You'd assume that local journalists, with links to the club would have some inside info, but I know for a fact that Copley gets some of his "intel" from a mate of mine who writes for one of the podcasts/fanzines. Any time my mate tweets something, or reposts a story it appears on Copley's timeline (and articles) a few mins/hours later. Smith and Copley are good lads, but they know **** all about what's happening inside the club
Sadly the only serious info I get is regarding NUFC and Mike Ashley. Even then he says they're becoming like a secret society. Messages are sent using untraceable internal means and alerts pinged if searches about them hit a certain number. Staff have incredibly detailed contracts meaning it's instant dismissal and possible legal action for any 'betrayal'.
Which is exactly as it should be. Access to modern day social media doesn't automatically allow the entitlement to pass on confidential information about anything or anyone. Everyone should be guaranteed their privacy and protection from those who seek to enhance themselves by passing on gossip.
agreed they both seem like really good guys so it’s not a personal attack on them. More a reflection on the difficulties local press get nowadays. It seems they’re less likely to get leaks than loudly vocal fans
I would agree especially after the first 10 games but I would only say this in regards to first team affairs as I said the ladies and developmental teams all seemed to have good seasons I just think we need to sharpen the tip of the spear.
They're victims of their own previous behaviour mate. If they were proper reporters,they would have contacts from whom they got info. who had a trust in them,on whose info.they could rely,given for release at the right time. Unfortunately,they can't stop themselves from instantly going to press with every loose,unverified snippet.....mostly more than likely false....and now they can't get anything meaningful because no-one trusts them.
I think they're frustrated by the lack of give between the reporters of the northern papers and the club, compared to what RR ends up hearing or Fishpaste.
There's just not enough decent news around to fill the demand - with the club rightly keeping things close to their chest. I suppose that it stands to reason that hearsay and outlandish stuff will fill the vacuum. Maybe the club could give more interviews about off the field goings-on and how different players are progressing. I follow a bit of American Football so it's good to compare the Sunderland coverage with my NFL team, Chicago Bears.
A lot of these 'reporters' miss out on a huge chunk of actual information ... ... by searching for dirt and smoking guns while almost ignoring all the good news. As people have said, other than wild gossip about selling the club, £20m loans, training ground punch-ups, etc, there's not enough dirt to go around.
I'm really surprised Pearlman being on the board hasn't led to better PR pieces/content generation. Not sure what he brings if he doesn't bring that.
The impression I get is that he seems to be helping more with the brand and strategy. I'm guessing really, though.
That would surprise me. Given, as far as I know, he's not particularly qualified to do that at all and he's overly qualified where content is concerned. My last role in advertising was in a brand and strategy agency, so I'm not coming at this with entirely uninformed eyes, just mainly uninformed.
Have to disagree about Smith. He seems very clued up and is well respected. Think he is excellent and very balanced. He will have been briefed by the club and others and if he says certain people aren't currently in contention then I'd go along with that. He wouldn't say it otherwise. The situation could change obviously but I think he's pretty reliable. Doesn't get loads of exclusives but doesn't get much wrong
Who knows with this club. I just think if you hired Scorsese in some capacity you'd try squeeze some moving picture out of him. And it's kind of like that on a much less grand scale. But maybe they have. Maybe he doesn't want to. Maybe he has. Who ****ing knows.
I try, these days, to only get wound up if I know summat for a fact ... ... otherwise I put music on and stay in my little bubble.
Heading thereabouts with the missus (as a surprise) for her 40th. Cannot bloody wait as I’ve never been that far up before
