Firstly, hands up, I’m a fan – admittedly this is largely based on fiercely partisan Northern Irish allegiances, those killer moments on YouTube that evoke Bestie and the reliable testimony of hard-nosed Celtic fans I know who think the world of him. Basically, when I heard he was coming to the Albion, I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. Okay, I realise that fits in with the notion of ‘Paddy the myth’ that’s been touted on here ie. the suggestion that his talent/ability is romanticised to the point of lunacy and he’s merely some lazy-arsed Fancy Dan who’s capable of a few mazy runs after which he invariably loses the ball.
But, if there really is some prevalent ‘Paddy the myth’ that bamboozles fans into thinking he’s great when he’s actually shite, how come his arrival at Brighton was greeted with no fanfare whatsoever (“Paddy who?” was the typical reaction I experienced from fellow fans). Aside from one enthusiastic web article on Give Me Sport and those YouTube fan compilations, if there’s a ‘mythology’ around Paddy, it’s a pretty feckin low-key one!
The point I’m making is that the genuine groundswell of enthusiasm for Paddy earlier in the season happened organically amongst Albion fans and was based on those rare cameos when he came on as a sub and suddenly brought some magic, guile and creativity which had previously been sorely lacking... hence often getting the biggest cheer when his name was announced, hence his name repeatedly being brought up in the post-match Radio Sussex phone-ins, hence the Argus articles, hence the songs, hence the ‘No Paddy No Party’ t-shirts. More recently, the opportunities Hyphhia has give him to shine have been fleeting and rare (the golden chance he put on a plate for the hapless O’Grady against Rochester springs to mind), his confidence/composure has suffered and ultimately I think the longest I’ve ever seen Paddy on the pitch at the Amex was when he was playing for Barnsley last season and my eyes – nor the eyes of others who where there that evening – didn’t deceive me. He was class that night – the man of the match without doubt.
I’m not deluding myself about the difference one player can make on their own and I realise his shortcomings (he’s not the Messiah – nor is he a naughty boy!) but at a pretty dire time for the club when we badly need our spirits lifted, to re-paraphrase John Lennon - all I am saying, is give Pad a chance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKNt1_TJYpo
But, if there really is some prevalent ‘Paddy the myth’ that bamboozles fans into thinking he’s great when he’s actually shite, how come his arrival at Brighton was greeted with no fanfare whatsoever (“Paddy who?” was the typical reaction I experienced from fellow fans). Aside from one enthusiastic web article on Give Me Sport and those YouTube fan compilations, if there’s a ‘mythology’ around Paddy, it’s a pretty feckin low-key one!
The point I’m making is that the genuine groundswell of enthusiasm for Paddy earlier in the season happened organically amongst Albion fans and was based on those rare cameos when he came on as a sub and suddenly brought some magic, guile and creativity which had previously been sorely lacking... hence often getting the biggest cheer when his name was announced, hence his name repeatedly being brought up in the post-match Radio Sussex phone-ins, hence the Argus articles, hence the songs, hence the ‘No Paddy No Party’ t-shirts. More recently, the opportunities Hyphhia has give him to shine have been fleeting and rare (the golden chance he put on a plate for the hapless O’Grady against Rochester springs to mind), his confidence/composure has suffered and ultimately I think the longest I’ve ever seen Paddy on the pitch at the Amex was when he was playing for Barnsley last season and my eyes – nor the eyes of others who where there that evening – didn’t deceive me. He was class that night – the man of the match without doubt.
I’m not deluding myself about the difference one player can make on their own and I realise his shortcomings (he’s not the Messiah – nor is he a naughty boy!) but at a pretty dire time for the club when we badly need our spirits lifted, to re-paraphrase John Lennon - all I am saying, is give Pad a chance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKNt1_TJYpo
rather have JFC everyday of the week.
