Feet of clay. It’s an old phrase, often misunderstood in this day and age but it’s meaning is still relevant to any supporter of football, whichever that club may be.
“A flaw or vulnerability of someone who is otherwise admirable. In the Bible’s Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed that he saw a statue made of gold, silver, and brass, but with feet of clay. Daniel interpreted the vision to mean that the clay symbolised vulnerability and imminent collapse.”
A person described as having “feet of clay” is no reference to a leaden-footed Canary outfielder but the phraseology often attracts many subjective views and much attention, and has done so for over 2000 years.
It means, basically, that people wth feet of clay ain’t what they seem.
And that’s where we turn to Jonny Howson.
I’ll be up front in saying he’s been one of my favourite players over the past five years. I often speak to someone who vaguely knows him (I know, I know) and as shortly ago as Christmas he was happy here, I was led to understand.
Anyway he’s off to Middlesbrough and the beautiful northern countryside he’s allegedly been sorely missing. Best prepare yourself for 20-mile journeys away from The Riverside to relax Jonny. I know, I visited the place for years for work. Ingleby Barwick for you to live is my bet. Or Yarm if you’re feeling optimistic. Or Hutton Rudby – that’s where I’d go.
But why did you let us down at the very end Jonny? You were always the ultimate professional for City until you were asked to train on your own. That situation could surely have been avoided.
My happy memories of you are seriously diluted, I’m afraid. And that’s precisely why to me you will always be the idol with the feet of clay.
Graham Dorrans has also departed, with much less regret from most of us Canaries.
As long as we get the money from Rangers, I’m quite happy in this case. With the Newco getting dumped out of Europe courtesy of a team from Luxembourg and everything else that’s floating around with them just now I would be rather nervous if I were Steve Stone (Although being the smart cookie he is, am sure he’ll be all over this).
Anyway social media would tell you that Kenny Miller’s wife has been doing her utmost to get the Dorrans family back to Glasgow for some considerable time now and her tack has not proved ineffective.
The two midfielders who wanted out have gone. To say “good bloody riddance” would be exceptionally childish of me but if two highly-paid players come out and say they don’t want to be here my answer would be “bugger off”. And, luckily, they have. Buggered off.
And City will be all the better for it – some toxicity has gone north and long may it remain there. Well, for the last two or three years of their careers, anyway.
Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke have already brought in two new midfielders to replace Howson and Dorrans in Vrancic and Reed.
And we haven’t finished our business.
I don’t think our Nelson’s going anywhere just yet either (Michael Bailey normally gets it right)!
From “feet of clay” to “fool’s gold” or iron pyrites. Not this time around. I don’t see Stuart Webber and Daniel Farke making the bum-numbing mistakes of the previous regime in terms of signings.
**********
I’d like to end with something I hope is from the hearts of all our readers and writers.
It’s just to send massive respect to the parents of Bradley Lowery, Carl and Gemma, the amazing Jermain Defoe, Sunderland AFC and Everton FC too. Football CARES.
Leave a Reply