Bashing the Bishop…..

I for one was a great fan of bashing the Bishop in the 90’s. He was often slow to respond, lifeless, ultimately felt he was far better a performer than he actually was.

Ian gradually grew on me (not literally, that would be horrid – or would it?......hmmmm) as he did have a tad of culture, an eye for a pass.
However he was always too nervy a midfielder.
If he was hit early he’d go missing, like many others (Slater, Etherington).
Whether or not he played with Trevor’s bottle opener is of no interest to me (it was to Mrs Trevor though) he managed to stumble through a career, mildly out of his nut, and forge a career in America as a, ahem, coach……? Really…..Jesus those Yanks really will suck anything English won’t they? I should know……
I heard a podcast recently that had an interview with him. It’s a sycophantic podcast and I imagine the hosts must literally tongue their backsides during the questions, such is the cringe worthy matiness. They built Bishop into some seaweed headed legend……almost demanding he is at the final game, paraded round the pitch for nostalgia? Really? WTF? I get the impression these fanboys started supporting us in the 00’s as someone has clearly pulled the wool over their eyes here.
A piss head scouser who took his arm chair on the pitch – not because he was so laid back, but because he pissed himself and fell asleep, would be a more apt description.
Tell me again why I’m not invited on these podcasts?..........ha!
FF 25 years or so and now it’s happening again?

Nobbing the Noble?
I’ve always been 50-50 on Mark.
He has a degree of commitment and heart that set him apart from his contemporaries around the same era. I’d never bought into to the “he’s one of us” mantras.
I care little if you’re from Billericay or Bloemfontein, as long as you show desire and passion for my badge, you’ll get my support.
Yet there is a genuine divide now among supporters. I guess a lot of this is to do with competition. Mark has some of the hardest competition around him for some/any years.
So are the vocal dissenters arguing he is not worth his place now, is he not consistent enough? Is he too slow?
I’ve seen some games where he has directed play and showed an array of passing above anyone else we had on the pitch.
I’ve also seen games he’s slowed down, or where he’s lunged into tackles as his legs did not carry the pace to marshal the opponent away from danger.
Is it an issue if “Mr West Ham” (as the media lead us to believe) is marginalised from the team? Or is this a good thing and a show of strength in squad depth?

I draw comparisons to Bishop, because , as poor as Bishop, there was frankly no-one else! Allen? Butler? Thomas? Jesus, those years of the early 90’s still wake me up in the middle of the night crying for Mother….

I hope Mark’s gradual decent from the team is handled professionally. I for one respect him and all he has done. Carrying his duties out with great dignity and passion.
Personally I feel he is now 4th in line for 3 midfield places (Kouyate, Song, Obiang) and as such I’m intrigued to see how the team perform tomorrow without his leadership?

I hope he is able to rise to remaining challenges, and that there is still a flicker of a flame in those tanned thighs. However, testimonial out the way this summer, Id frankly be surprised if he has that armband in August…..
Would this be a bad thing? Is he actually still worthy of a place in the side?
I know Stuart Pearce was promoting a international call after the City game, but frankly the day I heed advice from Pearce is the day I shove my smartphone up my backside and set it to vibrate........oh.....damn......