Liverpool fans in Pennant attack.

The fracas concerning Jermaine Pennant was allegedly started when some people described as Liverpool fans started having a go at Pennant. The argument escalated and Pennant was ejected from the nightclub.

The rights and wrongs of this case in which the Police took no action frankly don’t concern Blues fans. What does concern them is why the Birmingham Mail should want to escalate this trivial story. The author, Liza Smith is a well known Villa fan and whether this story was seen as giving her insignificant place in the journalistic world a bit of a boost or a cheap pop at the Blues is unclear.

MS Smith, well known for her cutting edge pieces on ?Villa player in Hospital visit’, would do well to stick to her particular field and forget football related articles. She may however look at the careers of Gary Newbon and Pat Murphy who have prospered as they have criticised Birmingham City and Jermaine vigorously in the past. Whether the two things are related is conjecture but being the most hated men south of the A38 has certainly done them no harm professionally.

If having Liza Smith and Pat Murphy on Jermaine’s case is bad enough then the counsel of his agent Sky Andrew is a disaster. While Mr Andrew has managed to ensure Pennant’s football career is keeping them both wealthy, his so called guidance and friendship is not helping much.

Pennant’s problem is that he has no class. A man earning £1 million a year doesn’t need to be frequenting places where he is likely to be meeting yobos who want to have a pop at him. His holiday bust up was in a popular holiday resort where he and his other football pals were easily recognised. Former Blues man Alou Cisse would, when he wanted a night out, fly to Paris. Paul Merson who’s problems dwarfed those of Pennant’s would go to New York to relax.

If he wants to enjoy himself then why not get away from the glare of publicity and find some privacy. Invite only the people who he can trust and not those who feel he is fair game to pick a fight with. Mr Andrew if he really has Jermaine’s interest at heart should be keeping him away from the maddening crowd.