Andy Stockhausen: How many of the rumours about Bristol City boss Lee Johnson have been true? By a_stockhausen | Posted: March 03, 2017 It says a lot about the society we live in that "post truth" was nominated as the word of 2016 by Oxford Dictionaries. We live in an age in which feelings appear to outrank fact, in which some news turns out not to be fact, but fiction. The US election and those who support it's winner, Donald Trump, on social media, have pushed fake news to the forefront, highlighting the potential influence it can bring to bear on all manner of issues in day-to-day life.A combustible melting pot of rumour and counter-rumour, the professional football industry is no stranger to misinformation. While President Trump was over-egging the case for racial tensions in Sweden, those with an interest in Bristol City indulged in speculating upon the future of the club's head coach. For Sweden, substitute Ashton Gate, for Trump, Lee Johnson. The situation was more or less the same. As someone whose job requires me to monitor social media, I took an especial interest in fan-generated chatter in the immediate aftermath of City's dismal 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Fulham, an outcome that gave rise to a mass show of dissent against Johnson among those who pay at the turnstiles. In what some arms of the media would no doubt term "social media erupting", City fans took to facebook and twitter to deliver their own interpretation of events inside Ashton Gate. please log in to view this image Outside the new Lansdown Stand at Ashton Gate Here is a selection of the various "stories" and rumours doing the rounds ahead of City's fixture at Championship leaders Newcastle United last weekend. In no particular order: Lee Johnson has resigned Lee Johnson has been sacked John Pemberton and Dean Holden have left the club Mark Ashton will be leaving the club as well Keith Millen is returning as a coach Stuart Pearce will be the new City manager Johnson's sacking to be announced at 5pm Harry Redknapp wants the job Gary Rowett has been spotted at Long Ashton Golf Club ahead of being interviewed for the job The players have been sent home from training and Lee Johnson has been summoned to Ashton gate for showdown talks Steve Lansdown held a meeting with Johnson immediately after the Fulham defeat Lee Johnson, John Pemberton and Dean Holden have walked out on the club Lee Johnson is not at Newcastle and Dean Holden is picking the team In one instance, an experienced journalist actually phoned me to ask whether there was any foundation to the myriad rumours circulating on the internet. How the uninitiated can be expected to negotiate such a veritable minefield of claim and counter-claim is difficult to imagine It is an inevitable consequence of social media that modern-day journalists are required to spend as much time disproving 'fake news' as they are in unearthing information to source and produce genuine stories. This is where good contacts and strong relationships, based upon mutual trust, come in useful. Any journalist in possession of these industry necessities is potentially just one call away from being able to verify or disprove the vast majority of internet rumours. While others chose to be guided by the unfounded assertions of the uninitiated, I quickly ascertained that Johnson, Pemberton and Holden were all safely ensconced with City's first team squad in a Tyneside hotel. As for outrageous rumours regarding the likes of Redknapp and Pearce, I discounted those immediately. Needless to say, none of the snippets listed above bore even a grain of truth!Although there is a tendency in the modern media to trade in social media-driven speculation, it is nonetheless important to be able to differentiate between fact and fiction, thereby providing readers with readily verifiable information that allows them to form judgments based on the reality of a given situation. Not surprisingly, footballers tend to steer clear of social media when things are not going so well. And things have not gone especially well for Bristol City's players for some considerable time now. Players generally tend to gravitate to social media in the wake of a positive result and performance, but indulging in such activities can be counter-productive when the outcome of matches generates an all-pervading mood of negativity. At such times, it creates a white noise that must necessarily be shut out at all costs, lest it detract from the main focus of winning football matches. It is to be hoped that the creation of a siege mentality within Ashton Gate will, in time, enable the Robins to climb the table and put their current relegation worries behind them. Now THAT will represent real news worthy of report. Read more at http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/how-ma...0176818-detail/story.html#fI9keWIXs1ua2825.99
Where there is news and a football club that is struggling badly there is bound to be speculation and rumour. The club have hardly covered themselves in glory over the past few months on or off the pitch, and I have no sympathy with the owner, Head Coach, coaches, CEO or the players. They deserve the rumours and criticism. We are where we are because the Head Coach cannot get the results from this group of players, and so he has to take whatever negative feedback that brings. The owner has also been laughable in persevering for so long when it's not working.
Must admit other than not following the EP I keep a watchful eye out for most rumours at least 7 of them I not come across before. how about these to be added to list Dean Holden was brought in to replace Lee Johnson at the end of the season John Pemberton declined taking the reigns at start of February as he just wants to be assistant head coach Mark Ashton has met with Man utd coaching staff to secure 3 players for the summer window Bristol city are believed to be in talks with Chelsea regarding a further 12 month loan period for Tammy Abraham and another "unnamed" striker SL is to re equitise Bristol City to allow a further £12 million to allow transfer activity in the summer... whether in Championship or league 1 In an effort to appease fans for the disappointing season 2016/17 ticket prices next season will be up to 7% cheaper.
I was told today that Gary Monk is only on a 12 month contract so we need another rumour that SL will go for him
Blimey I'll make sure I stay well clear then. Hopefully it wont be during the game this afternoon.....
I've got a cracker, how about we start a rumour that either Alan Pardew or Nigel Pearson want the job! Oh wait......
No-one is doubting their calibre (in the Championship anyway), the joke is you think they would come to us at the moment!
Agree as said previously SL would have to sell the package,make no mistake this club under the right management would take off.
heard n the grapevine SL has spent £1m on his channel islands house as he intends to retire there at end of season and put a few quid into his local team wants Claudio to move there as well .. said to Claudio come on we know when we aren't wanted .. other rumour is his coaching staff will be pardew, pearson and rowett.... aim is channel island team to play in 2026 world cup
When things are not going well but people don't know the full story, they make up their own 'facts' to fill in the gaps. I still want LJ gone, but I am sure a lot of stuff spouted about him is just made-up bullshit. He is trying his best, but his best is simply not good enough. Having said that, we have done better than expected of late: Draw against Derby - unexpected Draw against Newcastle - unexpected Loss to Fulham - expected Loss to Villa - expected by most (I actually thought we could have won that one) Now, a loss to Burton would be unexpected - and unacceptable.
