The Gabby Appreciation Thread - Update: 4 year deal

[SHEPS]

Do you acknowledge that the debate is wider than 'those who are clever enough to 'see through' Gabby's localness versus those who are too stupid to do so?

In the last 24 hours you PERSONALLY have accused me of being a racist, arrogant and stupid. Hardly uncalled for Percy.

[Percy McCarthy]

Thanks Chris, and thank God someone else can read what Shep is actually saying

[Dave Cooper please]

Percy, unless you have a valid reason (maybe you know SHEPS personally?) why are you desperately trying to bring racism into this?

Not rating a black player or two doesn't automatically make you a daft racist.

[Percy McCarthy]

I called him racist because he wildy misrepresented my views and I wanted to see how he liked it.

I called him arrogant because his post (that I quoted) was arrogant.

I don't remember calling him stupid, but it is taking him a long time to understand, and he implied that everyone who disagreed with him over Gabby's ability was stupid, so he started it.

This is in answer to you too Sheps.

[Chipsticks]

I called him racist because he wildy misrepresented my views and I wanted to see how he liked it.

Don't stoop to his level.

[SHEPS]

I called him racist because he wildy misrepresented my views and I wanted to see how he liked it.

I called him arrogant because his post (that I quoted) was arrogant.

I don't remember calling him stupid, but it is taking him a long time to understand, and he implied that everyone who disagreed with him over Gabby's ability was stupid, so he started it.

This is in answer to you too Sheps.

Much clearer now. Thanks.

[Percy McCarthy]

You're welcome.

[peter w]

Perce, your posts on Mexican Cheese and the variuos ways of liberating them from their corporate chains are a lot more enlightening than this guff. Can we go back to that?

[Percy McCarthy]

Don't worry Pete. I've been having this row while doing about 15 different jobs at work. I can multi-task.

Going for a drink with Zulu quarter-masters (maybe even the leader) later, hopefully will have something more entertaining to post.

Oh, and what a lovely bit of cheese. Glad you enjoyed it too.

[peter w]

Next time i see you I expect a stash of some Tete de Moine or Cotswold cheese. Just put it in the usual wrap, mate. cheers.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'm not sure they have those at Chelmsley Wood ASDA, but if we meet up after a game we can pop into Tesco before the pub.

[pauliewalnuts]

re Gabby and racism, there's something about the way he gets labelled "brainless" so often that sets my racism-detector going a bit.

Admittedly, he's not the brightest spark around (judging by his interviews), but I really wonder if he'd get labelled that quite so much if he was white.

Like I said, I'm not screaming "racism!" at anyone, but it's something that I just feel a bit uncomfortable with.

*dons tin hat*

[paul_e]

Not sure brainless is fair, but he's certainly got a habit of being a touch 'vacant'.

I don't think it's anything to do with race, more that he has a habit of switching off.  Couple this with his accent and it's quite easy to see why he gets referred to as he does.

The clip of ashley young tapping him on the shoulder does him no favours either.

[Risso]

re Gabby and racism, there's something about the way he gets labelled "brainless" so often that sets my racism-detector going a bit.

Admittedly, he's not the brightest spark around (judging by his interviews), but I really wonder if he'd get labelled that quite so much if he was white.

Like I said, I'm not screaming "racism!" at anyone, but it's something that I just feel a bit uncomfortable with.

*dons tin hat*

I've read that before on here, and frankly I think it's bollocks and looking for racism where non exists.  In common with 95% of footballers, Gabby just doesn't come across as hyper intelligent on TV.  People used to say the same about David Beckham.  There are footballers like Gabby and Phil Neville who just don't come across that well in interviews.  Then there are people like Gareth Southgate and Dion Dublin who do.  Assuming that people who criticise a black player are racist is as bad as being racist, in my view.

[pauliewalnuts]

Assuming that people who criticise a black player are racist is as bad as being racist, in my view.

Yes, but then again, I didn't actually do that, did I?

Lots of people criticise Gabby (me included) and don't think he's all that (me included). I'm not saying they're racist at all.

I'm saying that the overuse of the word "brainless" makes me feel a little uncomfortable, that's all. Incidentally, I'm not talking about his interview technique, I'm talking about when it is used to describe his play.