Wednesday 27 March 2013

Odemwingie's Affair With Twitter

Now, we all know it's no secret that West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemwingie has not had the best of starts to 2013. After unexpectedly turning up to QPR HQ on transfer deadline day and literally being refused entry into the building, he wasn't exactly the most popular striker amongst Albion staff and fans. 
This furor all began when WBA rejected a £2m bid from QPR. This prompted Odemwingie to take to the social networking site, Twitter, and publically criticise West Brom's actions. He tweeted: 
"I can understand the reaction of few Albion fans on my desire to leave the club. Real reason? Cos they once doubted my commitment."
Understandably, the club were extremely unhappy with Odemwingie's comments and rejected an improved transfer offer from QPR. Following on from the Nigerian striker's deadline day embarrassment, he apologised to the staff and supporters of West Brom, explaining the situation as a genuine mix-up. 

However, over 2 months on from Odemwingie's Twitter outburst, he has once again taken to the social media site and further criticised the club that pay his wages. This time he is unhappy with the club's unwillingness to give him any playing time. He tweeted: 
"Keeping me on the bench now is worst than what they did on the 31st. New advisers told me to take say its all my fault cos its better or me."
I think what Mr. Odemwingie is trying to say here, ignoring his hideous attempt at writing in the Queen's English, is that he is still unhappy with the way in which the club is treating him. West Brom have since told the media that they will deal with Odemwingie's actions internally. Whether this be by fining the player a few weeks wages or continuing to grant him any first-team playing time, it is clear that Premiership clubs are struggling to control the social networking discipline of some of their players. 
In my opinion, players need to understand that whatever they write on social networking sites can be hugely damaging to their own careers and the representations of the clubs they play for. Not to mention, letting the fans down that pay outrageous ticket prices to come and see them play week in week out. A player may want to push through a transfer or improve their contract situation, but what they forget is that Twitter outbursts are not forgotten by potential clubs that may be in the market for a new player. 
Overall, I feel for the clubs that have to deal with disrespectful players and their social media antics. I think that the players owe them a lot more than a cheap dig sent in the form of a tweet. 

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