da betano casino： The media are such a fickle bunch aren’t they? Lauding and praising players, managers and clubs one minute, hammering them, calling for their heads and writing them off the next. To some degree, the very nature of the work in the footballing world demands this type of schizophrenic opinion. Although one would hope for a more balanced opinion, it is virtually impossible in a world where hidden agendas are set and needed to be met.
da jogodeouro： Take the ‘big club’ rule. It is a well known fact that more coverage in the media is afforded to these ‘lucky’ few. It is also a fact, however unfair it may seem, that news at one of these big club sells more papers, gains more viewers and garners more interest, than news occurring at clubs who aren’t deemed worthy enough to be in the grand spotlight of, say for example, the ‘Big Four ©SkySports (TM)’. So, in order to meet this demand (and sell more stuff) it is in the medias very own interests to promote, champion, and dare I say, support, these clubs.
It is even said to extend onto the pitch. How many times have we heard managers from clubs who aren’t part of the ‘in-crowd’ state their team isn’t afforded the same ‘generosity’ from referees during the course of 90-minutes. It’s certainly been part of Mick McCarthy’s (to name but one) repertoire of post-match interviews in the past! Flimsy excuses or paranoia? Or does he have a point? That is a debate for another time. Remaining on the pitch, whenever a ‘big club’ has been beaten by so called ‘lesser’ opposition, how often do the media report with a slant of bias towards their ‘favoured’ club? How many defeats does it actually take to rule out one of their ‘favoured’ clubs from the title race, no matter how far behind they are? A lot, actually. You see, SkySports, and to some extent certain tabloids, can’t disrupt their promotional machine, heavens forbid! I mean, what would happen to their ‘Super Sunday!’ or ‘Grandstand Sunday!’ or ‘Super-duper Splendourific Sunday!’or whatever they’re calling it this season?? Nothing can disrupt that. Not even being 15-points behind the top-spot post-Christmas with no sign of form to suggest a mighty resurgence.
Over the years we’ve seen it occur with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. ‘It’s still mathematically possible, don’t write them off just yet’ is a common phrase that’s used time and again, still keen to promote sales and interest. You expect it from the most optimistic (or delusional!) fan, but at least that can be accepted through their loyal and rose-tinted support. But coming from the media just serves to annoy a large majority of fans who aren’t stupid. The last two seasons events in the Premier League have led to quite entertaining/pathetic (choose which fits your mood) viewing on Sky Sports as their ‘Big Four ©SkySports (TM)’ has been ‘infiltrated’ by other teams. You could imagine the confused looks going around the studios as they thought ‘Who do we promote now?’, with Liverpool’s demise now resurgence, Tottenham’s rise and fall, and now the massive-money phenomenon that is Manchester City. ‘We have too many teams for our ‘big four’!’
Sky’s head honchos best get on the blower to Michel Platini and tell them the Premier League now needs the top SIX to be able to qualify for the Champions League. Then they can promote all six clubs until their hearts content, attempting to pull the wool over our eyes in stating all six can win the league no matter how far behind some inevitably fall, and set the fixtures to be able to unveil…..’SuperSix Sensational Sublime Sunday!’, for ten Sunday’s a season. You heard it here first…
If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!