Why you are better than the Mariners

Like anyone, from time to time we all feel bad about ourselves. Perhaps we’ve been fired, or dumped, or let someone down, or are having a fat day.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not self-affirmation or confidence-building exercises that improve ones life. In times of self-loathing, it’s only human to look for someone or something that is going to make us feel better about ourselves.

We are all familiar with that warm, fuzzy feeling we get from learning someone somewhere is worse off that you. It simply is what gets us through the tough times.

Sometimes that comfort can be found in a packet of Tim Tams and trashy reality television. Other times it’s comforting yourself with the woes of certain football teams.

Which brings us to the point of this article.

We all hate feeling as though we’ve let someone important to us down, let alone quite a few people.

In times of inner-turmoil, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that whatever we did, it wasn’t scoring an own-goal from half way like Josh Rose in the opening game of the AFC Champions League against Guangzhou. After they were already 2-0 down. In the 89th minute. Only hours after Phil Moss had said: “Certainly the AFC is a welcome distraction.” Ouch.

We’re all familiar with the cringe-worthy experience of a practical joke blowing up in one’s face. Remember when the Mariners printed off $20, $50 and $100 “reasons” to laugh at a “cashed up” Sydney FC/Graham Arnold, and then they lost 5-1. At home. In front of a record crowd. Eek.

Situations like that are harder to stomach when you have actually verbalized confidence in yourself before it all went terribly belly-up. To quote Mr Moss again, “Training so far since we came back from the break has been unreal… I really think we are headed for a much better second half of the season.” Aaahhh.

There come times in life when someone will leave us. It’s confusing and hurtful and you end up feeling disappointed and stupid. No one can relate to this more than the Mariners, who have lost quite a few key players this season.

We all remember Malick Mane who, after only four games with the yellow and navy, up and left without so much as a goal to give.

Then came the departure of Mitchell Duke, who left for a younger, faster club who could better fulfill his needs.

Perhaps most devastating of all was the announcement of the retirement of the club’s rock, John Hutchinson. At least he, like the gentleman he is, announced the departure with plenty of time and plans on staying with the club in a coaching capacity. We all know what it means when someone says “Let’s stay friends”, but it seems like he means it. More than most people can say.

Finally, let's end with some tough love. Think about all the times you’ve said “poor me” or “why is this happening to me?!”. Stop it. Stop feeling sorry for yourselves and think about the poor football team that has just been made the butt of the joke for your benefit. They’re just people too, you know. They probably have fat days like the rest of us. Stop being cruel at their expense. It’s rude.