It’s easy for people’s preconceptions about a footballer to help them jump to conclusions.
You can watch two minutes of a player in action and make up your mind about them based on your opinion of them.
That’s how a clumsy challenge can be considered reckless in isolation, if the player in question is one who you consider prone to that sort of thing.
Or how a player struggling with an injury can be written off as lazy on the basis of a small amount of footage.
On Saturday, this clip of Coventry City striker Yakubu doing very little indeed went viral.
https://twitter.com/Football_Fours/status/835619580634673152
During his heyday, the Nigerian international – who was making his third appearance for the Sky Blues after joining on a free transfer – was known for his relaxed attitude.
His walking-pace penalties probably played a part, but once you get a reputation it sticks. That explains some of the responses to the video above.
what the hell have Coventry fans done to deserve this shit.
— TH83 (@WoolyBully99) February 25, 2017
would probably two foot him if I was his teammate
— JM 🍉 (@JM__1599) February 25, 2017
@Retours_Sillett @paulmalley The big guys just taking a breather! Reminds me of our 5-a-side team! #athlete
— 𝕊𝕁ℍ 🌱🌍♻️ (@_SJH20) February 25, 2017
@In_Ludo_Veritas what the fuck was he up to?
— Sharpie (@Shairpie) February 25, 2017
@pablo_cartas even the linesman did more running than him…😂
— Rebeca Cardona (@la_ligapremier) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/TonyRawlings10/status/835777707912880128
However, those who watched the clip without context won’t have known the real reason for the Nigerian’s inactivity.
Yakubu had suffered a hamstring tear which the Coventry Telegraph reports could keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The footage comes from the closing stages of the match, when Coventry had already used all three of their substitutes and seemingly did not want to end the game with 10 men on the pitch.
Once the information came to light, there were a couple of apologies issued and clarifications made., but once the initial footage gets out there’s rarely a tendency for anyone to seek out the full context, especially in a relatively nondescript fixture between two clubs in the League 1 relegation zone.
I've actually just seen he was injured and they'd used all 3 subs. My apologies, Yakubu!
— Andy Crossley (@AndyCrossley88) February 26, 2017
Yes there's lots wrong with the Yakubu situation, but slating him for been injured? Did he choose for his hamstring to go? #pusb
— Dan Gill (@DanMGill) February 26, 2017
I really don't see what the big hoo-ha is with this Yakubu video, lads. He was injured and we'd already made all three subs. #CCFC #PUSB
— Louthdog (@Louthdog) February 26, 2017
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