I know, it sounds preposterous. And I'm not suggesting that DM or CH or even the players spend hours poring over our pearls of wisdom. God help them if they did, because it wouldn't do much for their confidence. However, NCFC are now a 'brand' and we are the 'customers' (hate this modern way of looking at things, but that's reality). And any 'brand' constantly researches whether its 'customers' are happy with its 'product'. The boards (not just ours) seem a good way to get that information, so it wouldn't surprise me if some underling were charged with running his/her eyes over the message boards occasionally to see how the ground lies. I can see arguments against this. First, my experience of higher and middle-level management is that they surround themselves with sycophants and crawlers and climbers so that they hear how wonderful a job they are doing. In other words, they don't really want to hear the truth at all. I'd like to think DM is rather better than that, however, and that he wouldn't be happy with an airbrushed reality but would want reality warts and all. The second argument against concerns the make-up of the boards. Are we keyboard warriors actually representative of the fans, or are we just a bunch of malcontents and misfits? But even if we are a distorted reflection of the fans overall, I still think trends can be picked up. For example, eight months ago as a Hughton doubter (not even an Outer), I was definitely in a minority. Now I get a feeling there has been a slow, inexorable movement away from CH. I'm not saying the Outers are in a majority, but there seem to be many, many more people on the fence and even some of the Inners are starting to suggest that we may replace him at the end of the season. So I think it's possible messageboards like ours are occasionally monitored.
No idea how DM want the picture painted, but like you, I would hope he would want a carbon copy of the reality. From what I read elsewhere, and listen to on the radio, we are no more or less representative than those that go to the games, and say their piece via other media streams. If anything, we are less vociferous in many cases. What can we read in to that? We are all basically seeing the same thing, to a greater or lesser degree.
The club has media employees, I would guess they would keep an eye on social Media of which this forms a part. It's vast though I suspect they will be cheered up after looking on here
I would think yes, DM was on twitter suggesting he wishes to have some interaction/feedback from the fans and that obviously came to a halt because there were to many morons on there. But reading a forum like this or even contributing can be annonamous so whilst reading could occasionally be uncomfortable I think someone who wishes to hear the fans opinions might frequent such boards occasionally. So David who are you? Have you been stoically defending CH or are you sitting on the fence like many? Or are you meerly a lurker? Please sack Hughton before its too late! Bah!
I suspect they will be deeply depressed after looking on here:- http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun/cs/forums/4/3043164/ShowPost.aspx#3043164 Just found it posted on twitter - I have NOT been trolling the oink'un site, honest!
This sounds a bit like when the F1 board became half-convinced Martin Brundle was looking in... RBF's limericks suggest the club are at least aware this site exists, whether it's looked at all I don't know. I suppose the club are more likely to check the "official" channels of communication (club twitter, facebook, etc) first, and then maybe probably forum's affiliated to the press (like the Pink'un, depressingly) before places like this, but it probably doesn't hurt for them to check in occasionally.
I think Hughton checks in under the monicker Carrabuh - think about it ! What are the first and last letters of Carrabuh's tag ?
That was clever of him to sign up as far back as the "12 yards" days when PL was Jesus, God and the Messiah all rolled into one!
Wasn't he also on the old 606. I usually agree with most of what he says but I seem to recall siding with Wallybrain - another contributor sadly missed - against him when Gunn was Manager.
Wasn't Superman associated with the club for a bit? No idea if it was while not606 was on, but I've no doubt they are aware of it given this/pink'un are the only forums really used by City fans. I doubt they trawl it for scouting purposes or for business decisions, but McNally seems to be a careful strategist and no doubt likes to be kept abreast of what the customers are thinking
