Social media magnifies criticism to new levels

2020-03-05 -

Football players and managers have always had to deal with criticism.

But today it’s more brutal than ever.

The speed at which opinions change in the modern world is unbelievable.

You can see it in our part of the world the same as anywhere else.

Just look at Dundee United … there they are, running away with the league, and because they haven’t won their last few games they’re getting pelters.

On the other side of the street, after going four games unbeaten, Dundee are suddenly a decent team in the eyes of their fans.

A few weeks ago, the opinions on each team were at the exact opposite ends of the spectrum!

It just shows you how unforgiving football has become.

I reckon social media has played a huge role in that shift. It’s absolutely wild.

During most of my playing career, if you were getting a bit of stick you’d be getting it in the newspapers.

If you really wanted to avoid it, you just wouldn’t read them.

But players today have criticism beamed straight to their pockets through their phones.

Don’t kid yourself – as much as players don’t like criticism, they love a pat on the back. That’s what keeps them looking at social media.

To be honest, it’s also what kept players looking at the newspapers back in my day – even if it meant they were in for a bit of stick.

You always wanted to know what your rating out of 10 was in a match.

When things were going well, that was always a bit of fun in the dressing room. But when you’re getting pelters it’s no fun.

Some of the stuff aimed at footballers on social media these days is horrendous and there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

I get a flavour of it from a coach’s perspective at Arbroath.

Fortunately, the big thing with us is that we have a good bunch of boys in the dressing room.

There are no superstars or prima donnas – they just all get on with it and stick together.

That has been the case for the last few years, and the gaffer, Dick Campbell, ultimately controls that.

We’re lucky at Gayfield to have players who know the score.

We got a bit of stick the other week after the Ayr United game was abandoned because of the weather.

That’s water off a duck’s back to us – and we can take it.

But more and more I’m seeing things on social media cross the line, and I fear it’s only getting worse.

Keepers pay price

I felt for Liverpool keeper Adrian after his mistake against Chelsea.

I doubt that will surprise folk.

I’m a fully paid-up member of the goalkeeper’s union after all!

It’s one of those things – everybody makes mistakes, but goalkeepers pay a heavier price than most.

I was at Anfield a few weeks ago to watch the Reds’ 3-2 win over West Ham.

I remember Andy Robertson let a ball roll under his foot at one point and it went out for a Hammers corner.

If a goalie does something similar, it will usually cost his side a goal.

I’ve said it before – you have to have the skin of a rhino to be a goalkeeper.

Fortunately, I had that. And I certainly needed it at times.

… players today have criticism beamed straight to their pockets through their phones