Stuart Brennan. MEN.

[jaiguruKun]

Reds use the M.E.N in the argument "is Manchester more blue or red?" By saying that Manchester's main newspaper prefers them. I've had that said to me on a few occasions so it isn't just crazy City fans..

Do they? I have never heard a single Red use that argument, and I have lived my whole life in and around them, including 95 per cent of my family.
However, I have heard, on a million occasions, Utd fans berating us for being pro-City and anti-United.
Have you ever considered the idea that perhaps both you and they are suffering from the same affliction, that you only see the stuff that backs up your opinion?

-- Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:44 pm --

"I happen to agree with you that newspapers contain too much nonsense, but these things are the fault of the readership, not the newspapers - drivel sells."

Not sure I can get my head around that comment from Stuart. Is it really true that if the readers by a publication which contains a lot of drivel then it's the readers fault.

TV is another example though I suppose.There is so much garbage on there under the reality show heading which seems to appeal to a lot of folk but it really is garbage.

Same argument. Do you think TV companies put on the X factor, or Big Brother, or any of the rest of the shite, to shape people's lives, or do you think they simply provide what the masses want?
Unfortunately, soaps and reality TV are big draws, and so bring in big advertisers.
Newspapers have gone the same way, they have to print what sells, and what draws in adverts.

This is exactly the reason the MEN prints articles that have an anti-City slant. It relies on the lowest common denominator which, at the moment, is the Sky watching Armchair United fan from the Home Counties. There are far more of them than City-supporting Mancunians.

The manner in which the MEN serves its agenda is often quite subtle. For example, after the 7-0 win the other day there was an article online which simply listed the total amount paid for the City squad. In order to deflect claims of bias against City they did the same for the United squad, showing it cost a bit less. It left me wondering what the purpose of the articles were. Most genuine fans of both clubs are aware that City have spent more money than everyone else in the last 5 years so why the need to set out in forensic detail the amount spent on each player? It can only be to draw in the average Joe/ Armchair United fan as it perpetuates the commonly held view that City are "ruining football." The steady stream of comments from all over the world rehearsing this tired mantra at the bottom of the article proves my point.

Unfortunately times have changed since the days of the Pink (now that was a proper sports paper) when the paper prided itself on providing fair and balanced coverage of both teams.
By admitting that the quality of the journalism is now secondary you are sort of agreeing with what the Agenda mob (myself included) have been saying all along .

I find it hard to believe that you have never heard United fans use the "Manchester is Red" argument. If that is the case why, not so long ago, did the MEN conduct a survey about where the fans of each team come from if not to settle the argument in favour of the Reds once and for all?

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

If you don't like what they write, don't read it.

If you don't like what pundits say don't listen to them.

It's quite easy. If you don't hear or read anything bad about us then it won't upset you!

 

[Shirley]

Reds use the M.E.N in the argument "is Manchester more blue or red?" By saying that Manchester's main newspaper prefers them. I've had that said to me on a few occasions so it isn't just crazy City fans..

Do they? I have never heard a single Red use that argument, and I have lived my whole life in and around them, including 95 per cent of my family.
However, I have heard, on a million occasions, Utd fans berating us for being pro-City and anti-United.
Have you ever considered the idea that perhaps both you and they are suffering from the same affliction, that you only see the stuff that backs up your opinion?

-- Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:44 pm --

"I happen to agree with you that newspapers contain too much nonsense, but these things are the fault of the readership, not the newspapers - drivel sells."

Not sure I can get my head around that comment from Stuart. Is it really true that if the readers by a publication which contains a lot of drivel then it's the readers fault.

TV is another example though I suppose.There is so much garbage on there under the reality show heading which seems to appeal to a lot of folk but it really is garbage.

Same argument. Do you think TV companies put on the X factor, or Big Brother, or any of the rest of the shite, to shape people's lives, or do you think they simply provide what the masses want?
Unfortunately, soaps and reality TV are big draws, and so bring in big advertisers.
Newspapers have gone the same way, they have to print what sells, and what draws in adverts.

The MEN are now running an article about the number of foreigners who have played for both clubs.
Of course City have had the most which also had me wondering is this a subtle follow up to the amount spent especially with it coinciding with the England game.

This is exactly reason the MEN prints articles that have an anti-City slant. It relies on the lowest common denominator which, at the moment, is the Sky watching Armchair United fan from the Home Counties. There are far more of them than City-supporting Mancunians.

The manner in which the MEN serves its agenda is often quite subtle. For example, after the 7-0 win the other day there was an article online which simply listed the total amount paid for the City squad. In order to deflect claims of bias against City they did the same for the United squad, showing it cost a bit less. It left me wondering what the purpose of the articles were. Most genuine fans of both clubs are aware that City have spent more money than everyone else in the last 5 years so why the need to set out in forensic detail the amount spent on each player? It can only be to draw in the average Joe/ Armchair United fan as it perpetuates the commonly held view that City are "ruining football." The steady stream of comments from all over the world rehearsing this tired mantra at the bottom of the article proves my point.

Unfortunately times have changed since the days of the Pink (now that was a proper sports paper) when the paper prided itself on providing fair and balanced coverage of both teams.
By admitting that the quality of the journalism is now secondary you are sort of agreeing with what the Agenda mob (myself included) have been saying all along .

I find it hard to believe that you have never heard United fans use the "Manchester is Red" argument. If that is the case why, not so long ago, did the MEN conduct a survey about where the fans of each team come from if not to settle the argument in favour of the Reds once and for all?

 

[Bill]

If you don't like what they write, don't read it.

If you don't like what pundits say don't listen to them.

It's quite easy. If you don't hear or read anything bad about us then it won't upset you!

They owe us impartiality. If they are not monitored they will never show that basic right to its public.

they need to have a look at the Mail.

 

[Shirley]

Reds use the M.E.N in the argument "is Manchester more blue or red?" By saying that Manchester's main newspaper prefers them. I've had that said to me on a few occasions so it isn't just crazy City fans..

Do they? I have never heard a single Red use that argument, and I have lived my whole life in and around them, including 95 per cent of my family.
However, I have heard, on a million occasions, Utd fans berating us for being pro-City and anti-United.
Have you ever considered the idea that perhaps both you and they are suffering from the same affliction, that you only see the stuff that backs up your opinion?

-- Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:44 pm --

"I happen to agree with you that newspapers contain too much nonsense, but these things are the fault of the readership, not the newspapers - drivel sells."

Not sure I can get my head around that comment from Stuart. Is it really true that if the readers by a publication which contains a lot of drivel then it's the readers fault.

TV is another example though I suppose.There is so much garbage on there under the reality show heading which seems to appeal to a lot of folk but it really is garbage.

Same argument. Do you think TV companies put on the X factor, or Big Brother, or any of the rest of the shite, to shape people's lives, or do you think they simply provide what the masses want?
Unfortunately, soaps and reality TV are big draws, and so bring in big advertisers.
Newspapers have gone the same way, they have to print what sells, and what draws in adverts.

This is exactly reason the MEN prints articles that have an anti-City slant. It relies on the lowest common denominator which, at the moment, is the Sky watching Armchair United fan from the Home Counties. There are far more of them than City-supporting Mancunians.

The manner in which the MEN serves its agenda is often quite subtle. For example, after the 7-0 win the other day there was an article online which simply listed the total amount paid for the City squad. In order to deflect claims of bias against City they did the same for the United squad, showing it cost a bit less. It left me wondering what the purpose of the articles were. Most genuine fans of both clubs are aware that City have spent more money than everyone else in the last 5 years so why the need to set out in forensic detail the amount spent on each player? It can only be to draw in the average Joe/ Armchair United fan as it perpetuates the commonly held view that City are "ruining football." The steady stream of comments from all over the world rehearsing this tired mantra at the bottom of the article proves my point.

Unfortunately times have changed since the days of the Pink (now that was a proper sports paper) when the paper prided itself on providing fair and balanced coverage of both teams.
By admitting that the quality of the journalism is now secondary you are sort of agreeing with what the Agenda mob (myself included) have been saying all along .

I find it hard to believe that you have never heard United fans use the "Manchester is Red" argument. If that is the case why, not so long ago, did the MEN conduct a survey about where the fans of each team come from if not to settle the argument in favour of the Reds once and for all?

Try again I messed up the last post.

The MEN are now running an article about the number of foreigners who have played for both clubs.
Of course City have had the most which also had me wondering is this a subtle follow up to the amount spent especially with it coinciding with the England game.

 

[blue ranger]

The MEN is and will always be pro united. It always has and always will be. I stopped buying it years ago. Like deniro says, they've resorted to giving it away now. It's a shame really, when Paul Hince etc were there it was a good paper once.

 

[Blue Mist]

Mr Brennan, I looked in on the this thread this morning and it was on page 7 (or there abouts) it is now on page 22. Even if you are correct in everything you have written on this thread can you not see the problem?

The people who are meant to buy the paper don't and are not likely to any time soon. If they continue to hold those views and sales continue to fall the paper will go out of business.

Instead of replying on here to people who don't believe you perhaps your time would be better served by speaking to your editor and telling him what we think.

Was Woolworths the best store on the high street ? I am sure the owners thought it was.
Or perhaps a better example would be the Titanic...............

Just sayin'

 

[jaiguruKun]

Mr Brennan, I looked in on the this thread this morning and it was on page 7 (or there abouts) it is now on page 22. Even if you are correct in everything you have written on this thread can you not see the problem?

The people who are meant to buy the paper don't and are not likely to any time soon. If they continue to hold those views and sales continue to fall the paper will go out of business.

Instead of replying on here to people who don't believe you perhaps your time would be better served by speaking to your editor and telling him what we think.

Was Woolworths the best store on the high street ? I am sure the owners thought it was.
Or perhaps a better example would be the Titanic...............

Just sayin'

You are missing the point. It doesn't need City fans to buy the paper anymore. It is relying on online advertising to break even which means its audience is more diverse. If not a single Blue ever bought the paper again it would probably make little difference to whether it survives or not.

 

[Blue Mist]

Mr Brennan, I looked in on the this thread this morning and it was on page 7 (or there abouts) it is now on page 22. Even if you are correct in everything you have written on this thread can you not see the problem?

The people who are meant to buy the paper don't and are not likely to any time soon. If they continue to hold those views and sales continue to fall the paper will go out of business.

Instead of replying on here to people who don't believe you perhaps your time would be better served by speaking to your editor and telling him what we think.

Was Woolworths the best store on the high street ? I am sure the owners thought it was.
Or perhaps a better example would be the Titanic...............

Just sayin'

You are missing the point. It doesn't need City fans to buy the paper anymore. It is relying on online advertising to break even which means its audience is more diverse. If not a single Blue ever bought the paper again it would probably make little difference to whether it survives or not.

Obviously it is cheaper for them to do an online version and it may well be paying its way, BUT, they still produce a paper version, they are so desperate to keep it in circulation they give it away. They do that to keep advertisers happy. I would have thought the paper would have listened to its former readers (i.e. the ones on here) and looked to change ..... but maybe not.

 

[oakiecokie]

if you have to walk the streets around deansgate giving your product away it smacks of that product being shit. any product.

ask for two and you'll get two, you know, buy none and get one free.

You say that it was your Father who first commented on it being biased,something which has obviously had a bearing on your dislike of the paper.
My Dad also told me there was a Tooth Fairy,Father Christmas,The Troll who lived under the bridge.I made my own mind up about these characters.