Let the counter-briefing begin

[orly]

I genuinely dont remember any managers getting the level of excuses Benitez is in certain quarters. I find it a bit strange really. Far from being overly harsh, there is a lot of leniency and excuses being made for Benitez.

I'm not one of the most avid Benitez out people either, but he seems to be getting a very easy pass to me.

It's being coordinated.

Look, if you run an Everton podcast and you're trading on it being "the home of Michael Ball & Kevin Ratcliffe", you're only getting that level of access if you give a bit back.

 

[catcherintherye]

It's being coordinated.

Look, if you run an Everton podcast and you're trading on it being "the home of Michael Ball & Kevin Ratcliffe", you're only getting that level of access if you give a bit back.

Its surprising people are filing in behind Benitez so much. I thought that he might have critics in the boardroom and this sort of stuff would be held off. I dont actually remember many managers getting this level of leniency.

Is Bill driving this?

 

[orly]

Its surprising people are filing in behind Benitez so much. I thought that he might have critics in the boardroom and this sort of stuff would be held off. I dont actually remember many managers getting this level of leniency.

Is Bill driving this?

I have absolutely no idea. But I am in no doubt at all, looking at some of the cookie-cutter text, that a key stakeholder list gets a steer from Everton directly.

There was a Tony Kay tweet just before Benitez signed where it was totally different to all the rest of his usually. It had been copy-pasted from a script out, 100%. Same as one from Bellew.

 

[magicjuan]

I genuinely dont remember any managers getting the level of excuses Benitez is in certain quarters. I find it a bit strange really. Far from being overly harsh, there is a lot of leniency and excuses being made for Benitez.

I'm not one of the most avid Benitez out people either, but he seems to be getting a very easy pass to me.

Like on the tweet, it's a bit toxic, as we have just been hammered 4-0. It would be strange if it were not a bit toxic.

I don't know if it's apathy or just the calm before the storm, but, like a volcano, I sense the vitriol just ticking overuntil the right moment. It'll come sooner rather than later imho and it'll make any previous fury seem like a tea party.

 

[orly]

I don't know if it's apathy or just the calm before the storm, but, like a volcano, I sense the vitriol just ticking overuntil the right moment. It'll come sooner rather than later imho and it'll make any previous fury seem like a tea party.

You'll remember the Ian Ross thing?

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

I genuinely dont remember any managers getting the level of excuses Benitez is in certain quarters. I find it a bit strange really. Far from being overly harsh, there is a lot of leniency and excuses being made for Benitez.

I'm not one of the most avid Benitez out people either, but he seems to be getting a very easy pass to me.

Like on the tweet, it's a bit toxic, as we have just been hammered 4-0. It would be strange if it were not a bit toxic.

Feels like overcompensation to me.

Almost like there's four narratives, some more official than others.

1) The club driven positive spin in cahoots with on message journos and media figures.
2) Those who either want to be supportive of the club publicly/like benitez/want to annoy fellow blues, so defend everything and overcompensate in the face of a hostile audience. Get offended by bedsheets, pigs etc.
3) the give him a chance crowd. Low level grumbling, but sat watching and waiting. Aka fence sitting. Probably won't take long to turn.
4) Oink oink fat fat sack sack.

There we go, a crap topology for a Sunday arvo. *grunts and squeals*

 

[orly]

Feels like overcompensation to me.

Almost like there's four narratives, some more official than others.

1) The club driven positive spin in cahoots with on message journos and media figures.
2) Those who either want to be supportive of the club publicly/like benitez/want to annoy fellow blues, so defend everything and overcompensate in the face of a hostile audience. Get offended by bedsheets, pigs etc.
3) the give him a chance crowd. Low level grumbling, but sat watching and waiting. Aka fence sitting. Probably won't take long to turn.
4) Oink oink fat fat sack sack.

There we go, a crap topology for a Sunday arvo. *grunts and squeals*

Here he is x

 

[ToffeeTim]

Maybe the club could come out and communicate directly with fans about why they appointed Benitez and about why they have refused for years to overhaul the squad.

People have a right to feel unhappy about the direction of the club and the least people deserve is an explanation. I dont know how anyone is optimistic ahead of this season. Its completely unrealistic to expect this manager and this squad to be a success.

 

[catcherintherye]

I have absolutely no idea. But I am in no doubt at all, looking at some of the cookie-cutter text, that a key stakeholder list gets a steer from Everton directly.

There was a Tony Kay tweet just before Benitez signed where it was totally different to all the rest of his usually. It had been copy-pasted from a script out, 100%. Same as one from Bellew.

I can see why the Echo is on board. They probably have close personal ties.

Whatever I think of the decision, I can see why Usmanov/Moshiri would have been attracted to him. It doesnt feel like it's the reasoning and rational we are getting though.

Kenwright I find a bit odd. It's a lot of his people pushing this. You sort of think he could quite easily carve out a bit of a niche for himself being critical of this appointment. Odds are it will go wrong, and when it does there will be lots of anger. I'd be positioning myself ahead of the game if I were him.

 

[BigDuncTributeBand]

Was

A thread dedicated to our utterly hopeless, woefully predictable PR and Comms department at Everton.

Today (1 June) Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid. The club have clearly been caught on the hop by this, it's panic stations, DEFCON 1, and there will be the usual effort to save face.

There's never anything particular innovative or agile about the media team, so expect them to dust down the old playbook this week. This will include:

• Friendly journalists throwing digs at Ancelotti. He'll be portrayed as duplicitous, mercenary, and an enemy of the fans.
• Lots (and lots) of these friendly faces will be on the TV, radio and national press in the next few days. Expect to hear a lot about our home record.
• Obviously there will be a stadium update in the next fortnight.
• Lots of names will be tested to see how they "land". I am deeply suspicious of the Graham Potter chat emerging from low-count sources.
• "Fan" led content - those who have had a kickabout on the Goodison turf in an offseason pre-COVID in a literal and figurative sense - will be getting well stuck into Ancelotti.

Let's use this thread to keep a track on this creaky machine in motion. Already tonight - and no links as it's the ECHO - Dave Prentice, who has been at the teet of the club for many a moon, has published an article titled "Carlo Ancelotti has turned his back on Everton but Toffees cruelly denied chance to stop him" with the sub-heading "Carlo Ancelotti has left Everton for Real Madrid - turning his back on genuine affection from the club's supporters". Clumsy stuff, but who cares? It's right on message.

What you won't hear:

• Considered journalist asks "When Zidane resigned, didn't Brands et al. give this some thought as a possible outcome?"
• Friendly journalist ponders "Surely Everton have a list of managers they'd have gone down if Ancelotti had said no 18 months ago? The #2 must be the favourite, as that suggests a strategy"
• Local journalist questions "how have Coleman, Gylfi, Davies, DCL, Keane, Holgate all outlasted yet another Everton manager? Maybe this spine (lol) of the squad is the problem?"

Didn’t know this thread existed but was on the official site the other day and noticed them trotting out former team mates and coaches of Townsend and Gray saying what world beaters they are. Thought to myself what a pathetic PR attempt by the media team to try to convince the fans there is a plan and we’re not buying out the bargain basement.

They must think we’re all mugs, have they no shame!

 

[orly]

Was

Didn’t know this thread existed but was on the official site the other day and noticed them trotting out former team mates and coaches of Townsend and Gray saying what world beaters they are. Thought to myself what a pathetic PR attempt by the media team to try to convince the fans there is a plan and we’re not buying out the bargain basement.

They must think we’re all mugs, have they no shame!

We have a thread like this ever summer to be honest - and could have done since the days of Ian Ross!

It never gets any less sledgehammer subtle, amateur and rat-biting from Everton.

 

[Efcjake]

It's being coordinated.

Look, if you run an Everton podcast and you're trading on it being "the home of Michael Ball & Kevin Ratcliffe", you're only getting that level of access if you give a bit back.

The coordinated messaging from the podcasts these days is a joke.

You know none of these people are actually giving you an honest opinion but instead the opinion the club has told them to have if they want their kickabout on the pitch next season.

They're all shills.

 

[Daytripper]

Was

Didn’t know this thread existed but was on the official site the other day and noticed them trotting out former team mates and coaches of Townsend and Gray saying what world beaters they are. Thought to myself what a pathetic PR attempt by the media team to try to convince the fans there is a plan and we’re not buying out the bargain basement.

They must think we’re all mugs, have they no shame!

They do because they know there are thousands upon thousands who love the club , love going the match with family and mates, some emotionally invested.than others and vice versa.

They play on that , to be fair they are far from alone here, the majority are like this. Look at the Super League, all the outrage, the calls for punishment, pundits suddenly go radio silence on the matter. They know people will continue to give time and money regardless of the so called “punishment”which was never going to be severe. Personally I don’t think the Super League was genuine but that’s for another thread.

 

[magicjuan]

You'll remember the Ian Ross thing?

The ladies clothes bit or the rank incompetence or the drunken knobhead Evertonian thing or am I confusing someone else?

 

[orly]

The ladies clothes bit or the rank incompetence or the drunken knobhead Evertonian thing or am I confusing someone else?

Hahahha that bit was incredible.

No, the leaked emails where he identified a list of people in the media they could lean on for positive spin.