Media Thread 2020/21

[Asa's Heart]

I thought he lived in Southport

Birkdale. House backs onto the golf course.

 

[LesBleuMiserable]

Money disparity was not a issue when rags and red scouse were winning everything. In fact they portrayed it as an indication of success, a positive quality. BBC News would positively report on another record signing by United! Le hate, it’s there but I suspect the non clued up City or neutral bower/listener will be swayed by the comments.

 

[andyhinch]

Wish they’d stop banging on about the cost of Chelsea’s squad it’s getting tedious ;-)

 

[BamberBridgeBlue]

Good post mate and happy to answer it as best I can.

I think there are a lot of people in the press who don’t like our business model, similar to Leipzig in Germany, our owners, such as the likes Delaney, Harris etc and I think that is reflected in their writing. In some minds that could constitute an ‘agenda’, very much depends on your definition, but to me its not the overarching agenda what is typically inferred on here.

Consequently I think we do probably get worse press (I say probably as I rarely read news on other clubs as a comparison and am very sensitised to City content) and so I can understand some reaction to content. It will surprise you but some stuff bothers me, including the fawning for Liverpool and United at times, Delaney, Harris etc and I must add I think the negative coverage was ramped up post the FFP allegations, so my position has shifted a bit.

I think its worth noting I am no fan of the majority of the press overall. In fact I despise a lot of them. Where I suppose I differ, to many on here, is I think the media will sell anyone down the river, not just City. For example I would argue pretty much every United manager post Fergie has had no end of stick, including Solksjaer, this season and I would argue they tried to do a hatchet job on Mason Greenwood after the England incident. In a wider context it could be Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and all the others individuals who had their phones hacked. Some sections of the press are just waiting to destroy people.

With regards some the other accusations I think a lot of its nonsense. Were at a point on here where even the likes of Micah Richards is being accused
of selling out, where most neutral observers laugh at how pro-City he is. Same has happened with Hinchcliffe, Quinn etc. I think even the guys on the Blue Moon podcast got a bit of stick for a while, not to mention the M(u)EN and Sam Lee etc. I think sometimes you have to accept someones else’s opinion, which may be in complete contrast to your own, but is not necessarily part of a sinister agenda.

Just to touch on a couple of your specific points:

I think complaining about the press referencing our squad being ‘bigger’ to me is an example of fans being overly sensitive. Yes we know squad sizes are the same but the reference to a big squad is a comment relation to the quality, cost, experience of those within it. In fact City fans reference our ‘big squad’ all the time in reference to how we need to rotate, how it should help us over the course of the season when injuries kick in. Its really nothing to be offended about.

Like I said there is a lot of stuff fans can quite rightly whinge about, no arguments, but it becomes a bit too much when refs are blocking passing lanes, all refs biased and match fixing, pigmol biased against us, cup draws national and european fixed, sky, bbc, BT, all pundits, pretty much every media outlet and reporter biased against us etc.

Whilst you make some points I agree with, there is a general tone of “nothing to see here” which I think is nonsense.
Your final paragraph is set against a backdrop of Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, Der Spiegel sponsored by Bayern dirt dishing on us, World Cups in Russia and Qatar to name but a few.

In short the game in general is as bent as f***! It took the FBI to uncover it because numerous sporting bodies, governments and individuals all looked the other way. Our spend is tiny in comparison to the European elite clubs but their owners or league officials (Tebas) regularly name check us and get reported with no hint of irony.

I’m not bothered though because every win or trophy is like another dagger to their hearts.

 

[franksinatra]

I'm no wordsmith but surely that's SQUAD DEPTH. If I can manage to differentiate between those two words why can't a professional (who has presumably got a degree in English) journalist do the same?

It's a constant drip, drip, drip in order to place an idea subconsciously into the minds of the masses. It's not accidental and has, I believe, racism at its root. Fairly disgusting in my opinion and IS really something to be offended about.

I think squad depth does get used also and I am not sure the likes of Danny Murphy etc have an english degree. The majority of football fans know of squad sizes so fully understand the point being made.

To jump to a conclusion of racism from choosing to use the word ‘big’ instead of ‘depth’ to describe a football squad is a leap to far for me, but pretty much supports, in my opinion, my views that there are some extreme views in relation to the media thread

 

[Mike Cledford]

Not sure im being negative at all ‘mike’. Im merely observing that we shouldnt be so touchy as a fan base. Yeah the media seem to do a job on us weekly. So what? Only one way to shut em up. And we know what that is. And if it doesnt shut em up ... so what? Will we care ?
Positive enough mickey?

Don't be a clever arse for a start with the 'mickey.'
I've read a few of your recent posts that made me think you are the sort of rag who comes on here to wind up City fans despite having some pro City posts. But like Contrary Frank coming on here to tell City fans we are wrong is not a good idea, calling them fanny wipes even less so.
I am not sure when you decided your bright idea of ignoring the media and turning the other cheek came to you but 100 points and all domestic trophies doesn't seem to have had much effect in shutting them up. You thinking the media do a job on us once a week makes me wonder where you live. The moon perhaps?
I want to be able to enjoy reading and watching programmes involving City and being British l like to think l have the characteristics of fair play and give credit where its due. So l will always stick up for them and City fans. lts dead easy to put you on ignore. Putting the whole media is not so easy.
Ps. I also don't like lies being told either.

 

[franksinatra]

Whilst you make some points I agree with, there is a general tone of “nothing to see here” which I think is nonsense.
Your final paragraph is set against a backdrop of Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini, Der Spiegel sponsored by Bayern dirt dishing on us, World Cups in Russia and Qatar to name but a few.

In short the game in general is as bent as f***! It took the FBI to uncover it because numerous sporting bodies, governments and individuals all looked the other way. Our spend is tiny in comparison to the European elite clubs but their owners or league officials (Tebas) regularly name check us and get reported with no hint of irony.

I’m not bothered though because every win or trophy is like another dagger to their hearts.

It probably is in many respects, but this media debate long superseded Der Spiegel, Russia/Qatar world cup etc.

There is undeniably corruption out there, and often policies are set with self-interest in mind but whether that extends to widespread match fixing, the Refs governing body directing refs to fix matches and then that being undertaken to target City Im not convinced.

 

[Bill the Blue]

Good post mate and happy to answer it as best I can.

I think there are a lot of people in the press who don’t like our business model, similar to Leipzig in Germany, our owners, such as the likes Delaney, Harris etc and I think that is reflected in their writing. In some minds that could constitute an ‘agenda’, very much depends on your definition, but to me its not the overarching agenda what is typically inferred on here.

Consequently I think we do probably get worse press (I say probably as I rarely read news on other clubs as a comparison and am very sensitised to City content) and so I can understand some reaction to content. It will surprise you but some stuff bothers me, including the fawning for Liverpool and United at times, Delaney, Harris etc and I must add I think the negative coverage was ramped up post the FFP allegations, so my position has shifted a bit.

I think its worth noting I am no fan of the majority of the press overall. In fact I despise a lot of them. Where I suppose I differ, to many on here, is I think the media will sell anyone down the river, not just City. For example I would argue pretty much every United manager post Fergie has had no end of stick, including Solksjaer, this season and I would argue they tried to do a hatchet job on Mason Greenwood after the England incident. In a wider context it could be Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and all the others individuals who had their phones hacked. Some sections of the press are just waiting to destroy people.

With regards some the other accusations I think a lot of its nonsense. Were at a point on here where even the likes of Micah Richards is being accused
of selling out, where most neutral observers laugh at how pro-City he is. Same has happened with Hinchcliffe, Quinn etc. I think even the guys on the Blue Moon podcast got a bit of stick for a while, not to mention the M(u)EN and Sam Lee etc. I think sometimes you have to accept someones else’s opinion, which may be in complete contrast to your own, but is not necessarily part of a sinister agenda.

Just to touch on a couple of your specific points:

I think complaining about the press referencing our squad being ‘bigger’ to me is an example of fans being overly sensitive. Yes we know squad sizes are the same but the reference to a big squad is a comment relation to the quality, cost, experience of those within it. In fact City fans reference our ‘big squad’ all the time in reference to how we need to rotate, how it should help us over the course of the season when injuries kick in. Its really nothing to be offended about.

Like I said there is a lot of stuff fans can quite rightly whinge about, no arguments, but it becomes a bit too much when refs are blocking passing lanes, all refs biased and match fixing, pigmol biased against us, cup draws national and european fixed, sky, bbc, BT, all pundits, pretty much every media outlet and reporter biased against us etc.

Cheers for the reply..

It's not just Delaney and Harris though who have difficulty in reporting on us fairly, it's right across all of the media platforms..

Can you see any of the other clubs managers, in fact any manager being asked in a press conference if he'd taken a bung ?

Now maybe we bring a bit of this on ourselves as City may well have taken the decision to let these things ride.

It doesn't make it right and it doesn't condone it though..

We have a very loyal and supportive fan base and I for one have no problem with the majority of them not deciding to let the media bias ride by making their feelings known.

In fact people like Rabin have rattled a fair few cages and in turn has shown many of the hacks up for what they are..

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against bad press and criticism against City, far from it but surely it's got to have some substance behind it and at least be justified..

Regarding our squad size / depth, it has been assembled within the FFP rules and we have spent in line with what we turnover..

Other clubs, clubs who are valued more than us could and should therefore have assembled similar, quality squads too you could safely argue..

We ducked out on Sanchez, Fred, Maguire and Pogba to name but a few as they were deemed too expensive for us.

Funnily enough all of them signed for a club who are half a billion pounds in debt..

How's that work and where's the media reporting into this ?

Like I say Frank, it doesn't sit right with me and with the vast majority of others too I would guess..!

 

[Chris in London]

very much depends on your definition, but to me its not the overarching agenda what is typically inferred on here.

How do you define the agenda that you say doesn’t exist?

 

[BringBackSwales]

Just heard a summariser saying mason mount will be happy with the 3 points today, in the fa cup ffs. Heard no price tags mentioned though

 

[BringBackSwales]

How do you define the agenda that you say doesn’t exist?

Apparently there’s no agenda, it’s just a coincidence, week after week after week

 

[fulabeer]

Just as an example where you see a lack of positive coverage about Foden I see nothing but positive praise in the press. I think even Lineker described him as the most excited he has been by an english talent and someone else comparing him to Gascoigne/Scholes how he received the ball. Not saying you are right or wrong but funny how we can see something so differently.

It's not that Foden doesn't get praise. I was saying imagine the praise he would get if he played in red.
Even the press/pundits cannot ignore raw talent.

The lack of individual awards over the years proves my point.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Anyone any idea what havertz Werner ziyech and chilwell cost for 8th in the table Chelsea? Based on the fact that there’s no agenda and we are all treated equally by the media I was surprised not to hear it

 

[BringBackSwales]

Anyone any idea what havertz Werner ziyech and chilwell cost for 8th in the table Chelsea? Based on the fact that there’s no agenda and we are all treated equally by the media I was surprised not to hear it

Sorry just checked, make that NINTH in the table Chelsea

 

[Chris in London]

Apparently there’s no agenda, it’s just a coincidence, week after week after week

If you think there’s a Mr Big somewhere, stroking his white cat, puffing on a large cigar and plotting the downfall of MCFC you’re probably wrong.

If you think there’s a collection of bodies and individuals, for whom in different ways and for different reasons denigrating MCFC and disparaging its achievements and if possible frustrating it’s progress is in their own interests, you’re probably right.

I’m interested in which view Frank takes.

 

[franksinatra]

Cheers for the reply..

It's not just Delaney and Harris though who have difficulty in reporting on us fairly, it's right across all of the media platforms..

Can you see any of the other clubs managers, in fact any manager being asked in a press conference if he'd taken a bung ?

Now maybe we bring a bit of this on ourselves as City may well have taken the decision to let these things ride.

It doesn't make it right and it doesn't condone it though..

We have a very loyal and supportive fan base and I for one have no problem with the majority of them not deciding to let the media bias ride by making their feelings known.

In fact people like Rabin have rattled a fair few cages and in turn has shown many of the hacks up for what they are..

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against bad press and criticism against City, far from it but surely it's got to have some substance behind it and at least be justified..

Regarding our squad size / depth, it has been assembled within the FFP rules and we have spent in line with what we turnover..

Other clubs, clubs who are valued more than us could and should therefore have assembled similar, quality squads too you could safely argue..

We ducked out on Sanchez, Fred, Maguire and Pogba to name but a few as they were deemed too expensive for us.

Funnily enough all of them signed for a club who are half a billion pounds in debt..

How's that work and where's the media reporting into this ?

Like I say Frank, it doesn't sit right with me and with the vast majority of others too I would guess..!

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the reasoned reply. Yes I concur there are more than Delaney and Harris out there and I dont blame City fans at all for being peeved (would use a stronger word but as on a forum) with their content and full marks to Rabin taking them on, gets my full support.

Fully understand it does not sit right with many people, including myself, but I think we do our own arguments a disservice, and give the likes of Delaney, a get out of jail card, as with some of the content on here and social media its an outlet to portray our views as those of a paranoid fanbase. Some of the gripes today highlights that.

Focus on the real battles and take pleasure in the fact we get one over the doubters pretty much every week.

 

[franksinatra]

It's not that Foden doesn't get praise. I was saying imagine the praise he would get if he played in red.
Even the press/pundits cannot ignore raw talent.

The lack of individual awards over the years proves my point.

Agree on the point about the fawning over liverpool/United players, defo to sell papers.

Agree about the lack of awards but not necessarily the reasoning. A lot of the individual awards, we have missed out on, are decided by the players of other clubs. Do you think they are all biased as well?

 

[BringBackSwales]

If you think there’s a Mr Big somewhere, stroking his white cat, puffing on a large cigar and plotting the downfall of MCFC you’re probably wrong.

If you think there’s a collection of bodies and individuals, for whom in different ways and for different reasons denigrating MCFC and disparaging its achievements and if possible frustrating it’s progress is in their own interests, you’re probably right.

I’m interested in which view Frank takes.

Like any unregulated “industry” there are vested interest at play, and in this case it’s the huge fan bases of the 2 **** clubs, it sells more subscriptions, more papers, gets more clicks, pleases more watchers. It’s a case of love scum hate City, love dippers hate City. There’s almost certainly elements of racism in there (pro USA, anti Arab). We weren’t hated when we were shit, it’s only when we upset the establishment, the sky 4 etc. It’s every week, it’s every commentatory, and to deny otherwise is gullible beyond belief. Yesterday we score and it’s “no flag” in a quiet and disgruntled voice, no mention of us scoring, Tyler whispers when we score, shouts when we concede. It’s how it is. If Scudamore could say publicly that it’s good for the premier league for the scum and dippers to win it, just Imagine what goes on behind closed doors

 

[Bluesince1979]

Don't be a clever arse for a start with the 'mickey.'
I've read a few of your recent posts that made me think you are the sort of rag who comes on here to wind up City fans despite having some pro City posts. But like Contrary Frank coming on here to tell City fans we are wrong is not a good idea, calling them fanny wipes even less so.
I am not sure when you decided your bright idea of ignoring the media and turning the other cheek came to you but 100 points and all domestic trophies doesn't seem to have had much effect in shutting them up. You thinking the media do a job on us once a week makes me wonder where you live. The moon perhaps?
I want to be able to enjoy reading and watching programmes involving City and being British l like to think l have the characteristics of fair play and give credit where its due. So l will always stick up for them and City fans. lts dead easy to put you on ignore. Putting the whole media is not so easy.
Ps. I also don't like lies being told either.

Just got a notification that you are now “following me”. Weird.

you think im a rag? Ha fuck me. Grow up. Ive paid my dues over 46 years to criticise or applaud as i see fit. I dont need some happy clapping prick to give me the ok to do so.

getting 100 points and not shutting the media negativity up doesnt wind me up, far from it, just gives me a warm glow. Try it.

so fuck off with your self righteousness and leave me to my own opinion, as i will yours. Its a forum. Things are discussed. Some youll like , some you wont, but dont be telling people what opinions are right or wrong.

have a good sunday and please “unfollow” me

 

[Mike Cledford]

If you think there’s a Mr Big somewhere, stroking his white cat, puffing on a large cigar and plotting the downfall of MCFC you’re probably wrong.

If you think there’s a collection of bodies and individuals, for whom in different ways and for different reasons denigrating MCFC and disparaging its achievements and if possible frustrating it’s progress is in their own interests, you’re probably right.

I’m interested in which view Frank takes.

I wonder who started the ball rolling to send
that letter from the the Hateful Eight (or nine) to CAS? I don't like the word 'agenda' its too formal.
There is certainly some collusion amongst many of the teams in the top half and those who seek to benefit from the crumbs from their table. The media merely side with them all.