Joe Kinnear’s funny press conference rant was prompted by criticism written by The Mirror’s Simon Bird. “Which one of you is Simon Bird?” Kinnear asked. “Me,” Bird replied. “You’re a cunt.”
I’d say Kinnear is spot on.
The ‘article’ Bird wrote this week was discussed on RoM following Michael Owen’s refusal to speak to the press after his first goal for Manchester United.
Michael Owen released a brochure promoting his talents in the summer. Athlete, Ambassador, Icon was the headline. “Clean and fresh, young, articulate, cool, stylish….”. Owen’s “brand values“ were spelled out for football club’s around Europe. Reconsile [sic] those grand claims with the words spat out by Owen at reporters following his first goal for Manchester United at the weekend. “You’ve caned me then you want an interview?“ he said without stopping.
How about we reconsider those brand values in light of the evidence demonstrated not just at the weekend, but by his conduct over the last few years when at Newcastle. A more appropriate assessment would be: Ageing, battle scarred, chippy, inarticulate, lacking in class and loving to pass the blame for his own short-comings and misfortune with injuries. Michael Owen is in danger of letting his gripes and frustration of a career that went down hill when he left Liverpool in 2004 ruin his prized image, and leaving him looking bitter and twisted.
Aww, it looks as though the only bitter and twisted one here is Bird. The person I saw on Saturday, running towards the United fan, beaming grin on his face, arms outstretched, didn’t look the least bit bitter or twisted. He looked happy. Was he happy to see all the journalists who’d been ‘caning’ him for the past few weeks/months/years waiting for an interview after his great first United goal? Probably. He was probably very happy to tell them to jog on whilst he went to speak to MUTV too.
The only bitter and twisted one here seems to be Bird, who clearly thought his time in the North East would be enough to earn an interview with Owen, someone he’s ‘always supported’.
April 29th 2009: I have always been a supporter of Michael Owen. I’ve had admiration that he has returned to keep his goal average at one every other game for club and country. When Michael Owen speaks he talks down to earth sense. He doesn’t fake it, or do badge kissing. Just cold ruthless facts.
What is it? Inarticulate or someone who speaks sense and talks in facts? Given that Bird has a spelling mistake in his own published article in a newspaper, it’s a bit rich for him to criticise someone else’s command of the English language! Regardless, whilst footballers aren’t famed for their brains, Owen certainly seems bright enough. Whilst his monotone voice doesn’t leave you hanging on his every word, I’d argue ‘articulate’ is a fair description of him.
Oh dear, nothing like a journo scorned, eh Bird?
Scott, sometimes I do wish you worked for a major national newspaper like the times, and you could publish these articles and name names, taking such “journalists” to the cleaners. Some articles I read just make my blood boil until I read the calming posts on ROM ripping these bullshit merchants apart.
Fight the good fight bro.
Fook the press – they need us more than we need them. In fact, we don’t need them at all. Fair play to Owen, props for treating the press in exactly the way they deserve to be treated.
Am starting to like Owen
I’d say Mr. Bird ought to watch out for some of little Mickey’s bookmaking acquaintances once the man has retired. What a toss pot!
Spot on.
Kinnear is mental… but that is just quality.
Bird is a cock and his credibility is in the toilet.
Love it.
Yes, I’d say Kinnear is spot on too.
I’ve never really had anything against LittleMicky despite him playing for “them” and the Geordies, now he’s with United I do like him. If he scores more than Tevez’s 5 league goals I’ll be happy. That’ll only take him about 10 games.
Don’t know who’s worse between the simon bird cunt or the mirror’s ‘betting expert’ derek scouse prick mcgovern. Pair of clueless tossers
I wonder what qualifications you need to be a football writer for a tabloid. Clearly football knowledge is not one of them.
owen should side-foot a ball right into his gob!
Nobody would hire Scott the Red to write for them
his opinion is too rational and articulate
how dare he use facts and figures when pure speculaton and hearsay is the order of the day!
keep on with the blog scott
fuck the mainstream media, even the guardian has forgotten its manchester roots and it fills me with disgust
only the Republik of Mancunia holds any United relevance for me anymore
http://i32.tinypic.com/25gt92b.jpg
lol
Right on Scott. I’m never going to be a huge Owen fan but The Mirror’s campaign against Owen is beyond the pale.It’s not just Bird’s article – there have been several. The hypocrisy in Bird’s piece was astounding. Can the guy keep a straight face and claim to be a journalist. An embarrassment to the profession.
FUCKING OATH! nice article bro, spot-fukn-on!
Good to see Owen is learning from SAF to shoot these unimaginative pricks down!
screw the free game watching, shit writing, shit regurgitating robots!
Free Media Forever!!
Don’t stop Scott, don’t stop!
ps going to tha game on Sat!! woopwooP!
fancy a victory pint anyone!? ;O)
@Duncan_E, LOL!!!
Simon Bird’s a cunt! + 1
Off topic: actually continuing on Journos……this one here is absolutely hilarious: Steve Stammers sticks it to Benitez: FACT!!
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/steve-stammers/After-criticising-Gerrard-and-Carragher-Rafa-Benitez-needs-to-learn-what-goes-on-in-the-dressing-room-stays-in-the-dressing-room-article132001.html
Thanks Scott whilst i read anything and everything i can printed about United . When i want the real way of things its in this blog i place my trust . Recent examples Anderson / Carrick .
There are some mixed feelings about Michael Owen among United fans.
But in general I believe we are warming to him.
We must remember no matter what that he is one of us now.
So he will be in for even more criticism than ever since he plays for us now.
The ABU’s will be waiting in the wings for him to slip up.
I must say I thought Kinnear was spot on saying that journo was a cnut.
Sometimes you have to just say it like it is!
If Owen stopped to talk they would have only probed him about any association win scoring for united after being a liverpool player
Michael Owen has done the only thing that will make a difference.
The bullshit merchants of the press have felt they can write whatever bullshit article they want sensationalising “non” stories and making scoops out of “speculation”without a care about the damage it may cause to a persons life.
Their mantra is obviously – Dont let the truth stop you writing a good story.
If you phone someone up and ask – “Is it true you were whoring and snorting coke last night?” and the person Replies ” NO” then you should not write the headline ” Star denies Coke and Whore binge”.
What Michael Owen rightly did was make THEM the story.
Sir Alex boycotts the BBC because they made up a story about him and his son that was untrue and then would not apologise to him when they really should have in light of the serioiusness of the insinuations they had made and the complete absense of any proof whatsover!
By not appearing EVER on the BBC he has made THEM the story.
FERGIE SNUBS BBC IN SMEAR ROW
OWEN SNUBS JOURNALIST IN TWO-FACED CUNTGATE BY SCOTT THE RED.
Why does anybody give a flying fuck what the mirror prints? its wrote by wankers for wankers….. Joe Kinnear spoken like a true dub!!!couldnt of but it better myself… fair play to you!!!!
Top article Scott.
As for Owen, regardless of his past, when he puts the shirt on he’s a RED and gets my support. I’m not sure the East Stand Lower crowd will ever warm to him enough to sing for him so may have to make do with a compromise of “are you watching merseyside” whevever he scores….
Mickey, Mickey, Mickey. I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt when we signed you. Now I’m starting to like you. Telling the journos to piss off then going straight to MUTV is quality. Will I get your shirt? Probably not, unless you flick the V at the Flop. THAT would be legendary.
So this site has never slagged off Owen?
Every time a journo writes him off I want Michael Owen to succeed that bit more. Its a Man Utd thing…Ronaldo 06/07; Beckham 98/99; Cantona 95/96…them and us against everyone else. Just the way we like it as reds!