Editor
04 February 2009 - 12:49
by Nigel Brown
Having watched 48 hours of Sky Sports News in the past two days, it is fair to say, Georgie Thompson and the other collection of feline rectors have conclusively become numb to me. Its finally happened, football has broken me! The close of the transfer window was frantic, surreal, and without a doubt, dramatic.
The Sky Sports News studio was like the set of some humdrum soap opera, with calls from the east end's finest being frantically answered by one man from SkyBet throughout the day, or so you thought. The reality is that people at home didn't realise that the Sky Sports News office is instructed to give that inbred man their phone, while they repeatedly call it. This is supposed to give the illusion that deals are being brokered constantly, and that with any twist or turn, you will be the first to know about it.
A four letter word please
If you don't know the man I am talking about, it was the middle class conceited egomaniac next to the presenters. More akin to a Carphone Warehouse salesman, who only eats microwave food, drives a suped up 1994 Ford Fiesta, and generally deserves to be put in the stocks and pelted with rotten food. Am I being too strong? One short four letter word would probably have sufficed.
Well, again, the reality is, the man didn't know what was happening, and on several occasions just plucked rumours out his famed proverbial back log of excrement. An example of this is the Obafemi Martins and Darren Bent swap deal. Within minutes it was labelled as a pack of codswallop by one of Sky's own reporters. But, this dung production is revered because it adds to the buzz of the transfer window. And well, every journalist, including the Sport.co.uk team, was unfortunately glued to this dimwit's every word.
Despite my dislike for this individual, the theatre and drama of the set worked extremely well, and, had me and three quarters of the male population that were snowed in happily gripped. As a side note, is it possible Murdock can now control the weather? Save that for another day.
Benitez has damaged Liverpool's title bid
Down to the essentials. The most surprising transfer of the day was that Rafa Benitez allowed Robbie Keane to return to Tottenham without signing a replacement. For a side firmly footed in a title battle with Chelsea and Manchester United, this was a truly bizarre move. Why would you leave Liverpool with only one recognised out and out forward in Fernando Torres?
The transfer leads many to think there is definitely a power struggle ensuing at the club. It is a simple question of Rick Parry or Rafa Benitez winning. The loser will definitely be shown towards the Anfield exit door.
Like many, I find it bewildering that for the first time in two decades, the Kop faithful have a genuine chance of ending their Championship hurt, why do the Liverpool heirachy feel it necessary to air their dirty laundry in public? Until the club enters a period of stability Liverpool football club will not win the highest honour in English football. Sorry, but it is a fact Liverpool fans.
Arsenal conclude Russian deal
Arsenal finally completed the transfer of Andrei Arshavin and the transfer showed journalists how desperate and pleased Arsene Wenger was to sign the Russian international. Do not underestimate how far Arsenal pushed the boat out to sign the playmaker. Rumours have circulated as to why the deal took so long to complete, but as far as the Sport.co.uk team understand, it was simply the amount of paper work due to the number of agents and senior officials involved. Remember, this is the leading light of Russian football being exported to Britain. Naturally, politics begin to develop.
As the window is now closed, it is time for us to look forward to a fascinating second half of the season. With the league so tight, expect fireworks, tittle tattle, and more amateur dramatics from Sky Sports News.
Until next week...