My goodness all this Earnie stuff

Pointless as it all is now that he's buggered off (hopefully to get relegated, no doubt he's negotiated another buy out clause), can't resist a few things.

First, I never saw Earnie look apathetic and uninterested on the pitch. Even though he was using us as a stepping stone (always thought he would), he always tried hard. Unlike Deano, who although a much better footballer, really pissed me off in our first season down after about QPR away, following which he might as well have had "Don't Care" on his shirt.

Second, I agree that Earnie missed a lot of chances but I just don't think that's a valid criticism. He wasn't a great technical footballer, he was a great athlete and a great reader of the game. Those two qualities (speed and anticipation) enabled him to get where the ball was going to be. The technical shortcomings meant he then often buggered it up, but THAT'S where the goals to games ratio comes in and MATTERS. OK he missed a lot, but he scored f**king loads. Missing chances only matters if you aren't also scoring. At 0.46 goals per game even missing lots, if he'd put away a lot more he'd be Drogba.

Third, "lack of contribution to team play". I really think that's being harsh on him, because the poor little bastard was forced by Worthy to play in a system which totally did not suit him. Bloody hell, of COURSE he didn't produce knock downs, flicks, lay offs for other people. He's a fast midget! Lay offs and holding up play for others is not what he does! It's totally unfair criticism to blame him for not doing something he can't do and shouldn't be asked to do.

Finally, would I rather have the money? Well if we were rich enough, I'd like to have kept Earnie AND been able to buy the Judge, Dave Striker, Dave Keeper, a new CB etc etc. But needs must, and I'd rather we swapped him for a really good squad strengthening.

I know I shouldn't have started all this again ... but I have.

Posted By: Old Git on July 4th 2007 at 12:53:21

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