Carew does his apologising on the pitch

By: Martini Extra Dry | October 26th, 2008

The national press and internet football sites are positively buzzing with the whole John Carew strip-club incident. It has opinions split from “who gives a shit” to “he’s a disgrace, he should be sacked”, but the only opinion that really matters is Martin O’Neill’s and he’s forgiven him. That should be the end of it really, for me if O’Neill (who clearly will know a lot more actual facts about what happened, compared to the speculation that everyone else is basing their opinions on) is happy then I’m happy. I’m sure it will continue to be mentioned by many though, giving their tuppence worth all over the internet.

The comments of him being “out all night drinking and shagging” are far from what seems to be the truth, which is that he was out with his girlfriend having a soft drink in the bar area. It’s not just a strip club, or at least I don’t think so, I went in when it was Ronnie Scott’s and the front area was a bar and the back was the ‘jazz club’, so I assume it’s the same now except with the ‘a’ in jazz club substituted for an ‘i’.

It seems Carew has been fined for being a very naughty boy and breaking club curfew rules (standard contract clauses) and withheld from the starting line-up at the JJB. 54 minutes though, Gareth Barry took a knock to his ankle and hobbled off, so on came Carew, ready to make amends for his galavanting ways. It didn’t take him long to make an impact either, three minutes on the pitch and he rose to head Young’s corner into the path of Agbonlahor for him to double our lead. Well, that’s not really how it happened, Gabby didn’t really know all that much about it till it hit the back of the net. It was kinda like a trick shot in snooker by Carew; “I’ll play this ball off that bloke there and into the bottom corner of the pocket”, Jimmy White would’ve been proud!

Five minutes later, there he was again, asserting his influence over the game with a well timed run, making it the simplest of all finishes for Gabby’s excellent cross. Those two are really starting to link together well now, after an initial poor start to their partnership. Each of their goal’s was more credit to the assister than the scorer, and that’s how clubs are successful, playing well as a team. Let the good times roll.

It was also great to see Sidders get a little bit of Premiership action for Villa too and he really stamped his mark on the game with that superb long range goal.

…And finally, for those who haven’t seen the goals, click here and enjoy.