Complacent Cole deserves boos
Mon Oct 13 08:57AM
Early Doors never thought it would see anybody leap to Ashley Cole's defence.
This is a man who embodies everything odious about the modern game. Who left his boyhood club to chase money; who became the face (or the back) of anti-respect when he turned away from a referee; who played the field despite landing a pop star wife; who published a remarkably self-pitying autobiography that sold only 4000 copies.
Now he is cast as a victim after England fans booed him for his calamitous pass that led to Kazakhstan's goal on Saturday.
Words like 'disgraceful', 'mindless' and 'idiots' are bandied about by players, managers and pundits who reach the po-faced conclusion that anyone who booed Cole is worse than Hitler.
First of all, there is the namby-pamby argument that nobody should be subjected to public ridicule.
Tell that to Ashley's more successful other half Cheryl, currently appearing on a TV programme that has spent the last two months laughing at poor saps who think they can sing but can't.
Next comes the claim that the fans are to blame for England's poor home record. Wembley will never become a fortress unless people get behind the team and show unwavering support.
Surely this puts the cart before the horse? Fans wouldn't be booing if the team wasn't so crap.
The crowd had already endured 68 minutes of utter tosh with some patience before Cole's party piece allowed Zhambyl Kukeyev to race through and score the most embarrassing goal England have conceded since Davide 'General' Gualtieri took just eight seconds to beat David Seaman for San Marino.
Rio Ferdinand also deserves blame, incidentally. If he had reacted to Cole's ricket as quickly as Kukeyev did, he would have cut the ball out easily.
Only then did the jeers rain down on Cole. But it is important to understand that he wasn't booed for the mistake as much as what the mistake represented.
For reasons that are painfully obvious, Early Doors doesn't condone booing people for incompetence. Cole was guilty of more than that.
That San Marino goal in 1993 came from another left-back error, by Stuart Pearce. He under-hit a backpass and San Marino scored. But it was merely rubbish, not reprehensible.
When people say Cole didn't make his mistake on purpose, they are wrong. Of course he did it on purpose.
ED doesn't mean he deliberately gave away a goal. But he knew that the pass was showy and risky, and he played it anyway because it was only Kazakhstan.
In nearly a decade of club football, has Cole ever done anything as stupid as that? (On the pitch, that is.) Would he ever, in a million years, think of doing that for Chelsea? Of course not.
Cole personified the entire England team, which was suffused with complacency. Where the 4-1 win in Croatia was full of urgency, drive and ambition, Saturday's match was totally flat.
England were so convinced that goals would come by divine right, they couldn't be bothered to make anything happen.
It was the same at the back. In the first half, rather than making an obvious clearance, Matthew Upson attempted a dangerous backpass to David James. Presumably because booting the ball into Row Z against such lowly opposition would have been embarrassing.
A couple of minutes before the first goal, Kazakhstan nearly scored after Cole was caught miles out of position.
Where was he? Vomiting on the floor of a black cab? Watching X-Factor? Debating some p*ss-take contract offer?
Clearly, England were not trying, and Cole was the worst offender.
Clubs and the FA are happy to view football as a product when it suits them. They take full advantage when people pay huge sums to consume football matches, replica shirts, Peter Crouch calendars and Wes Brown alarm clocks.
Despite this relentless commercialisation, there seems to remain an old-fashioned view that the people who shell out thousands of pounds a year for this tat should not be viewed as discriminating customers.
They are expected to shell out £70 a head for tickets, get a crappy old train to a dank corner of North-West London (no parking at English grounds, obviously), spend another tenner on a programme, then buy overpriced hot dogs and fizzy drinks.
And then they are expected not to complain when they see something as lifeless and complacent as the first 70 minutes against Kazakhstan?
Nobody is forcing people to come to football matches. If they are not entertained, they won't be back. That's business. And if you don't want football to be a business, bring prices back down to 1966 levels, when World Cup tickets set you back all of seven bob.
Otherwise, you must expect people to make their voices heard when they feel short-changed.
And who said unconditional support was the best way to help your team win, anyway? Why is it that fans are expected to sit there (sorry, stand there) and cheer, clap and whoop, whatever fetid tripe their team feeds them?
Managers who take this approach - well, Kevin Keegan - are ridiculed for it. There are times when you need a good old-fashion rollicking to sort things out - and the booing of Cole was the fans' version of the hairdryer treatment.
Players are mollycoddled and protected from reality enough as it is. Do they really need fans to overlook their failings and give them a pat on the back they clearly don't deserve?
England's performance in general - and Cole's in particular - was unacceptable and they needed to be told so.
Things improved markedly after the booing started - do you think it was a coincidence? Well, yes, it probably was.
The late glut of goals probably had less to do with the abuse meted out to Cole than England's realisation that defending set-pieces is no more a part of Kazakh culture than naked wrestling or the running of the Jew.
But it's fun to boo Ashley Cole.
- - -
Disagree with the above? Well, you're in good company. Jonathan Symcox explains why booing simply isn't on. And Reda Maher agrees with him. Early Doors thinks they are both fools.
- - -
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Steven Gerrard: "It's up to the manager whether he plays me and Frank [Lampard] in central midfield or plays a three and changes the formation."
Only for the staggering arrogance in Gerrard's statement. It hasn't even occurred to him that he might be dropped.
EXCHANGE OF THE WEEKEND: Paul Dickov on Goals on Sunday, proving he is just as troublesome as a pundit as he was as a player.
Pleasingly, Robbie Savage was the target of his mischief, forcing Chris Kamara to defuse a potentially embarrassing situation.
Savage on Scotland 'striker' Chris Iwelumo: "I didn't expect to hear that sound coming out of his mouth."
Dickov: "Why?"
Savage: "Well, er.."
[Awkward silence...]
Kamara: "Because he's coloured!! HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! It's OK, you can say it!!!"
- - -
FOREIGN VIEW: Early Doors is bracing itself for the worst. Despite France coming from two goals down to draw in Romania on Saturday, the most entertaining man in international football could still get the push. The French FA meets on Wednesday to discuss Raymond Domenech's position.
My brother was there, I asked him if he booed and he said "... well, it's Ashley Cole isn't it!"
Nuff said.
From not_blonde_really on Mon Oct 13 09:52AMWell said ED. Couldn't agree more.
From johnhennessey7 on Mon Oct 13 09:52AMFrom Jonathan Symcox, "The key is positive support, not restrained silence: it breeds confidence; it gives rise to a mutually beneficial relationship between those on the pitch and those watching; and it leaves the fan with a sense that they have done their bit, if nothing else."
We should thank Jon for this advice on how to treat this group of U-12 England Internationals. I bet his follow up piece will be, "How To Coddle Millionaire Footballers As They Punch You Out At A Train Stop".
From rc.boro on Mon Oct 13 09:53AMAshley Cole Sucks !
From arttidesco on Mon Oct 13 09:53AMI agree with a lot that is being said here. £70.00 is far too much to go to a @#$% part of London to watch mediocre football.
The only thing I don't understand is why do you expect any different? When has England been a real force in this generation? Don't you think expectancy is just a little high?I don't like Ashly Cole for the reasons you have put up ED but I also don't understand how booing one of our players is going to get the reaction you want.
Plus if you don't want to pay 70 quid for a ticket, well... don't!
Duncan
From darrob83 on Mon Oct 13 09:54AMfinally an article on early doors that i agree with, well done.
From traceydrinkwater on Mon Oct 13 09:54AMSmall errors of judgement in pub games only lead to seat wetting in big games
From arttidesco on Mon Oct 13 09:55AMHiya Anne. I'm doing well thank you. Hope you are to. Busy in here today eh? lol
From mickr273 on Mon Oct 13 09:57AMIf Cole was a loyal football player instead of a play away money grabbing would be writer with a pop star wife all would have long since been forgiven and forgotten
A Cole, humbled by his own hubris
From arttidesco on Mon Oct 13 09:58AMGreat article E.D. Have you guys sobered up or something? You are spot on re. A. Cole as an awful role model both on - and especially off - the pitch. He's a good player but he isn't 'that' good. I've always thought he plays like he's had the hairs on his arse tied together, perhaps by Cheryl! (too good for him luv). Be ready, it isn't the last balls-up (literally) we'll see from him in an England shirt.
Yes, the complacency was tangible, too many superstars trying to impress -or rather, not look bad - in front of one another. In the end in was probably the superior fitness level which saw them through, they just plodded on until Kazakhstan were jaded and more opportunities opened up. This won't happen in most matches; plodding won't get them through.From garohun on Mon Oct 13 09:58AMAshley who? He`s a waste of space. Good article, honest for a change.
From richardthomas907 on Mon Oct 13 09:59AMI actually whole heartedly agree with what ED have said this morning, I think players are wrapped in cotton wool, although I don't expect players to be booed everytime they make a mistake or it will be constant jeering rather than cheering!!
On a different note, Chris Kamara always provides quality TV, good on him! ;0))
From neil_evvo on Mon Oct 13 10:01AMThis is one of the best and most honest articles about England that has ever been writen. Cashley should have be hung by his borats and left to rot. ED said everything that I said on Sat night but my wife could only see the scorline we had a long discution about it and went to bed in silence. I just made her read this article to show her that most people dont just want to win but that some of us actualy care how we do it. more more more straight talking please
From davejball on Mon Oct 13 10:01AMIm not a big fan of ashley cole as a person, but as a footballer he is one of the top 3 left backs in the world. I think its ridiculous to boo a player because of 1 mistake. I didnt think cole had a gr8 game, however he has been consistent for england over the last 7 years or so. Off line clearences, ronaldo in his pocket at euro 2004 shows that he is a top player. When we do play ukraine he will be up against a better right midfielder, and we need him on his game. Boo-ing for 1 mistake when he has been gr8 over the last 7 years or so is ridiculous.
From jay8my on Mon Oct 13 10:02AMwhy england fans booing cole coz he's mistake ????all people in wolrd has a mistakes not he' only.........
From kratos_pp on Mon Oct 13 10:04AMLets face it, until the FA appoint an english coach for the England team and who will pick players that have an opinion that the name on the front of the shirt is more important than the name on the back, the English team will always be among the "also rans". Stop playing prima donnas the likes of 2 bit chelsea and pompey players and look aroung for some decent homegrown talent that is out there in abundance.
From bob_howitt on Mon Oct 13 10:04AMI don't condone booing but there are too many footballers like Ashley Cole who are so arrogant, who earn in a week what most of us earn in a year! and don't even bother to apologise for some mistakes that even a schoolboy is trained not to do - "when in doubt boot it out" in order to give your team time to reorganise and defend the resulting throw in or corner. What really upsets me is he gives the impression that he's not bothered about playing for his national team. The English Ashes cricket team also lost badlyin the first test match but they took the criticsm on the chin and came back stronger to win the series and in the process gained the nations' respect. Does anyone out there "respect" or even care about another prima donna footballer?
From jonathangrosskopf on Mon Oct 13 10:07AMArt u german @#$%, u cant talk, look at kuranyi's attitude, at least cole didnt walk off.
From jay8my on Mon Oct 13 10:08AMQuiz question. Which team is currently the most successful in the European section ofthe world cup qualifiers with 9 points from 3 games and a goal difference of plus 9? I rest my case.
From patstokes2006 on Mon Oct 13 10:08AMNah, I agree with Ed, it's simple now, after years of the England team publically taking the p*ss out of the loyal fans, promising so much and delivering so little, flaunting the club v country loyelties in our faces we (the fans) have have enough and we are letting the team know, i am happy that Cole was booed not because he is a Chelski rent boy but because his pass was sloppy and another mistake in the history of England farcical moments which could have cost us the game or the 3 points at least. I say more booing if the team or players are not performing these guys need to realise some of us are now sick of giving England the benifit of the doubt we want results we want the great on paper @#$%e on grass analogy to go...
From andy_23w on Mon Oct 13 10:08AMI don`t like Ashley Cole either, but I`m sure I saw on the replay that it was Ferdinand who directed Cole to pass back to David James.
From stwstrz on Mon Oct 13 10:09AMBet he wont do that again in a hurry!!! Let your team learn from mistakes, at least it didnt matter on this occasion.
From fair_playforall on Mon Oct 13 10:15AMThe thought of move to Chelsea brought on Cole's present attitude and arrogance. Arsenal's die for the shirt attitude didn't stick with him. Used to be a good footballer for Arsenal but now a spoilt man.
By the way, tell me how many people would have pride in playing for England nowadays after the Thatcher Days?
From slivatree on Mon Oct 13 10:15AMI was there and feel the boos A Cole got were justified, i wasn't booing him due to the back pass that just fueled the booing, he isn't an England favorite and i feel mainly down to off the pitch antics, Yes his private life is none of mine or other fans business, but when you have what every man in that stadium would die for and then you jeopardize it through cheating your going to be a hated figure!
From richards0l0 on Mon Oct 13 10:15AMUnlike many (apparently) I enjoy ED's normal tongue in cheek rants every morning and the resulting comments slagging em off. But crfedit where credits due - lots of praise this morning for a good (albeit rather sincere) article which I expect will attract derision from the FA. Couldn't agree more tho, and was saying the same to my colleagues at work before I read it. But surely no amount of booing must be as bad as knowing that someone who earns less in a year what you do in a week made you look a right chump.
From danny_saks on Mon Oct 13 10:16AMED spot on comments!...for once you have hit the nail on the head and if it had beeen david bentley the exact same reaction would have ensued. black or white / whatever club if you dont show passion for your country you should wear the shirt!......not many booing rooney!!....point well made.
From gldn_boy04 on Mon Oct 13 10:16AMI was there and feel the boos A Cole got were justified, i wasn't booing him due to the back pass that just fueled the booing, he isn't an England favorite and i feel mainly down to off the pitch antics, Yes his private life is none of mine or other fans business, but when you have what every man in that stadium would die for and then you jeopardize it through cheating your going to be a hated figure!
From richards0l0 on Mon Oct 13 10:18AMrichard why weren't u booing rooney then?? He slept with an old aged prostitute. If we booed players for their off field antics we would boo every player on the pitch!!
From jay8my on Mon Oct 13 10:19AMit's true isn't it. cashley cole made himself public enemy number 1 when he left arsenal the way he did.
unfortunately, after leaving, he hasn't really justified himself as an england player has he?
unfortunately, i don't think that there are that many english left backs who can take his place now.My only is, if he can make a mistake like that again Khazakstan, what happens when he faces power houses like italy, or even france, or brazil again. he's shown his weakness against a player like ronaldo before and if england ever faces argentina , brazil or even the dutch, he's going to be england's weakess link
From ja5on_low on Mon Oct 13 10:20AMwho cares about cashley, hez a gimp and a poor left back anyway.
george burley you are a disgrace.
tactically niave, disgraceful decision making, and above all a jakey.
now we have lost boydy, although i disagree with him turning his back on his country, he is the best penalty box striker in scotland by a long way.
i just cant understand why he would try iwelumo in a must win game, or why he would only start with one up top?
faddy is the spark in the team but was left isolated, and barry robson on the right? anybody who watches scottish football will know robsons right foot is for standing on only.
then his post match interview was arrogant and yet another snub for boyd. apparantly boyd must prove himself at the hunnery before he gets a chance, chris iwelumo has 8 goals for wolves. oooooohhh, well sorry burley, ur right, your decision paid off didnt it. kris boyd only has 7 goals in 14 internationals, where bout 5 of his caps he has played less than 10 mins. ok burley, the whole nation is wrong, gotcha.
wouldnt be as bad if he had admitted his gamble hadnt paid off and admitted he got it wrong, but to defend his howler, then have the cheek to suggest boyd has to prove himself is yet another catastrophic blunder by burley. pisses me right off.
From marcgrant7 on Mon Oct 13 10:20AM
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