Charlton: Whingers need not apply

The main sports news on Wednesday was of Brian O'Driscoll's absence from the Lions squad.  The man is undoubtedly a legend in the sport but as a casual observer of the sport, I don't have any strong feelings as to whether this was the right decision or not.

However, what really caught my eye was O'Driscoll's public response to his exclusion.  His statement on Twitter read :-

" Obviously totally gutted at being left out for deciding Test but all efforts go into preparing the boys to see it through #seaofred "

There is no doubt that he was extremely upset about the decision, but he managed to put his own emotions aside to ensure that the focus was all about the team.  I can confidently say right now that even after the game on Saturday, win or lose, any public remarks by the man will reflect this stance.  This is the true mark of a real sportsman.

This is the reason why I'm not a fan of the likes of Michael Schumacher or Christiano Ronaldo.  They both undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of their respective sports, but there's winning and then there's sportsmanship.  These two professionals, in my eyes, sadly are not sportsmen.  Maybe its my British "support the under-dog" mentality but this "win at all costs" mentality, or the throw your toys out of the pram prima donna strops , don't cut it with me and never will.  We all remember Roy Kean admonishing Ronaldo as he lay rolling around the turf like a baby at the Valley following a good chop from Graham Stuart.

This point brings me to Charlton.  We really don't do whingers do we?  We have a squad of dependable workman-like footballers, no prima donnas, and I believe we play better like this.

Now please don't confuse my definition of sportsmanship with not showing emotion or passion.  By showing that he deeply cared about being dropped O'Driscoll displayed his passion for the game.  You can bet your last dollar that he will be watching the last test with gritted teeth, thinking how he would have played the game.  The Charlton team too has passion by the bucket load.  Plenty of Charlton players give their all for their team and are therefore understandably emotional for example when they are substituted during the ninety minutes.  This emotion sometimes shows its self in the form of what might be thought of as petulance but it is no more than the culmination of their passion for the game.  Passion is good and can be highly effective in the game when correctly channelled.

Ben Hamer's outburst at his team for conceding four goals in our epic win over Cardiff is such an example.  Despite the win, as a true professional he was annoyed that he and his defenders had not upheld their part of the bargain, making the job more difficult for the rest of the team.  Yann Kermogant is another example.  The man never stops.  There is no rolling around on the floor for him when he gets tapped.  It takes a good solid tackle to stop him and then despite the gashes and wounds, he picks himself up all wrapped in bandages and soldiers on.  Ronaldo take note!

I was rather worried when Ricardo Fuller signed for us last year.  A big name in a small pond, but prior to his 180 odd games at Stoke he has experienced his fair share of smaller clubs and he fitted well into the squad.


I am sure that there are plenty of fractious issues between manager and players that we don't hear about but the point is that these take place behind closed doors.  On the pitch and in the public eye we are a squad that is united.  So with the transfer window officially open, no star names for us please, we want team players.

There was a fair bit of chat on Twitter today from fans moaning about various things including the fact that we are definitely now going to lose against Millwall as the match is being screened live on Sky.  While football would not be the same without the odd moan, perhaps we as fans could take a leaf out of the attitude of the squad's sportsman like mentality?

I hope to be at Welling on Saturday, camera at the ready, on the look out for a few new faces in the match day squad.  I somehow doubt there will be any Russians investors in the crowd though.

COYR.....