to be objective as opposed to embrace yourself.

Therefore, do Pulis and Allardyce want a date, flowers, violins and possibly a bunk up with Wenger etc? If not, stop demanding compliments because you cannot expect anyone outside your inner circle to call you sexy when you continue to do the equivalent of farting, scratching your balls and breathing savage morning breath in public. Gimps.