There are things that concern me regarding the Steven Gerrard incident.
PRO GERRARD
Some don't care whether he did it or not or that someone was injured. What if the guy was set upon (by whoever). This concerns me that some people don't care. There is a victim and whether or not he deserved it doesn't come into it in the sensible world - I'm just trying to be responsible here.
The attackers should be dealt with by the courts regardless of status or following, whether he's a Manc or not. My natural reaction is if someone deserved it or asked for it, tough sh*t but the other side of me says, grow up.
Should we support Gerrard or any other player IF IT IS PROVEN that the player concerned did attack someone (like Barton did)?
I wouldn't like to think any player was involved in such but many of us men have clashed with others for whatever reasons. IF a player was PROVEN to have done such a crime, then in my opinion he still deserves another chance, just like the ordinary man on the street regardless of trade.
ANTI GERRARD
Anti in the sense of that they don't support the view that he should have been out at 2.30am on the lash because he's the Liverpool skipper.
Some have written him off as a thug this DESPITE no evidence at this time to suggest such. It is totally, totally wrong to assume anything regardless of the camp you are in.
Of course we want him to be tucked up in bed drinking hot chocolate but he's not a piece of meat. He has no history of this kind of involvement. He is entitled to a life.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY
I can see the views of both sides but at this stage surely all of us should support the skipper and stop looking for blame of any kind. We support through thick and thin. We criticise when facts are known but even then, we'll probably never know the truth anyway.
If someone came to me and said "That guy xxxxxx battered someone" I'd say I don't want to know, I wasn't there, it's not my business. Ok Gerrard is a high profile figure and to an extent there is going to be interest in him but I don't believe in the role model sh*t, that's what parents are for. If a kid doesn't know the difference between right and wrong then I blame the parents, not someone that the media want to try and make responsible.
Providing Steven Gerrard does the business on the pitch, which he does, then he has my full support, even IF it is PROVED that he did something wrong. I would merely hope that he learnt from it but remember, he's high profile, people are ALWAYS going to be looking to take a dig or get a reaction.
I have sympathy for Gerrard but only because some people have attacked him over this and judged when they have no right to.
Having met Steven I know he's a quiet lad. But I also know he can be a right cocky git too. But we're all entitled to good and bad days and I've experienced his personality on both! But nobody should be assumed guilty or not guilty based on your personal dealings with them. For example I often see people saying this about a player: "I've met him, he's such a gent" and then someone else contradicts it and says "I've met him, he's a tool". Personal opinions shouldn't cloud this incident.
When you get close to your heroes you often learn that they are pr*cks of the highest order and it spoils it for the fan. That's why Jamie Carragher will always be my captain, I've said it for years and will continue to say it. He doesn't need a camera crew like some footballers do to stop and sign autographs for EVERY kid that waits for him. He's 100% Red and 100% genuine. But that's a topic for another day. We're lucky to have 2 skippers in the team!
Steven is a fantastic, amazing player and I fully support him regardless of this mess. If he is involved then it's not for me to pass judgement, it is for the courts.
But as of today Steven Gerrard is an innocent man. Typical British b*tchy way of life "Guilty until proven innocent!" - that is so, so wrong.
If you're a Red you'll air your concerns privately amongst other Reds for example but you WON'T judge him.
I really, really hope that this isn't seen as anti-Stevie G or pro-Stevie G, I'm just trying to offer my thoughts as I see it.
Let me know what you think in our free forums or via the Ask The Big Man feature.
Dunk
KOPTALK EDITOR
