Fan media "fundamentalists to the core", Football Show panel says
The Football Show panel debated whether fan podcasts and YouTube channels belong at press conferences, and defended Martin O'Neill's coaching at Celtic.
By PLZ Soccer,
On The Football Show, Peter Martin, Alan Rough, Gordon Parks and Tam McManus discussed whether fan podcasts, supporters' groups and fan YouTube channels should be allowed into press conferences. The panel's view was that fan media has "lowered the standard".
"It's devalued the press conference experience," the panel said. The distinction they drew was between professional journalists, who "have to be objective", and supporter-run outlets. As the panel put it, "the problem with fan media is they're fundamentalists to the core". Another line from the debate was blunter still: "The lunatics have taken over".
Peter Martin struck a more measured note, saying: "there's a real balance to strike here."
The question Derek McInnes was asked about Emmanuel Fernandez also came up as part of the discussion.
O'Neill criticism dismissed
The panel turned to criticism of Martin O'Neill's coaching at Celtic, including the suggestion that players are "Not being coached properly". They dismissed the idea as nonsense.
"The guy's won two European Cups and played under the best manager you could ever witness in British football," the panel said.
That led into a wider discussion of Carlo Ancelotti and how much coaching good players actually need.
Clough's rules
The mention of O'Neill's old manager brought out Brian Clough stories. Among the rules recalled were a pint of lager the night before Anfield and red wine the night before a European Cup final. On the second of those, the instruction was simple: "You don't drink wine, you're not playing."
The show also covered social media, Peter Martin's Sky Sports earpiece, and a story involving Pat Fenlon and an open window.