JT sacking - Dubai into this?

[Dorset]

Sorry Shed-Enders, Fabio Capello’s decision to sack John Terry as England captain continues to gnaw away at me and no matter how much I try to move on to other topics it proves an impossibility. What I need is closure in the form of an answer to the simple question - why would any England coach, with a current, single-minded aim of hauling the World Cup back to our shores, pander to the demands of posturing puritans in the gutter press who are determined to pull in the other direction and, as a corollary, why the hell locate foot, aim and fire [as far as your leader on the pitch is concerned] whilst doing so? Then suddenly it dawns on me that there is an acceptable answer, so I’ve rushed back here to share my enlightenment with you all, if you can put up with the usual lengthy preamble…

There I was reading this article on Maynard Keynes, the economist who spearheaded a revolution in economic thinking, when all of a sudden the thought struck me that Capello, along with such diverse decision makers as David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Richard Nixon, must also be a Keynesian apostle. What gives the game away is that Keynes once wrote some blinding stuff on the effect of ‘demand shocks’ on the economy and if ever there was a recent example of this phenomenon in the football world it has to be the one surrounding JT’s dismissal.

A shock wave demand of earthquake proportions I’d say, so great was the cited consumer outpouring of disgust for the product known as JT, England captain. At first sight, if he believed the hacks that were said to be voicing the opinions of his consumers, Fabio’s course of action appeared obvious - an immediate removal from the captaincy shelf and, before the demands became a clamour that threatened devastation for the entire business, removal from the store as well. It had to be the only economical truth in town, but, like many Keynesian economy-calming influences, Fabio’s solution was both quirky and difficult to understand, in so far as it turned the general thinking of the day [on footballers’ private lives being their own business] on its head.

Remembering that Keynes was the first to come up with the radical idea that governments should spend money they don’t have, it is but a short step for an acolyte England coach to risk the ruination of a team’s World Cup campaign by investing heavily in getting the media onside, the only immediate downside expenditure being the ritual sacrifice and public humiliation of its captain. Yet, when all was said and done, Fabio knew the existing market conditions in this country and took only twelve minutes to cut JT’s [captaincy] interest rate, safe in the knowledge that it was never going to harm his overall economy figures. How fortunate he was to be able to do that amount of surgery in so short a span of time, but I guess he was just applying another of those idiosyncratic principles and, if you’re still hanging on in there with this long-lasting sales pitch, here’s what I believe to be the basis of Fabio’s school of thought…

Another one of those topsy-turvy economic ideas to evolve in Maynard’s day was the classic, oh so aptly named, ‘lost leader’. Supply and demand invariably needs some encouragement to go the way you want it to and cutting the price of one item can mean a greater sale of others. Transfer the principle to JT’s situation and you have a case of sacrificing one individual for the benefit of the others, or maybe gaining a stronger control over the whole squad. Just as a Tesco lost leader needs a strong product to draw the customers in, so would there be no point in devaluing a player likely to be devastated by the demotion. Everybody knows that JT was never going to give less than his all, whether he be captain or foot soldier, retaining value whatever the circumstance being the trademark of the man. The perfect lost leader must also be purchased regularly, with customers knowing the true value and reliability. Place this item where you like, often in an inconvenient place [out in the cold] so that other items will be at the forefront when customers are on their way to finding the prize buy, but always aware that when those leadership days are done and a higher price to pay is restored, there will be no drop in quality or number of buyers into it.

JT is probably seen by Fabio, the economist, as the bag of sugar in the side, forever destined to be a necessity that we appear to be able to do without [as captain], but never fail to turn to when in need of the boost [leadership] he provides. In complete contrast, Rio Ferdinand would be the ultimate in lost leaders that are comical, as opposed to economical [with the truth]. I see him as an unfulfilling item in almost every quality check, unreliability being a major weakness, closely followed by an attitude that often translates into something that looks as though its been on the shelf just a little too long for most peoples liking, never mind the bargain price reduction. He’d be no sugar supplement in the role, but a cyclical disaster, probably being one of those snow scenes in a glass dome, featuring a village in miniature in Charles Dickens day that are so popular, but only at a certain time of year and forever needing a damn good shake to perform properly.

Who cares at the FA though, as the media demand was as much for Ferdinand, or that other ManU player, as it was against the previous lost leader. In the end, simple ABC economics really, anybody but the Chelsea man. So there you have it, no worries about the last lost leader, we know he can take it now that his days in the glare of publicity are over (yeh, right) and no problem with Rio either, because, no matter what happens over the next few months, the vulture press realise Santa comes but once a year with a sack like this and they will not want to make further fuss by reporting any telltale consumer complaints of derailing snowstorms or flakey leadership.

So there you have it fellow Shed-Enders, and whilst you may have been before, are you any happier now, after that exclusive into the mindset of the England manager? Don’t know about you, but I suppose I’m glad to have sorted it in my own mind and it’s onwards and upwards to South Africa for me, with Fabio at the helm and JT in the ranks. Let’s also hope and pray that the radical Italian has got this one right and his future plans, along with our those of our captain, shakedown, in principle, to be more Maynard than Dickenyesian.

[Phillip]

It was the proper decision, to lessen the pressures on JT and on the England squad. Otherwise, things would have just continued to fester. Fabio Capello was absolutely correct in acting quickly on this matter.

[bluedeano]

Wrong decision for me, JT is quite simply the best man for the job, born leader, no one else comes close in the England set up, in my opinion.

However.........today is the first sign, if you ignore his poor performance last night, of the whole charade actually effecting his job as a professional footballer.

By that i mean jetting of to Dubia to sort his marriage instead of leading his troops to victory over Cardiff.

This dissapoints me, surely they could sort things out here on our shores instead of the other side of the world, the man gets paid very handsomely indeed and i feel we as paying supporters have the right to demand he stays and carries on with his job.

Dont get me wrong, JT is Chelsea, and i love him for that, but its difficult to put a case for his England Captaincy when his off field antics do actually inpinge on his job in hand, as i feel they are right now.

[yorkleyblue]

Oh how quickly they turn!

[goose]

Forgive me Dorest for not reading your post in it's entirety but I think I get the gist.

In my opinion the decision is a disgrace. Capello should be looking at the whole picture

and his job is getting the best out of the team and trying to win the world cup. He however has

decided to get on some moral high-horse and sacked easily the best man for the job. JT did

not murder, rape or commit any criminal offence ffs, he had an affair with someones ex girlfriend.

Capello took the easy decision and went with the press and anti Chelsea punditry.

He went with paper favourite (at the moment) and what makes me laugh is that sections

of the press were calling for Rooney. Now I would have no problem with Rooney as Captain if

he was the right person but at the moment he's not, but did Rooney not hire some granny whore

a while back when engaged.

The decision pisses me off and if England fall at the first hurdle I'll probably I'll not be too annoyed.

[moi]

Another brilliant post from Dorset! Fabio Capello Italy's answer to John Maynard Keynes!

JT a loss leader in the hypermarket of world football! Superb!

[bluedeano]

Oh how quickly they turn!

NO, just making the point that if you're gonna get caught cheating on your wife and family, don't then let it affect your job !

Missing an important FA Cup tie to 'patch things up' is, in my opinion affecting on your job.

If this 'scandal' hadn't happened he would have played Saturday.

Just gives Capello and the press plenty of ammunition in my opinion.

[Tim W]

Capello has set a precedent that will no doubt came back a bite him firmly on the bell end and I hope to see his face when it happens.

[Barry Bridges]

NO, just making the point that if you're gonna get caught cheating on your wife and family, don't then let it affect your job !

Missing an important FA Cup tie to 'patch things up' is, in my opinion affecting on your job.

If this 'scandal' hadn't happened he would have played Saturday.

Just gives Capello and the press plenty of ammunition in my opinion.

First off all, JT not playing is more likely a result of it

A) Being Cardiff

and

B.) It would be the 4th game for JT in 11 days.

It makes perfect tactical sense not to play him.

Secondly, Fabio stript him of captaincy purely for PR reasons.

Those reasons being, that if JT was captain and thus the question taker at press conferences, every question between now and June would be about his personal life, not about the England squad of the World Cup.

It was an astute move to take it from JT (and really he should of offered to resign in hind sight). However, I think it was a joke to give it to Rio. He should of just have a captain on a game by game basis like he did in the beginning.

Edited February 11, 2010 by Barry Bridges

[dkw]

If this 'scandal' hadn't happened he would have played Saturday.

Just gives Capello and the press plenty of ammunition in my opinion.

you know this for a fact?

[Barry Bridges]

you know this for a fact?

I can almost say with certainty he would not of.

He has played every match this season, and this would be his 4th in 11 days.

With a CL match coming up in a week or so , missing our LB already, it would be foolish to risk a fatigued Terry when its an opponent we should walk over.

[dkw]

I can almost say with certainty he would not of.

He has played every match this season, and this would be his 4th in 11 days.

With a CL match coming up in a week or so , missing our LB already, it would be foolish to risk a fatigued Terry when its an opponent we should walk over.

exactly, theres more evidence he wouldnt have played than he would.

[geezer]

And I can confirm he absolutely would not have played against Cardiff even without the scandal. As it is the decision for him to fly to Dubai after the Everton game was made before he'd even been sacked as England's skipper and this had the full approval of the management. And in case anyone feels the need to ask - yes I do know.

[The Brit]

the press will no doubt say the decision is even more justified now that ashley is a major doubt for the world cup

[Barry Bridges]

the press will no doubt say the decision is even more justified now that ashley is a major doubt for the world cup

Hey, Im rooting for England, as Canada has only made it once and half my family lives in London/surrounding area.

But lets be honest, if ACole is not playing in the WC, regardless of how Bridge and Terry get along, their cjances of winning it all are quite small.

[rahul]

It was the proper decision, to lessen the pressures on JT and on the England squad. Otherwise, things would have just continued to fester. Fabio Capello was absolutely correct in acting quickly on this matter.

I agree with you Phillip. I think Capello might have had JT's nod in this decision. Sacking him suddenly takes the media vultures off him as they'd think they got him. If he had continued being the captain, it would've been more troublesome for JT than anyone else.

[Barn]

I'm with Barry Bridges on feeling let down by Terry with his mid-season holiday to Dubai. I'm fed up with players and what they do off the field, they're arseholes - almost entirely but one thing that I've always been able to say is that Terry gives his all to Chelsea. Well seemingly his off field antics won't even allow him to do that any more. I don't buy into this "he wouldn't have played anyway" Terry ins't one of the players that generally get's rested for cup games, and even if he does he'd have been on the bench should we need him. And even if he wasn't his presence at the game still has an impact on the team. He wont be there because he's got more important things on his plate at the moment - that has an impact on me as a Chelsea fan and on my club.

Cappello may have made his decision for reasons other than the press telling him what to do?

[dkw]

I'm with Barry Bridges on feeling let down by Terry with his mid-season holiday to Dubai. I'm fed up with players and what they do off the field, they're arseholes - almost entirely but one thing that I've always been able to say is that Terry gives his all to Chelsea. Well seemingly his off field antics won't even allow him to do that any more. I don't buy into this "he wouldn't have played anyway" Terry ins't one of the players that generally get's rested for cup games, and even if he does he'd have been on the bench should we need him. And even if he wasn't his presence at the game still has an impact on the team. He wont be there because he's got more important things on his plate at the moment - that has an impact on me as a Chelsea fan and on my club.

Cappello may have made his decision for reasons other than the press telling him what to do?

you do realise footballers are entitled to a life outside of football, and if carlo believes the best thing to do for the team is to allow his best defender and captain a weekend off (a weekend he wouldnt have been involved in anyway) to sort out his private life then thats good enough for me.

[Barn]

But it's a weekend off he needs because he's been a twat! If someone close to him was ill or something then I'd agree totally that it's the right thing to do. It's not a fair arguement to say he wouldn't have been involved anyway because you don't know that. If Carlo had rested our best players and we'd gone out we'd all be slating him, at very least those players should be available.

I don't think the issue is if players are entitled to a life outside of football - of course they are, Terry has bough his life into football by having to take time off to sort out his problems. What would you think if a player turned up on a Saturday pissed out of his nut???

[yorkleyblue]

Like they used to? They were heroes then!

[charierre]

I think that JT needs time to sort out his home life , be it to patch up or to split. My only question is , why on earth given all the media attention would you go to Dubai to do it, allowing all the media circus to continue? Surely a quiet secret venue away from the spotlight would have been far more appropriate.

[dkw]

But it's a weekend off he needs because he's been a twat! If someone close to him was ill or something then I'd agree totally that it's the right thing to do. It's not a fair arguement to say he wouldn't have been involved anyway because you don't know that. If Carlo had rested our best players and we'd gone out we'd all be slating him, at very least those players should be available.

I don't think the issue is if players are entitled to a life outside of football - of course they are, Terry has bough his life into football by having to take time off to sort out his problems. What would you think if a player turned up on a Saturday pissed out of his nut???

they were regarded as one of the lads and a good un. check out when we won the cup winners cup v madrid, half of them had hangovers. and what terry did off the pitch is nothing like turning up for a match pissed. its a ridiculous thing to say.

[Barn]

I was suggesting more that Terry not being available for this game is akin to a player not being available because he's drunk.

This is one of those where I feel totally let down by the player but some of you don't - disagreements happen!

[Barry Bridges]

But it's a weekend off he needs because he's been a twat! If someone close to him was ill or something then I'd agree totally that it's the right thing to do.

I don't think the issue is if players are entitled to a life outside of football - of course they are, Terry has bough his life into football by having to take time off to sort out his problems.

Thats complete hypocracy.

You're saying a footballer shouldn't being his personal life into football, but skipping games for an ill relative is exactly that.

Why is it ok to miss a match for an ill relative, but not ok when your trying to save your relationship with wife and kids?

He might of brought it on himself, but by the same logic a lot of illnesses are somewhat self inflected aswell, so should we apply the same rules?

His marriage superceedes his career (well atleast I hope so for his family's sake), all I say is dont pay his wages while he is gone, and best of luck setting things right JT.

I mean, its only Cardiff in the 5th round of the FA Cup, its not like a CL final. I wouldnt even think to ask someone to throw away a chance to save their marriage over something thats not even in our top 2 priorities. Had this been a match of high importance, then I could see Chelsea FC saying "Hey JT, you might have to hold on a few days" but not when its a team we should walk over in a "back burner" competition.

[dkw]

I was suggesting more that Terry not being available for this game is akin to a player not being available because he's drunk.

This is one of those where I feel totally let down by the player but some of you don't - disagreements happen!

we all feel let down by him, hes made an arse of himself. but to compare it to not being available because hes drunk is utter rubbish.