by David Clayton@dclayton_MCFC
'Sterling can compete for Messi & Ronaldo's crown'
More praise heaped on the shoulders of Raheem Sterling, plus Jamie Carragher’s tipping City for the title and, of course, reaction to Vinnie’s testimonial.
That makes up this morning’s Media Watch, so onwards and forwards…
Opinion
Telegraph: Sterling thriving in new-found status
Jason Burt writes: “It has been well-documented that Sterling only scored twice in his first 45 England appearances but now, launching himself in that Nations League campaign against Spain and Croatia, he has eight in eight and is one of the world’s most in-form player and justifiably in the debate as to whether, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ageing, he can seal his status on a global stage.
“Southgate enthused about Sterling’s ability to ‘grab the game by the scruff of the neck’, as he did in both of England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers – against Bulgaria and Kosovo – and on whether he can become the world’s best.
‘There are obviously some outstanding players around,’ Southgate said. ‘But he will give himself every chance, because he’s got the drive, he’s got the professionalism, he’s got the ability, he’s strong, he’s physically and mentally strong for such a small statured lad.
‘It was hysterical the other day, he and [Joe] Gomez had a shoulder-to-shoulder moment (in training). And, of course, they were bantering about it for the rest of the week. But, he is physically strong, so he is so hard to knock off the ball.’
Staying with Raheem…
Sky Sports: Sterling is a role model for the young says Deeney
Dan Sansom reports: “Watford captain Troy Deeney has praised Raheem Sterling for the way he has handled racist abuse and says he has become a role model for young people.
“When asked if racism has grown in recent years, Deeney told Sky Sports: ‘The question would be, did it ever go away? That would be the biggest question.
‘I think we live in a time where we can highlight it so much easier. We can highlight it with social media and Raheem has become the face and talking point for everything.
‘The best thing he's done is openly come out and spoken about it and that for many young kids coming up now should be the mantra of what to do. If you see an issue, speak about it.’
Pundits
Meanwhile, yes, it might be a bit early for title predictions, but Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher sees a repeat of last season’s race to be champions for 2019/20 – and believes City will again edge it.
Goal: Carragher tipping Blues
Dejan Kalinic writes: “Carragher, who won the Champions League during a stellar career at Liverpool, believes City are still favourites despite the Reds' fast beginning to the season.
‘I think it's a bit early yet. I think we've got to probably wait until Christmas,’ Carragher said on Wednesday.
‘I do feel around about Christmas time Liverpool and City will have a substantial gap and it looks like there's a little bit of a gap at this moment.
‘But I still think City are favourites and are the best team in the Premier League at this moment because they won the Premier League and they proved that last season.’
Reaction
Finally, this morning, our former captain enjoyed a spectacular return to the Etihad last night with a huge crowd paying homage to the Belgian at his testimonial…
Daily Mail: Kompany’s perfect evening
Andy Hampson writes::“Vincent Kompany hailed a perfect evening despite being forced to miss his own testimonial through injury.
She rang the bell...
“A crowd of 51,602 turned up at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to say farewell to the former Manchester City captain, who left the Premier League champions at the end of last season.
“The 33-year-old won 10 major honours in 11 years at the club but he was dogged by muscular problems throughout the second half of his City career.
'It's typical me,' he said of the hamstring injury before the game, but that did not stop him enjoying the friendly between a City side featuring a host of star names from throughout his career and a Premier League All Stars XI.
'I'm the proudest man in the world,' said the Belgian, who also gave game time to his brother Francois and a number of players from Anderlecht, where he is now player-manager.
'It's been a special day. It's been a perfect evening even though I didn't play. I couldn't have wished for more.'
And that’s that for today. More tomorrow.
Thursday Gossip
posted on 13/9/19
Raheem isn't the only one to have suffered that even though that's how some people try to make out. Its just the way it is now, football is like that. Liverpool have the pundits and everyone was obviously jumping to ask a former Liverpool player about Raheem at the time and they gave an honest opinion.
I don't think any of the pundits volunteered to "attack" Raheem. They were asked and they answered honestly and if anyone of them had a good thing to say at the time they'd have been lying. Since there's many of them it can look like a sustained attack targeted at Raheem.
The whole idea of an attack on Raheem is a bit tin foily IMHO.
posted on 13/9/19
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/raheem-sterlings-move-manchester-city-11087669
The pundits fired up the response of fans throughout the prem for doing the unforgivable of leaving one club for another. Had it not been for the sustained attack throughout the summer by these pundits I doubt it would happen. It's certainly not happening to Maguire and Leicester won the league more recently than United, indeed cant think of a single transfer incident that had that much reverberation all based on pundit power.
posted on 13/9/19
That article is from the MEN (which explains the conspiracy angle) and doesn't prove anything. Its just a bringing together of what was actually said, which as I said can be made out to look like an attack to serve an agenda.
This part made me chuckle
"In the summer, he was the victim of a co-ordinated attack from a series of ex-Liverpool stars..."
Like they met up and told each other "you know what, lets attack that Raheem lad because he wants to leave Liverpool".
All the comments are just honest opinions. Its the accuracy of said opinions that should be questioned. What else could they say?
Proper tin foil IMHO.
posted on 14/9/19
Ok not the MEN
https://www.empireofthekop.com/2015/05/20/the-ex-players-view-on-raheem-sterling-from-the-angry-to-the-disappointed-seven-experts-have-their-say/
posted on 14/9/19
That's an infinitely more reasoned article than the MEN one, which was clearly biased.
Doesn't look like a "co-ordinated attack from a series of ex-Liverpool stars..." to me. Just honest opinions that made sense at the time they were made.
posted on 14/9/19
comment by Klopptimus Prime - Die Unerträglichen (U1282)
posted 40 minutes ago
That's an infinitely more reasoned article than the MEN one, which was clearly biased.
Doesn't look like a "co-ordinated attack from a series of ex-Liverpool stars..." to me. Just honest opinions that made sense at the time they were made.
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The point is that if you have those" reasoned opinions" repeated time after time daily on SSN, the BBC etc then it becomes on a par with Hillary's emails and Boris's bus. It seems strange that you see no correlation between the booing by fans of all clubs and the perpetual repetition of Liverpool pundits on TV. The fact that ALL club fans started booing would be the similar of a sustained attack on van dijk by ex Southampton players lasting 3 months about his greed at moving just for money etc.
Are you saying that the opinions didn't affect football fans perception because if you are that's not quite what Carragher said recently were he said the move from Liverpool to city gave the opinion of a flash black kid from London more interested in money than football. Mind he didn't mention his part in that except to say he was wrong about his abilities.
posted on 14/9/19
The point is that if you have those" reasoned opinions" repeated time after time daily on SSN, the BBC etc then it becomes on a par with Hillary's emails and Boris's bus
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Really?
Good thing that didn't happen then and if it did I think Sky should explain why they "had those" reasoned opinions" repeated time after time daily".
You can't blame the pundits for Sky's actions. Perhaps Sky did it because the articles were generating a lot of clicks.
As I said, its all a bit tin foily and conspiracy business.
posted on 14/9/19
It seems strange that you see no correlation between the booing by fans of all clubs and the perpetual repetition of Liverpool pundits on TV. The fact that ALL club fans started booing would be the similar of a sustained attack on van dijk by ex Southampton players lasting 3 months about his greed at moving just for money etc.
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I certainly don't see any correlation. that sounds like a ridiculous theory to me, with respect. Most people hate Liverpool pundits anyway and if the pundits caused all football fans to react that way that's just crazy.
How many other incidents are there of a similar thing happening?
The closer correlation would be that most football fans hate the way City operate and what City as a football club have come to represent.
The Sterling episode highlighted this and you should look closer to home as to why it happened instead of blaming Liverpool pundits.
Despite unprecedented success, City have failed to gain fans and adoration the way Chelsea did, even though both clubs have experienced the same process of being funded by a rich owner. Its easy to point fingers.
posted on 14/9/19
Are you saying that the opinions didn't affect football fans perception
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No but there are logical limits. If you think Liverpool pundits caused football fans across the country to boo Raheem then I don't know what to say about that without sounding disrespectful. Its a ridiculous theory.
posted on 16/9/19
comment by Klopptimus Prime - Die Unerträglichen (U1282)
posted 1 day, 19 hours ago
Are you saying that the opinions didn't affect football fans perception
======
No but there are logical limits. If you think Liverpool pundits caused football fans across the country to boo Raheem then I don't know what to say about that without sounding disrespectful. Its a ridiculous theory.
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Except it happened and no amount of you being in denial about it can change the fact. I think quite a lot of clubs actually still like the way that City do business and its only the so called original top 4 and their fans that didn't. Indeed most fans on the same level we were on would dearly have wanted / would want it to happen to their club. Personally I think your in denial about just how much influence pundits can and do have and the siege mentality is coming out with the everyone hates Liverpool pundits. Not actually true because when not discussing Liverpool related topics I find Souness, Thompson and even Redknapp fairly interesting and knowledgeable. in fact I would put souness on a par with Neville in that respect. The only pundit from United and Liverpool I have little to no respect for is Keane.