Crooks, interviewed after giving a
motivational speech to budding sports journalists, made the
astonishing assumption prior to bottom-club Peterborough's surprise
win over table-toppers Cardiff. Upon hearing Crooks' comment,
Peterborough players were reportedly 'amazed' at the development and
duly recorded an impressive 2-1 victory.
Posh captain Gabriel Zakuani noticed
the comment hours before kick-off and was on hand to spread the word
to the rest of the team. “I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it”
enthused Zakuani. “All the lads were fully prepared to go there and
just make up the numbers, as you do, but when a globally-respected
football pundit like Garth Crooks makes a comment like that, well it
really opens your eyes.”
AB FOR ENGLAND? GARTH THINKS SO
It was a glorious return to form for
Crooks after embarrassing recent calls for James Morrison, 23 caps
for Scotland, and Lilian Thuram, 142 caps for France and retired as
of four years ago, to make Roy Hodgson's latest England squad. Crooks
subsequently managed to save face by claiming he had been 'misquoted'
by various media outlets after The Sun claimed he had also demanded
an England call-up for South African batsman AB de Villiers.
But after his most recent comment,
sources suggest that he is well-placed for an MBE in the Queens' New
Years Honours List. One said: “Garth is highly-thought of in
Buckingham Palace. He is seen as a role model to aspiring journalists
and comments like this won't harm his chances of a knighthood at
all.”
The possibility of a knighthood for
Crooks has rounded off a stellar year for BBC journalists. Popular
character Robbie Savage became a key member of the team with his
cutting-edge analysis and calm, thoughtful demeanor whilst
perennial favourite Steve Claridge added to his already burgeoning
reputation with some high-quality analysis throughout the year. They
included him forecasting Manchester City's title win moments after
Sergio Aguero's title-winning goal, predicting that Barcelona 'have
enough about them' to secure a top two finish and his unforgettable
analysis of Liverpool's controversial zonal marking system.
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