Commentators preconceptions of games we play

[Cocacolajojo1]

This is something I've been thinking about for quite some time and it's a bit related to the perceived and real bias against us in the media.

Now I couldn't watch the end of yesterdays game so I watched some clip from MOTD to see Yaya's freekick (what an excellent freekick by the way). And the commentator says something like "it's in off the bar and it means the end of Hull Tiger's defiance". What? Defiance? And I had noticed the same during the entire game, how the commentators and studio experts were a bit astounded and baffled by the fact that we were steamrollering Hull into a 5-0 scoresheet or summat. And it's such a boring way to talk about football and such a condescendent way to diminish the efforts of Hull Tigers.

I mean, they played a game, they weren't just a supporting roll in our league game, and the commentators and the people in the studie are all focusing primarily on how City are not playing at their standards. Being a Hull-fan I'd be infuriated with that sort of language, where the effort of the Hull team is mostly talked about in City's failings, not Hull's positive and productive efforts in stressing our midfield ball-possession. FOr example. And it continued throughout the game and it was confirmed in the Beeb commentry. Defiance? City have no god-given right to win every game and Hull are not defiant in any way in trying to win the game or battling out a draw or whatever.

I mean there are differences in resources and there's difference in quality within each squad, factors that will have an impact over the course of a season, but that doesn't matter in this game. But in this and in many other games when we play opposition from I guess... 6th position and down, the commentators are describing the games from the preconceived notion that we should pound any team and that they would be lucky to get a point. And that showed for example yesterday when the match commentry was more focused on our failure to live up to their preconcieved notion of how the game "should play out" rather than how it actually played out.

I mean, of course we as fans can discuss the shortcomings of our own team until kingdom come but to have such a onesided angle of a game on the Telly, the david vs the goliath (and then focusing on how the Goliath isn't getting hold of David's slingshot), and never give that up and give a lot of credit to Hull is... I think sad. And then to call their effort defiant... like they have no right to win at our stadium... is depressing.

The PL is always being talked about as a competetive league where you get nothing free. The press-coverage on the other hand is extremely aristocratic.

[Ted Hughes]

It's always been like that.

We used to be the team that didn' t get a mention whilst they discussed the problems of Liverpool ( or even Newcastle, Leeds etc).

The same game played out by the rags usually ends with their 'class showing through' & ' the sign of a good team is winning games like these, you find a way' cue sagelike nodding before moving on...

[Original Dub]

Every second minute yesterday, they were "amazed" and "really shocked" with how the game was going.

The funny thing is they'll be even more amazed and shocked if it happens again next time.

And here's me thinking folk get less shocked when a one off turns into a pattern.

[Cocacolajojo1]

It's always been like that.

We used to be the team that didn' t get a mention whilst they discussed the problems of Liverpool ( or even Newcastle, Leeds etc).

The same game played out by the rags usually ends with their 'class showing through' & ' the sign of a good team is winning games like these, you find a way' cue sagelike nodding before moving on...

It's annoying though isn't it? I mean what happened with loving the underdog?

[Beefymcfc]

It's a big story if we lose and not if we win. There's still a lot of hate out there from the former Sky 4 lovers and it takes time to change perceptions. Contrast yesterdays coverage to what we are hearing now during the Dipper v Rags game. It's a good game and Liverpool have played really well but the commentators seem to be wanting the Rags to score, they seem to be anticipating it and going very quiet when you'd think they should be saying something.

As long as it keeps the armchair fan tuning in and paying the money then there'll keep on doing it.

[Tokyo Blue]

It's a big story if we lose and not if we win. There's still a lot of hate out there from the former Sky 4 lovers and it takes time to change perceptions. Contrast yesterdays coverage to what we are hearing now during the Dipper v Rags game. It's a good game and Liverpool have played really well but the commentators seem to be wanting the Rags to score, they seem to be anticipating it and going very quiet when you'd think they should be saying something.

As long as it keeps the armchair fan tuning in and paying the money then there'll keep on doing it.

How many times have you heard things along the lines of "And it's former Manchester City player Daniel Sturridge who torments their rivals united", in the filth v scouse match, mate? I ask because I lost count of how many times I was reminded that fraizer fucking campbell used to play for them.

Yes, it is something small but it's noticeable.

[Beefymcfc]

It's a big story if we lose and not if we win. There's still a lot of hate out there from the former Sky 4 lovers and it takes time to change perceptions. Contrast yesterdays coverage to what we are hearing now during the Dipper v Rags game. It's a good game and Liverpool have played really well but the commentators seem to be wanting the Rags to score, they seem to be anticipating it and going very quiet when you'd think they should be saying something.

As long as it keeps the armchair fan tuning in and paying the money then there'll keep on doing it.

How many times have you heard things along the lines of "And it's former Manchester City player Daniel Sturridge who torments their rivals united", in the filth v scouse match, mate? I ask because I lost count of how many times I was reminded that fraizer fucking campbell used to play for them.

Yes, it is something small but it's noticeable.

I know mate. I'm sure I heard them say that players always score against their former club on their birthday! I could be wrong though, I wasn't actually taking notice at the time but I did do a double take.

What made me laugh yesterday was Sky were doing a short piece on Cardiff and whilst flicking from one interview to another they showed Frazer's goal 3 times, within the space of 1 minute. That's astounding even for Sky.

[SkyBlueSteve]

I usually don't pay much attention to talk of media bias but i have to say i completely agree with you, i couldn't believe how they talked about the game and Hull's performance as some kind of miracle. Its the exact same attitude as Moyes when he cried about Scums opening fixture list, complete disrespect for any team that doesn't have aspirations of the top 4. In my opinion the competitive nature of all the teams involved is what separates the Premier League for many other European top flights. I don't mind analysis of City's performance and highlighting errors but for both the Hull and Cardiff games the media went way too over the top, i think it belittles the opposition teams and puts unnecessary pressure on City when we are only 3 games into a new season.

[Tokyo Blue]

I usually don't pay much attention to talk of media bias but i have to say i completely agree with you, i couldn't believe how they talked about the game and Hull's performance as some kind of miracle. Its the exact same attitude as Moyes when he cried about Scums opening fixture list, complete disrespect for any team that doesn't have aspirations of the top 4. In my opinion the competitive nature of all the teams involved is what separates the Premier League for many other European top flights. I don't mind analysis of City's performance and highlighting errors but for both the Hull and Cardiff games the media went way too over the top, i think it belittles the opposition teams and puts unnecessary pressure on City when we are only 3 games into a new season.

Good post, Steve.

Whether the pressure is unnecessary, though, depends on who you actually want to win, if you see my point.

[SkyBlueSteve]

Good post, Steve.

Whether the pressure is unnecessary, though, depends on who you actually want to win, if you see my point.

True, i guess thats just what comes with our club challenging for titles,

[Tokyo Blue]

Good post, Steve.

Whether the pressure is unnecessary, though, depends on who you actually want to win, if you see my point.

True, i guess thats just what comes with our club challenging for titles,

Is neutrality from the media in this age of spin and manipulation too much to expect?

[john@staustell]

I was quite amused by the Martin Tyler comment yesterday "the end of David Moyes' unbeaten record".

Some fuckin record!

[Wonderwall]

I was quite amused by the Martin Tyler comment yesterday "the end of David Moyes' unbeaten record".

Some fuckin record!

W1 D1 L1 - Amazeballs LOL

[Slim]

It's a big story if we lose and not if we win. There's still a lot of hate out there from the former Sky 4 lovers and it takes time to change perceptions. Contrast yesterdays coverage to what we are hearing now during the Dipper v Rags game. It's a good game and Liverpool have played really well but the commentators seem to be wanting the Rags to score, they seem to be anticipating it and going very quiet when you'd think they should be saying something.

As long as it keeps the armchair fan tuning in and paying the money then there'll keep on doing it.

How many times have you heard things along the lines of "And it's former Manchester City player Daniel Sturridge who torments their rivals united", in the filth v scouse match, mate? I ask because I lost count of how many times I was reminded that fraizer fucking campbell used to play for them.

Yes, it is something small but it's noticeable.

For years we had "former Manchester United player Shaun Goater", don't think things have changed that much.

[Tokyo Blue]

For years we had "former Manchester United player Shaun Goater", don't think things have changed that much.

Ha ha, that always did make me smile.