Is it time to forgive Sol Campbell?

Today the first entry comes in the form of a guest blog from friend and Spurs fan Dan Raywood (He's also met Ricky Villa). He discusses former England man Sol Campbell's treatment from Spurs fans over the years

So over nine years ago Spurs fans were hit by the news that our star defender, well to be honest, best player, was heading down the Seven Sisters Road from White Hart Lane to Highbury.

At that time Spurs were not in a good state, we lacked a decent strength side and it would be several seasons before we got a sniff of European football. Our foreign players included the likes of Tarrico, Ziege and Iversen while we awaited the return of Teddy Sheringham and Willem Korsten gave one good game (the final match of the season against Manchester United in fact).

At the end of that game, the Spurs players did a lap of honour of White Hart Lane and an injured, suited Sol Campbell was among them. During this we sang the song ‘Sol Campbell Campbell, he’s done his country proud, we’ll sing his name out loud, Sol Campbell Campbell'. However just weeks later he was on his way and his return around nine years ago was met with a level of abuse rarely seen from Spurs fans. I didn’t get to the match, but went along the following season when attitudes had not mellowed. After the first instance, legendary player and manager Terry Venables claimed that he was surprised as ‘Spurs fans are usually a lot more fair than that’.

In evaluation now, the questions to be asked are: did he do wrong in leaving Spurs? Arguably not. He went and played for another club among better players and won silverware. Should he have left for free? No, he was at the end of his contract and the finest defender of his generation, who was nurtured and developed by Spurs left for nothing.

Finally did he turn his back on us as fans? Yes. He was undoubtedly aware of what sort of reaction he was going to get and while would have met with boos the like of Teddy Sheringham and Dimitar Berbatov would go on to receive, there would have been nothing like the level of abuse had he have played for Liverpool or Manchester United.

So nine years on, the question to ask is ‘is it time to forgive Sol Campbell?’ I say he has been given the criticism, has left Arsenal (and returned and left again) and in that time since summer 2001 I do not recall him saying a bad word against the club, or its employees. I am sure there is a strong level of anger running through him over the treatment he has had to endure not only from the stands, but online also.

For one of the most flexible players in our history (I recall him playing as a makeshift striker during a shortage against Derby in the mid 1990s) I don’t ask if it is time to forgive Sol Campbell, I say it is time to forgive Sol Campbell.

As he nears the end of his career I would hate for him to be judged for the rest of his life on that decision and while I do not expect a statue outside the new stadium of him next to George Graham with the 1999 league cup held aloft, I would like for one of the finest products of our academy to be told that he could return to White Hart Lane and be welcomed back with memories of the player who debuted at Spurs, earned his first England cap while as a player and learnt the skills that would go on to be performed on a national and international stage for many years.

If you wish to contribute please feel free to email me at matthew_a_doy@yahoo.com

That was an interesting week

Last weekend Liverpool beat Chelsea and Newcastle United beat Arsenal, what is significant about that you wonder. Well in the summer, when we weren't despondent about a World Cup anti climax, people were not giving much hope to Newcastle whilst Liverpool were having many other troubles to think about League position but the appointment of Roy Hodgson was giving a new hope. Well thirteen games into the season, Newcastle have, despite the off field issues, put some people in their places. A win at Arsenal which to be honest is not an easy task has showed they can take it to the opposition. Liverpool on the other hand have just been abysmal, the Chelsea victory possibly raised some hope but going to Wigan and getting a draw which should have been a win and then a pitiful display against Stoke away, shows that Roy Hodgson is not fit to be a manager of Liverpool FC. Not to mention the really bizarre opinions of Liverpool performances which have been different to everyone else.

As a Liverpool fan I'm bemused. Roy Hodgson is seemingly a nice guy and his record shows how he can do well taking small clubs far, but Liverpool FC has standards, it believes in success and playing well. Notably the last manager whose name was Roy and managed Liverpool was also a nice guy but his Liverpool managerial career came to a brief end. The same can only be with Roy Hodgson.

Chelsea continue to command the Premier League and despite last weeks minor hiccup, they look certain to retain the title. Ancelotti continues to make sure that in the League Stamford Bridge is a fortress. A 100% home record with 17 scored and no goals conceded, is making the Bridge an uncomfortable place to go. Chelsea might look less away from home, but 10 out of 18 points is nothing to be sniffed at.

They say always be wary of Manchester United, but this season regardless of injuries etc, they just don't look like winning the title. Yes people will point out that they are unbeaten in the league, but the United of old would never have more draws than wins in the league. Their away form is proving interesting, 9 points from 21 is hardly title winning material. The last time they drew more than six games was in the 98/99 season when they drew 9 ALL season. They have drawn 6 already and its not even Christmas.

Arsenal, they are intriguing, people are worried about them in some areas, but isn't it always the same every season, Arsenal go a bit wobbly then pull it off. They are still within striking distance. I have to say I do have a soft spot for Arsenal, naturally they are too big a rival to have support them as a second team but whenever they play I do love to watch them. Who can forget this http://bit.ly/b7YbfF Sorry to all my Newcastle supporting friends, but even you must admire the genius of this.

Man City have proved everyone wrong. Everyone wrong in that they'd be doing well this season. It just goes to show that money doesn't buy you success. You spend as much as you like, but if the players dont perform or gel, it counts for nothing. It maybe likely that Mancini finds himself joining Mark Hughes in the Dire Straits (Money For Nothing....)

Bolton Wanderers find themselves in the dizzy heights of fifth spot. Owen Coyle has certainly made them a tough team to beat. They certainly don't find it difficult to score away from home either. They have scored 11 goals, the same amount as Man Utd and Chelsea although they seem to be just as leaky away from home. That said they have only conceded one more away from home than United.

Tottenham seem to be going from one extreme to the other. One week they are playing out their skins the next they are all over the place. It's good to see them doing well in the Champions League group stages, but I fear that inconsistency could prove costly in the knock out stages where there are no second chances. Consistency is what will see them maintain their Champions League charge and Gareth Bale darting down the left wing.

In the Championship Cardiff City have moved into pole position after a 4-2 win away at Scunthorpe. A run of 1 win and 6 draws for QPR has seen their early charge come to a halt and with Swansea in with a chance of closing the gap on the London club, it will have the hoops looking firmly over their shoulder. The one thing with the Championship is that it's difficult to predict. Who would have thought Bristol City would beat Swansea. If I was a betting man, I wouldnt be betting on the Championship.