Sam Allardyce was quick to get his excuses in for his side’s 5-0 capitulation at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, revealing that two of his players contracted swine flu. Now, ahead of tomorrow’s Carling Cup fixture against the league leaders, Bolton manager Gary Megson has revealed that four of his players are now suffering from pig flu. I’m not normally so cynical, but could it be that is the excuses that are catching?
Megson said: “You are going to get one or two with swine flu and I think on the playing staff I think we have had five, four players and one member of staff. They are all okay at the moment, but it wouldn't be right to start giving you names.”
Clearly, whilst swine flu is relatively mild for most that catch it, it has had very serious consequences for many both in this country and around the world. I’m not trying to make light of the illness - it’s good news that evidently no-one is seriously ill. Saying all that, it has proved a handy post-thumping distraction for Allardyce, who has effectively shifted the spotlight away from his players. Perhaps Megson is similarly looking to play down the significance of tomorrow’s tie – although potentially for different reasons.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has played down concerns that there might be a risk of spreading the illness to the Chelsea squad by the fixture going ahead. The Italian said: “The flu is not only on the pitch, it's everywhere. We take all the precautions and we want to think about playing, that's it. We are not worried about this problem because we've taken all the precautions.”
Amidst a freshly invigorated debate around spitting that has been stirred up by all the talk of swine flu, Ancelotti seems the voice of perspective and reason. And as it turns out, he has his own treatment for swine flu: “It's not a medical prescription. It's my grandmother's prescription - hot milk. Alcohol - red wine. Fantastic.”
Nice one Carlo. Perhaps the Italian is more fun than he lets on…
and if you read the full interview it says they've recovered you fucking idiot so it isn't getting excuses in.
Posted by: jim bob | 27 October 2009 at 18:17
What he said . . . you Clampett!
Posted by: [email protected] | 27 October 2009 at 18:31
Who could argue with such a well put point?
Regardless, I have read the interview as it has been reported by the major papers/ football websites. Megson says 'they are ok at the moment'.
And if they are fully recovered as you suggest, why bring it up at all? If it has no bearing on anything health-wise, he must have talked about it for some other reason. As I suggested in my post, megson may have had other reasons for mentioning it. Maybe he's taking the pressure off his players?
And, if you read my post, the main subject of the article was more a quick point about the pointless, over-the-top and alarmist chatter that has been kicked up by the media about swine flu after allardyce's comments. In my opinion, ancelotti has taken the sensible response.
And a seperate point - anyone who needs to swear to make a point doesn't start on a great footing.
Posted by: Russell Saunders | 27 October 2009 at 18:39
what a pointless, juvenile article.
Posted by: enis | 27 October 2009 at 18:40
Totally inaccurate and badly researched article...clearly no understanding of journalism. Pathetic.
Posted by: Andrew Davis | 28 October 2009 at 06:24