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QUESTIONS FROM THE 'POOLS FANS 21-8-08
Question One:
Jeff, what do you make of Frank Lampard's new £150,000 a week contract at Chelsea?
Surely this money is killing the game.
Andy
Jeff's reply:
I would never begrudge a player money. When all is said and done, they are the
stars who we go to watch.
However, it has just got silly now. Footballers in the lower
divisions are paid much less. In League Two, not many players would even earn
£1,000 per week. Over a short career, that is not a lot of money.
£150,000 per week in obscene. The problem is that I cannot see it changing. The
players (or "slaves" as Sepp Blatter calls them) hold all the power nowadays. Loyalty has
gone out of the window. I appreciate that the best players should earn the most
money but we now have journeymen pros in the Premiership who are millionaires.
I think that the fans are starting to get sick and tired of these big money deals
and the lack of care shown to their clubs. However, I just don't see it changing.
Do you?
I think that there should be a wage cap and then the savings could be passed on to
the fans. Will it happen? Never!!!!
Question Two:
Jeff, what do you make of Pools decision to set prices for the Carling Cup game against
West Brom? Surely it is too expensive being so close after a League game. The prices
set for the Leicester match would have been much better.
Russ
Jeff's reply:
I must admit I was surprised at the club's decision.
I can understand their view
though, as they may feel that fans may be prepared to pay to come and watch a Premier League
side in action.
I personally think that they have misjudged this one though. Pools are at home on
Saturday, so once again it is two home games in four days. That is a lot of money
for anyone to fork out.
Also the Carling Cup just does not catch the imagination in
the early rounds, especially as many Premier League sides use it as an opportunity
to use their squad rather than first choice eleven.
I am also personally disappointed that both Pools and Boro are at home on the same
night. I would have gone to both games and I am sure a few more would have also done
this. Even another one hundred people would have been a significant income at those
prices.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I suppose the club will actually be
proven right from a financial point of view, as I doubt that twice as many
people would turn up at a tenner as will turn up at full price. That will probably
be proven to be the case when we see what the crowd is against Leicester City.
I don' t know if the rules allow it but I would have thought giving a big
discount to season ticket holders might have been a good idea. It would reward
loyalty, and if it was announced at the beginning of the season that those buying
season tickets would get discounts for any cup games, it might act as an incentive
to fans to purchase them.
Question Three:
What do you make of the appointment of John Terry as England captain? I personally
would have given it to Rio. Terry failed when he was handed it before.
Max
Jeff's reply:
I don't know that John Terry has failed as England captain. Just because we
did not qualify for the Euros I don't think the blame can be laid at
his door.
To be quite honest, I saw flaws in whoever was appointed. I think Capello
dealt with the matter well, taking his time and choosing who he has assessed to be the best candidate. I am quite happy to support his decision.
A couple of seasons ago, I would have had Terry marked down as an excellent future
captain, however under the influence of Jose Mourinho he turned into a ref bating,
aggressive individual who hardly displayed the qualities expected of an England
captain. Perhaps under Scolari and Capello he may change.
The one thing it does say is that he is obviously first choice for his place in the
team. Whether or not that is correct is an entirely different question.
On Saturday lunchtime, we will hear from the managers before the day's games.
I will also have tickets to give away for Boro v Stoke City on 30/08, a signed copy of Gary Pallister's autobiography 'Pally' and the chance to win meals at the Arena's excellent Sunday carvery and also at Jo Rigatonis.
The questions will be as follows:
For Boro v Stoke City:
Stoke now play at the Britannia Stadium but what was the name of their old ground?
For a signed copy of "PALLY":
Which current Premier League manager did Pally form and excellent centre back pairing for Manchester United with?
For Jeff's Meat and Two Veg to win a Carvery at the Darlington Arena:
Which team scored the first goal of the Premier League season last Saturday?
a) Arsenal
b) West Brom
c) Bolton Wanderers
Also on The Jeff Winter Football Phone-In, for your chance to win a main course meal for two at a Jo Rigatonis of your choice, tune in from 6-7 every Saturday on Alpha 103.2 and work out the music link to a footballing matter.
To enter either:
1) Ring 01325 25 55 55 during the show
2) Text 81800 and type "goal", leave a space then give your answer and name
3) Email Jeff at Alpha Radio.
Keep up to date with all of my columns on my website.
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