http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FgchHlaSQE

Many have already pointed this out but this strange interview is the end result of pressurising sportspeople to say a few words after a match or event and then complaining when you don't like what they mention. A few weeks previously Brendon Venter was fined 25,000 euros for criticising officials and this is his response to the ERC by giving anodyne answers in the post match interview. Being partial to a bit of sarcasm myself I must admit to rather enjoying his performance but it must highlight to administrators that unless they say anything libellous it is unfair to punish interviewees in such circumstances especially as emotions will be running high just after a game has finished. It is either necessary to wait for a couple of hours for feelings to calm down or accept that if you castigate those who may appear controversial then more and more post match interviews and conferences will become even more cliche ridden bore fests that tell us nothing: "Yes we're glad we won", "The lads are gutted - we deserved something out of this game." Allowing time for people to gather themselves and give a potentially balanced and thoughtful summary won't happen as broadcasters want their soundbite straight away so authorities need to relax when they hear things they do not approve of.

   After a few days to dwell on Alan Pardew's appointment no doubt many Geordie fans themselves have relaxed a little after beating Liverpool. Their anger is aimed at Mike Ashley and while Pardew blamelessly did himself no favours by being friends with Newcastle's managing director Derek Llambias that won't matter if the team continues to perform on the pitch. It would be highly surprising if he can improve on Newcastle's present position and therefore on what Chris Hughton achieved as his CV does not strike one as a significant improvement. The reluctance to offer Hughton a full contract as his was due to expire at the end of the season may seem overcautious as he may have felt he was untried in the Premiership but that just looks ridiculous when Pardew signed for five and a half years. I am reminded of my dad's fondness of a former Newcastle (and more so of Sunderland) player Len Shackleton. He often tells me of his autobiography and the chapter entitled "The Average Director's Knowledge of Football " which consisted of a blank page. Some things don't change.