City's Iron Curtain

[adrianr]

Over the last 12 months there's been a lot of talk about how City as a club don't talk to the supporters about important matters and it makes it difficult from the outside to know what's going on. Personally I think this is a huge strength within the club and should be applauded.

One of the bonuses of having two Spaniards as CEO and DoF is that they have neither the relationships nor the interest in cultivating them, with the British media, and therefore the only stories the papers can write are highly speculative ones (as with FFP). Now some might argue that this is a bad thing and that City should in fact be doing more talking in the press but I fail to see how that does anything other than give them more words to hang you with.

Just to give an example ... if you contrast the manner in which our transfer business is being done in comparison to say United or Liverpool. The big difference is that both those clubs have got people feeding the British media stories regarding players they are talking to. For me that creates an undue pressure from all sides because you need to deliver the players otherwise you look a dick in front of the supporters, however you also need to deal with a selling club who won't like the fact that you're doing your bidding in public and will constantly be ramping the price up.

Similarly with FFP, the club have remained silent throughout the process. Although it's been frustrating by not commenting until after the sanctions were made official, and by commenting in the manner in which they have, they've shown their disdain for UEFA without turning it into a public slanging match and without seemingly alienating an organisation who whether we like it or not we have to deal with.

Now this Yaya situation which I've little doubt the club will make zero comment on publicly. Our silence will be the most powerful tool we have in dealing with him and his agent. They can kick, scream, make themselves look as ridiculous as they want. City's stance will remain "Yaya's not for sale" until such time as an offer comes in which they feel is good enough. Maybe in this case i'm being too optimistic considering how it's always about the money, but I envisage Txiki and co. feeling even more hardened in their stance that having given him a new contract last summer, they won't be giving him another one this summer.

Long term I think there's a method to the silence. Going back to what Khaldoon said about public relations and the image of the club, we are striving to get to a place where the only thing we're talked about for is our football. To do this though we will have to remain silent on certain other subjects. This might be frustrating to some, but it's worth it IMO for the friends and respect it will win us.

Chalk me up for another 'Completely agree', very good post.

 

[TBooksbluearmy]

There will always be stories about us in the paper, and there is nothing that we can do about it. The journo's are just fishing for a story to see if someone from the club will bite. So as the saying goes SILENCE IS GOLDEN, and the club by keeping quite about the whole thing, will have the journo's pulling their hair out, while trying to think about what to write next. With this in mind they will have to be careful, otherwise they and their paper could be sued for libel, which would make the club a few £'s as well, it may also ruin that journo's reputation.

 

[Tarzan41]

Over the last 12 months there's been a lot of talk about how City as a club don't talk to the supporters about important matters and it makes it difficult from the outside to know what's going on. Personally I think this is a huge strength within the club and should be applauded.

One of the bonuses of having two Spaniards as CEO and DoF is that they have neither the relationships nor the interest in cultivating them, with the British media, and therefore the only stories the papers can write are highly speculative ones (as with FFP). Now some might argue that this is a bad thing and that City should in fact be doing more talking in the press but I fail to see how that does anything other than give them more words to hang you with.

Just to give an example ... if you contrast the manner in which our transfer business is being done in comparison to say United or Liverpool. The big difference is that both those clubs have got people feeding the British media stories regarding players they are talking to. For me that creates an undue pressure from all sides because you need to deliver the players otherwise you look a dick in front of the supporters, however you also need to deal with a selling club who won't like the fact that you're doing your bidding in public and will constantly be ramping the price up.

Similarly with FFP, the club have remained silent throughout the process. Although it's been frustrating by not commenting until after the sanctions were made official, and by commenting in the manner in which they have, they've shown their disdain for UEFA without turning it into a public slanging match and without seemingly alienating an organisation who whether we like it or not we have to deal with.

Now this Yaya situation which I've little doubt the club will make zero comment on publicly. Our silence will be the most powerful tool we have in dealing with him and his agent. They can kick, scream, make themselves look as ridiculous as they want. City's stance will remain "Yaya's not for sale" until such time as an offer comes in which they feel is good enough. Maybe in this case i'm being too optimistic considering how it's always about the money, but I envisage Txiki and co. feeling even more hardened in their stance that having given him a new contract last summer, they won't be giving him another one this summer.

Long term I think there's a method to the silence. Going back to what Khaldoon said about public relations and the image of the club, we are striving to get to a place where the only thing we're talked about for is our football. To do this though we will have to remain silent on certain other subjects. This might be frustrating to some, but it's worth it IMO for the friends and respect it will win us.

100%

 

[Clevers]

Our public image needs to be managed and controlled in a better way. The negative stories are damaging and embarassing to the club and owners. There should be better communication with players to address any grievances in-house. Since we won the title there have been a series of negative stories that could have been avoided or handled better.

I find it highly unlikely that the club don't communicate with the players.

I find not commenting all the time on everything refreshing. Taking UEFA as an example, I bet they are more annoyed at being considered an irrelevance than being openly hated.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

If the club commented on everything said by players, press et al they'd be no time to do the job that
they are trying to fulfil. The academy would be years behind on the build etc.

Also a big plus is, I wouldn't have a 250 page Yaya thread to read, when I'm struggling with my studies ;-)

 

[aguero93:20]

If the club commented on everything said by players, press et al they'd be no time to do the job that
they are trying to fulfil. The academy would be years behind on the build etc.

Also a big plus is, I wouldn't have a 250 page Yaya thread to read, when I'm struggling with my studies ;-)

You should go do your studies mate, mostly jokes and puns in that thread along with a few rants, it's stolen hours of my time already, don't go down the same route.

 

[We're not really here]

Agree 100%. I also have it on good authority that the club find the whole Yaya episode not worthy of a comment and all rather silly.

 

[ifiwasarichfan]

I have to agree as well but I don't like it !

If arrogance and conceit is the DNA of Manchester United and Liverpool, then high drama is the DNA of mine. I want the lead story on SSN to be "City bid X amount for Messi" even if it's bollocks and doesn't make sense.

Four trophies in rapid time has shown we have done our talking on the pitch but the buggers aren't listening. Someone posted that last Monday we were alloted two, three minute segments in an hourly news bulletin with the "leads" being about Ashley Cole, Van Gaal and still a massive love in for Gerrard and Rodgers.

The only thing that could have upset me more would have been if Andy Carroll had bagged a hat trick.

It's not fucking fair and I make no apologies for being a City fan and a drama queen.

 

[eversince 76]

Our public image needs to be managed and controlled in a better way. The negative stories are damaging and embarassing to the club and owners. There should be better communication with players to address any grievances in-house. Since we won the title there have been a series of negative stories that could have been avoided or handled better.

I don't agree. You can't expect the club to react on whatever nonsense appear in the media. And nonsense it is as they know very little to nothing because the club keeps their doings private. And rightly so. 99% would be a statement of denial anyway, so I doubt that is the way to manage and controle the public image. The right way is the way our chairman has recently stated in his interview: act rahter than making promises.

Obviously people react to this nonsence only to find out it was nonsense when the truth comes out. Envy and frustration will keep the lot posting though on whatever there is to report about City. I much prefer having little attention in the media and win silverware, rather than gaining most headliners in the tabloids. In that the club has made huge strides over the last 16 months or so. Long it may continue ...

Let us not be bitter that we have so little attention in the media and even less respect for that matter. You can't beat the onecelled brains on the internet. You can support the team and be proud for them winning us silverware. PL-title and League Cup! Speak to you again when we lift another one!

 

[GaudinoMotors]

I agree Billy - but there is a danger that it is only us City supporters who fully realise the integrity and professionalism of our managegement. To the outside world, this and all the stories and negativity since the last game (and before), there is a danger that it all looks like an imploding shambles. We trust it isn't, but you could see how potential targets and others not as familiar with the way things are done here could view it as such.