Every now and then there is an horrific international event which you cannot shield from your children. No matter how hard you try, they'll see it on TV, or another kid will be talking about it in the playground. It might be an earthquake, or a plane crash. When this happens, its best to be honest in answering the barrage of questions you will receive.
So how come he's now playing in blue AGAINST Liverpool?
Didn't he say he loved the club, the fans, the place, and was committed to the cause?
Is West London better than Liverpool? Is Chelsea a "bigger" club?
I was fortunate. My four-year-old's godfather gave him the Torres number 9 which he loves wearing - but it has the red of Spain - not LFC - with the yellow stripes and "Espana" written on the side. So no need for ritual burnings in our house. But watching Chelsea led to a lot of confusion, and he rooted for theteam in blue until he recognized some of the other players in red - notably Carragher and Gerard. He also knows that Reina is Spanish - and at the ripe maturity of four made the same silly suggestion as most of the British media, that his nationality means he will leave, too. Perhaps I should nominate him for Guardian Football Editor.
But I was suckered-in as well as the next Liverpool-supporting dad, and this is really about admitting you were wrong about someone, and challenging the obvious conclusion that greed, dishonesty and disloyalty are acceptable, even welcomed, these days in professional sport, and perhaps in the wider world. Fortunately, there ARE many good role models in the Liverpoolteam , beyond the local lads - Kuyt's work-ethic and devotion; Miereles's power and infectious confidence, Agger's cavalier battling attitude. But I'm going to leave my lad to make his own judgments about character, in future.
With Fernando, once bitten.
But with KK back, and Chelski looking shaky, our true revenge may come later, and much sweeter even than Sunday's victory.
So how come he's now playing in blue AGAINST Liverpool?
Didn't he say he loved the club, the fans, the place, and was committed to the cause?
Is West London better than Liverpool? Is Chelsea a "bigger" club?
I was fortunate. My four-year-old's godfather gave him the Torres number 9 which he loves wearing - but it has the red of Spain - not LFC - with the yellow stripes and "Espana" written on the side. So no need for ritual burnings in our house. But watching Chelsea led to a lot of confusion, and he rooted for the
But I was suckered-in as well as the next Liverpool-supporting dad, and this is really about admitting you were wrong about someone, and challenging the obvious conclusion that greed, dishonesty and disloyalty are acceptable, even welcomed, these days in professional sport, and perhaps in the wider world. Fortunately, there ARE many good role models in the Liverpool
With Fernando, once bitten.
But with KK back, and Chelski looking shaky, our true revenge may come later, and much sweeter even than Sunday's victory.
