Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:14 pm  

woolstonbabe wrote:

Sorry as a junior coach I have to disagree with you.

We teach all children to WIN and LOSE with dignity. Our players and fans applaud the other team and spectators at the end of the match. From a very eary age we instil discipline in our players and celebrate all achievements. Saints got to the GF, Win Lose or Draw the achievement is to be celebrated.
Kyle Eastmund prevented Graham from going into the changing rooms, Obviously this youngster has been coached in the same manner as we have adopted and is a credit to your club.

My main gripe is the frequent loss of control and the vitriolic rants at the referee.
If a child swears at the referee, they get a 8 match ban, no chance of appeal. How can we tell our youngsters that the referee is above reproach whilst on the pitch if they are watching Graham disrespect the referee on a regular basis.
IMHO the way we conduct ourselves on the pitch is what places our sport above others eg. Football.
I am very saddened that dissent has started to creep into our game and the longer that Graham (And others) are allowed to get away with it the worse it is going to get with the new generation feeling it is their right to voice their views in whichever way they see fit to the man in the middle.

As I said I believe that James Graham has a lot of talent, but its not his talent that is drawing the attention its his continual paddying and foul mouthed rants.

As an amateur player I understand and agree with the punishment for abusing an official and I agree it has no place in the professional game however I totally disagree with celebrating defeat. For me second is as good as last you can only have 1 winner and for me knowing that drives me on to win.

Look at the Aussies - they have the right attitude losing is NOT an achievement, I've just seen the post match interview with Braith Anasta and he rightly looked gutted.

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:16 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

As an amateur player I understand and agree with the punishment for abusing an official and I agree it has no place in the professional game however I totally disagree with celebrating defeat. For me second is as good as last you can only have 1 winner and for me knowing that drives me on to win.

Look at the Aussies - they have the right attitude losing is NOT an achievement, I've just seen the post match interview with Braith Anasta and he rightly looked gutted.

I retired myself on saturday mate.

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:17 pm  

St pete wrote:

I agree, it looks awful when he back chats.

its not just the chatting to the ref for me. i cant remember who it was who knocked on last night but i remember graham throwing his arms about and moaning. its not good for the team and certainly isnt good for the young lads.

i didnt see another incident either (because i stormed off sulking hahaha) but i was told he threw his medal away.

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 2:20 pm  

Manx Warrior wrote:

I worry about the matches down under this year as I think on last nights performance he will be unable to settle down as a team mate of the Wigan players

He seems to rub along with them quite happily on King Street on a Saturday night.

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:57 pm  

St pete wrote:

I retired myself on saturday mate.

I've retired about 5 times but I'm still playing

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:59 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

I've retired about 5 times but I'm still playing

The boots are hung up, i won't be making any comebacks.

I know we've chatted about playing years ago, how well did you know tez newton ?

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:02 pm  

woolstonbabe wrote:

We teach all children to WIN and LOSE with dignity. Our players and fans applaud the other team and spectators at the end of the match. From a very eary age we instil discipline in our players and celebrate all achievements. Saints got to the GF, Win Lose or Draw the achievement is to be celebrated.

Competitive sport is about winning. While losing with grace is a Good Thing, celebrating a loss is a farce to be honest that crept into schools years ago and threatened to kill off competitive sport in children. Thankfully, aiming to win is returning.

However, fully agree with you about James Graham. Hopefully our new coach will have a pair and will ensure Jammer maintains his composure at all times.

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:03 pm  

SAINT ANDREW wrote:

its not just the chatting to the ref for me. i cant remember who it was who knocked on last night but i remember graham throwing his arms about and moaning.

It was him who knocked on

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:13 pm  

St pete wrote:

The boots are hung up, i won't be making any comebacks.

I know we've chatted about playing years ago, how well did you know tez newton ?

Played against him a fair few times and got trampled by him more than once (like plenty others). I didnt know him socially

Re: James Graham : Sun Oct 03, 2010 4:19 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

Played against him a fair few times and got trampled by him more than once (like plenty others). I didnt know him socially

Played against him many many times and also played with him at countie level, i knew him a little off the field from playing with him at countie level.

Come as a shock hearing the sad news of last sunday.

It was bad day for me saturday tho, i hung my boots up and saints getting beat.