Talking bollocks, with Chris Bascombe

[Shaggy]

Shocking aint it mate. I am forever saying this to my wife and she reckons I am being paranoid.

I don't lose any sleep over it but it does annoy me slightly. I don't think it's to do with hating LFC - I think most of it is borne out of a gross disrespect and dislike amongst the media for Benitez, but I have no idea why as he's such a charming fella. Is it a xenophobic thing? Is it because they criticise him incessantly and yet he never, ever bows to their ****e and is steadfastly his own man? Is it because he so often makes them look stupid? I don't really get it, but I do know for a fact that they would never dare talk to or about Ferguson in the same way they do Rafa.

I do think, however, that there are a number of bitter ex-pros currently in the media who have harboured a dislike for us since their playing days, when our penchant for winning everything in sight meant their trophy cabinets were extremely threadbare.

[1 True Red]

I don't lose any sleep over it but it does annoy me slightly. I don't think it's to do with hating LFC - I think most of it is borne out of a gross disrespect and dislike amongst the media for Benitez, but I have no idea why as he's such a charming fella. Is it a xenophobic thing? Is it because they criticise him incessantly and yet he never, ever bows to their ****e and is steadfastly his own man? Is it because he so often makes them look stupid? I don't really get it, but I do know for a fact that they would never dare talk to or about Ferguson in the same way they do Rafa.

I do think, however, that there are a number of bitter ex-pros currently in the media who have harboured a dislike for us since their playing days, when our penchant for winning everything in sight meant their trophy cabinets were extremely threadbare.

Spot on Shaggy

[blacky]

I do think, however, that there are a number of bitter ex-pros currently in the media who have harboured a dislike for us since their playing days, when our penchant for winning everything in sight meant their trophy cabinets were extremely threadbare.

Spot on Shaggy and the powers that be who run and report for these media machines are IMO from the generation that grew up in the 70's and 80's when we were dominating football at home and in Europe.

[Joe King]

It's funny how no one (except Shaggy) seems to really be mentioning how **** Berbatov (£30m!!!) has done so far at the mancs. What is it, 2 league goals? Keane on the other hand....

Very good point. But then Berbatov is a 'classy player' with a 'great touch'

[Craig_H]

I can almost guarantee you, if United dont win the league and Berbatov doesnt make a dramatic improvement, Ferguson will get slated for that one.

[blacky]

I can almost guarantee you, if United dont win the league and Berbatov doesnt make a dramatic improvement, Ferguson will get slated for that one.

It's along long time since I have seen Fergie slated. Very few Journo's have the balls.

[dww]

I don't lose any sleep over it but it does annoy me slightly. I don't think it's to do with hating LFC - I think most of it is borne out of a gross disrespect and dislike amongst the media for Benitez, but I have no idea why as he's such a charming fella. Is it a xenophobic thing? Is it because they criticise him incessantly and yet he never, ever bows to their ****e and is steadfastly his own man? Is it because he so often makes them look stupid? I don't really get it, but I do know for a fact that they would never dare talk to or about Ferguson in the same way they do Rafa.

I do think, however, that there are a number of bitter ex-pros currently in the media who have harboured a dislike for us since their playing days, when our penchant for winning everything in sight meant their trophy cabinets were extremely threadbare.

I think at least part of it is that he is a very tactical manager and most of the press in this country unlike Italian, Spanish or Dutch journalists have little knowledge of the area. It is always easier to attack something new than try and understand it.

He hasn't been helped by either his lack of immediate and exceptional domestic success - something that has shielded all of the other managers of the top four. Although arguably we were the last to adopt a truly world class manager and did so at a time when unlike Chelsea we were not a financial powerhouse in the league.

He hasn't helped himself in the sense that he is obviously a/ willing to fight his corner when fallacies are printed but b/ he is also prone to using the press to his own ends. In particular he seems to have made enemies by being honest in his attacks on the NoTW and it's sister paper.

On the other hand I also think it is a feedback situation - a lot of other fans (including some of our own) have had problems with decisions that Rafa has made. this makes certain stories easy to print as people like to see their ideas echoed back often in a sensationalist way. The printing of those stories in turn shapes peoples ideas to some degree or at least gives them the impression that there are no rational explanations for Rafa's decisions and that he is just 'out to show how clever he is'.

[Mattshark]

well he certainly aint no right back, let alone a footballer

And you got that from all those games he played for us did you. Idiot.

[dww]

And you got that from all those games he played for us did you. Idiot.

There is really no need for that. Please leave it out.

[Mattshark]

There is really no need for that. Please leave it out.

Sorry but you get sick of people doing **** like that.