W
When is it important to consider criticism and when should it be disregarded? This question has been on my mind since the Carabao Cup final, where Liverpool’s winning young players faced off against the highly-paid Chelsea team labeled as “billion-pound bottle jobs”.
After the game ended, I began to doubt Gary Neville’s proposed lineup. Even though this Chelsea squad contains expensive players, they are still considered young. It may be more challenging for a young player to adjust to a new environment halfway across the world compared to developing within an academy. The young players from Liverpool had some experienced teammates to guide them during the match.
My coworkers and I shared these concepts on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast the next day. It wasn’t an attempt to alter the story, but rather to highlight something intriguing that may have been overlooked due to the well-deserved acknowledgment of Jürgen Klopp.
The backlash, predominantly- but not exclusively- from supporters of Liverpool, was quite intense. We had downplayed the significant difference in experience between the two groups of players. We had overlooked the skill. We were told we should feel ashamed.
As a football journalist, it would be cliché for me to become overly sensitive about receiving criticism, considering that critiquing football players is a major part of our job. However, there is a distinction to be made: questioning the actions on the field is not a personal attack. On the other hand, criticism directed towards a broadcaster is often based on personal opinions, especially when prefaced with “nothing personal but…” Ultimately, we are compensated for our opinions, as it is our profession – presumably because someone out there finds it intriguing. It is highly doubtful that the individual known as @davestoptheboats102843 is being paid to insult me – although kudos to him if that is the case.
It can be challenging to separate helpful criticism from the overwhelming amount of negative and aggressive comments, such as “shut your mouth scumbag Rushden before you get fist in anus in your back garden” (trademark @bigdutty 2016) and “wellie you with a polo mallet, you absolute c***” (credit: @Fluffnut_Trades). Instead of sorting through these comments, it can be tempting to dismiss them all.
In a more important matter, but in the same situation, it was fascinating to read Marcus Rashford’s article on the Players’ Tribune. The striker for Manchester United has faced a lot of criticism for publicly responding to the criticism he has received this season. Personally, I found some parts of his article quite emotional. As someone who has never had to worry about where their next meal will come from, I cannot fully comprehend what that must be like. Rashford articulates very effectively the amount of hard work it takes to become an elite athlete. Additionally, his efforts to help vulnerable children during the Covid pandemic are more significant than anything he could achieve on the football field.
The individual explains that their intent is not to criticize the media. They are aware of the industry’s nature. The coverage is not focused on them as a person, but rather on a persona called “Marcus Rashford.” The media fixates on details like their age, their actions on a night out, or receiving a parking ticket. They also feel scrutinized for their possessions, income, physical appearance, and family life. This type of coverage is not the same for all football players and it’s best to end the discussion there.
While it may be speculative, it is not farfetched to say that Rashford perceives a racial bias in the way he is portrayed in the media. The reality is that young black athletes are often treated differently than their white counterparts in certain media outlets – as demonstrated by Raheem Sterling when one newspaper handled the news of Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden purchasing homes early in their careers in a contrasting manner.
However, Rashford has been receiving a lot of negative feedback lately due to his underwhelming performance. Despite his impressive previous season and new contract, with the exception of his goal against Yeboah over the weekend, he has been having a rough season. This raises legitimate concerns about his on-field performance. However, in addition to valid criticism, it is likely that he is also facing disgusting online harassment and experiencing the common issue for non-white players of receiving hateful messages in his DMs.
ignore promotion for newsletter
after newsletter promotion
If you are someone like Marcus Rashford, it is improbable that you have separate Google documents for racially provocative insults and genuine, impartial constructive feedback, even from devoted Manchester United fans who want you to do well. Instead, you are likely bombarded with a massive amount of feedback, some of which may be quite unpleasant. It is surprising that he has not shielded himself entirely from this overwhelming volume of feedback. This would be a completely logical way to cope.
While the severity of the situations may not be equivalent, I contemplate the feedback I received following the cup final and realize that I may have missed out on the euphoria experienced by fans when Virgil van Dijk made that late header. The surge of adrenaline and jubilation from a last-minute goal in extra time. It is reminiscent of David Platt and Scott Rendell’s iconic moments, an indescribable state of ecstatic bliss.
Working in the gaming industry offers a unique experience. The enchantment wears off slightly as watching games becomes your daily task, rather than a leisure activity. Your perspective shifts when watching, and it’s easy to lose sight of what fascinated you about the game in the beginning. This can lead to a disconnect with the audience if not careful.
Being dispassionate and skeptical, and questioning the current popular story, are both crucial. However, scoring a goal in the final moments of added time, with academy players on the field, is truly special. While I do accept that I was at fault, the criticism was justifiable. But please, refrain from intruding into my personal space.
Do you have thoughts on the topics addressed in this article? If you want to share a written response of up to 300 words via email for potential publication in our letters section, please click here.
Source: theguardian.com
