Dear Ian.
I tend to read the articles on my club, (Manchester City) through various publications and use them as a reference point rather than gospel, however many people do not have this approach and will believe everything they read as fact.
The handling of the Kaka saga by yourselves was infuriating to read. It was almost desperation for it to fail and ecstasy when it collapsed. I don't remember the same desperation when you reported that Chelsea were interested in paying a similar fee for the player, and I do not recall the term vulgar being used when Christiano Ronaldo was close to joing Madrid for 100 million pounds. An honest question. Is it because a large demographic of your readers are Manchester United and Chelsea supporters? I know you have close ties to Chelsea.
The story which made your back pages when Kaka 'delivered a massive snub to city" by declaring he preferred Manchester United and Arsenal, prompted me to do a bit of my own research. The quotes were definitely Kaka's, that is for certain, however they were from an interview in Esquire magazine, dated October 2007. Obviously the gullible readers that make up a large demographic of your audience lapped this up. Lets not forget this was at a time when people were horrified that little old City might just sign Kaka. This was a bias attempt to appease those fans, so armed with their new found (1 year old) knowledge could mock City supporters. Obviously out numbering them in their sheep like masses.
Now we have the Robinho saga.
I have followed your 'reporting' of this story very closely and have read numerous inaccuracies in your account. Now lets get this right. Here is where you will claim your well placed sources tell you what the player is really thinking. Your 'reporting' has ignored all the official lines from the player and the club and gone for the sensationalist approach. "Robinho thinks Man City are pants" read one witty headline, obviously featuring a picture of said player wearing, thats right you guessed it, SWIMMING PANTS. Incredible.
As of this morning yourself and Mr Custis were pretty much on your own in reporting that Robinho had not been fined by the club and we were, and I quote "a laughing stock." Around 10 am, Mark Hughes confirmed that the club had fined Robinho and were proceeding with disciplinary procedures. How do you think disciplinary procedures work? Do you think Hughes sits down at his desk, pulls out a chip and pin machine and asks Robinho to check the amount of 300k is correct and press enter? Your U-Turn on this story was about as subtle as a brick. Amazingly you reported it as if it was Hughes doing the U-turn, however you failed to mention these quotes in your piece."
“Well, I think if you read some of the tabloids this morning, nothing could be further from the truth with their depiction of what went on.
“One certain newspaper I’ve come to expect it from and it doesn’t really bother me. Some of the reporting on the situation was incorrect and that’s been the norm for a number of months in that certain paper."
Which paper do you think he is referring to there?
Im sure you are tired of my email and will be amazed if you read this far but heres another one for you. Nigel De Jong, It is reported we paid between 14 million - 19 million for this player. A top quality dutch international, I am sure you will agree. You reported that we could of signed the player for 2.3 million in the summer, which is correct. However and heres the key part which you failed to mention. De Jong had already verbally agreed a new contract with Hamburg which he was on the verge of signing until our interest became apparent. If he had signed this contract the clause would of been removed and thus the price would of been possibly higher than what we have paid. Oh, silly me, that wouldn't fit in with the sensationalist journalism. You can delete that part of my Email if you like.
Now seriously Ian, what is the agenda? Am I incorrect in thinking it was you that claimed a back page exclusive that "Ramos was to be fired and replaced with Hughes," which subsequently got you into hot water and an immediate retraction of the story?
I really would love to have a reply from you Ian. I have become fascinated with the level of contempt being shown by yourself and some of your colleagues.
Yours Sincerely.
