Frankly if there's one thing that annoys me more than just about anything else at this football club, it is that grumpy, nasty egotist Alan Young and his never-ending agenda against certain members of the football club.
Since Jermaine Beckford (who was Young's main target right up until the day he left - even when he wasn't playing, sometimes...) left, Young has predictably turned his firing to Anthony Knockaert. A player who has more talent in his little toe than Young ever had as a footballer (an 'average Steve Howard' is how my dad describes him), Knocky is now the butt of every joke, and the object of every jibe Young throws out.
On Saturday after Andy King scored a fantastic winner, Young, for some strange, unknown reason, decided to mock and deride Knockaert for an incident that happened in the first half. Every game this season (and for many last) Young has just seemed intent on twisting the knife in further and further. It's almost as if he doesn't want us to have skillful players who occasionally missplace a pass due to their advanced vision, and just have hoofers and cloggers like in his day.
I can't go to many matches so rely heavily on the RL coverage. But Young is just making it absolutely unbearable. I cannot turn on RL until 2:59pm on matchdays because of his attitude and have not listened the phone-in for well over a year for the same reasons. I struggle to see what benefits he brings to the coverage - he is not intelligent, appears to have no understanding of modern football, has no knowledge of formations and is just in general a bore. He might have 'passion' but it is often formed not through supporting the team, but by launching rants at players....and a lot of the time, I have to say those rants have uncomfortable undertones (mocking Knockaert's accent for example).
I'm really fed up of him and wish RL would do the right thing and get rid.
Alan Young should be sacked (IMO)
posted on 24/9/13
I guess it's Young's job to be biased towards the Club ( unlike Stringer who should be neutral as the BBC "commentator ) and attempt to put across an "insiders" view, doesn't always get it right and sometimes comes across a bit comical, almost senile!
I don't think his views on players are malicious but a player like Knockaert will never be his cup of tea and like most fans I agree with many of his comments about Knocky, his decision making, giving the ball away easily etc.
Overall I'd say he fits in perfect with Stringer and marmite, you normally either love them or hate them.
posted on 24/9/13
I think the problem I have with his views on Knockaert are that I believe Knocky to be one of those players where you have to accept some of the bad to get the good out of him. It's actually pretty un-Pearson in approach as it increases the volatility of the game: Good for neutrals but not so good for controlling it.
However, Pearson seems to be content to accept this, perhaps because most of the rest of the team are far more solid and reliable (some might argue predictable). I find it a shame that Alan Young doesn't seem to realise this though; or alternatively, if he does realise it, he doesn't appreciate it.
posted on 24/9/13
Dung,
Theres never been a winger that has not genereated that feeling until they dissapear into the mists of time Glover Lynex Weller even Muzzie as he was always injured for half a season.
The difference with Youngy that you miss Foxy is he's a qualified coach whos coached so he does offer incites into the game
posted on 24/9/13
^
Jackie Sinclair? Committed and 20 goals a season.
posted on 24/9/13
I think Youngy generally talks sense about the football he sees.
I don't think he puts down individuals or mocks. He wants our players to do the basics right and to win us the game.
It's his passion (and ours) to see and want our players to out-perform their opposite number. Nothing wrong in that. Nothing at all. I find it refreshing that he tells the listener how it is, although he does sit on the fence on the phone in, as does Birch. That is only because they cannot truly say what they feel or see. They have to show loyalty to the club else they're out on their ear.
My only criticism of the radio coverage is that Stringer mocks Alan Young too much. I bet Youngy sometimes wants to give him a slap but bites his lip. Only jest you might say? But sometimes it is embarrassing to hear. Banter is one thing...........mocking is another.
posted on 24/9/13
Anyone who was around when youngy was playing,will remember him fondly and will allow him opinions without redress,and maybe chuckle a little at his not so PC comments,but we are the older supporter,I personally go back to the days of Rowley,in this media made world every word and deed is dissected,all the keyboard warriors ready to attack at the first faux pas,
I do believe fox player allows the option to listen to the oppositions commentary
So there you go listen to the other guys,
posted on 24/9/13
"all the keyboard warriors ready to attack at the first faux pas".
Cowards I call them.
posted on 14/7/14
It would appear that the BBC agree with me
(Someone has to )
posted on 11/8/14
I was very disappointed to tune into the recent Leicester City v. Werder Bremen match, and not hear the familiar voice of Alan Young. Its certainly not as good without him, despite Elliot being reasonably competent.. No one can please all the people, all of the time - but I liked Alan because he's got the common touch, and in my opinion he built up a very good rapport with both Stringer, and the general public. The Stringer-Young partnership worked, and its going to be an exceedingly difficult job to replace that particular double act. If the BBC commentary box can contain four commentators for the Wimbledon tennis men's final, then surely if Taggart or Elliot did join the BBC Leicester commentary team, there should still be a place kept for Alan Young.
posted on 5/10/16
How did we all miss this lone, pro-Alan Young comment by someone who describes himself in his profile as a football fan and Christian theologian?