“The one signing which just got me completely perplexed was Francis Awaritefe,” said Fox Sports analyst Robbie Slater on the appointment of Melbourne Victory’s new Director of Football.
Slater claimed he nearly fell off his chair when the announcement was made and the former Socceroo was certainly chuckling away in a bemused manner as he summed up the decision on Fox Sports News, saying he couldn’t see what coaching experience Awaritefe brings to the role.
The reaction prompted a swift and predictable outpouring from the great and good of the Australian football world.
“To say coaching experience is necessary for Football Director demonstrates no understanding of role. Not surprising, it’s only existed here for few years,” tweeted Craig Foster.
And Foster’s tone was positively cheery compared to some of the vitriol flying around cyberspace in response to Slater’s remarks, with many fans less than impressed by ‘Bulldog’s’ harsh appraisal.
Yet, surely if he is paid to analyse the sport, Slater has every right to make a frank assessment?
We might not agree with his opinion, but what a dystopian nightmare it would be if we all walked around parroting the same lines for fear of upsetting the masses with a contrarian point of view.
Awaritefe has no doubt made several pointed observations of his own in his role as a TV analyst, and quite frankly I doubt he could care less what Slater has to say.
That said, one wonders why Slater was so quick to condemn the decision.
An educated guess suggests plenty of rancour still lingers over the Special Broadcasting Service’s less than glowing assessment of the A-League in the early days of the competition.
Indeed, the long-standing rivalry between Fox Sports and SBS is a notable feature in Australia’s football media landscape, and plenty of fans are willing to plant themselves in one camp or the other.
But whether you agree with Slater’s outburst or not, what it does is get people talking about football, and that’s precisely the main function of any pundit worth their salt.
Another pundit who certainly got tongues wagging this week is Les Murray.
Talking on national radio about his new book, Murray made the stunning claim Socceroos captain Lucas Neill asked former coach Pim Verbeek to leave the dressing room ahead of Australia’s hammering at the hands of Germany in the 2010 World Cup, before telling team-mates to ignore Verbeek’s instructions.
Murray has since defended his statement in the face of repeated denials from Football Federation Australia and the players themselves, stating his “sources are ones I consider reliable.”
No doubt the furore will help push sales of Murray’s new book along, although he will also have to deal with the professional fall-out from the controversial allegation.
That’s part and parcel of being a public authority on the game and if Murray feels strongly enough to make such allegations, let’s get to the bottom of them rather than see them swept under the carpet.
There’s no point employing the “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” line about a sport crying out for more mainstream media attention.
Of course, the best kind of media attention comes from positive results on the pitch, and in that regard we should all hope the Joeys and Matildas continue along the recent path set by the Olyroos in conjuring some decent results.
But if a spot of water-cooler debate is part of the football culture we hope to create, then we need the likes of Robbie Slater and Les Murray speaking frankly about the game.
They may tread on a few toes in doing so, but the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about – to paraphrase Oscar Wilde – so let’s can the faux concern and let the pundits have their say.
TheMagnificent11
Roar Guru
Slater is the worst football pundit on Fox Sports in my opinion. No insight, just says run-of-the-mill, obvious stuff. And then, says stupid things like this. Don't know why Fox got rid of Paul Trimboli and kept Slater. Anywho, Fox's loss is Brisbane Roar's gain.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I've seen Awaritefe in complete disagreement over tactics with Foster so it's a little unfair to imply he's a sock puppet.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Roar correspondent, Ben Somerford, has just tweeted that Neil Kilkenny has signed with Bristol City.
matty1974
Guest
Robbie Slater is as thick as a brick. Awaritefe is about the same and simply parrots Foz's rants about the beauty of Barcelona. Their respective positions in football show that like our coaching philosophies, our admin and media also need a revolution. On the other hand, I think the appoinment of Trimboli at the Roar is another sign that Brisbane are on their way to becoming a real powerhouse.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Hey Nathan In Chapter I of The Art of War, Sun Tzu also states: 20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. 22. ... Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. ---- I reckon the FFA is focusing solely on these tactics! ;-) But, in all seriousness, I know you enjoy a variety of sports so I'm keen to have your more objective view ... From my (very) subjective perspective, I would contend that .... apart from the professional competition, there no other sport in Australia that is stronger than Football. Would you agree? So, whilst we must always strive to improve each year, quite frankly, apart from strengthening the 6-year old professional domestic competition, I can't see too many other issues relating to Football where we need to become significantly stronger.
Roger
Guest
Robbie Slater is bad for the sport. There, I said it. His constant negativitity is nothing except what it is - negative. Whether it be commentary on the game (e.g. "that was poor", "he should have done better", "that was a poor finish", "not good enough" etc etc ), or his commentary on broader football issues, I don't see that he adds value and I always find myself cringing at his constant negativity towards the game. No doubt he thinks he is being insightful, but as a fan, it's not working for me. And I don't think it works for many people to be honest. If he at least tempered his negativity with some contructive commentary I might listen to what he has to say, but I'm afraid he lost me a long time ago. I wish Foxsports would see this sooner rather than later.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
yeah that is interesting when viewed alongside the Kewell/Slater thing ... i dunno i just love seeing a bit of this back and forth, its always been there in the past anyway ... its more fun seeing it played out in public for a change! Gives us plebs a bit of an insight :P
TomC
Guest
Good post Mid. Agree with all of it.
Midfielder
Guest
Mike Good article... throughful in many ways... My take is the Australian Football Media need to grow up... the football media to me mirror the A-League itself ... very new, quite rough around the edges and still not to sure where they stand ... Without doubt there has been a turf war between SBS & Fox... both are equally to blame ... Fox refusing to give SBS anything other than mere seconds of matches.... SBS in Hals 2 to 5 ... and 1 to 4 in particular just constant negative that is when they spoke about the league.... I would go so far as to say SBS went way way to far and as Bozza said on a Socceroos broadcast a couple of years back ... the enemy within... This season SBS have been much better but still my guess 85% negative ... The reason as I see it is because both Fox & SBS want to be the Football King and there is no one else .... so when Robbie says Harry did this this ... SBS scream show us your sourse.... when Les says Lucas did this, were are those same SBS folk screaming show us your sourse ... funny I did not them neither... My hope is they both grow up and understand and learn its OK to say negative things .... and its OK to say nice things... but you need a balance not only negative or nice things .... also if you work for SBS understand you are without fault and have all the wisdom .....meaning often your rants make no sense ... eg football folk must run football ... did I hear you say NSl... Con from the Jets ... all these were football folk...
Con Stamocostas
Roar Pro
Robbie Slater and Francis had an on air fight on a Sydney radio show hosted by the late Paul Williams a few years ago. Robbie Slater has beefs with a lot of Socceroos. Craig Foster is probably his biggest Beef with Harry Kewell second and Frannie probably his number 3 beef.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
ah, but would he be surprised, that we would be surprised, that he would be surprised by the appointment?
Anthony Begbie
Roar Rookie
I have no problem with what he said. More of it i say! Thats what they are paid for. On the other hand, i am really surprised that he would be surprised by the appointment. It had been rumoured about for a while. Not as if it came out of the blue. Unless Slater is one of the commentators who just makes comments and doesnt really read around the supporter discussions.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
If he could learn the proper moniker for the Japanese national football team it would help. It's not that hard.
French Fries
Guest
Robbie is a bit of a muppet but we all know that. I don't understand why he's still there at Fox. I hope Trimmers still appears from time to time, he has really useful and positive things to say. I don't know what his gripe with Francis A is. Who cares? It's pretty childish.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
A variety of pundits is required because the audience is not homogenous. We need variety to ensure a greater spectrum of the footballing population feel that their views are being aired and that these view points are regularly attacked by contrarians to test their veracity. ......of course it could just be that it is an awfully long off-season and everyone is getting cabin fever.
Redb
Roar Guru
Like Bozza, good value.
Nathan
Guest
"why cant we focus on fighting the other codes rather than our selves" Better plan, focus on managing and playing the code, then if its necessary go poke the other codes. Sun Tzu made a point of saying the warrior should seek to make himself strong first, THEN seek battle, not the other way around.
Axelv
Guest
I think what Les was saying is true and it makes sense, but we like to sweep things under the carpet and pretend they never happened for 'protection' E.g I'm sure Chipperfield telling Kewell to F off also happened but is denied to keep their image. If what is said about Neill is true than he should be sacked. As for Slater, I think the Fox Sports team are generally unintelligent and say a lot of stupid things. Their calling during matches are really knit picky and are over negative. Very unprofessional and unpleasant to listen to as a fan trying to enjoy a match. So it should come as no surprise.
punter
Guest
Well said, there is too much in-fighting withini the football ranks & have been for a long time. SBS are too negative, far too negative, yes there are issues with the FFA & the A-League, but SBS needs to get behind it. Fox sports are too positive & following the company line apart from a couple like Bozza, who calls it like he sees it. Slater, well is Slater.... enough said, no-one with real football knowledge actually gives his comments much credence.
punter
Guest
Real Madrid under Mourihno after the 5-0 drubbing played negative football with 10 men behind the ball leaving Ronaldo alone up front & frustrated against Barcelona. Mourihno got roundly criticised for that. Holland, the home of total football, got to the final of the WC against Spain & played very negative football & nearly pinched the WC but lost & got roundly criticised for it. If you win, you may get away with it, but when you lose, welll......