In Memory of the Good Times
2Monday, June 23, 2008 by Paul Grech
“Joey Ate the Frogs’ Legs, Made the Swiss Roll, Now he’s Munching Gladbach”
To this day that remains one of the most iconic banners in Liverpool’s history, one that relays the fans’ affection for Joey Jones through their typical degree of wit and intelligence.
Yet, Jones was a strange player to single out for such praise: he was nowhere near being among the best players at the club. Indeed, he was technically very limited and would today be termed as a squad player. His biggest merit, however, was that whenever he played he never put in anything less than his utmost and treated each game as if his life depended on it. Just as most fans would.
It was why those same fans had so much time for him and immortalized Jones in that banner. It is also something that today would probably be unthinkable. Football, or rather football fandom, has changed to such an extent that weaknesses are overlooked much less than they used to be.
John Arne Riise is a typical example. As a Liverpool player he had his moments starting from some fantastic goals and going on to his cross that led to the first goal in the Champions League final AC Milan. Throughout he had been a largely consistent player, one who didn’t work hard enough to improve on his weaknesses and whose form visibly deteriorated towards the end of his stay, yet whose Liverpool career should largely be judged as positive.
Sadly, it is that own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final for which he’ll be remembered and vilified.
That both Rick Parry and Jamie Carragher felt the need to come out and praise Riise after his departure says a lot. Both knew that he had been the target of some ill-deserved criticism and for many his departure had been met with a sense of relief. Carragher can understand his situation more than most because, had he left four years ago before Benitez had transformed him into the excellent central defender that he has become, similar feelings would have been expressed in his regards.
Riise doesn’t deserve such treatment. Many criticisms can be leveled at him: his failure to progress or even his questionable life-style. Yet no one can say that he didn’t genuinely feel for the club or that he ever went off the field without having given his all.
A few years back, that would have been enough to earn him at least the gratitude of the fans. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be the case any more.
Category John Arne Riise, Transfers
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i'm not sure i entirely agree with this article. Liverpool fans don't 'vilify' Riise for that own goal - quite the opposite. The time had come for Riise to move on because he wasn't offering enough in the left-back position, both in terms of attacking and defending. The memories are of great goals and a player who gave 100%. Unfortunately, you just need a bit more from fullbacks these days to win the league. Anyone agree? or do you all hate Riise for the own goal?
I totally agree Paul, remember this is the player immortalised by the lines.... " JOHN ARNE RISSE, I WANNA KNOWWWW WHO SCORED THAT GOAL!" He dip have a dip in form towards the end, but always gave his all and he is a player that I will remember with fondness,
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