Ah I see silly spurious burdens of proof can only be one way when it becomes obvious you’re on a losser.
Read back and you'll see that you were the one claiming to speak on behalf of the majority. I never did. I only claim to speak for me. Therefore, I don't have to show "the majority" agree with me, unlike you.
I watched Sterling in the group games and he was indifferent. Then again in the last 16 with around 30 others at the local football club. Nobody, but nobody, thought Sterling did well. "Willing" was the kindest compliment and, like Perez @ NUFC, there's definitely some value in that but it's not enough, for me. The following game, against Sweden, he was worse. My comment of "he looks like some bloke who won a Pepsi Max competition" wasn't exactly greeted with howls of "HOW DARE YOU? He's a TEAM player, and a darned good one". The sheer volume of sports media 'backing' him screams volumes to me; if he had ACTUALLY played well, nobody would say he didn't!! I totally understand supporting the team and will again tonight, but to think there won't be doubt when he gets the ball, or groans when he screws something up, is just nuts. It's football, if we can't have opinion then what's the point. We'll see what happens tonight, but even at club level he's not renowned for being a big game player. Look, if he GENUINELY plays well (without scoring or assisting), I'd gladly eat humble pie with extra Borscht. We all win. In fact, we ALL hope he does, we all hope he scores a hat-trick and proves the doubters wrong. But to say people SHOULDN'T doubt him on the evidence of this tournament and the last 30 months is absolutely nuts.
No now let’s not start with your fairytales. I simply said the majority of pros or those involved in the game commenting saw the value fans didn’t. This is correct. So correct even the BBC commented about it recently. But hey you keep on writing those fairytales brother. Keown, Shearer, Ferdinand, Klinsmann, Neville, Beckham, every opposing manager so far including tonight’s. They’re all commenting in his favour. The fans and Jermaine Jenas are in the other...
I wasn’t specific enough for your simple brain. It would appear from the pros, managers or those involved in the game, who have ventured an opinion, they see great value in Sterling. Their opinion is infinitely more knowledgeable than yours and other fans. Happy now? Now put the toys back in the pram and get your Raheem banner at the ready for yet another fine performance from the young man and his teammates.
Nothing to do with being specific enough. As my old man used to say "Say what you mean and mean what you say." You said one thing, now you're saying something different. I honestly hope Sterling has a stormer and scores a hat trick and I will support him and the rest 100% throughout the game and I won't boo him if he does something wrong but that won't change my opinion only his performing to an England level over a good period will do that. And if you think the opinions of the "pros" and "managers" commenting on football are better than your own opinion then you should have more conviction with your opinions. Most, not all, haven't a clue what they are talking about and I would take my views over theirs 10 out of 10. Are you seriously suggesting the views of Owen, Souness, and the like are worth listening to? If you're trying to WUM then get better material. If you're not...
No there are some morons out there. However those who play the game at a professional level know more than you about what a player brings to professional football. They have a much better understanding of it. Experiencing something first hand is a huge advantage. When the knowledgeable ones like Neville, Shearer, Klinsmann, Sweden manager, Croatian manager are saying it, these are guys who understand tactics and the nuisances of professional far better than you could ever hope to. They got to the very top of the game for a reason. I’d never be so arrogant like yourself to pretend I know the game better than them. Quite simply we don’t and never could.
It's not the first time I've been called arrogant and it won't be the last. So with your opinions what do you do if the so called experts disagree. That must be difficult.
So does that make you arrogant as well? As I don't worry when the so called experts disagree and don't share my view either.
No I simply take on board others opinions. If I still disagree so be it. I can fully accept they know more about the game than me having actually played it at the highest level. You on the other hand...
The beauty of it is everyone can have an opinion. There is no right and wrong when it comes to opinions as it is not a matter of fact. IMO Sterling has been a solid 6/10 so far this world cup. Not played good but not bad either. He has to improve on his decision making and finishing. He has to carry on with the work rate and movement. SIMPLES!
BAH!!! This is no place for unbiased, moderate appraisals. He's 10/10 or 0/10, a vital cog in the England machine or a pointless waste of oxygen. THERE WILL BE NO MIDDLE GROUND.
