Barcelonic
16-08-2009, 12:48 PM
I know I've discussed this before with many members but we are now in a different season and the madness is ongoing it seems.
Phil McNulty of the BBC has written brief summaries of how he feels each side will fare in this season's Premier League, and in his generally favourable commentary of Liverpool's chances it appears he couldn't resist revisiting the bias press remarks against Rafa Benitez: "Liverpool's title hopes rest on manager Rafael Benitez refusing to become distracted by Manchester United, as he did so pointlessly last season."
Why is it that any manager can use the press to play mind games on other managers in an attempt to psychologically disturb them ahead of an important game, so much so that even Football Manager games allow for this as a standard part of modern football, yet when Rafa Benitez uses the press in such a way he is "distracted" or has lost control in some way?
We can't call Everton a small club without major criticism but United can label City a small club and no-one in the media has anything to say. Last season Rafa made remarks about Manchester United being hypocritical and Alex Ferguson getting preferential treatment over other managers - a valid remark you might argue, but Alex Ferguson responded to say that Rafa should concentrate on his own team's success (a statement used many a time by Rafa and other managers in the game) and the press leaped to Fergie's aid, labelling Rafa a crackpot who is feeling the pressures of the title race and couldn't control his anger!
I'm sorry but this a clear media bias against Liverpool and I will not ever see it as anything else. I'd like to know other people's thoughts on this because now this has reached the realm of BBC blogger Phil "McNutty" - a man who's opinions I usually respect as being utterly professional.
On the plus side (and yes I wouldn't leave you without a positive), this blogger has stated his belief that Liverpool will win the title this year. This is a statement that stirs my optimism but doesn't completely win me over. I personally still feel that a lot depends on our success this season, and I have to concede that Chelsea seem the strongers challengers this season, despite their little hiccup against Hull last night.
Anyway I'd be very interested to know people's thoughts on Phil's questionable predictions, and I'm sure you'll all post your feelings about the media attitude to Rafa as well. All I can say is that Rafa's comments last season were nothing special as the media would claim, and certainly had no effect whatsoever on the performance of Liverpool in the league. So I have to dispute Phil McNulty's comments about Liverpool's chances this season resting on whether Rafa can "keep it together", which is what the nutty blogger is suggesting.
Source (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnul...er_united.html)
Phil McNulty of the BBC has written brief summaries of how he feels each side will fare in this season's Premier League, and in his generally favourable commentary of Liverpool's chances it appears he couldn't resist revisiting the bias press remarks against Rafa Benitez: "Liverpool's title hopes rest on manager Rafael Benitez refusing to become distracted by Manchester United, as he did so pointlessly last season."
Why is it that any manager can use the press to play mind games on other managers in an attempt to psychologically disturb them ahead of an important game, so much so that even Football Manager games allow for this as a standard part of modern football, yet when Rafa Benitez uses the press in such a way he is "distracted" or has lost control in some way?
We can't call Everton a small club without major criticism but United can label City a small club and no-one in the media has anything to say. Last season Rafa made remarks about Manchester United being hypocritical and Alex Ferguson getting preferential treatment over other managers - a valid remark you might argue, but Alex Ferguson responded to say that Rafa should concentrate on his own team's success (a statement used many a time by Rafa and other managers in the game) and the press leaped to Fergie's aid, labelling Rafa a crackpot who is feeling the pressures of the title race and couldn't control his anger!
I'm sorry but this a clear media bias against Liverpool and I will not ever see it as anything else. I'd like to know other people's thoughts on this because now this has reached the realm of BBC blogger Phil "McNutty" - a man who's opinions I usually respect as being utterly professional.
On the plus side (and yes I wouldn't leave you without a positive), this blogger has stated his belief that Liverpool will win the title this year. This is a statement that stirs my optimism but doesn't completely win me over. I personally still feel that a lot depends on our success this season, and I have to concede that Chelsea seem the strongers challengers this season, despite their little hiccup against Hull last night.
Anyway I'd be very interested to know people's thoughts on Phil's questionable predictions, and I'm sure you'll all post your feelings about the media attitude to Rafa as well. All I can say is that Rafa's comments last season were nothing special as the media would claim, and certainly had no effect whatsoever on the performance of Liverpool in the league. So I have to dispute Phil McNulty's comments about Liverpool's chances this season resting on whether Rafa can "keep it together", which is what the nutty blogger is suggesting.
Source (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnul...er_united.html)