Thursday 29 March 2012


Is Messi really a Worldwide Legend or an Overhyped Domestic Super Hero?

When Lionel Messi shattered Cesar Rodriguez of spain 60 year old goal scoring record against Granada last week I had to ask myself once again, “IS MESSI REALLY A LEGEND?” Now I’ve had this argument countless times with many people, especially my pitchtalk co-hosts @sslja and @apparentlyrich (add them on twitter if you don't know about them) and admittedly my views change each time. "Of course he's a legend!"; "How can he be a legend?";  "Look at what he's done for Barcelona!";  "Look at what he hasn't done for Argentina!"; "Nah!!! Don't be stupid he's a midget!"; "Come on, he has to be he's a super midget!" All of the above statements have formulated certain views of mine in the past.

Now I know there are those of you reading this today thinking dam @dagman84 “What's up with you dude? You must be on crack, cracks one hell of a drug! (Rick James voice) or he's one crazy son of a football!! How can you even muster up an argument denying Messi as a living legend? In 7 years at only the age of 24 Messi has one thing that past legends/gods/heroes still dream about. He has broken Barcelonas all time goal scoring record of 232 goals plus to his name he has 3 champions league titles, 5 La Liga titles, 2 Fifa Ballon d’Or and a Fifa world player of the year. So then how can he not be considered as a legend?

 But as always my reply to this is and will always be "Why not?" Why can his supposed legendary status not be questioned? Maybe for Barcelona he is their player of the moment, no one can deny that true. The worldwide media love him; fans adore him; football needs him; he’s the current darling of football. Yet for me these praises can only pay tribute to what Messi has done domestically with one team that being the GREAT! Barcelona (Not AVERAGE but GREAT) because on the international stage the Messi  we have come to know throughout his week to week exploits in the La Liga and Champions League is merely a shadow of himself on the world’s biggest  stage.

This Blog was bought to you by

Yours truly

@DaGman84 aka Gavin Henry

Add me on twitter


I am One 3rd of Monday night Football Talk Show Pitch Talk who you can follow on twitter @pitchtalk
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Monday 12 March 2012


A Letter To Carlos Tevez

Dear Carlos,

I just thought I’d write you once again, unfortunately the last two letters I sent you didn't write back but that's cool, this time I just wanted to let you know I'm glad your back! The Premiership has been missing you and I consider you to be one of my favourite premiership players of all time. If you’re wondering what the purpose of this letter is, well I just wanted you to know I fully back you and forever will. I have been extremely incensed by the way Manchester City, the media and FA have been treating you. How dare they...! How bloody dare they treat a prolific journey man like yourself as if you’re some sort of dog! There is no loyalty in football no more!!! Doesn't a FA cup and 56 goals in 83 games mean anything these days? It's totally diabolical, if a player of your calibre wishes not to play then you shouldn't need to; even if your names on the team sheet and your sitting on the bench at the time, it’s not like your getting paid to play football is it?

I was deeply saddened when you were fined and suspended by Man City, I haven't felt this down since Adrian Mutu and Mark Bosnich were sacked by Chelsea for failing a DRUGS test and by the way who ever said a little Charlie done anyone any harm ?  Football is losing its soul, you must have heard about Luis Suarez right? He was suspended for 9 games by the FA for using racially friendly language towards that lying, physcopath Patrice Evra, also JT in court for repeating racist language that he was trying to explain he didn’t use!!! This is totally ridiculous, football has become an extremely fickle sport where it seems the footballers are being victimised for their success and lavish wealth; after all look at all you do for the sport. You turn up week in and week out to perform for your Team, Boss and Fans, I absolutely feel sorry for you guys I really do. The pressure that you’re under to be role models for millions & millions of little children around the world. Come on It’s not like when were a little lad your dreams were of becoming a highly paid footballer with influence of a president? I'm pretty sure if you knew how much pressure came with being a millionaire you would have done a normal 9-5 like me right?? Plus is anyone actually thinking about the next generation of future ungrateful stars that look up to guys like you week in week out, with the likes of you being out the game for 5 months can ruin these fragile souls development. Is anyone thinking about how badly these kids are missing out on the important lessons you share on how to be a disrespectful pampered pre-madonna? No of course not, every ones fixed on morals and good deeds! Not me sir Tevez I salute you and your fight against goodwill and decency.

Life as a premiership star must be so hard to deal with? Again i have to express how sorry for you I feel! It must get ever so taxing, some see it as a labour of love but not I, and I understand how much it can be hell. Biggie Smalls always used to say 'Mo money mo problems'... And i have to say i agree totally, the more money you have the harder it must be to make crucial decisions like should i buy a Ferrari or should i buy a Chrysler? Gucci or Ralph Lauren Glasses? Gold or Platinum watch? God knows how you do Tevez.

I couldn't you imagine a life where you are paid excessive amounts of money to kick around inflatable object for 90 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday; or having the opportunity to train with the world’s best players, coaches and sporting management staff around the world. Dam just talking about it makes me want to pass out... Getting paid to remain healthy is definitely not a lifestyle for me, I’d rather work in a coalmine; on a farm; fu@* it send me to Baghdad!  My o my so much stress and for what? Even worse god forbid you get injured and twist a knee or rupture a knee ligament it would be so annoying if you had the aid of a highly decorated private doctor or the best surgeons in the world to fix you up. Isn't life a bi@*#!

Football is losing its soul and your one of the last true footballers I definitely wouldn't want to live your life Tev! But if there was ever a day you needed some one step in for you, “I’D TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM!”

Yours Truly
@DaGman84

Follow Me on Twitter: @DaGman84


I am One 3rd of Monday night Football Talk Show Pitch Talk who you can follow on twitter @pitchtalk
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Thursday 1 March 2012

Patrice Evra And Luis Suarez Have Unfinished Business

Given the lack of Luis Suarez's handshake and the subsequent lack of an apology to Patrice Evra from Suarez; I have to say that for me, the Suarez/Evra issue isn't settled.

I'm not saying this because I'm a perpetuator of hate between Liverpool and United fans, I'm quite the opposite. Some of closest and longest friends are Liverpool fans and I have a few cousins, begrudgingly, that also support Liverpool.

I RESPECTED Liverpool Football Club's history in the game of football and wider society but please don't ignore the past tense. The reason why I don't respect Liverpool Football Club any more is because I detest the way that Liverpool have carried themselves throughout the incident.

Their blind loyalty to their player was understandable yet terribly misguided and their characterisation of Patrice Evra is as laughable as it is defaming of Evra's character.
Worse than all of this however is the complete and total lack of an apology.

Before you start, I'm well aware of the apologies of King Kenny and even Suarez himself so those aren't the ones I mean, those were for the fans, the media and the Liverpool board.

The apologies I mean the apology to Patrice Evra. Liverpool Football Club haven't apologised, Kenny Dalglish hasn't apologised and Luis Suarez hasn't apologised either.

Even Prime Minister David Cameron has waded in, taking time away from running the country to say that football needs to do more to stamp out racism. Personally, I think he should be doing more to stimulate the economy but he has a valid point. It's something for the FA to do.

The FA need to intervene once again. They intervened in the curious case of Wayne Rooney and for all intents and purposes looked to have assisted in the delay of John Terry's trial but I feel that they need to intervene in the fallout of Suarez/Evra.

For me and for a lot of fans and analysts, the lack of a formal apology to Evra has tarnished Liverpool's image and legacy. A lot of other analysts and even former players who were victims of racism themselves say that this issue is over and should be swept under the carpet.

Unfortunately it doesn't solve the problem. For me and probably for Patrice Evra and his friends and family, the only thing that really resolves the issue are apologies from Liverpool Football Club and Luis Suarez.

If an apology doesn't come Patrice Evra will be well within his rights to sue Luis Suarez and Liverpool Football Club for defamation of character and psychological damages.

If the FA doesn't intervene and let's face it, it's a bit after the fact for them to be bothered and they're clearly more worried about the outcome of the John Terry trial, I think Patrice Evra should offer him out for a UFC fight under PRIDE rules.

Evra would make him tap out!


Entry by Pitch Talk Co-host Gezzie Fizzle

I am One 3rd of Monday night Football Talk Show Pitch Talk who you can follow on twitter @pitchtalk
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