Like many people – including the man himself, quite probably – I do occasionally wonder how it all went so horribly wrong for David Moyes at Manchester United.
Well it would appear we now have our answer – chips.
Yep, that’s right, deep fried pieces of potato were to blame for last season’s disastrous performances and Moyes being run out of town by a baying mob.
Ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand has just written his autobiography and it is currently being serialised in an English daily newspaper.
And, one of the more striking revelations I have heard so far is that Moyes lost the support of the Old Trafford dressing room when he banned the players from eating chips the night before games.
“It’s not something to go to the barricades over (the chips). But all the lads were p***** off,” Ferdinand wrote, before adding that as soon as Giggs was put in charge the first thing they did was demand the return of their beloved French fries.
I know footballers are particularly spoiled, but throwing your teddy out of the pram because you are not allowed chips? Really?
I think it is fair to assume Moyes was merely trying to enhance the players’ performances by getting them to eat food more compatible with their jobs as professional athletes. Like, I don’t know, things not boiled in oil, for example.
It sounds very much to me like the players were simply itching for an excuse to turn against their new boss and found it in the shape of the humble potato.
You can almost imagine the scene around the dinner table as the players sat staring at their grilled chicken and broccoli with a look of incredulity on their faces.
Ferdinand: “Where are the chips, man?”
Rooney: “Has anyone checked under those small green trees?”
Van Persie: “No chips? I can feel an injury coming on.”
Of course, Ferdinand suggested there were other reasons behind Moyes’ failure – like the fact that the former Everton boss apparently spent more time training them how not to lose, rather than how to win. And I imagine that was pretty alien to a bunch of lads brought up on a positive mental attitude under Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the simple truth is that players are so pampered these days, the chip ban probably was the real turning point in their relationship with their new manager.
Ferdinand hasn’t done his own image or that of the professional footballer any favours with his revelations. But I suppose little confessions like this will help sell more books.
And get more kids eating chips in the belief it will make them better players…
Ozil and out…
When he arrived in London he was the marquee signing Arsenal fans had craved for years.
At last, Arsene Wenger was splashing the cash on a world-class superstar who would be able to win trophies for them single-handedly.
Or that was how it was supposed to pan out.
Instead, a little over a year later, and Mesut Ozil is starting to look like one of the most expensive flops in the history of the English game.
He was brought to the Emirates to be the driving force behind Arsenal, a creative attacking engine that makes things happen.
Instead he has turned into little more than a spectator, a player whose influence on proceedings is so minimal it is often easy to forget he is on the pitch.
In fact, if you take a look at his heat map for the midweek game against Dortmund, it looks like something from the ice age – there is barely a mark on it.
Not all great players manage to cut the mustard in English football and, at this point in time, it looks like Ozil is destined to become one of those who came, saw and completely failed to conquer.
What I don’t get is why Wenger continues to stick with a player who is dragging the whole team down with him? I can only conclude it is the £42.5 million price tag.
But a point will come when even his label as the club’s record signing will not protect him from being dropped. And that point is possibly right now.
This is Ozil’s second season in at the Emirates. Barring a remarkable upturn in form, I would suggest there is a very big chance it will be his last.
Stepping out for a good cause
Anyone remember Francis Benali?
The defender was never one of the greatest footballers around but he was one of those hardworking, dedicated and committed players that a club’s fans love.
He pretty much spent his entire career at Southampton playing nearly 400 games for his hometown club, scoring just a single goal in the process.
I know footballers are particularly spoiled, but throwing your teddy out of the pram because you are not allowed chips? Really?
As I said, not the most remarkable of players or careers and one that has probably been forgotten by everyone outside Southampton.
Yet last week Benali completed a task that should make him live long in every fan’s memory – he ran between every single Premiership stadium to raise money for cancer research.
It was a trip that took three weeks, covered more than 1,000 miles and involved a staggering 1,178,937 steps as the former left-back made his way around the 20 stadia that make up the top flight.
The 45-year-old’s journey ended, appropriately, at Southampton’s ground during their match against Newcastle.
Benali was given a hero’s welcome by the supporters as he jogged in during the half-time break.
A fine man, a good cause and a great example to others.
And, I would imagine, so much more rewarding that chucking a bucket of cold water over your head…
Off to a flying stop
The English contingent in this year’s Champions League hardly set the world alight last week.
Arsenal and Manchester City both lost in Germany while Chelsea drew a game at home they really should have won. That left Liverpool as the only opening day winners and theirs was a less than convincing victory over relative minnows.
I know it’s early days and there is plenty more football to be played, but as signals of intent go, it was a pretty pathetic one by the four ‘best’ teams in the Premier League.
I wouldn’t put too much money on the Champions League trophy finding its way into England next May if I were you…
Waiter go, lad
If, like me, you enjoy hearing about a footballer with his feet on the ground, then read on.
20-year-old striker Adeoye Yusuff signed a professional contract with League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge last week, fulfilling his lifelong dream to be a full-time footballer.
But instead of using that as an excuse to party and go wild, he is continuing to wait tables at the restaurant where he had been working.
“I am working some of my notice. I didn’t want to just leave because I had the opportunity. I am a humble boy and everything I do is just a reflection of me,” he explained.
Yusuff even went straight back to his table-waiting duties the evening after he signed his professional contract, and was then back at the club to make his debut the day after.
Yes, of course there is every chance this humble approach to life will fade away, especially if he turns out to be success and moves on to bigger clubs.
But at least the kid has gone into the sport with his head in the right place, and that makes him one of those players you just want to be successful.
sportscolumnist@timesofmalta.com
Twitter: @maltablade