What would you do in his position Kev? You know there is a gem there (not just "Watford standard") and you need what you can to succeed for your own career and the sake of your young family. What would you do?
You mean Malky? I would probably respect my former club who gave me my chance by not taking their 'better' players, which might mean if they can't replace them, there's a big chance of relegation.... Obviously the club means very little to him, just himself and his own career - but that is football for you! If he does have all this money, then he doesn't need to ask our players not to sign contracts and take them when their contract ends! As for Cowie... fair enough - we have signed players on frees ourselves!
And I would say Cowie is 'Watford-standard' because how many other clubs have actually be interested in him? Malky is going after Watford targets, ie Watford-standard players!!
Well fair enough, suggesting that a mercenary instinct among footballers is common to one nationality is plainly wrong. But I would hope anyone with a sense of humour could see the funny side of a Scottish manager leaving a club with little money and taking a fellow Scot away on a free. It's harmless fun playing on a stereotype (or at least that's all I hope it is). And yes, I'd repeat a silly little joke like that in front of John McClelland or any other Scotsman, who, I hope, would take it in the spirit it was meant. I certainly wouldn't allude to slippery slopes about racism; I don't think that's justified. To me, it sounds hysterical, but I guess we all interpret things differently.
You should see the banter I have when it comes to the England national side!! Thankfully the shoulders are broad and I enjoy giving back when Murray loses or whenever the Scotland team play faroe islands, moldova or some other footie superpower. If you cant laugh about it dont give it the time of day by responding, not worth getting worked up about.
Although the question was directed at Kev, I thought I'd also have a stab at answering it. Hope that's ok. Yep, if I'd left an organisation to join a rival I'd think about taking talented, trusted colleagues with me. Of course I would, however bad that sounds. As I think you said elsewhere Andy, it's not Mackay's fault that the club seemingly didn't insist on non-dealing/solicitation clauses, standard in most commercial contexts, so I don't blame him. Still leaves a bitter taste, mind; it's a shame to see a manager we all rated and a player we all viewed as key go to the same club, for little money (free in Cowie's case) and so soon after one another. Let's hope this is the last of the departures, although I'm sure we all fear further approaches, and maybe not just from Cardiff. I object to the emotive language about Mackay's young family, however, and have been consistent about this point here and going back a long way on 606. Those earning £5-10k+ per week worry about their families in the same way as the rest of us, I'm sure (with the exception of those whose tabloid antics are well-known) but let's not pretend they have the same financial concerns. Footballers in such a privileged position move because they desire more money (in fairness this is often allied to ambition), not because they or their families need it. This is my strong personal view.
Agree completely, aberdeen. I've seen the 'Anyone But England' shirts and I've heard anecdotes about pretty unfriendly taxi drivers in Glasgow. Let's no-one pretend this is a one-way street! It's just banter and, as you say, not worth getting worked up about.
Some of the obvious venom in some of those posts were not light hearted banter! I know Scotland have not got a very good football team(to say the least), but we as a nation accept that. On the other hand the English National team and the majority of their so called supporters, get hyped up that they are going to win the World Cup, the Euro's or what ever Comp they enter! Seriously, really!
I have just come into this.... but on reading GTs comments he is clearly alluding to the fact that it was Malky's inside knowledge that he used to sign Cowie.... I am not sure that all football managers would act in the same way. Basically our club has been decimated over the past few weeks....
Exactly Yorkie, his last bit says it all about inside knowledge of player contracts! But were we naive in not putting in a release clause when he left that he could not rape and pillage our little club!
I'm not going to bleat on about xenophobia (or, completely inaccurately, racism) because I have a thick skin when it comes to national rivalries. But I don't know where this silly myth about England fans being sure they're going to win the World Cup etc has come from. It seems to be accepted as true nowadays, particularly among those who enjoy watching England fail, although there's not a shred of proof. I think most long-suffering England fans are well aware of the national team's many shortcomings, on and off the pitch.
Thanks for replying One Lars Melvang. I appreciate your strong personal view and perhaps I didn't represent my view brilliantly in that regard. I think that the concerns are the same although the aspirations may be different. Those with more money might be wanting to buy a nice house for each of their children and make sure they will never want for anything. I think the point is Malky has to look after the interests of his career and his aspirations for his family as a first priority. I agree about the bitter taste, but what can you do if there is no contractual obligation for him to steer clear? I want to concentrate on Watford, not Swansea, Cardiff, Reading, whoever; that's the nub of what I'm saying.
I apologise ATR, what i said yesterday was out of pure frustration. Things had been going wrong all day, and i vented my feelings on here, and at the closest source. I would never wish physical injury on anyone. I would like to thik that the anti-scottish remarks were not the honest feelings of the posters, as we know them to be great guys, but we all wear our hearts on our sleaves and sometimes our emotions get the better of us at times. We need to put this behind us now, and be united in the cause of supporting our beloved WFC, cos if we dont, no-one else will. COYH!!!!
