MOTD - Media Bias Against City

[london blue 2]

That is surprising! More so as he never mentioned Mario...

[Swales4ever]

Let's play a little game:

publish links to MEN articles which are clearly biased against City and we'll get a league table going. For fun we could see if there are any equally biased against them and gather evidence of the bias that some see and some don't.
Whos first?

To get your game going, here's a positive article that I found thanks to Ted:

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1592340_stuart-brennans-match-report-city-1-swansea-0

You have to keep score now Alex.

I don't know if this can result in any points but the MEN did not print any stories regarding the so called 'unrest' in the squad. Surely that has to be counted as a positive point?

not getting overboard with this because it will turn up and bite us soon - I suspect - but who told that
mancityfans.net football forum ain't influential???

very well done WW, if I am not mistaken, You registered the bloke into the forum.

[Ted Hughes]

BUMP

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... ie?rss=yes


Neil Leigh: City boss could learn a thing or two from Fergie

Neil Leigh

October 30, 2012

In anyone’s language, Manchester City suffered a major communication breakdown as they crashed to a disastrous 3-1 Champions League defeat as they were taken to the cleaners away at Ajax last Wednesday.

These days, of course, the public image that the Blues like to send out tends to be carefully micro-managed to the nth degree.

But peek beneath the facade, however, and it’s plain in any language that things are slightly askew in the Blue corner right now.

Otherwise why would skipper Vincent Kompany have felt obliged to launch a sidesweep at the media after Saturday’s scratchy 1-0 win over Swansea as the Belgian defender sought to quash pre-match talk of a player mutiny against manager Roberto Mancini?

However, the real nub of the issue currently stymieing the Blues was somewhat given away three days earlier by plain-speaking defender Micah Richards deep in the bowels of the Amsterdam ArenA after that Dutch spanking.

Richards revealed that the City players had problems adapting to the three- man defensive system, which Mancini suddenly adopted midway through the game, before adding that the City squad much preferred to operate around a traditional flat back four.

That revealing insight brought a flash of Mancini’s renowned spiky temper to the surface as, not for the first time this season, he slapped a high-profile England star down in public, insisting top players should be able to cope with any system.

It’s all rather unbecoming conduct for the reigning champions, hinting at the fault-lines which are hampering the Blues’ grand designs of building a global dynasty to equal and eclipse that of neighbours United.

However, the real question is why anyone should be surprised that the lines of dialogue appear to be blurred and muddled right now at the Etihad.

For months, Mancini’s weekly Friday press briefings at Carrington have been met by a growing sense of frustration from the massed ranks of the media.

Instead of clarity and insight, the hacks are often treated to a litany of anodyne platitudes.

“It is important to win,” has become one of the regular Mancini mantras, closely followed by another of his favourite soundbites: “It is football.”

Bobby Manc? It’s been more like Bobby Bland at times.

Yes, in his defence, Mancini is speaking in a foreign tongue and, yes, there is more than a suggestion that his command of the Queen’s English is much more rounded than he likes to let on in public.

But the awkward, stilted grammar and robotic football speak carry uncanny echoes of another Italian, Fabio Capello, when he used to hold baffling court with the bemused English press.

Now after guiding City to the FA Cup and Premier League within the space of year, no-one can accuse Mancini of failure.

For now, however, there appears to be a yawning chasm if not in the affections of the Blues supporters, then certainly in those of some of his players.

Maybe Mancini could do worse than heed a lesson from across town. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Glaswegian accent may never have left him but Fergie’s message is always crystal clear and understood.

And when needed, Fergie’s own code of in-house omerta is usually followed to the letter of the law – although of late even he has had problems with the Rio Ferdinand anti-racism T-shirt bust-up.

It’s also telling that when Fergie has trawled for coaching talent from abroad, he has always taken on board people with an excellent command of English such as former Portuguese head coach Carlos Queroz and Dutch guru Rene Meulensteen.

In contrast, Mancini’s latest coaching recruit, Angelo Gregucci – one of a raft of Italian back-room staff brought in to replace home-grown predecessors – hardly speaks a word of English

Maybe next time Mancini could do worse than take a leaf out of Fergie’s book.


Has anyone ever read a bigger pile of blatant, biased, arse kissing, rag PR excuse fucking shite than that ?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

BUMP

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... ie?rss=yes


Neil Leigh: City boss could learn a thing or two from Fergie

Neil Leigh

October 30, 2012

In anyone’s language, Manchester City suffered a major communication breakdown as they crashed to a disastrous 3-1 Champions League defeat as they were taken to the cleaners away at Ajax last Wednesday.

These days, of course, the public image that the Blues like to send out tends to be carefully micro-managed to the nth degree.

But peek beneath the facade, however, and it’s plain in any language that things are slightly askew in the Blue corner right now.

Otherwise why would skipper Vincent Kompany have felt obliged to launch a sidesweep at the media after Saturday’s scratchy 1-0 win over Swansea as the Belgian defender sought to quash pre-match talk of a player mutiny against manager Roberto Mancini?

However, the real nub of the issue currently stymieing the Blues was somewhat given away three days earlier by plain-speaking defender Micah Richards deep in the bowels of the Amsterdam ArenA after that Dutch spanking.

Richards revealed that the City players had problems adapting to the three- man defensive system, which Mancini suddenly adopted midway through the game, before adding that the City squad much preferred to operate around a traditional flat back four.

That revealing insight brought a flash of Mancini’s renowned spiky temper to the surface as, not for the first time this season, he slapped a high-profile England star down in public, insisting top players should be able to cope with any system.

It’s all rather unbecoming conduct for the reigning champions, hinting at the fault-lines which are hampering the Blues’ grand designs of building a global dynasty to equal and eclipse that of neighbours United.

However, the real question is why anyone should be surprised that the lines of dialogue appear to be blurred and muddled right now at the Etihad.

For months, Mancini’s weekly Friday press briefings at Carrington have been met by a growing sense of frustration from the massed ranks of the media.

Instead of clarity and insight, the hacks are often treated to a litany of anodyne platitudes.

“It is important to win,” has become one of the regular Mancini mantras, closely followed by another of his favourite soundbites: “It is football.”

Bobby Manc? It’s been more like Bobby Bland at times.

Yes, in his defence, Mancini is speaking in a foreign tongue and, yes, there is more than a suggestion that his command of the Queen’s English is much more rounded than he likes to let on in public.

But the awkward, stilted grammar and robotic football speak carry uncanny echoes of another Italian, Fabio Capello, when he used to hold baffling court with the bemused English press.

Now after guiding City to the FA Cup and Premier League within the space of year, no-one can accuse Mancini of failure.

For now, however, there appears to be a yawning chasm if not in the affections of the Blues supporters, then certainly in those of some of his players.

Maybe Mancini could do worse than heed a lesson from across town. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Glaswegian accent may never have left him but Fergie’s message is always crystal clear and understood.

And when needed, Fergie’s own code of in-house omerta is usually followed to the letter of the law – although of late even he has had problems with the Rio Ferdinand anti-racism T-shirt bust-up.

It’s also telling that when Fergie has trawled for coaching talent from abroad, he has always taken on board people with an excellent command of English such as former Portuguese head coach Carlos Queroz and Dutch guru Rene Meulensteen.

In contrast, Mancini’s latest coaching recruit, Angelo Gregucci – one of a raft of Italian back-room staff brought in to replace home-grown predecessors – hardly speaks a word of English

Maybe next time Mancini could do worse than take a leaf out of Fergie’s book.


Has anyone ever read a bigger pile of blatant, biased, arse kissing, rag PR excuse fucking shite than that ?

I would appreciate Stuart Brennan's comments on this.

[twosips]

I'm not one for arguments of bias and stuff, but that article is a fucking joke.

Vile crap....would love to read Brennan's thoughts on this shower of shite.

[Alex Sapphire]

BUMP

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... ie?rss=yes


Neil Leigh: City boss could learn a thing or two from Fergie

Neil Leigh

October 30, 2012

In anyone’s language, Manchester City suffered a major communication breakdown as they crashed to a disastrous 3-1 Champions League defeat as they were taken to the cleaners away at Ajax last Wednesday.

These days, of course, the public image that the Blues like to send out tends to be carefully micro-managed to the nth degree.

But peek beneath the facade, however, and it’s plain in any language that things are slightly askew in the Blue corner right now.

Otherwise why would skipper Vincent Kompany have felt obliged to launch a sidesweep at the media after Saturday’s scratchy 1-0 win over Swansea as the Belgian defender sought to quash pre-match talk of a player mutiny against manager Roberto Mancini?

However, the real nub of the issue currently stymieing the Blues was somewhat given away three days earlier by plain-speaking defender Micah Richards deep in the bowels of the Amsterdam ArenA after that Dutch spanking.

Richards revealed that the City players had problems adapting to the three- man defensive system, which Mancini suddenly adopted midway through the game, before adding that the City squad much preferred to operate around a traditional flat back four.

That revealing insight brought a flash of Mancini’s renowned spiky temper to the surface as, not for the first time this season, he slapped a high-profile England star down in public, insisting top players should be able to cope with any system.

It’s all rather unbecoming conduct for the reigning champions, hinting at the fault-lines which are hampering the Blues’ grand designs of building a global dynasty to equal and eclipse that of neighbours United.

However, the real question is why anyone should be surprised that the lines of dialogue appear to be blurred and muddled right now at the Etihad.

For months, Mancini’s weekly Friday press briefings at Carrington have been met by a growing sense of frustration from the massed ranks of the media.

Instead of clarity and insight, the hacks are often treated to a litany of anodyne platitudes.

“It is important to win,” has become one of the regular Mancini mantras, closely followed by another of his favourite soundbites: “It is football.”

Bobby Manc? It’s been more like Bobby Bland at times.

Yes, in his defence, Mancini is speaking in a foreign tongue and, yes, there is more than a suggestion that his command of the Queen’s English is much more rounded than he likes to let on in public.

But the awkward, stilted grammar and robotic football speak carry uncanny echoes of another Italian, Fabio Capello, when he used to hold baffling court with the bemused English press.

Now after guiding City to the FA Cup and Premier League within the space of year, no-one can accuse Mancini of failure.

For now, however, there appears to be a yawning chasm if not in the affections of the Blues supporters, then certainly in those of some of his players.

Maybe Mancini could do worse than heed a lesson from across town. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Glaswegian accent may never have left him but Fergie’s message is always crystal clear and understood.

And when needed, Fergie’s own code of in-house omerta is usually followed to the letter of the law – although of late even he has had problems with the Rio Ferdinand anti-racism T-shirt bust-up.

It’s also telling that when Fergie has trawled for coaching talent from abroad, he has always taken on board people with an excellent command of English such as former Portuguese head coach Carlos Queroz and Dutch guru Rene Meulensteen.

In contrast, Mancini’s latest coaching recruit, Angelo Gregucci – one of a raft of Italian back-room staff brought in to replace home-grown predecessors – hardly speaks a word of English

Maybe next time Mancini could do worse than take a leaf out of Fergie’s book.


Has anyone ever read a bigger pile of blatant, biased, arse kissing, rag PR excuse fucking shite than that ?

I would appreciate Stuart Brennan's comments on this.

is that the same NeilLeighwho wrote this:

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1499453_is-manchester-citys-late-title-comeback-the-greatest-of-all

City's incredible injury-time comeback to seal their first league title in 44 years will enter the annals as arguably the greatest comeback of all time. But where does it rank in terms of overall great late shows?

M.E.N. Sport’s Neil Leigh weighs up some of the notable contenders...

City v Gillingham (1999)

The Blues have been here before, of course. Those of a nervous Etihad disposition will need little reminding of the dramatic finale at Wembley in May 1999 when City’s Division Two play-off final with Gillingham appeared to be heading for disaster.

With time almost up, Joe Royle’s side seemed destined for at least another season in English football’s third tier after Carl Asaba and Robert Taylor had given the Gills a
2-0 lead.

They reckoned without the Blues’ never-say-die spirit, however, and when Kevin Horlock struck in injury time, City were given a lifeline.

That set the scene for a remarkable equaliser from Paul Dickov in the 95th minute which, until Sergio Aguero’s late winner yesterday, had gone down in City folklore as arguably the most important goal the club had ever scored. It earned Royle’s side a second shot at redemption via a penalty shoot-out which they went on to win 3-1. The rest is history...

Tottenham v City (2004)

City made national headlines again in January 2004 after storming back from 3-0 down to beat Spurs 4-3 in an FA Cup fourth round replay at White Hart Lane despite being down to 10 men.

The Londoners looked home and dry at half-time after goals from Ledley King, Robbie Keane and Christian Ziege especially with Joey Barton – where have we heard that before? – being sent off. Sylvain Distin’s strike appeared a consolation but then Paul Bosvelt gave City renewed hope. And a dramatic finale was completed when first Shaun Wright-Phillips equalised before Jon Macken headed home the winner.

United v Bayern Munich (1999)

Until yesterday at the Etihad, never has a team, and fans alike, been transformed from the feeling of such despair and desperation to that of sheer bliss and ecstasy in such a short space of time.

Mario Basler gave the Germans the lead and, despite hitting the woodwork twice, that was how it stayed towards stoppage time.
Manchester City 3 QPR 2: Blues win the Premier League

Roberto Mancini salutes 'incredible' Manchester City title victory

United, however, had not read the script. A David Beckham corner found Ryan Giggs, whose mis-hit shot fell to sub Teddy Sheringham who placed it into the bottom corner.

Before Bayern even had time to regroup, United had another corner with fellow sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting the final touch.

It secured not only the Champions League for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men but also the unique prize of the Treble – a Herculean feat never repeated since.

Liverpool v Arsenal (1989)

Arsenal needed to win by two goals at Anfield to deny Liverpool the title and take the trophy back to Highbury but by the final moments they led only by an Alan Smith header.

The Gunners had time for a late attack, though, and Michael Thomas flicked a finish beyond Bruce Grobbelaar, performing a forward roll in celebration.

Liverpool v Ac Millan (2005)

Liverpool headed into the changing rooms 3-0 down at half-time and seemingly the losers in the Champions League final.

However, three goals in the space of just seven minutes levelled things before keeper Jerzy Dudek took it upon himself as he denied Andriy Shevchenko in the penalty shoot-out with
his ‘spaghetti legs’ to win the trophy for Liverpool.

[Cocacolajojo1]

2-1?

[Alex Sapphire]

talking about challenging the managers tactics:

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1592331_manchester-united-fan-80-prompts-sir-alex-ferguson-to-change-tactics-ahead-of-reds-clash-with-chelsea

Former player and MUTV panellist David May bantered with Margaret for three minutes about Sir Alex's tactics during the Thursday Focus show.

She added: “It isn’t entertaining when you’re 80 years old to watch goals going in from the other side. I don’t like it. It’s going to give me a heart attack and I’m 80. You wouldn’t like to give me a heart attack, would you?

“I have an opinion and it’s certainly not the diamond. They don’t know what to do — they run around like lost sheep.

[Burt]

I like many others would like to see Stuart Brennan explain this away with his usual excuses. Not a pro Rag paper my arse!!!

and it’s plain in any language that things are slightly askew in the Blue corner right now.

as the Belgian defender sought to quash pre-match talk of a player mutiny against manager Roberto Mancini?

hinting at the fault-lines which are hampering the Blues’ grand designs of building a global dynasty to equal and eclipse that of neighbours United.

Bobby Manc? It’s been more like Bobby Bland at times.

Maybe Mancini could do worse than heed a lesson from across town. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Glaswegian accent may never have left him but Fergie’s message is always crystal clear and understood.

It’s also telling that when Fergie has trawled for coaching talent from abroad, he has always taken on board people with an excellent command of English


Maybe next time Mancini could do worse than take a leaf out of Fergie’s book.

[Original Dub]

Absolute rag bias reporting once again. Embarrassingly so. Come on stuart, help us out here?

[Alex Sapphire]

he may point you to anti united stuff like this:
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1584173_why-robin-van-persie-would-be-crazy-to-pick-manchester-united-over-manchester-city

Van Persie, like every other football lover in the country, will have sat down to watch the Manchester derby on April 30, as City and United tussled for supremacy at the pinnacle of English football.

Like everyone else who saw that game, he must have got the distinct impression that he was watching a fading empire being overthrown by a thrusting new power.

United looked weak, timid and suffering from an inferiority complex, nothing like the Reds of old. City, without playing particularly well, looked like a team on a mission, brimming with determination and a sense of destiny.

United, constricted by their debt and the Glazer family’s attempts to find ways of paying it off, could quite easily become the new Arsenal, unable to match the big clubs in spending power, and clinging to past glories.

[Swales4ever]

Does this shite only add more to the unique taste of being a feeling Blue?

honestly, I happened to wonder how I'd feel if I happened to become a Juventus or Manure fan? sounded like having an orgasm in 15 seconds and 3 bumps.
keep on laughing and history will talk.
Slur though, maybe the greatest (Brian Clough, Rinus Michels permitting) manager ever as much as a hypocrite bastard of rare grade. no wonder he has plenty of sycophants around.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Someone needs to inform the degenerate that wrote the article that our club aspires to be like Barcelona. Not the poisonous, cheating piss-can led scum at the theatre of american banjo-playing shopping-mall owners.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Someone needs to inform the degenerate that wrote the article that our club aspires to be like Barcelona. Not the poisonous, cheating piss-can led scum at the theatre of american banjo-playing shopping-mall owners.

Nice.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Someone needs to inform the degenerate that wrote the article that our club aspires to be like Barcelona. Not the poisonous, cheating piss-can led scum at the theatre of american banjo-playing shopping-mall owners.

Nice.

Stuart Brennan's response to Neil Leigh's words:

"As for Neil Leigh's piece, it is written in a weekly column intended to be provocative and strong - there have been pieces in it which have commented on problems at United as well.
Don't hide your head in the sand - what Richards said DID reveal a problem. No-one at City has denied that - what they got angry at was the national papers' suggestion that there was mutiny afoot.
Neil's take on it is fair comment, if you ask me, even if I don't entirely agree with him"

So there you are,what Neil said is fair comment as far as Stuart is concerned although of course he doesn't deal with any of the specifics apart from the one he thought he felt he could partly justify. Sorry Stuart but for me some of the positives you might have gained by coming onto the forums has just been lost by that response.

[Beefymcfc]

Someone needs to inform the degenerate that wrote the article that our club aspires to be like Barcelona. Not the poisonous, cheating piss-can led scum at the theatre of american banjo-playing shopping-mall owners.

Nice.

Stuart Brennan's response to Neil Leigh's words:

"As for Neil Leigh's piece, it is written in a weekly column intended to be provocative and strong - there have been pieces in it which have commented on problems at United as well.
Don't hide your head in the sand - what Richards said DID reveal a problem. No-one at City has denied that - what they got angry at was the national papers' suggestion that there was mutiny afoot.
Neil's take on it is fair comment, if you ask me, even if I don't entirely agree with him"

So there you are,what Neil said is fair comment as far as Stuart is concerned although of course he doesn't deal with any of the specifics apart from the one he thought he felt he could partly justify. Sorry Stuart but for me some of the positives you might have gained by coming onto the forums has just been lost by that response.

Hard-hitting investigative journalism, that's what they are all about.

PS. Where did you get that from; PM?

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Someone needs to inform the degenerate that wrote the article that our club aspires to be like Barcelona. Not the poisonous, cheating piss-can led scum at the theatre of american banjo-playing shopping-mall owners.

Nice.

Stuart Brennan's response to Neil Leigh's words:

"As for Neil Leigh's piece, it is written in a weekly column intended to be provocative and strong - there have been pieces in it which have commented on problems at United as well.
Don't hide your head in the sand - what Richards said DID reveal a problem. No-one at City has denied that - what they got angry at was the national papers' suggestion that there was mutiny afoot.
Neil's take on it is fair comment, if you ask me, even if I don't entirely agree with him"

So there you are,what Neil said is fair comment as far as Stuart is concerned although of course he doesn't deal with any of the specifics apart from the one he thought he felt he could partly justify. Sorry Stuart but for me some of the positives you might have gained by coming onto the forums has just been lost by that response.

Hard-hitting investigative journalism, that's what they are all about.

PS. Where did you get that from; PM?

Bluemoon, mate. Stuart Brennan's on there now. Here's the link:

http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewt ... 1&start=70

[stuart brennan]

I'm not going to post any more on this thread, as I don't want to wander between here and Blue Moon.
But the fact someone posted Neil Leigh's article proves my point.
Why did no-one post my article with Vincent Kompany? (it was my interview that had him laying into journalists, and I gave it to the City website).
Why did no-one post my match report from last night's paper, which strongly defended City?
Then, as soon as something with a negative City vibe comes along, it gets pounced on as proof.

Is it because some people are not trying to find out if there actually is balance, but rather trying to prove their opinion, that the MEN is unbalanced and anti-City?

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

I'm not going to post any more on this thread, as I don't want to wander between here and Blue Moon.
But the fact someone posted Neil Leigh's article proves my point.
Why did no-one post my article with Vincent Kompany? (it was my interview that had him laying into journalists, and I gave it to the City website).
Why did no-one post my match report from last night's paper, which strongly defended City?
Then, as soon as something with a negative City vibe comes along, it gets pounced on as proof.

Is it because some people are not trying to find out if there actually is balance, but rather trying to prove their opinion, that the MEN is unbalanced and anti-City?

I don't think anyone's accusing you of bias, Stuart. I certainly think you're an excellent reporter on City. But your paper (generally) shows us in a poorer light than it does united (and sometimes gratuitously so). As a local Manchester paper, local Manchester people are entitled to take exception to that.

[mr_nool]

I'm not going to post any more on this thread, as I don't want to wander between here and Blue Moon.
But the fact someone posted Neil Leigh's article proves my point.
Why did no-one post my article with Vincent Kompany? (it was my interview that had him laying into journalists, and I gave it to the City website).
Why did no-one post my match report from last night's paper, which strongly defended City?
Then, as soon as something with a negative City vibe comes along, it gets pounced on as proof.

Is it because some people are not trying to find out if there actually is balance, but rather trying to prove their opinion, that the MEN is unbalanced and anti-City?

Stuart, your match report was posted (and applauded) at the bottom of the previous page. The Kompany article has its own thread, although only with links to the OS and no mention of you or the MEN.