Stan Collymore vs The Spoiler

So for those who didn’t listen, The Spoiler went on TalkSport with carpark sexfiend Stan Collymore last night.

Basically, the lads at TS had poked a bit of fun at Collymore's expense for talking up Niklas Bendtner as a top striker, despite evidence to the stark contrary (potential aside).

It was the sort of jibe I used to making a living out of when I started CaughtOffside, and it’s nowhere near the worst thing you’ll see written about players, managers, or pundits by bloggers hundreds of times a day.

But for whatever reason, Collymore took the bait and started giving some back to TS, to the point where he invited them to the show to talk to him directly. I mean this is akin to an actor trolling websites to find someone who didn’t like his movie, and then turning it into a public feud.

I don’t even know how Stan came across the original posts on TS, I can only assume he spends a large part of his day Googling his own name.

The actual radio segment was interesting to say the least. At first, I actually thought Stan was coming out on top. I think Ed from TS made the mistake of arguing the actual topic (whether Bendtner is any good), instead of simply pointing out how ridiculous and self-indulgent it was for Collymore to be making such a big fuss about an offhand comment on a website.

Luckily, Stan talked himself into a corner. He pulled the “i’m a footballer” card, the “I have 400,000 listeners therefore I’m the best" card, and had a go at The Spoiler’s content, which only served to expose himself as an utter n00b when it comes to navigating the modern internet environment.

He also read aloud a blurb from the TS article that said his show would be better if he would stop interrupting his guests—an accusation he refuted by, erm, continually interrupting his guest.

The bottom line is that Stan only has himself to blame for going from a ludicrously talented footballer to dogging enthusiast, and star of Basic Instinct 2. People tune into his station to be entertained by his antics, not because he’s the Rinus Michel of football pundits.

Going after a blog like he did, the way he did it, didn’t do him any favours. He’s opened Pandora’s Box now, because I’m guessing he’s going to get it in the arse from a lot more than just The Spoiler. The football bloggers are a tight community, and I think Stan may find plenty more to be upset about the next time he goes digging to find out what people are saying about him.

I’ll kick things off.

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