A more realistic scoreline
an underlying weakness

The journalists sound as pessimistic as some fans are angry

Picture gallery:

http://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/104795/matchday-centre-picture-gallery-from-norwich-defeat.aspx

Maybe if Stubbs actually stopped media focusing on the goals and the usual lines, and instead focused on the things during the game, specific things and at points in the game as positives, it might make us see where these 'improvements' are?

This is coaching at its very basic level, and while we don't do it to the media we still feedback to our other coaches, parents and the players themselves. In particular, as they're kids when we give them a role or certain tasks to fulfil during a game you focus on the positive aspects of that. I would like to hear things like, 'we asked Fry to get in Jerome's face make it uncomfortable for him, and he didn't have a kick all game which Fry will take a lot from' or 'we asked young Vaulks to try and stop Hoolahan breaking out from midfield, and clearly he's a premier league midfielder, Vaulks did on occasions break up play well but he will learn very quickly playing against that kind of class of player'.

You aren't giving anything away, but at least you're giving the media / supporters some insight into what was attempted, why and if it didn't work - what you can take from it. I think it's this aspect more than most why he's alienating himself from the supporters. While yes it gives the 'clueless' bunch some armoury to shoot down his approach, but that will never go away, what it does do is at least give the majority of those watching an insight into his approach. The media is a feedback tool, it has to be used to your advantage and not the guys from the Star / Tiser etc - virtually being able to write his speech before they've even spoke to him. Warnock did it very well, and while winning makes it easier, he even dropped in some things that were joking. But note how Warnock used the City manager comments to full effect last season. It wasn't just his views, he was using the media as an outlet to spur his players and his own supporters on. While this may come from experience - it can't be that hard to learn

Exetermiller wrote:

---

Maybe if Stubbs actually stopped media focusing on the goals and the usual lines, and instead focused on the things during the game, specific things and at points in the game as positives, it might make us see where these 'improvements' are?

This is coaching at its very basic level, and while we don't do it to the media we still feedback to our other coaches, parents and the players themselves. In particular, as they're kids when we give them a role or certain tasks to fulfil during a game you focus on the positive aspects of that. I would like to hear things like, 'we asked Fry to get in Jerome's face make it uncomfortable for him, and he didn't have a kick all game which Fry will take a lot from' or 'we asked young Vaulks to try and stop Hoolahan breaking out from midfield, and clearly he's a premier league midfielder, Vaulks did on occasions break up play well but he will learn very quickly playing against that kind of class of player'.

You aren't giving anything away, but at least you're giving the media / supporters some insight into what was attempted, why and if it didn't work - what you can take from it. I think it's this aspect more than most why he's alienating himself from the supporters. While yes it gives the 'clueless' bunch some armoury to shoot down his approach, but that will never go away, what it does do is at least give the majority of those watching an insight into his approach. The media is a feedback tool, it has to be used to your advantage and not the guys from the Star / Tiser etc - virtually being able to write his speech before they've even spoke to him. Warnock did it very well, and while winning makes it easier, he even dropped in some things that were joking. But note how Warnock used the City manager comments to full effect last season. It wasn't just his views, he was using the media as an outlet to spur his players and his own supporters on. While this may come from experience - it can't be that hard to learn

---

 A very sensible and well thought out post, Ex. Sadly, I've stopped listening to the interviews now or reading the articles, because we can all predict whats being said, cut and paste jobs.  Dont fancy the Millers job do you.