posted Sep 8, 2007

I think the point we should be focusing on is this: How many articles has Phil McNulty got left? He continues to write absolute pap and the Beeb still pay him when it's obvious to most people that he's a tabloid 'journalist'.
No, I'm not McClaren's biggest fan, nor was I SGE's. Fact remains that he was a proven manager at the top level and fell down on not being attacking enough or keeping the ball when it mattered. Macca is out of his depth, but my Championship Manager CV is winging its way to the FA as we speak so hopefully I'll get his job...

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posted Sep 8, 2007

thehorne

I put forward an opinion without much journalistic skill. I am not a journalist, I don't claim to be, and I don't ask you to pay me to be one. That is the difference.
I work in the public sector and I am accountable to the tax payer. McNulty works for the BBC and he is accountable to the licence fee payer.

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posted Sep 8, 2007

I'm not a big fan of Mclaran, but I think journalists sway with the wind. Beckham was rightly dropped because he was playing poorly (or not playing at all), he was brought back because he was changing games again. Simple. How is it an embarrasing climb down to play those on form? I'm impressed that Mclaran put the good of the team before his pride and recalled Beckham, yet he's being criticised for this?!? I didn't hear one journalist say that Beckham should stay in the team after the world cup. They agreed with him at the time, but now they change their opinion. very opportunistic journalism that doesn't help our country. I expect more from the BBC.
Is it Mclarans fault that players don't care about England any more? Carragher goes into a sulk because he's not as good as ferdinand and Terry, so retires. How can you retire from your country? Rafa and Jose try and tell him when he can pick their players.
I think we need a strong manager to build a team, not rely on a collection of individuals, trying to squeeze them all into a team (yes I mean Gerrard and Lampard together). And some disclipline, we've lost in the major tournaments because of sendings off (Beckham, Rooney).

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posted Sep 8, 2007

The BBC should get rid of the "Rate This Article" thing. Too many idiots rate an article as a 1 for no apparent reason other than they think they know better than the qualified journalists they're commenting on. This isnt the best article i've ever read but why anybody would want to rate it so badly is beyond me.

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posted Sep 8, 2007

Here we go again Phil M, I'm going to defend you again! What is happening!?!

I thought the article was good. It was a decent summary of the issues facing us before these two games. I also thought it was balanced and fair. It was particularly responsible to slam the personal abuse of McClaren. More media people should take note.

I also recall reading someone state "the article has no insight." Well, perhaps that's because there is no insight to be had. Geez, English international football is discussed so much that almost everything is known to the public. I for one am bored of the Gerrard/Hargreaves injury updates. Thank god the game is here at last and the endless speculation will now end.

Moreover, a journalists job isn't always to offer insight. He or she must be able to understand all the issues and debates on a certain topic and be able to produce a decent, easy to read summary. And I for one think Mr McNulty has more than done this on this occasion.

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posted Sep 8, 2007

It's a sad fact that England can not perform in tournaments/group stages the majority of the time and only seem to do it at the 11th hour when we seem down and out (Beckham's goal against Greece). A 0-0 draw or at best a 1-0 win against Israel and a 1-1 draw with Russia will probably be the outcome of these two matches with England looking slow and losing the ball as they often do. McClaren reminds me of the departed Harry Corbett with Sooty and Sweep.....what was that Sooty....Sweep thinks we will win? dont be daft

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posted Sep 8, 2007

The BBC should get rid of the "Rate This Article" thing.
____________________________________

The problem is that the rating criteria is confused, people tend not to rate the article in terms of its quality or content, but more in terms of agree or disagree. Some people even give a one as a way of dissing an article on the main board and so discouraging people to read it. I think they should just change it to reflect level of agreement or disagreement with the article's content.

All that having been said, it does seem that Phil McNulty has a very limited repertoire when it comes to writing articles, nearly all of which seem to be focused on one or more of Liverpool, Gerrard, England, Ericksson and Mclaren. Most of the other issues seem to pass him by - maybe I've missed articles, but where was he on the Jol saga, brooking's rant against foreign players, Platini's reforms, potential take-over of Arsenal etc.?

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posted Sep 8, 2007

I think McNulty keeps his words of wisdom for England-related issues. I doubt he has the intimate knowledge sometimes necessary to comment on things which concern club football. Let's face it - everyone thinks they could have a fair crack at being England manager, or at least has an opinion on it.
I'm sorry Robbieo79, but why are you applauding McNulty? Oh yes, how responsible to slam personal taunts against McClaren! He's hardly going to endorse them is he??! What's next? McNulty speaks - 'racist chanting is a bad thing' - thanks for stating the obvious.
Yet another 'must-win' game. Yeah, yeah...
McNulty was among the first to jump on the anti-Beckham bandwagon (hope he likes the taste of humble pie...) and he clearly knows less about football than your average bloke in the street. I think he takes pleasure in posting something which will get lots of responses. After all, if he talked sense for a change then no-one would need to comment, would they?

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posted Sep 8, 2007

I would agree, but I also think that McClaren ' over-coaches' the international players and instead of blending his tactics and strategies to the players strength, ie how they play for their clubs week in and week out, he tries to change their ways to his.
His tactical nous is exposed by playing an injured player from Liverpool, who according to 'Pool legend is vital to their cause, against a Chelsea defender who I'm sure will not treat Gerrard gently.
The team is their for McClaren to select and win, without risking injured players, but I'm afraid McClaren is desperate and cannot see the wood for the trees.

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posted Sep 8, 2007

kdarior,

Like I said, can anyone offer any insight on England at the moment?

Of course not; England football is talked to death as it is.

And so the article was fine - although there were far too many paragraphs. But it was a summary of where we are and what might happen in the next few days.

Not all journalism has to be as revelationary as Watergate!

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