Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has criticised Liverpool's handling of the Suarez-Evra situation.
Speaking on LBC Radio, Wilson - who won the league and cup double with Arsenal in 1971 - argued that Liverpool's legendary managers of the past would've been less than impressed with the way the club has chosen to 'support' Luis Suarez:
"You support your man, but I think Bill Shankly and Joe Fagan and Bob Paisley - at this moment - would be saying, 'You got it wrong, guys. That is really not what Liverpool Football Club should be doing'."
Wilson specifically highlighted the T-Shirt fiasco as an example of how not to do things:
"Liverpool, like Arsenal, had a way of doing things, and all I would say is that they should never have gone down the road of those t-shirts."
I totally agree with this; the T-shirt stunt was tacky, misjudged, and highlighted (IMO) an embarrassing lack of social awareness at the club.
Note the past tense in Wilson's final comment: Liverpool HAD a way of doing things. Probably inadvertent on his part, but it's depressingly true.
As the response to the Suarez situation shows, the club has truly lost sight of the Liverpool Way of doing things.
The ultimate irony here is that Kenny Dalglish was supposed to bring the club closer to its roots.
Has that happened yet, either on or off the pitch?
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking on LBC Radio, Wilson - who won the league and cup double with Arsenal in 1971 - argued that Liverpool's legendary managers of the past would've been less than impressed with the way the club has chosen to 'support' Luis Suarez:
"You support your man, but I think Bill Shankly and Joe Fagan and Bob Paisley - at this moment - would be saying, 'You got it wrong, guys. That is really not what Liverpool Football Club should be doing'."
Wilson specifically highlighted the T-Shirt fiasco as an example of how not to do things:
"Liverpool, like Arsenal, had a way of doing things, and all I would say is that they should never have gone down the road of those t-shirts."
I totally agree with this; the T-shirt stunt was tacky, misjudged, and highlighted (IMO) an embarrassing lack of social awareness at the club.
Note the past tense in Wilson's final comment: Liverpool HAD a way of doing things. Probably inadvertent on his part, but it's depressingly true.
As the response to the Suarez situation shows, the club has truly lost sight of the Liverpool Way of doing things.
The ultimate irony here is that Kenny Dalglish was supposed to bring the club closer to its roots.
Has that happened yet, either on or off the pitch?
Jaimie Kanwar
Liverpool way wouldn't have bought us Henderson, Adam, Downing, Carroll for 80 million for sure.
ReplyDeleteLuis suarez hasnt done nothing, if the idiot opened his eyes and looked into it more he'd realise that!
ReplyDeleteI've to agree. The whole episode has been crass and tactless, nt to mention riddled with lies and inconsistencies from the club. Jaimie I criticised you intensely in the past but it seems like I was wrong and you were right. Signing Suarez has been the poision apple that has thrown our club off its moral compass and you alluded to that a year ago. It seems that everyone at the club have become apologists for a man with a very dubious past who now appears bigger than the club.
ReplyDeleteThe whole situation was handled very badly from the beginning. Accepting the idea that it was a cultural misunderstanding, why did the club not simply make an effort to have a face-to-face meeting between Evra and Suarez so that an explanation and apology be given?
ReplyDeleteInstead they headed for the battlements and now seem intent on playing the victim card. It's embarrassing and seems more like a way to draw attention from poor performances, team, manager and highly paid players alike than any real belief that the FA is 'out to get us'.
I've said it before. Liverpool is one of the best supported teams IN THE WORLD. It makes absolutely no sense for the FA/Premier League to have some private agenda to keep us down. If anything they'd love to see us winning the league to take utmost advantage of international television audiences.
Sadly, unless you show unwavering support for the 'Suarez is completely innocent, should receive a public apology, Evra should be jailed, there's a Ferguson/FA/EPL/World Leaders/Intergalactic Council Secret "Destroy LFC" Alliance, then you are hounded by rabid fans and all the pitiful levels of abuse that they'll stoop to.
In the last few years we've gone from a club to a collection of whiners ready to boycott and protest anything that marginally upsets us. It's pathetic.
Are we saying that the players shouldn't be allowed to show their support for their team-mate? I think there is enough evidence to suggest that Suarez has been unfairly treated, and if the players want to show their support then that's fine by me. Also it looks like it was a one-off (as far as I am aware it wasn't repeated yesterday) so I think Wilson needs to get off his high horse and stop being so arrogant to presume he knows what men like Shanks and Paisley would have done in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteAs a supporter for over 40 years i can't believe I'm reading this. The club fully support Suarez and the FA have chosen to inexplicably delay the reasons for their judgment. And let's be clear they have taken one word against another and refused to allow the idea of lack of racist intent. And thy are NOT a legal body despite what the despicable and racist Society of Black Lawyers may wish to infer. They have referred to the previous FA judgement against Evra - FACT NOT FICTION - they have said they await the reasoning (why can't this be released at the same time as the judgement unless the FA want to cover things up?) Evra has racially insulted Suarez. He has told the referee "you're only booking me cos I'm black" but that's apparently OK. Witchhunt by a bunch of corrupt bastards. Hope England lose every game they play, except against France.
ReplyDeleteYou worry about Arsenal and we'll worry about Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteWhat evidence?None of the class of Everton And by the way I'm not an Everton fan!
ReplyDeletewhat, specifically, is the problem with the t-shirts? is the suggestion that LFC should accept the guilty verdict? appeal without comment? not show solidarity with a team-mate? bob wilson prolly won't respond. how bout you Jaime?
ReplyDeleteAll Liverpool had to do was hold their tongue and kept things to a minimum, at least until the full report came out. That is all they had to do.
ReplyDeleteInstead they went for the showy/explosive route, that played into the hands of the media as well as generally, making a big mess of this Suarez situation.
Really don't get how a club like Liverpool can behave so tactlessly and unprofessional with a politically sensitive situation like this. It is ridiculous.
It is not some typical debate on some forum about who Liverpool should sign or whether Dalglish is past it as a manager, its a public and political issue that needed to be sorted delicately but they keep on shooting themselves in the foot with this one.
What evidence? Have you seen the full report yet?
ReplyDeleteLike Liverpool and some of the media, you should wait for the full report before coming out guns blazing.
Totally agree with all you said. Poorly handled situation from the start, attracted unnecessary criticism, behaved like martyrs, instead of a cool dignity. Showing solidarity and support to a player who we believe was judged not fairly is one thing. But being petulant, aggressive and knee-jerking is totally another, and it will have a long-term damage for the club's reputation.
ReplyDeleteTrying to save the player's reputation the club in no way helped him by ruining theirs.
I don't know who are the lawyers and public relations specialists at the club, but they will have to do some extra work now to repair the club's image that seriously suffered in the eyes of the side viewers, as well as a certain number of fans.
Yes you are right, he has'n't done nothing! he has done something! - like sticking up his finger to opposing fans,and making a racist remark ! Suarez needs to control himself! And yes I am a Liveerpool fan of 60years.
ReplyDeleteBob Wilson ad never been at Liverpool. So shut up otherwse it's also "Puki ak"and "Kunkit" for him.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day , two spoiled millionaires said something to each other, move on, whatever slap on the hand or 8 game suspension won't eradicate racism
ReplyDeletewith your logic, referees should not even bother carding players for dangerous tackles, after all dangerous tackles will continue to go on...stupid logic
ReplyDeleteWhat will you do if a group of people swears at you for a whole 90 minutes?? You tell them to come to your house to have dinner???
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that everybody has their 2 s*** worth comments about the Shankly/Paisley legacy? The 2 great guys are gone from this world and no one will ever truly know what they think so what's the freaking point.
ReplyDeleteMost importantly is that the club is sticking together and riding through the storm. That to me is the Liverpool Way. So stop abusing their names if that be your own opinion.
You paid well enough to do your job young man. Crowds will always jeer you. you're a cheating git, that is why. But by acting like that you are letting Liverpool FC down.The same Liverpool who risked its reputation in order to support you.
ReplyDeleteAsk John Barnes, suffered more than Suarez ever will but still had self control and remained calm and just performed by letting his frustration out on opponents and not crowds.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - Im also a bit sick of all the claims of FA conspiracy's against us
ReplyDeleteAny other ten bob pundit from the past like to pass comment ? We havent heard from Jimmy Hill or Saint and Greavsie yet LFC had to back their man and good for them they did. Miscarriages of justice happen and when they happen people need to speak out.Or maybe some of don't think that way. Perhaps the Hillsborough Families should eat the shit placed before them and forget their conspiracy theories. After all the very idea that South Yorks Police and The Government have a hidden agenda is nuts isnt it Brad Joy stay at home dad Yaddada yadddada
ReplyDeleteAS the report into the incidence as yet to published (why the delay then their is the appeal process to be heard...Is it not a case of innocense untill proven guilty. Not 1 united player is supporting his claim john davidson
ReplyDelete'Not 1 united player is supporting his claim'...just like not 1 Liverpool player, Snr Sherlock, witnessed properly what went on between Evra and Suarez, otherwise they would have been used as witnesses. just like not 1 Liverpool or United player has not seen the full report
ReplyDeleteBut one set of players have gone onto wear t-shirts, make showy defensive comments and statements, regardless of no full report or no witnesses.
least liverpool will always have better standards than the gooners.
ReplyDeletehes talking complete tosh.
and il eat my words if someone can find me some propper evidence with even one or two witnesses!!!!!!!
look at the scum who is crying wolf........................again!
how many more times?
fair play to club players and fans for supporting suarez till proven propperly guilty, even if it is a tacky shirt, i dont care.
we should be proud
Please!!! Back to reality Deebo!!
ReplyDeleteGod help the club if you lot are supposed to be fans!!
ReplyDeleteWell said that man. Stand and take a bow son!!
ReplyDeletewell said that man!!
ReplyDeleteimagine wat fergie would have to say had it been say.........hernandez said something racist to glen johnson...............no one heard it, no evidence and glen johnson had a reputation for being a complete arse hole??
he would blow his hair dryer to pieces,never talk to a camera again and probably stop man utd being televised.
A new forward thinking progressive manager is needed time to get rid of the old dinosaur....time to go kenny thanks for the memories.....and when i say go i mean go no ties with the club whatsoeverever otherwise his dated turgid ideas of doing things will poison the club for ever
ReplyDeletea manc in discuise obviously.
ReplyDeletewhy dont we employ wenger then, hes a forward thinking progressive manager.....and look they have won in recent times.
your a joke
your right bob wilson talks out of his arse
ReplyDeleteShankly would of said "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very
ReplyDeletedisappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more
important than that." now sticks and stones may brake my bones but words will never hurt me... now shake hands and get on with the game you are so bloody well paid to for.
suarez, is a very emotional player, but not a racist, i think 8 games is a bit to much
ReplyDeleteThe REALITY is that this is a man who has now been banned for a total of 16 games within a year (7 at Ajax, 9 at Liverpool) for unnecessary and provocative actions on the pitch. This isn't a guy who's on the pitch behaviour warrants my trust and support especially in the context of this situation (a word that can be used positively or negatively to a rival opponent). Fans are rushing to believe that he said it in a positive way but for well respected neutrals like Bob Wilson who respect the club but can step back from the issue, it is clear to them that Suarez was not likely to have said it in a respectful, jovial manner. The reality is that many fans are choosing to put our on the field chances above the club's reputation because of one man with an established reputation for on field violence, cheating and conning referees, as well as minor shows of petulance against his own players and manager (water bottle kicking). You like the club have chosen to believe Suarez's half truths and tissue of lies as if negrito only has a positive connotation when it is clear that it can be used in a negative context especially when the two parties aren't known to each other or are in conflict.I remember vociferously supporting Torres during his shoulder slumping, disinterested, petulant last few months at the club and I'm not going to support a player against my own instincts, balanced opinion and likelihood just because I want it to be so. I wanted to believe that Torres was a player who would give everything to the club no matter what. I was wrong. You want Suarez to be this virtuous saint who would never stoop to racial references to antagonise an opponent. YOU ARE WRONG.
ReplyDeleteREALITY:
ReplyDeletehttp://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/les-murray/blog/1086893/Why-Suarez-is-a-racist
Yes. The suggestion is that they should except the guilty verdict or at least wait to the explanation of it to assess their grounds of appeal. The tactless display of t-shirts was cheap and nasty. Considering that no one wore t-shirts when Brad Jones' baby died does this event really warrant such a petulant and spirited response? What next? A charity single to pay off his fine? And has any even considered that this guy who has been banned in the last year for BITING an opponent might well be capable of using that word in a negative context to wind up a rival? Nobody considered that this guy who clearly exaggerates fouls on the pitch might well be capable of telling a half-truth (i.e. "yes I used the word 'negrito' but not in that negative way, in a positive way because I felt that me and Patrice had that kinda relationship you know").I never, ever thought I'ld see that day when a club like Chelsea displays more calm and humility on a subject like racism than Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteCobblers. Most of the responses are also cobblers. Lots of righteous people making judgements they're not qualified to make.
ReplyDeleteThe FA and its cronies have an agenda and Suarez, a naive lad from a distant culture has been stitched up like a kipper.
When the FA finally publishes its 'findings' it will be very interesting to see how they convict Suarez without also convicting Evra. Wonder what the media will have to say about that one. Will be fascinating to see how the FA treats its captain too.
smile and walk away
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like his commitment on the pitch!, I have to agree with you.
ReplyDeleteGood words,however what you suggest in your first paragraph could'n't happen because Fungusface,on hearing Evra's complaint, immediately took him by the arm,straight to the referies room to make the complaint official! Whisky nose way of trying to keep LFC down! The man 'hates LFC',and will do anything to wrong the club.
ReplyDelete(LFC fan),Every football fan is entitled to an opinion.
ReplyDeleteAs he should. You don't muck around with charges of racism. I strongly believe that Evra was wrong to make the comments he did to French tv but I entirely support the decision to make the official complaint.
ReplyDeleteThe facts are that Liverpool had every chance to attend a face-to-face meeting between the players in order to sort the issue, based on the idea that it could have been a cultural misunderstanding. Instead they wanted to press charges against Evra.
That pretty much sums up the entire sorry episode and I hope the club accepts the punishment and Suarez never again makes reference to the colour of a person's skin while on the football field.