Smudge Shows The Way

In the FA Cup clash versus Liverpool last season, a poor United display resulting in a 1-0 defeat was overshadowed by a horrific injury sustained by Alan Smith. In closing down a John Arne Riise free kick, Smudge sustained a dislocated ankle and a broken leg. In that same fixture Liverpool’s fans had thrown shit and piss at United fans, sang Munich songs and had then took it upon themselves to sing “John Arne Riise, I wanna know how you broke Smith’s leg?” and then pelt his ambulance with rocks and stones while trying to tip it over.

So on the eve of the Liverpool fixture this season it would have been understandable and enjoyable from a United fans perspective if Alan Smith had come out and unleashed a volley of abuse at Liverpool and their scummy support. Something along the lines of, "The goings-on that day repulsed me. The Kop sang a sick chant, the Bin Dippers players and their manager seemed more interested in winning a cup tie than worrying about my playing career, and the police and paramedics did nothing when a shower of yobs pelted my ambulance with stones. It's payback time for the scumbags."

Instead Smith chose to maintain the high standards of professionalism which Manchester United have been associated for so long, he chose the high road, he chose to save face and instead look on the bright side. He’s back playing football and he’s at the best club in the World. Pre-Liverpool he said this, "Sunday will be the first time I'll have been able to thank all the people at Liverpool who helped me. For every Liverpool person who did something like that with the ambulance there were a million others who wished me well."

Was this the same Alan Smith? The same Alan Smith who had been perceived as a bad lad for so long?

What a difference to Jose Moan-inho’s comments in Chelsea’s programme pre-Barcelona. Like Smith, Mourinho had mulled over horrific injuries. The injury in question the skull fracture to Petr Cech, sustained in the Premier League fixture with Reading. An injury as accidental as Alan Smith’s leg break.

Mourinho could have used his programme notes to say his reaction immediately after the Reading game was over the top, on second viewings Stephen Hunt’s actions were clearly accidental and Reading had given Petr Cech professional treatment, it was now time to put the whole situation away and move on.

Instead he insisted Hunt’s actions were purposeful, he referred to Hunt as a “hunter” and lied about the ambulance service saying it took thirty minutes to arrive when in fact records show it took seven minutes. Even having time to cool down, Mourinho remained close to his utterly stupid words and wanted the world to know that Hunt had injured his player on purpose and should be treated like Ben Thatcher.

So why then does he need to heap more pressure on to Reading, a newly promoted club who gave Cech quality treatment and have apologised since the incident? Why question the NHS, almost saying they intended to mistreat Chelsea? Has Mourinho taken the siege mentality too far? Is it time they took a leaf out of Manchester United’s book and were professional like reigning Champions?

Maybe they are hated for their unlimited wealth, but maybe even more so they are hated because their utter lack of respect, professionalism and honesty.When people think of Chelsea, they don’t think of the English Champions they think of this man, Mourinho, who has a big problem with the whole world it seems who he feels are going against his team. Yeah right!

When compared to Alan Smith though, Chelsea are shown in the true light. That a 25-year old can be so professional shows that Chelsea are not this big power they portray themselves to be they are something to be pitied and if/when Manchester United reclaim our trophy back off them in May it will only mean Chelsea’s professionalism will stoop to new lows.