The Nev 'Rallying Call' Sweep...

degsy · March 13, 2013

So what time did he make the statement

blue61 · March 13, 2013

All bets are off, it can hardly be described as a rallying call.

HibbertsLeftFoot · March 13, 2013

Arguably more inspiring. Evidently taught from the same PR book.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21765235

collymcd · March 13, 2013

I'll most likely get neg bombed by all those in denial for this, but...

He has a point. We haven't done anything in 25 years. Quarter of a century. Despite our brilliant past we are nowhere near the club we used to be. 'Top 10' is a little negative but 'top 7' certainly isn't. I think people need to look at the reason they're becoming angry, it's not Nev's fault we're here.

njligernj · March 13, 2013

collymcd said:
I'll most likely get neg bombed by all those in denial for this, but... He has a point. We haven't done anything in 25 years. Quarter of a century. Despite our brilliant past we are nowhere near the club we used to be. 'Top 10' is a little negative but 'top 7' certainly isn't. I think people need to look at the reason they're becoming angry, it's not Nev's fault we're here.

That is true but it doesn't excuse why the captain thought that was a good thing to be saying. I have defended Moyes' record a lot on here over the years (and Neville too whom I rated much higher than most people in past years) but I wouldn't say it was a "massive achievement" to keep us in the top ten 80% of the time. It's good ... I might stretch to "very good." If we changed it to "competing for Europe most years" I could go all the way to "relatively big accomplishment." I like Moyes but it isn't a "massive achievement" to have a club spending around 10th in total spend finish in the top ten 80% of the time.

Then again it was off-the-cuff on live TV and maybe he'd admit he misspoke -- be nice if he did actually. It's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it's just ... ugh ... not the right time. There is a much better way to say what he wanted to say.

Top ten being a "massive achievement" rubs me the wrong way and I like to think I'm generally pretty pragmatic in these matters.

Those who say it might have an impact on general morale or "belief" in big games might have a point. I don't think it's as cut and dried and some people make out but it could be a factor (among many). It also doesn't paint us in the best light for attracting new players ... especially if Moyes leaves.

PR/communications should really get a hold of this situation and start up an "on-message" media strategy. Of course when management somewhat benefits from lowered expectations they might actually think this is the right way to operate.

That said ... this is all a bit mountain out of a molehill. It was dumb but time to move on. If it happens again we can go ape then.