It really is funny how these so called reporters just make things up. On Sky there's the Sunday chat show, and Matt Law of the Mirror gets asked about his story today about Stoke moving for Steve Bould as their next manager. Ooh, juicy scoop? No, just a load of tripe! As he is questioned about his story, it becomes clear its nothing more than him trying to be clever and "suggesting" how Stoke should plan for the future. Pulis - he has no idea if he will be sacked or not at end of season. Bould - assistant manager at Arsenal, he has no idea if Bould wants to be a manager. Stoke's plans - he has no idea exactly what they're thinking, but feels they should be looking at developing their academy to bring young players through to help reduce the wage bill. So why the story? Well, if Stoke did get rid of Pulis, and if they did decide to focus on their academy, then Bould would be the perfect candidate because he once played for the club. WTF? Oh, and he adds that if Stoke decided against Bould (presuming Pulis goes), then Poyet or Di Matteo will be on their shortlist to develop youngsters for the future. How is it that these hacks just keep getting away with making up stories with no foundation whatsoever? I am amazed that the papers actually print this rubbish rather than send the hack away with the instruction to write a proper story. The football reporters in this country really are pathetic, making up stuff and then jumping on bandwagons and blowing stuff up when it suits them. Bottom line, Matt Law at the Mirror is just plain awful, and isn't worthy of being called a journalist, like the majority of them.
Very true. However, let's not forget that writing for newspapers isn't in the interests of journalistic investigation, the right to know the truth or the public good, it's in the interests of selling newspapers and making money for the owner. That means speculation, hints and rumours. If you haven't got a real story, make up something plausible to fill the space, catch the eye and sell a few copies more than your rival. It's just business.
Spot on Juggy. As I would say in a different sphere, why let facts get in the way of a good story.... or in the case of journalists, or any story? Stoke would be mad to ditch Pulis. He's done a remarkable job keeping a club the size of Stoke in the PL & pushing for a possible Europa place each season.
