Scott Parker is being painted as some sort of hero because he took to the field only hours after his father died - and good on him for doing so - but I would have thought that it was a great way to get it out of his system personally. Tell me, as we praise Parker for playing a game of football, how many Japanese people "did their duty" within hours of their loved ones dying in the tsunami? How many soldiers press on after friends and colleagues fall in battle? How many Libyans will be at work today after family members have died courtesy of a peace keeping cruise missile? Parker probably saw things in context as he stood for a minute's silence out of respect for the Japanese tsunami. Yes his thoughts would have been with his father, but that death and personal loss must have been contextualised by events elsewhere. To parade personal grief at such a time might have felt inappropriate so Parker soldiered on.
Mick Parker died after a prolonged illness so the death was hardly a surprise and may possibly, in its way, have been a blessed release. It certainly was when my father was released from the agony of lung cancer. I was in work the day after he died. Earlier this month, a colleague's father died during the working day: he completed the working day before going home to begin the grieving process and, having made provisional arrangements for the funeral, was in work by mid day of the following day. Life goes on. It has to.
Scotty played a game of football after his father died following a prolonged illness. Some might say big bloody deal given there are children in school today in Japan whose parents are missing following the tsunami. They had no time to prepare themselves for the shock of death. Let's get a sense of perspective here can we? Life doesn't stop; it can't. How could Parker look himself in the mirror if he had sat out the game and watched that minute's silence for the thousands wiped out in Japan? There are doctors, nurses, policemen, teachers, soldiers, firemen, rescue workers in Japan who have lost fathers, brothers, spouses, children...and they are getting on with life, because they have to. We make such a fuss because somebody is a footballer. Good on Parker, but he got on with the job in the way that millions of others do around the world over the course of a year.
But it is the hollow nature of the commiserations that strike me. How sincere are they? Just imagine for a moment if Parker had joined Spurs. That's how sincere! Look at the treatment of Lampard, that's the respect shown to the dearly departed on the football terraces sadly.
I'm sorry for your loss Scott. But it happens as I'm sure you understand. Especially in the light of events in Japan.
And for all those posting RIP on the net, which is so easy to do and so hollow in consequence, how about buying a card and sending it courtesy of the club? Or better still, send the £5 you would spend on a card and postage to help the victims of the tsunami. In a situation like this, action really does speak louder than internet typed words.
Liam, you can't use language like that! Remove the F word and I will publish your comment.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P Mick Parker
ReplyDeletewhat a complete prick you are
ReplyDeleteTWAT
ReplyDeleteChrist, you're all heart!
ReplyDeleteI am. I think orphaned children in Japan are having to cope with more emotional trauma than Parker. He played a game of football after his Dad died, as anticipated! Didn't Collison play after his Dad died in a road traffic accident? And hasn't Parker joined up with England? That suggests that he is not too cut up about it all doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's not Parker that this article is about. He has got on with it. It is the pathetic response from others, the hollow, ritualistic, attention seeking, RIP nonsense. Dear God, the people posting this stuff wouldn't have known "Mick" Parker if they passed him in the street. How many people died on Saturday? Mick was one of 155,000 around the World if it was an average day - and many deaths were far more heartbreaking because children were left without a parent or parents lost a child. We die when we get older.
I was Parker's age when my Dad died from cancer. It wasn't like losing a child, it was all part of the natural cycle of life. You move on. And unless you are weak, you move on very quickly. In fact "throwing yourself back into things" is the best therapy. Life goes on.
What an absolute heartless idiot, a hammers fan...no I dont think so
ReplyDeleteTotally insensitive. Why the hell you decided to write this HF? What are you trying to prove? That you are heartless and disrespectful? Congratulations! You have now convinced everyone.
ReplyDeleteIf Parker played the game despite the loss of his father it should only be admired. It should not become the subject of ridicule from you. Especially, because this guy is full of heart and proves that every week for us on the field. Shame on you HF!
Please stick to football matters from now on.
Read the article. Do I criticise Parker? No. He did what most would do in that situation and what many have to do around the world every day, often in much more trying circumstances. My criticism is of those who have gone OTT about it. Parker himself maintained a dignified silence and respected the minute's silence for the victims of the tsunami in Japan. He probably saw how his loss was put into context by events in Japan.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a question of whether you think other people are being hollow for passing on their condolences.
ReplyDeleteIt's a question of taste,or in your case - utter bad taste.
Yes,I can see the point you are trying to make but to create a blog about it,if you feel that way about it ,the decent thing to do would have been to just ignore it.
You are & always will be a complete & utter twat.
Perhaps when your father died your humanity went with him. Your argument suggests a scale to grief...there isn't one.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with a general point of thier being a lot superficial reflex grief around i.e Diana's death, but I am not sure who your piece is aimed at - West Ham Fans? Having a sense of empathy for a member of the team you support isn't like the reaction to Diana's death. Your really are a bit dense...emotionally and intellectually.
You utter utter prat HF.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you come out with such pathetic drivel. This article, one of many that you have published to cause upset simply beggars belief.
If you know so much about early death in the family, you should know that there is no rhyme or reason to people's response to it.
And whatever the reponse, you should respect it. There is no right or wrong way to mourn.
West Ham still has a semblance of a family fan base....more so than any club I know, and we should all of us be proud to be a part of that. I am, and as you may know, I have never lived East of Islington.
Why criticise everything and everybody?
I totally respect the posters that have paid their respects to Parker, and I respect the man for playing. Not all would have. Your comments only show what a bitter man you are for reasons best known to your good self.
That said, the country went stark raving mad over Diana's death, but we are not talking about that.
Your article is totally out of order. Shame on you.
JC
But a twat that respects your right to call me a twat. How about we post our condolences for each and every person who died on Saturday? Do any of these bloggers know Mick Parker? No. I would stand silent at the side of the road as his hearse passes, as I would for anybody else but beyond that, I don't know him any more than I know any of the victims of the tsunami. The word I am looking for is maudlin. It is not sentiment, it is insincere parading of sympathy.
ReplyDeleteActually I called you a prat, not a twat.
ReplyDeleteA prat although less strong, is actually more withering a put- down, in my opinion.
JC
Interesting the comparison with Diana. Her death was utterly unexpected and shocked a nation. And Diana, for all her faults, did wonderful things for the victims of AIDs and leprosy and actually brought about a change in British government policy regarding land mines. I think that was a bit more important than anything Scott Parker or his father has ever achieved. I go back to that word maudlin. I am not a Royalist, I would ditch the lot of them, but I was genuinely shocked by the news of Diana's death and the nation genuinely felt her loss. But Mick Parker? If it was a former player or former manager, fair enough. But he isn't.
ReplyDeleteAll am saying is that the response was maudlin. I have been hugely impressed by the decorum shown by the Japanese. Can't you see how maudlin the posts are in the circumstances? How would it have looked had Parker not played a game of football, whilst Japanese people were getting on with their lives after such a catastrophe? The death of Mick Parker was not unexpected. He was not young. I do not criticise Parker, I criticise the maudlin response especially in the light of other events in the world!
Dear HF, I undesrtand what you are trying to say. you are correct. Same as you, i appreciate and respect your right to say it; however I also agree with others that it does seem to come across in bad taste. I think because this is always a sensitive topic area.
ReplyDeleteDeath is a necesary and for those within the circle very sad. I lost friends and family alike and it is sad. I have a respect for those who have lost also.
I just hope thatwith this blog you did not hope to provoke anything other than healthy comment.
Your so heartless, yes none of us knew Mick Parker, but we are supporting Scott Parker when he needs us.
ReplyDeleteHe doesnt need comments like that!
Yes, other people have died in worse ways and got on with it, but just have some sensitivity for Scott.
Think these things if your just that heartless, but next time dont publish them!
2105 called me a twat JC. Twat and prat are the same thing aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYou may not have insulted Scott Parker, but you are being completely heartless.
ReplyDeleteTo compare one loss to another is not - for want of a better word - 'fair'.
YES he 'just' played a game of football and YES people are dying all over the world but you cannot compare.
Just because you handled death well doesn't mean everyone does. You are here making assumptions on what other people are doing...
How do YOU know every single Japanese person is getting on with it and helping; not crying alone in a corner or just trying to escape? How do you know every Libyan is going to work and getting on with their day and not staying at home and mourning their loss?
Yes there are people dealing with harsher trauma's in life, but each individual case is different.
Why are you so bothered what people say, it's only showing respect to someone who died, or am I not allowed to say R.I.P to someone I don't know? I think the only idiot here is you.
But it isn't showing respect, it is parading false sentiment. Parker got on with it. Good. He didn't make a fuss. Good. Why did the bloggers feel the need to wring their hands in public? There was no need. Of course there is a comparison to be made. Losing a five year old child to cancer is much worse than losing a 61 year old parent. Losing a parent suddenly in a traffic accident is much more shattering than losing a parent after a protracted illness. I nursed my father through cancer and was at his bedside in his final hours. I was RELIEVED when he died because his terrible suffering had ended, the agony of cancer of the lung was no more. We shed tears. Then within the hour we were talking about the good times.
ReplyDeleteHow genuine are the commiserations? Tell me, would they have been posted had Parker joined Tottenham in August? Sadly, some of the people now posting RIP would have been taunting Parker about his loss during the game! That's how sincere these people are!
In response, I have amended the original article slightly just to clarify my position.
ReplyDeleteThis is low HF, even by your standards. Why post this, to be the top dog on the blog? Or, are you doing what you criticised others for doing and trying to get publicity for your own blog? Either way, what little respect I had for you has now gone. Utterly, utterly brainless.
ReplyDeleteHe won't listen guys, don't waste your time. HF is god!
ReplyDeleteDisagree that losing a child is worse than losing a parent- I don't think that you can say one is 'worse' than another. People deal with grief in different ways. Just because you were relieved when your dad died doesnt mean that parker was.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that your dad has passed on, as I am also saddened by scott's loss.
I do however, find it dissapointing that you find room for criticism on such a sensitive subject
Stani, have you been praying to ME all this time? I keep telling you I don't exist! Now, how about returning to the other thread and continuing the debate there eh? You haven't answered my question. If 3 teams finish the season on just 4 points, isn't it easier for ALL the other teams to avoid relegation? Simple question! And what if there are 20 Barcelonas in the division, is it easier to stay up?
ReplyDeleteDo I say Parker was relieved? I don't think so! I said I was. Of course it is worse to lose a child than a parent. No parent wants to die before their children, that is not the natural order.
ReplyDeleteAgain you miss the point. This ISN'T about Parker. He did the right thing. It is about the hollow sympathy, the maudlin response!
Thankfully, we live in a free country so hammersfan has the freedom to say what he likes. However, just because we have the freedom to say what we like that doesn't mean we should. I can see the basic point in the original post but it's all come across in very nad taste.
ReplyDeletethought it was a wind up till i thought about it. if the japs can get on with it why cant parker.
ReplyDeleteHF, I am guessing that this is a sideswipe at WHTID? That is the blog where I've seen - and indeed I have participated in - most of the messages of condolence. I can sort of see where you are coming from, but tend to agree with the oether posters on this thread who simply ask 'why say this?'. You are rightly proud to be different from other WHU sites, in my opinion and usually I love your cutting edge and your edginess generally. For me, on this occasion, you crossed the line.
ReplyDeletesurely you would recognise the freedom of the individual to express sympathy at a time of loss and a show of respect to Scott's father is far better than the taunts some fans? directed at Lumplard when he lost his mum
ReplyDeleteI mean I only moved into my house a few months ago and when the lady across the street told me there would be extra cars in the street because of her father in law's funeral my first response was 'I'm very sorry for your loss' and I don't even know her let alone her father in law Tis merely a sign of respect and may be bandy'd about carelessly by some but it is nevertheless only politeness something we could all do with encouraging
Not only at WHTID but at the whole maudlin, insincere, manufactured lip serviced condolence industry HM. Would this sympathy have been extended if Parker was a Spurs player? Of course not. So the expressions are hollow. This is a personal matter for Parker.
ReplyDeleteParker had a job to do on Saturday. He did it. It can't have been easy and I respect him for doing it. But do I feel sympathy for him because his father died? No more than I feel sympathy for anybody whose father dies. My point is, others have to carry on so why shouldn't a professional footballer? What's easier, throwing yourself into a game of football for 90 minutes or working a full day in an office or a hospital or where ever?
The response was over the top. It was maudlin. I'm glad I found that word. And given the context of Japan it was especially hollow. I wasn't at White Hart Lane, I watched the game in a pub. The whole pub respected the minute's silence for Japan. That was genuinely moving. But that was appropriate because of the sheer scale of what was involved. And it was unconditional. That's not the case with the hand wringing over the death of Mr Parker Senior.
Deane, you make my point. Some of those saying RIP Mick Parker would have taunted Lampard after the death of his mother! When condolences are partisan, the sentiment is hollow. That's what I'm saying. The death of Mr Parker Senior is personal to the Parker family, it is not anything to do with West Ham United Football Club. And as soon as we extend it out to the family, we invite the foul abuse of Beckham centred on his wife, the taunting of Lampard after the death of his mother and the bile directed at Terry because of his mother's shoplifting.
ReplyDeleteNo, sorry HF, it doesn't stack up. The listing of various tragedies, including the Japanese tsunami and even the death of your own father is spurious.
ReplyDeleteAll tragedies are tragedies. To start to somehow rank them in some sort of emotional devastaion index and imply that Scott's loss pales into relative insignificance is crass.
Scott Parker is a highly regarded West Ham United player. We the fans identify with his loss because many of us see ourselves as a part of the wider West Ham United family. Now I realise that's setimental bullshit but it's a truism nonetheless. So, we empathise. And, no, you are right - if he'd gone to Spurs not too many of us would have bothered to mark his father's passing - yes, we're also ficle. But he didn't. So we do.
Dale does what he does. You do what you do. In a case like this involving the death of someone's father, I wish you'd have left the petty point scoring out of it for once.
Distasteful to say the least mate. A bit of empathy in this situation would do some good.
ReplyDeleteHM, who is the sympathy for and why? How is it in anyway sincere if it would not be extended because of a change of shirt colour? Maudlin. People queueing up to say the right thing. Because they feel it? No. Because they feel good for typing it? Yes. "RIP Mick Parker. Now what was the porn site I was looking at last night?" If it was sincere, if it REALLY meant something, then fair enough. But it is ritualistic, it is empty, it is hollow, it is Britain's Got Talent condolences, a public parading of West Ham loyalty, not sincere condolences based around genuine loss.
ReplyDeleteYou think it is directed at WHTID. It isn't. Well not exclusively. It's directed at the cheapening of it all, the way condolences are worn as a badge, like the old rosette we used to wear. Parker had a bloody good game on Saturday. Good on him. I bet playing and getting the point helped. I bet he thought, "That's for you Dad". I bet he wants the funeral and the grieving to be genuine. If he is fooled by the sympathy then he should look at how West Ham fans treat Lampard and the response to the death of Lampard's mother. Things ring a little hollow after that don't they? And the Lampards are part of the West Ham "family". Frank Senior played in a hell of a lot more games than Scotty will rack up.
Night, HF
ReplyDeleteSleep tight HM. Let's hope we both awake in the morning!
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of what you said, but your style is obviously to provoke reactions such as those mentioned above and utterly distasteful. If someone had told me to get on with life and that there were people worse off than me when my grandparents died I would have punched them in the face. I discovered this site a few weeks ago and have been reading every article since. After this one, you have lost reader. People are not being insincere, they purely feel his loss as their own, just to a smaller extent. My heart went out to Scotty as soon as I found out, as it would for anyone else who suffers something like this. You are extremely cold to write something like this and I hope you find someone that can warm you up, and not in the bedroom.
ReplyDeleteGood on those who are genuine. How did typing it on the internet help? Have they gone out and bought a card and posted it care of the club?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Parker will read the comments, maybe he won't. Maybe one of the players or staff will see the overwhelming support he has online and tell him, and maybe that will bring a smile to his face, and maybe it won't. The point is, posting nice messages, whether they are 100% sincere or not, they are still nice messages. This article attacks those that are sympathetic. And, from what I saw, the other websites only wrote a few lines, you've wrote at least 4 times that much. I personally would rather spend my time sharing a small, quick message of sympathy and understanding than that which would take significantly more time and do nothing but irritate the fans. Yes there are more serious things going on in the world right now, I didn't realise there was a limited about of sympathy to be shared out between the various tragedies.
ReplyDeleteBlimey HF you've really rattled some cages mate. I see your point but I must take issue with the fact that out of social etiquette/common descency was the reason I and many more added their names to a condolence thread. I take the point about Lumplard and Terry and how different it would've been had he been a spud, but he is'nt and football is tribal.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Scotty.P. would'nt give me the time of day if I passed him on the street but the same as if I'd seen a thread noting the passing of 'your' father then out of a sense of decency and respect towards you, a West Ham tribal member, I would add my name.
I know the point you are 'ham fistedly' trying to make and get it but beg to differ on your delivery...lets move on now..
I think perhaps you have been a little too acute here HF.
ReplyDeleteScotty Parker wants West Ham to stay up, he plays his guts out for the club every game, and is immensely popular with the fans. Probably all the messages were intended to indicate was a thank you for turning out for the club playing in your usual way in spite of the way you must have been feeling, you are a great guy, and we are sorry you have had to experience your father dying.
we sleep and breath West Ham something happens to a player it happens to us.
Kevin Manchester writes..
ReplyDeletecan't disagree with what you say but wonder about the need to post it however it's what makes this blog the best .. unpredictable, hetrodoxical, mad, bad, fun, unpredictable and intelligent ( sometimes!)
cheers..
You seem to have forgotten that you heaped praise on The Stoke manager for appearing at half time at a Stoke game after his father died. You just have the hump because of you have ALWAYS been wrong about parker joining your beloved team Spurs.
ReplyDeleteHeadmaster rocks,
ReplyDeleteI suppose this blog has to find something else to be negative about when the team are playing good football
Your a proper tit. I only see your dribble from the newsnow website that you somehow managed to get a link to. Why the do you think anyone gives a toss or even 3 about your dia contribe. Please shut your mouth keep your thoughts to yourself & keep your shite to your facebook comments.
ReplyDeleteWorst of all, I don't think HF has learned or is ever willing to admit at least to learning anything from this huge controversy he managed to create out of a simple show of sympathy from the fans towards one of our best players.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Stani is right when he says you think you are God! Who else seems to think is God and is very much in the news these days? Ah yes, Gadaffi!
I am very much touched by the good emotions and feelings expressed by West Ham fans. After reading all those expressions of sympathy and responses to your cold article, I am even more proud to belong to the West Ham family. We may not win too many trophies but we are probably the nicest supporters in the land. Don't go and spoil it HF.
appalling - total lack of judgement - you should not have printed this, well not unless you want people to realise what a heartless and cold fecker you really are.
ReplyDeleteWell I have done something special then Sav, I have given the West Ham fans the opportunity to show their loving, humane and compassionate side! I hope they show the same compassion if we play Tottenham the day after Defoe's parent dies - didn't our fans mock him after his brother or cousin died? - and if Ince brings a team to Upton Park the day after a parent dies. After all, we didn't show much compassion for Lampard did we?
ReplyDeleteIf you reread the article Sav, I have made some amendments to take into account some of the objections. I'm not sure exactly what you object to now. Let's go through it point by point:
1) It is so easy to write RIP Mick Parker, writing it means nothing.
2) There would be no condolences had Parker joined Tottenham in August.
3)Based on the way our fans taunted Lampard, Parker may have been taunted had he joined Spurs.
4)Playing the game was a good way of getting it out of the system.
5)Parker's situation is contextualised by what has happened in Japan.
6) Events elesewhere might have persuaded Parker to soldier on.
7)Death after long illness can be a release.
8)It is not uncommon to work the day after a parent dies.
9)Compared to an adult losing a father expectedly, the losing of both parents in a tsunami is much worse (take Parker out of the equation)
10) Millions around the world have to "get on with it" after loss.
11) Because they are partisan, the condolences ring hollow.
12) Death is part of life. Around the world, much less is made of it because death is much more common place. (In some cultures, death after illness is celebrated in fact!)
13) Why not send a card if you really care, or donate the cost of the card to charity.
Now which of those points is so wrong exactly?
Bit of a faux pas this post hey HF?
ReplyDeleteFaux Pas - he says he will never kick a ball for West Ham again!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is Stani, but it's what I believe.
It's sure as hell provoked a debate! And I have given ground, altering the article to show reflection. Now, would you Stani like to reflect on whether or not it is easier to survive in the Prem if there are three very week teams who only accumulate 4 points each? ; }
ReplyDeleteCheers Kevin. The haters had gone quiet so I guess I was getting too mainstream. Everybody has been coming around to my opinion that Grant is doing a good job! Well except Stani of course! ; }
ReplyDeleteWhen there are more teams in trouble there is a greater chance to stay up HF.
ReplyDeleteShall we do that vote on who has more humility then, me or you? :) Yeh, not after this post!
Did you use the words 'natural order' up there? :) Is that the same as chaos?
Explain how it is harder to stay up if three teams finish on 4 points Stani. The very nature of the puzzle is that EVERY OTHER TEAM has to win all their games against those bottom three teams, which is the only way they can end up with 4 points. That means EVERY TEAM can afford to lose to EVERY OTHER team and STILL STAY UP! Let's make it even easier for you! The three relegated teams are all bust and have made up their teams from the local old people's home. The youngest player is 85 and has a replacement hip! Hang on, those sides would probably still have finished above Hull and Burnley, led in the final third of the season by idiot managers!
ReplyDeleteSo which league is stronger? The one with more struggling teams or the one with less struggling teams?
ReplyDeleteEasy, the one with less struggling teams if you are trying to finish fourth from bottom. Three struggling teams is all you need Stani. Like last season. Zola didn't get enough points to survive but Portsmouth, Hull and Burnley were so crap that we stayed up anyway! Which teams have a weaker squad this season than last Stani? List them. And list those that have stronger squads than last season. This is a stronger Prem this year and survival is so much more difficult as a result.
ReplyDeleteNo. You're talking about the 3 relegated teams, I'm talking about the whole league.
ReplyDeleteBut you only need three teams to go down don't you Stani? That's the point! Where did Zola finish? Fourth from bottom. So, if there are three shite teams, that's all you need isn't it? If there are eight poor teams, that's harder than three utterly shite teams, not least because, more teams take more points off each other. Admit it, finishing above three teams who finish on 4 points is easier than reaching 38 points isn't it?
ReplyDeleteBut it's not just those 3 teams that we play is it HF? We play the rest of the teams (stronger) in the season too. And the more stronger teams there are (as you admitted) means the more tough games we get. See, this is where you fall down and you should admit it and apologise for calling me stupid about 600 times (give or take a couple).
ReplyDeleteBut to gain those points you have to play every team in the league HF, not just the weak ones.
ReplyDeleteNo Stani, I will end the debate now because you are just being crassly stupid. You cannot answer the point. If three teams end up on 4 points each because they draw with each other and lose every other game, it is patently obvious that every other team will survive simply by winning their games against those three weak teams. You know that is the case and cannot argue against it because it is utterly illogical to do so. You have not addressed that point. Until you do, the conversation goes around in a tedious circle. So, acknowledge that point. It is easy to do, all you have to say is "In that situation, you are right".
ReplyDeleteOn the other extreme if all the teams in the League draw their games then they will all have 38 points at the end of the Season and the relegated teams would have the same points as the Premier League winners and teams getting the tickets for the Champions League (if indeed you can distinquish on goals scored). These are all exercises in futility HF. So, what's your point again!
ReplyDeleteThat's very true Sav. And 20 Barcelonas would mean that three Barcelonas would be relegated, no matter how good they were! The point is that it was easy to avoid the drop last season because there were three teams obviously weaker than the others, which meant Zola's team only had to secure 31 points to avoid the drop (although they ended up with 35). When you don't have three obviously weaker teams, it becomes much harder. So, my extreme example is there as a start point. For some reason, Stani feels unable to acknowledge that this scenario of three teams eaching getting 4 points makes it simple for all the other teams to avoid the drop. You can see that can't you Sav?
ReplyDeleteBut your example is not what happened HF and is not even suitable for the point.
ReplyDeleteI stick by when there are more teams in trouble there is a greater chance to stay up.
(I'm not winding you up, honest :))
Do you agree with my scenario however? Come on, spit it out. Say yes. Then we can move forward.
ReplyDeleteIf you are a struggling team, the more teams in trouble, the greater the chance u will stay up.
ReplyDeleteYou only need three teams to finish below you Jamie. Agree? If those three teams each cap out at 30 points, as last season, you only need 31 to survive. Yes? How many points are needed this season do you think? I will ask you as well as Stani, which clubs have a WEAKER playing staff than last season?
ReplyDeleteThank you Jamie!
ReplyDeleteHF, No! :)
It's not about which clubs have a weaker squad because we are stronger too! It is relative HF, you have to consider the whole league, something you are not doing. It goes back to my point of you not following your thoughts through because then you will realise. You just seem to stop halfway.
ReplyDeleteYou've still to answer the three teams with 4 points question Stani. Your "too" word was enlightening. So you agree it is a stronger league this year? There's a step forward!
ReplyDeleteHF youre doing it again. Follow it through! I know you know what relative means. The leagues strength is relative. Obviously every team has improved hence the 'too' in regards to stronger. But you have to relate our team to it, you have to put us in the equation hence the league is weaker (because of our strength).
ReplyDeletePlus it can be used hypothetically just to prove your notion wrong. In fact I'm arguing against you for the sake of it. You should know my view on this issue from our Grantazola index debates.
So you admit you are wrong! Now, if you want to turn to relatvity, that's another matter. Relatively, Grant started at the back of the grid because of Zola's finishing position. Therefore, he was involved in catch up. two of the three teams who came up were significantly stronger than two of the teams who went down. In terms of spirit, Blackpool, the third team promoted, were infinitely stronger than Pompey where players were not even receiving the wages some months. So, that put Grant even further behind pole. But things would have been fine but for that injury to Hitzlsperger.
ReplyDeleteHF
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that you genuinely feel this way. If you do, then you are genuinely the biggest self-important, arrogant, know-it-all cock that I can remember having the misfortune of stumbling across.
I don't like making judgements but you need to take a big look at yourself and consider if it is worth being such a prick just for a few internet hits.
'There is no orthodoxy here' - and that's not the only thing that's missing.
ReplyDeleteAt it's best a football club is like an extended family, not some plastic commercial enterprise that some would like to make it. Parker is a hero to many Hammers fans and follows in the footsteps of others like Bonds and Dicks in that people believe that he really embodies the spirit of the club.
The club is in danger of relegation. They have a crucial game to play against local rivals. Parker has been the outstanding player of the season Without him any sort of positive result is far less likely.
He suffers a tragic loss. No one would have blamed him if he had missed the game. But he did turn out, and the Legend just grew a little more.
I 'signed' an online card. A small gesture, but not an insincere one.
And just for the record, after what Parker has done for the club, if he does ever turn up in another teams colors - even Spurs - I'm certainly not going to boo him.
No, I wouldn't have known Parker's dad if I passed him in the street. If and when Parker gets the online card(s) I doubt if he'll look badly on it and if that's the case I'm not sure why you take such offence.
Are you.. actually a West Ham fan?
ReplyDeleteThis guy writing the article, if thats what you call it...
ReplyDeleteIs just trying to make a name for himself, its utter useless rubbish.
If you include Japan, then why not say people that died in Iraq etc..
World War victims.
Should we say to every muslim player that plays after a death, your death dont mean as much as someone elses.
Rubbish and you have shown disrespect in writing this article.
One question
ReplyDeletewould you spout this crap in a pub?
In a pub down green street??
If so, let me know when and i am sure the majority of the pub would enjoy to listen.
You utter utter shambles of a boy
Attention seeking blog designed to make the writer look better than the readers.
ReplyDeleteIf Parker had gone to Spurs I doubt he'd have got the posts from West Ham, but he would have from Spurs.
We are supporters of West Ham and the players, those that posted have done so to SUPPORT Parker, clearly you are not much of a supporter and just try to crave attention by controversy.
Oh and Lampard did not get stick about his Mum dying, he just got stick as he should, we don't SUPPORT him.
It is not for you to decide what posts are sincere or not, prehaps you should just try to understand your fellow SUPPORTERS, but then that wouldn't get you attention you so clearly crave.
20 Barcelonas would cancel each other out, not result in 3 being relegated.
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to try and act clever, try and make sure you are.
Everything else you wright is just your opinion not fact, which doesn't count for anything.
Sorry but your argument makes no sense at all. A few weeks ago, I had a client visit my office whose farther die the previous weekend. I didn't know his farther but as a client / friend i offered my condolences. This is a similar situation, Scott Parker is our clubs best player, a player respected due to his commitment to club, for sticking with us despite our situation and for showing week in week out the passion so many of today's footballer lack.
ReplyDeleteI have the utmost respect for Parker and see him as one of the few things I can be proud of when it comes to my football team.
So when his dad dies, I send my condolences, when he chooses to play the following game I respect him for doing so. If you have an issue with that then sorry.
If I am honest I can sort of see where you were trying to go with this post but if sadly fell well short of the mark.
The unpredictability of the table as regards who goes down on not stems more from the 3-1-0 point system than anything else. What raises the hurdle is the number of wins vis-a-vis draws in a season. Not whether 1 or 2 teams don't pick many points. If I remember well during the year that West Ham went down with 42 points! the bottom two teams had less points between them than West Ham had in the third from bottom position.
ReplyDeleteSo, your theory is not correct HF! If you have 3 teams never picking up any points then you may be right. But do you know what is the probability of that happenning rather than having a scenario like when West Ham and Bolton were trying to avoid the third from bottom position and only the bottom two had such a very low return in points? Remember, the bottom two teams losing points means that quite probably those fighting relegation in the third from bottom position would have more points to pick up from their games against the bottom two.
The point is that I agree with Stani (as much as you probably hate to hear me say this). You can't rush into a conclusion like you did such as that this year is a more difficult year to avoid relegation than when Zola was the manager. It is plain wrong. You can't make such comparisons. Full stop! This is almost as pathetic as repulsive your "Parker" article.
What is? That last comment doesn't make sense, as your conclusions don't make sense. The argument is about THREE weak teams, not two. Last season there were THREE weak sides, not two, so that's what we are talking about. Three teams failed to better 30 points. That meant it was easy to avoid relegation.
ReplyDelete1540, in a 20 team league with three sides relegated, three of those Barcelonas would have to go down wouldn't they? Derrr! Which three? Those that suffered more injuries or that were on the wrong end of more refereeing decisions probably. Understand now?
Thank you Sav! The strength of a league cannot be judged by points HF, because they are fixed, 1, 3 or none. In fact, it is near impossible to make the comparison you are making. Certainly impossible for humans.
ReplyDeleteyou really are an idiot. you obviously have no taste. fool... uter fool.
ReplyDeleteuter fool? Really?
ReplyDeleteAs you say action speaks louder than words. Unfortunately I see noting of substance though plenty of self serving nonsense, hypocrisy and worse still ill thought out ignorance in your rant. I really am not sure what Scott Parker has done to deserve your contempt for simply getting on with his life while you string together an ill thought out defence of Frank Lampard. You need to show decency yourself if you intend to preach it to others.
ReplyDeleteHF, to demonstrate my point consider how easy it is for your ideal scenario of three teams not picking enough points to turn into the horror scenario like the one that got us down with 42 points. All it takes is one of the three teams to suddenly start picking up points (e.g 2-3 wins) and then you end up with the perfect storm conditions for the teams above like the one of the year we were relegated with 42 points. Every scenario has a very small probability of occurrence. And it can be turned into quite the opposite just by the outcome of a few games. There is no point arguing that this season is easier than last year's. The two are just not comparable. Particularly, 8 games before the end.
ReplyDeleteBut you change the scenario again. I'm talking about three teams that are significantly weaker than the rest - like last season. In NO other season would 31 points have kept a team in the Prem, but it was enough last season!
ReplyDeleteEven so, the reason the hurdle was very low (in points) last year is to a large extent because the small teams were by and large beaten by the top teams. This year is quite the opposite. But this could be down to the fact that the top teams are not much good this year rather than that the bottom teams are any better of those of the current year. In other words, it may very well be argued that if Zola'a West Ham was playing the top teams as they are today last year, he could have accumulated far more points than he actually did.
ReplyDeleteFinally, may I say that if, as you say, you are a scientist, your method in proving your hypothesis is very unsientific.
"He probably saw how his loss was put into context by events in Japan."
ReplyDeleteWhat rubbish. Loss of a loved one is a personal grief, not made easier to bear because there is a tragedy elsewhere in the world.
And what's the problem if people who have a huge respect for Scott wanted to in some way offer condolences to him?
I have never read this blog before and after such a cheap and obvious ploy to generate publicity, I certainly won't again.
Shame on you.
This whole 'article' (and I hesitate to even call it that, as it's little more than base rabble rousing) is clearly designed to get your pathetic blog more hits, and considering the 91 comments here I'd guess it's done the trick. Still doesn't make it anything less than utterly ridiculous though.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid 00:22 is absolutely right. You seem to thrive on creating controversy. Anything goes as long as the clicks keep coming! I am astounded that a sick topic like this has generated almost 100 comments (most of them negative). But your web page counter is doing pretty well I noticed.
ReplyDeletePerhaps your next article should be on "Is HF taking us all for a ride?".
ReplyDeleteI don't agree. I posted this in the wake of Scott's father's passing and genuinely believe any decent fans would be gutted if Parker left, but would understand it and not hold it against him. Additionally, Parker wouldn't spend the next few years slagging West Ham off, unlike Lamps did.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason Joe Cole get's a good reception at the Boleyn...
http://idontknowjack.co.uk/2011/03/22/scott-parker-vs-the-world/