“The worst substitution I have ever seen.” – Bellowed the blustering Piers Morgan after Arsenal lost 2-1 to Manchester United.
An exaggeration too far?
In his perpetual hyperbolic state, Piers Morgan, FOX TV’s sports pundit (stop laughing at the back) was quick to decry Arsene Wenger’s decision on Sunday.
In case you have been on Mars, he is talking about Arsene Wenger subbing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the lazy Andrei Arshavin, just as the young winger was in the ascendency.
Arshavin gifted United’s Danny Welbeck a winner after allowing himself to be dummied by the superb Antonia Valencia.
But the worst ever? Do us a favour.
No, the worst substitution of all time took place at the 1970 World Cup.
It cost England their place in the tournament, and meant they had to relinquish their hard fought Jules Rimet trophy as World Champions they earned in 1966.
With England leading 2-1 in the quarter final against West Germany, in the 68th minute Alf Ramsey decided to take off Bobby Charlton and bring on Colin Bell with one-eye on the semi-final.
It backfired spectacularly.
Sir Bobby, or just Bobby back then of course, could only watch through his hands from the bench as England lost control.
Franz Beckenbauer took command of the midfield as the West Germans scored three past stand-in goalkeeper Peter Bonetti.
England lost 3-2, crashed out of the tournament and Charlton’s substitution is recognised as one of the principle reasons why.
Football is littered with ‘super-subs’ – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his name at Manchester United in the role, but spare a thought for the Arshavin’s and Colin Bell’s of this world.
Perhaps Arsene Wenger should allow himself a trademark wry smile too, as Morgan’s blustering outburst has now drawn an unintentional comparison with England’s greatest coach Sir Alf Ramsey.
Did both go on too long? That’s a different article entirely!
The substitution was however the beginning of the end for Ramsey. Should Wenger worry? Probably not, Piers Morgan will be hero-worshipping him again very soon.
We give it a month tops.
– What in your opinion is the worst substitution of all time?
image: © Pete Riches
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