Matthew Syed needs help. So much so that his latest article returns once more to the subject of wealth in football and is, yet again, a thinly-veiled attack on Roman Abramovich’s character. His writing is now bordering on the manic obsessive and, needless to say, I’m not going to regurgitate it all on here, though it is sickening enough cause such a reaction. Nevertheless, the fact that within it, with all the childish bravado of a school kid blogger, he calls Roman ‘a tosser’ and labels him ‘congenitally juvenile‘, he does give his readers ample evidence of his own immaturity and a growing state of mind that suggests he is now way past the counselling stage.

Indeed, bearing in mind that the diatribe also contains an accusation that Roman is not a charitable man, blatantly ignoring the charitable work he has done directly in his own country and indirectly through Chelsea football club, it is possible that this time Syed has gone too far and is heading towards litigation for defamation of character. Our club’s owner has been taking the legal route of late, but in this case it might be deemed somewhat heartless if, as I suspect, the ex-ping pong player is suffering from some medical condition that requires treatment. That said, it does not absolve The Times from blame for providing the pitiable soul with a platform to pursue his obsession in the first place. Nor will it prevent the vicarious responsibility factor from applying for the newspapermen should they try to rely on the ’comment’ nature of the column to defend any action.

Forget too the notion that any reliance can be placed on the ‘expert’ nature of Syed’s words, especially when you take into account his sporting background. Let’s face it, no matter the size of your reputation in the newspaper business (and The Times had a massive one once) you do run the risk of ridicule and much more if you hire a table tennis player, whose only claim to fame is that he once represented England in the Commonwealth Games, to ‘comment’ on the more important things in life. Asking for trouble, I’d say, and, now that his medical condition is right out in the open and evident in his ramblings, you have to ask the question - Matthew, you sad ******, isn’t it time you took a spot of gardening leave and sorted yourself out?

Has he really hit such a low that hes now taken to playground name calling of Roman Abramovich? Does he seriously think he will get away with that, or get anything other than ridicule for it? What a pathetic little man.

Never heard of the farker over here. He is an ex ping-pong player? WTF? Did he win a gold medal in the Olympics for the Brits or something close to that, to make his musings matter to everyone else?

A guy who is just about universally panned by football fans, and who got famous playing a sport most people relegate to the rec room? Is it any wonder the man is bitter?

I dont know what he said about Roman, and i dont really care, but if there is a legal recourse to be taken why not?

Must admit that the name Matthew Syed didn't ring a bell. Not sure if I've ready any of his articles. But I did search on his name on Google and found an article he wrote about JT just after our captain signed a new contract. I read one part of it and then almost vomited in my mouth. What a complete and utter w*nker!

I thought the "journalists" in Sweden were bad but this guy makes them all seem intelligent and potential Pulizer price winners.

And from what I can tell England has more trash-writers like Syed - some even worse I guess.

Do the papers let anyone write for them over there? Don't a person need some skills to get to work as a writer?

If the same was applied to politics we would see Gerrard as Prime Minister in the future :unsure:

Never heard of the cretin before,however after a google search I found an article of his where he was slagging off Newcastle fans. Seems like were not the only ones he has something against.

Seems to be a really sad man. Matthew Syed should f**k off.

Dorset, can i suggest you stop reading what so called experts write about Chelsea ? I gave it up a long time ago .

How does the song go ? 'f*ck em all....' Thats the attitude to take. Just concentrate on what you want to say rather than what others are saying! Your life, blood pressure (and posts!) will be all the better for it!

anagram of: My, the wasted

Must admit I dont read anything about us in the media, I just read the official website for news concerning the club and come on here.

Never heard of the cretin before,however after a google search I found an article of his where he was slagging off Newcastle fans. Seems like were not the only ones he has something against.

He also hates old red nose, but for the wrong reasons totally. He called his latest press boycott something like "a stain on english football" or something. I would frankly welcome all managers treating the press like the self-congratulating pack of leeches they are.

He also hates old red nose, but for the wrong reasons totally. He called his latest press boycott something like "a stain on english football" or something. I would frankly welcome all managers treating the press like the self-congratulating pack of leeches they are.

Here here

He also hates old red nose, but for the wrong reasons totally. He called his latest press boycott something like "a stain on english football" or something. I would frankly welcome all managers treating the press like the self-congratulating pack of leeches they are.

So he hates us and Man Utd, hes an over opinionated gobsh*te, a c**t and he has no links to football at all. I smell a dipper.

He also hates old red nose, but for the wrong reasons totally. He called his latest press boycott something like "a stain on english football" or something. I would frankly welcome all managers treating the press like the self-congratulating pack of leeches they are.

I know! Its like media is now a religion. They go around and treat anyone one with disdain, acting holier than though as judge and jury, treating anyone they dislike or disagree with as a savage who deserves no rights or respect......but the minute someone dares to snub them or treat them as they treat others....."heretics!"... they claim that if you dont respect/give them waht you want...well your hurting the fans/public! (Like if you dont pay your tithe you're denying god his due, and not some fat bishop his gold cross and fancy robes) And they can claim whatever they like, dont need any proof either! Faith my friends! faith....believe it or be condemned!...... yes such entitlement reminds me of certain religious types.

Heres a perfect example!

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-mcdonnell/David-McDonnell-column-Why-English-Manchester-United-fans-deserve-to-see-the-charming-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-from-the-clubs-US-tour-but-never-will-article541155.html