Latest Sven-Gate Is A Disgrace... to Journalism

This whole 'SvenGate' thing is a disgrace. Not to English football but to journalism. The News Of The World have basically trapped and smeared the England manager. Worse, they insult the public's knowledge by sensationalising things those of us with intelligence already know.

45eachway never thought we'd be quoting the News Of The World, but here is the opening paragraph to their recent article:

SCHEMING Sven Goran Eriksson is secretly preparing to DUMP England immediately after the World Cup, the News of the World can reveal.

It's great that they've mastered the basics of alliteration, and that they've found the CAPSLOCK, but what are they 'revealing'? It was one of those trademark 'worst kept secrets in football' that Sven would be on his way post World Cup if we either won it or underperformed.

As for the other 'revelations':

Michael Owen is "not really happy" at Newcastle

Really? We had no idea. He seemed so keen to move there in the summer, and we assumed the Scouse striker had always dreamed of sitting 13th in the table with a club from the North-East while Liverpool challenged for honours.

Wayne Rooney has "a temper sometimes" and comes from a 'rough' family

Does he? He seems like such a nice young man.

Rio Ferdinand is "lazy sometimes"

No kidding.

45eachway sees nothing wrong with Sven discussing his future post-Soho Square. He's not proposing ditching England before the World Cup. He's not Don Revie, but NOTW are more than happy to suggest otherwise. Further, they suggest this proves his mind is not on the World Cup. It's six months until the World Cup, with just three friendlies inbetween. Do they expect the Swede to lock himself in his F.A. office until then?

45eachways biggest problem is that this is 'manufactured news'. The whole "fake sheikh" sting apparently took NOTW six months and £100,000 to prepare. They spent that much time and that much money setting a trap to derail the England manager, and therefore the England team, as they were heading into the World Cup. When you see patriotic celebratory headlines all over NOTW this June and July, remember how cynical they are.