Downright stupid.

You never get a new manager's job when a team is doing well, do you? Alderley Edge Under 9s in September: Played 3, Lost 3, For 2, Against 3,422. The team needed a manager, so I stepped up to the plate.

Since when, form figures read: Played 5, Won 4, For 16 Against 3. Yes, yes, I know. I'm a bloody genius. How did I effect such a transformation? I tell you, it's simple. Raw, toe curling fear. Oh yes. I look deep into each player's eyes before each game and they know. They know that if they make one mistake, allow their concentration to lapse for just a split second, let the player they're marking to get even a yard free, then there will be consequences...concrete boots and a stroll along the river. Not quite consistent with the FA's directives to build confidence in young players and encourage them to express themselves free of any fear of failure, I grant you. But those nine year olds - I'm making men of them I tell you.

Which is all well and good, but they cost me the prices on Skeeve's selections last night, and they cost me again on The Sportsman's winning bet this afternoon which I backed at a much shorter price than available when the bet was released. All I will say is that come training Monday night, the boys are not going to know what hit 'em!


Have you come across The Value Bettor blog (link to the right)? If you haven't done so, do so. I know the guy who writes it and I know that he knows an awful lot about horse racing and of obtaining big prices on horses that get backed in like there's no tomorrow - this might be a bit of a problem as he tips the horses the night before racing, and if there is no tomorrow, although value may be secured, it would be kinda pointless because, well, the race would never be run and, well...... You get the point anyway. He's darned good.

Now, considering that this darned good, value-securing tipster with the ability to end the world within 24 hours is providing these tips (plus detailed rationale) for free, and that in November - his first month of blogging - he produced 40 points worth of profit, you'd think you could be fairly confident that criticism would not be thrown his way.

Wrong! This comment was left on his blog as December neared an end and overall profit provided dropped to a "mere" 32 points or so:

"This has got to be the worst tipping service ever!! I think out of all your selections the winners can be counted on one hand. The fact that the few winners you did tip won at ridiculously high odds conceals the fact that almost everything you tip loses. Most of your race reviews are nothing more than winging excuses as to why the shite you selected ran accordingly. Do us a favour .. retire!!!

And by the way .. this is not Marvin but another idiot who has lost a fortune following your garbage tips."

Erm...where do you start with that? Seriously, where? There are three words that do make perfect sense. You can find them down at the bottom (I've bolded them to make it easy!). Other than that though, it's all a little puzzling.

So mate, you might have given some winners at really good odds that have produced a massively impressive roi. And you might have done all this for no cost. And you might have provided an insight with your selection rationale that allow readers to learn a thing or two about horse racing. And you might have given me 30 points worth of profit within a two month period. But basically mate, you're "shite"!

Still, we have to respect that everyone is entitled to an opinion. May I humbly suggest that everyone is indeed entitled to an opinion, except those who are so exceptionally thick that they automatically give up their rights. Including that of freedom to be a part of society, because anyone leaving a comment like that really ought to be locked up.

Still, at least the chap had the decency not to shirk away from any responsibility and front up to his somewhat controversial opinions by leaving his name on the blog.

Step forward...Mr. Anonymous.