We should've expected something like this, really. With all the supposed 'doom and gloom' surrounding English football at the moment, to win two crucial World Cup Qualifiers in such a heroic manner has got everyone's spirits up.
But trust the media to then put a dampener on the whole thing.
The whole situation really is as ludicrous as it sounds, but let's focus on what's really happened: a national newspaper has come up with the bright idea of demoralising the England team and namely, dignified boss Roy Hodgson when the squad, the fans - the entire nation - are at their happiest peak for a long, long while.
We may not predict glory as much nowadays, but we English love a good World Cup. To witness the sport that we invented being staged on global proportions - and being part of the party - is an event - particularly in Brazil - that we wouldn't miss for the world.
So the way that the editors who thought running this story right now, on the back of an arduous qualifying campaign is quite hurtful to me, even as an aspiring journalist myself. I tell you what, they've got much more balls than heart.
The way I pictured it in my eyes was like running a gut-busting marathon and being shot down on the finish line by an on-looking sniper.
I know you've got to sell your papers. I totally get that. I know you have to engage your would-be customers (hence the decision to run the 'story' on the front page) more so than your competitors on the stands.
But surely, even in the harsh world of journalism, there's a line. (To be fair, many journalists have crossed a line far worse than this in the past). But with the interest of national morale in mind, pre-World Cup - although we are no strangers to this during these times - it seems a far-fetched and for me, pathetic attempt to smear the great work of Mr. Hodgson during a clear time of need.
Digging dirt on unfaithful footballers - fine. But a dubious accusation of racism? No. Just, no. Why even bother? It's so desperate to undermine poor old Roy, it is gut-wrenchingly cringeworthy.
So what, Roy tells a poor joke (even by my standards, that's dry). It involves a monkey. It just so happens that 'monkey' in the context of the 'joke' was Andros Townsend.
So to jump to the downright absurd conclusion that that was used by Hodgson in a racial manner is ridiculous. If Andros Townsend was white, we wouldn't be having this hogging the headlines. But Hodgson would've still said the joke.
I'm well aware that the term 'monkey' has been used (and I suspect, sadly, still is) derogatively towards black people. I am also well aware that the term 'monkey' is a word. We use it to describe those animals that swing from trees. Am I missing something here?
The tragic thing about all of this is that it was not just an attack on Roy Hodgson, it was an attack on us as a people. Football is the sport that we created and the game we all love. The England manager is arguably one of the most prestigious positions in world football. He represents us as a nation.
When he was muttering "F*** me" before the television cameras on Tuesday night, we were all doing exactly the same. He is very much the beating heart of English football. And to accuse him so blatantly and falsely of a crime as low as racism has hit me, at least, where it hurts.
And that's why I'd like, on this occasion, to tell those particular writers exactly where to stick their papers.
But trust the media to then put a dampener on the whole thing.
The whole situation really is as ludicrous as it sounds, but let's focus on what's really happened: a national newspaper has come up with the bright idea of demoralising the England team and namely, dignified boss Roy Hodgson when the squad, the fans - the entire nation - are at their happiest peak for a long, long while.
We may not predict glory as much nowadays, but we English love a good World Cup. To witness the sport that we invented being staged on global proportions - and being part of the party - is an event - particularly in Brazil - that we wouldn't miss for the world.
So the way that the editors who thought running this story right now, on the back of an arduous qualifying campaign is quite hurtful to me, even as an aspiring journalist myself. I tell you what, they've got much more balls than heart.
The way I pictured it in my eyes was like running a gut-busting marathon and being shot down on the finish line by an on-looking sniper.
I know you've got to sell your papers. I totally get that. I know you have to engage your would-be customers (hence the decision to run the 'story' on the front page) more so than your competitors on the stands.
But surely, even in the harsh world of journalism, there's a line. (To be fair, many journalists have crossed a line far worse than this in the past). But with the interest of national morale in mind, pre-World Cup - although we are no strangers to this during these times - it seems a far-fetched and for me, pathetic attempt to smear the great work of Mr. Hodgson during a clear time of need.
Digging dirt on unfaithful footballers - fine. But a dubious accusation of racism? No. Just, no. Why even bother? It's so desperate to undermine poor old Roy, it is gut-wrenchingly cringeworthy.
So what, Roy tells a poor joke (even by my standards, that's dry). It involves a monkey. It just so happens that 'monkey' in the context of the 'joke' was Andros Townsend.
So to jump to the downright absurd conclusion that that was used by Hodgson in a racial manner is ridiculous. If Andros Townsend was white, we wouldn't be having this hogging the headlines. But Hodgson would've still said the joke.
I'm well aware that the term 'monkey' has been used (and I suspect, sadly, still is) derogatively towards black people. I am also well aware that the term 'monkey' is a word. We use it to describe those animals that swing from trees. Am I missing something here?
The tragic thing about all of this is that it was not just an attack on Roy Hodgson, it was an attack on us as a people. Football is the sport that we created and the game we all love. The England manager is arguably one of the most prestigious positions in world football. He represents us as a nation.
When he was muttering "F*** me" before the television cameras on Tuesday night, we were all doing exactly the same. He is very much the beating heart of English football. And to accuse him so blatantly and falsely of a crime as low as racism has hit me, at least, where it hurts.
And that's why I'd like, on this occasion, to tell those particular writers exactly where to stick their papers.
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