Dougie Freedman has branded Twitter comments on ex-midfielder Fabrice Muamba account earlier this week as “unhelpful” – but accepts they are par for the course for the modern day manager.
Comments appeared on the social network site after Tuesday’s defeat against Huddersfield, describing members of the boardroom as “a bunch of idiots” and accusing the current squad of having too many average players.
A national newspaper report published yesterday insinuated the row could have spilled over from last summer, when Muamba was released by the club following the expiry of his contract.
But the controversial comments have caused a stir – particularly, says Freedman, after the support offered to the former England Under-21 man after his dramatic collapse at White Hart Lane, and subsequent recovery.
“This tweeting thing seems to be the rage and you’re going to get ex-players and employees of the club putting their opinion out there,” the manager said.
“It’s disappointing and particularly in this case because I know how fond the chairman is of Fabrice and when the situation came about, he was by his bedside.
“He’s really upset by the comment because of what has gone on in the past but as far as I’m concerned, ex-players and employees of the club chipping in when they shouldn’t seems to be common these days.
“It’s something you have got to deal with and I know the rules.”
Gartside was quoted in The Sun newspaper yesterday disputing the claim that Muamba is owed part of his signing on fee from a £5.75million move from Birmingham City in 2008.
“We paid Fabrice 15, 16 months when it should have been a year, so he got more than he was contractually entitled to,” he said.
“The comments are very strange when I think back to holding his hand in hospital.”
Freedman has distanced himself from the row – and never managed Muamba – but admits he is not a fan of the modern trend for former players or supporters criticising their club online.
“Ex-players always seem to be saying you should be doing this, or that, and that’s fantastic. But when you try to put it into reality, it never works.
“Should we be playing two strikers? No, we shouldn’t be playing two strikers.
“Ten thousands fans have four thousand opinions and you’ve got to try and stand above that and make your own decisions. I think we do that here.”
Comments appeared on the social network site after Tuesday’s defeat against Huddersfield, describing members of the boardroom as “a bunch of idiots” and accusing the current squad of having too many average players.
A national newspaper report published yesterday insinuated the row could have spilled over from last summer, when Muamba was released by the club following the expiry of his contract.
But the controversial comments have caused a stir – particularly, says Freedman, after the support offered to the former England Under-21 man after his dramatic collapse at White Hart Lane, and subsequent recovery.
“This tweeting thing seems to be the rage and you’re going to get ex-players and employees of the club putting their opinion out there,” the manager said.
“It’s disappointing and particularly in this case because I know how fond the chairman is of Fabrice and when the situation came about, he was by his bedside.
“He’s really upset by the comment because of what has gone on in the past but as far as I’m concerned, ex-players and employees of the club chipping in when they shouldn’t seems to be common these days.
“It’s something you have got to deal with and I know the rules.”
Gartside was quoted in The Sun newspaper yesterday disputing the claim that Muamba is owed part of his signing on fee from a £5.75million move from Birmingham City in 2008.
“We paid Fabrice 15, 16 months when it should have been a year, so he got more than he was contractually entitled to,” he said.
“The comments are very strange when I think back to holding his hand in hospital.”
Freedman has distanced himself from the row – and never managed Muamba – but admits he is not a fan of the modern trend for former players or supporters criticising their club online.
“Ex-players always seem to be saying you should be doing this, or that, and that’s fantastic. But when you try to put it into reality, it never works.
“Should we be playing two strikers? No, we shouldn’t be playing two strikers.
“Ten thousands fans have four thousand opinions and you’ve got to try and stand above that and make your own decisions. I think we do that here.”
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