What Kind of Plonker Writes This Stuff?!

Letter from a contact to the Independent:

I have always held the sports section of The Independent with high regard, up until now. Nick Townsend's column, headlined "Ramos Flies into a Bermuda Triangle of Uncertainty" made me lose faith in the reliability of your paper. There were a few things wrong with it, but the most glaringly obvious was this bit...

"...it still must have been like an out-of-body experience as he [Martin Jol] gazed up at the giant TV screens and caught glimpses of those emotional images of himself as the tumbrel finally conveyed him to the guillotine and a bloody end."

I'm all for creative journalism, embellishment and flowery interpretations of what happened. but if you are going to disappear up ones own creative shute you might first want to make sure that it is at least based upon a nugget of truth. It certainly would have been a strange moment for Martin Jol to glance up at his own 50ft high face on the giant TV screens at White Hart Lane. Actually it would be more than strange, I'd say it would be impossible for him to see any images of himself on the Jumbotron at White Hart Lane because of one tiny detail. Spurs or any other team involved in the competition are not allowed to show coverage of UEFA cup games on the screens at the stadium, it is part of the deal, and your journalist ought to know that.

It makes me wonder what else i can believe in Nicks column. Should i also believe that Juande Ramos is a Uruguayan (as Nick claims) or should i believe that he is in fact a Spaniard as Juandes webite claims. I didnt bother reading the rest, because i didnt want to waste my time. I wonder if Nick Townsend actually went to the match? probably not is my guess, he was probably watching it at home and not really paying attention because he was too busy marvelling at his own amazing journalism! (or maybe that should be abbreviated to "jism") It seems to me that Mr Townsend possibly enjoys a little too much creative freedom, and is maybe a little bit too big for his boots. But then i guess anyones ego will swell if given a huge banner at the top of the page proudly stating "THE NICK TOWNSEND COLUMN". And thankfully there is a huge picture of him, so we can all see what kind of plonker writes this stuff. For his own sake, rein him in, the man is out of control! You must be paying him decent money, and it looks like he is taking you lot for a ride.

I'd like to know if you actively encourage your jounalists to not let the facts get in the way of a good story, because if so, i might as well start buying the Sun.

regards

Defoe proves his worth to Tottenham

Jermaine Defoe demonstrated once more in the UEFA Cup tie against Famagusta on Thursday in Cyprus why he does not merit a regular starting place in the Tottenham Hotspur team. Previously in the home leg at White Hart Lane Defoe came on as a substitute against an already well beaten Famagusta and scored two well taken goals. This time however he was given a starting place for the return leg. His big chance to stake his claim and he squandered several hat fulls of chances…no, not just chances they were presents, gift wrapped with little pink bows on them. It was once again left to Robbie Keane to come on and demonstrate within 3 minutes why he is keeping Defoe on the bench and (once again) spare Spurs and Martin Jol’s blushes.

Before writing I decided to watch the Spurs DVD “Goals Galore” 2006/7 Season. It became blindingly clear that despite scoring several excellent and timely goals, he consistently failed to deliver on a regular basis. Put simply, he misses too much! It reminds me of Andrew Cole when he was playing for Manchester Utd and couldn’t get a (regular) game for England for the same reason. While watching the DVD I realized that Keane is a completely different class, not just his finishing which is second to none but his all round play, his vision, passing and movement leave Defoe quite firmly on the bench.

Now it’s tough on Defoe you might think but if he wants to be a “big time” striker at a top club he is going to have to increase his strike rate significantly or he will be on the bench wherever he plays.