I may not be able to articulate this properly and it may end up sounding like a whinge - but here goes (hard hat on!)…..
City have received an avalanche of criticism and negativity in the press over the last 6 years ranging from the sensational to the absurd. Contrast our treatment with this season’s media treatment of Utd – it is startling.
Last summer, Utd spent approx. £150m which is the same money that City and Chelsea spent in their biggest spending window (season 10/11 and 03/04 respectively). Utd are now, officially, “the most expensive squad ever assembled in the history of British football".
When City held that sobriquet it was constantly mentioned, every game, every article, and the media demanded of both Mancini and Pellegrini that in their first season, anything less than the title would be a disaster! This season, media expectation has consistently been, “Utd are in a period of transition, top 4 would be a great result for them". The reality is (and these comments are from Utd fans); performances have been utterly dire, the players lack conviction and passion, they appear to lack a plan, team selections are often baffling and Van Gaal appears clueless on how to address these issues.
But still, the lack of media criticism is deafening.
Even the TV commentary during Utd games stays positive. For 60 minutes against Yeovil, Utd barely had a shot at goal let alone one on target, but it was Yeovil’s doggedness that the commentary focussed on rather than Utds lack of guile to break them down. It was the 60 places between the 2 teams that was fleetingly mentioned rather than “the most expensive squad ever assembled in the history of British football" is utterly clueless against a Yeovil team costing less than Utd lowest paid squad member’s weekly wage.
Same against Southampton yesterday - “the most expensive squad ever assembled in British football" had not a single shot on target at home while having 60-odd % of meaningless, sideways and backwards possession and resorted to hoof-ball into the box for the last 20 minutes. When Fellaini came on, the commentator even announced his entrance as if it was an ‘ingenious’ tactic rather than one of last-gasp desperation because “the most expensive squad ever assembled in the history of British football" hadn’t a clue how to open up Southampton by actually playing football.
For non-City fans, next time you watch a City game on TV, just note how the commentary always focusses on City’s poorness rather than the opposition’s goodness. Dogged defence by the opposition is presented as poor City play failing to break them down. Great attacking play by the opposition is presented as poor defending from City.
You see, it’s insidious, it’s subtle but it’s obvious when you realise it and it’s constant - is it any wonder we get so p *** sed off about it.
Am I wrong?
It’s insidious and it’s subtle
posted on 12/1/15
comment by Boris 'Inky' Gibson (U5901)
posted 10 minutes ago
"Angel, what first attracted you to United with their fabulous wage structure?"
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this!
posted on 12/1/15
comment by Bell-CTID (U3991)
posted 25 minutes ago
comment by Robben #20 (U1145)
posted 55 seconds ago
comment by Bell-CTID (U3991)
posted 15 seconds ago
comment by Robben #20 (U1145)
posted 1 minute ago
United are an established world force, therefore you can't blame good players for wanting to join. Joining a shítty little club for money, is mercenary
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Thanks Robby for that pile of c r a p response (I expect the emoticon was an attempt to make it a tongue in cheek comment).
Perhaps MancWoohoo meant to mention all 4 Utd mercenaries who joined you in the summer:
Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Ander Herrera (Athletico Bilbao)
Falcao (Monaco)
Daley Blind (Ajax)
All of whom joined from clubs qualified for CL football this season for a non-CL football club paying astounding wages.
Not mercenaries though, probably for the love of the club they supported when they were kids (oh, and the history)!
.........................................
Blimey, I forgot to also mention:
Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon)
Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
sorry for that oversight!
posted on 12/1/15
Nasri's won 3 winners and 2 runners-up medals since he moved to City and the Gooners still call him a 'merc'.
posted on 12/1/15
All these footballers are professionals, ie they play for money. To state the bleedin obvious if some one offers to double your salary you would need a good reason not to move.
In that sense all the players mentioned are 'mercenary' just like the rest of us.
One difference between the two sets of fans is that most United fans are proud their club has money and wants to spend it. Most City fans ( on here ) are defensive about Citys money and their spending.
posted on 12/1/15
We're defensive because we are criticised for it whilst other clubs can spend money like drunken sailors and the media either label it as 'rebuilding' or 'being ambitious'.
posted on 12/1/15
I'd like to be a mercenary
The article is a little over the top, but, it's not without merit. The media (collectively and certain individuals) has a fair bit of bias in how they shape perception of clubs and players.
posted on 12/1/15
How many packets of noodles do Mercenary United need to sell in order to buy off agent van Gaal's contract?
posted on 13/1/15
comment by Paulpowersleftfoot #wewentagain (U1037)
posted 22 hours, 51 minutes ago
I think a lot of the media negativity Weve brought upon ourselves to a degree
From the sheer arrogance of mark Hughes pursuit of Jolean Lescott,Gary Cookes appalling treatment of nedum's morher and his boastful demeanour on camera,the shabby way Mancini was ousted etc
None of it has ever sat right with me.thats really not the football club I've grown up following,
A journalist has an option to put a negative,positive or balanced article together,with City being a relatively small target audience it's in the interest of whichever media outlet to get the most clicks so as you see with the usual garbage that comes from a dirge like The Mail,you only have to read the spiteful comments from utd fans from all over the world to know who is the target audience.
Similarly with the Lampard saga,there should never have been any hidden agenda and one so clearly going to be uncovered. Citys PR team run by Vicky Kloss is just a disaster area and they can take a lot of blame for the negativity
Rival fans may scoff at the perceived paranoia but what's in the op is indeed correct,without question
Only Henry Winter and Martin Samuels I would suggest write balanced pieces about City without any negativity but as for the rest,the usual faces on Sunday Supplememt,I'd have to say as distasteful as they are,we've almost certainly fed them
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Just one point Paul...."......write balanced pieces about City without any negativity......" if they are without any negativity then can they be considered balanced?
posted on 13/1/15
"Hart Blunder Leaves City's Title Hope In Tatters"
That was one headline after the Everton game. An away point on a treacherous January afternoon would be welcomed by most clubs in January at one of their bogey grounds and if we fail to retain the title it won't be regarded as a pivotel game.
posted on 15/1/15
Joe Hart gained you 3 points against Everton in 2 games especially with the Lukaku saves in both games.
I always used to find it funny De Gea used to get slated like that when he first came but saved a ton of shots in the same game like first away day at west brom.