RL's 'Football Forum' - An Alternative View

[stockyfox]

Yu'know, I find it quite sad that some folk are so readily andregularly critical, not just of RL's Football Forum, but also of other fans whodo text, e-mail or phone in, of which I am one.

I personally enjoy listening to the views of both those inthe studio and incoming texts, e-mails and phone calls. Everyone is entitled totheir opinion and the Monday programme is one of many platforms whereby fansmay express their views.

However, on reading subsequent postings on these messageboards, following a programme, it seems that many only seek to mock, ridiculeor belittle everything and everybody.

What is more, they appear to have forced themselves tolisten, not just on the odd occasion, but regularly, even weekly, tortuous, tiresomeand utterly boring as the format and contributors might be, but in the end,they justify their reasons for so doing by revelling at the way some of the programme'sspontaneous comment had been expressed or laughing when they had heard somegaff or misinformation in thecontributions.

What really amazes me though is that so many of thesecritics by and large then write as if they are in some way superior to the restof us. I often get the impression that in truth, they would have us believethat they themselves, are all-knowing in matters concerned with the Club - itsmanagement, its players, its tactics.etc.

I also often read that 'it's the same people who phone in'.Well, I reckon that it's only those people who are actually listening to theprogramme who are likely to phone in.

And I wonder to what extent those who are so critical ofothers, make the effort to text, e-mail or phone in themselves so that theymight perhaps redress the balance and make a valid point or contribution to theprogramme. Or are they perhaps too frightened to do so in case they too will beridiculed? Or do they lack the confidence to give their opinions to such amedia audience? Or, possibly nearer the truth, they simply can't be botheredbecause it's more fun to sit back and scoff.

'Football Forum' is more often than not referred to as the 'Moan-in'.Again this is perhaps a trifle unfair because to me, most of the moaning seemsto come from these critics rather than the contributors.

One more point which I find disappointing is that althoughthey are ready to criticise some topic or person, they rarely take theopportunity to then discuss their own views.

It would be most gratifying to see a more tolerant view offans by some other so-called 'fans'. It's one thing having a go at fans ofother Clubs but please respect those of your own Club.

Life is too short - andremember that a smile is the shortest distance between people.

Schlupp the City

Peter from Stockport (Stockyfox)

[sphericalfox]

Peter, was that you on Monday....?

I think it was!

I have a thing against the producers. If it was really only the 5-6 regular people who phone in, thus them getting on. The mocking sniggers and laughter by the crowd in the studio is far worse (professionally) than the moaning on here and elsewhere.

They know the format is dull, repetitive and lacking any ideas. People listen in the vague hope that it'll change.

For example, Stringer's new piece. Kick a ball at a dummy in goal. What a wonderful radio piece that is. Exciting and fresh! It's like we are all there. What needs to be done is bring in new ideas, otherwise the show is only going to go from bad to worse.

[fleckneymike]

it chicken and egg Stocky. For everyone like you who raises a valid point, there are 7 or 8 who haven't been to the game but listened on the radio and proceed to comment on players. The week before last there was an excellent caller but (and without wishing to sound arrogant) I think other callers are deterred from calling in because the quality is so poor that there seems little point calling in as there is no debate to be had.

Edited to say I disagree with your views on Lloyd Dyer. I think he's completely ineffective.

[Bert]

If Dyer was as great as a lot of people think, why isn't he starting every week?

[Jimmy]

Dyer is a left winger that can't cross or use his right foot but will still continuously cut in from the left flank when played there, he might want to try and convert to a striker as he's quick and can shoot but he is very poor on the wing

[fleckneymike]

If Dyer was as great as a lot of people think, why isn't he starting every week?

Because a lot of people thoughts are completely wrong.

[Dan]

A very good post in my opinion.

I listen every week and I'm not ashamed to say I do agree with a lot who ring in - there's a lot who ring in and I disagree but I don't want to spend an hour a week just listening to people I'll ignorantly generalise as idiots.

Not saying I agree with everything on there but some callers have it spot on at times for me. Good post.

[davieG]

It's just an oral version of this and every other forum some good stuff and bad stuff,

[StarFox]

I 100% agree with you Stockyfox. Those on here who mock the people who call in to radio Leicester are just losers who don't have the foot*balls* to call in and express their own opinion.

[Guest MattP]

Clean your spacebar.

Good post as well.

[Finnegan]

If Dyer was as great as a lot of people think, why isn't he starting every week?

Because we don't really play a system that compliments him. He's a woeful finisher who's never going to thrive in a 4 3 3 system that should be about fielding three players who can score goals; and he's not the sort of player Svennis wants for his diamond 4-man midfield.

I think he's easily good enough for this level, though, and I hope we keep him as an impact player - he does terrorize a lot of defenders at this level and his pace on the counter pulls teams out of shape, which is useful when we're trying to break sides down that are parking the bus.

I have no delusions that he's world class or that he should be starting every week, I guess I'm on the fence more than anything, but I certainly don't think he's "ineffective" or useless as some are suggesting. Very unfair.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Never listen to the this for obvious reasons, but if people don't like it they could easily just turn off surely or is it beamed across the whole county on massive PA systems.

[shade]

rubbish post. teehee.

[stockyfox]

In response to a couple of points, first Sphericalfox: yes, 'twas me for about 30 seconds at the end of the programme. I had been a little disappointed that Gelson Fernandes' contribution v Brighton had not received the plaudits I thought it deserved. Alan Young had given Darius Vassell his Man of the match award and although I acknowledge that Darius played really well,so did everyone else. It was a real team effort but for me the two players who by example, had inspired the rest of the team to play so well, were Sol Bamba and Gelson Fernandes. Indeed, I think Fernandes is proving to be a superb addition to the squad. He exudes energy, pace, confidence and skill and gets through a tremendous amount of work without being over spectacular. On Monday night, I think the only time his name had been mentioned was in the contribution by David (from Coalville).

Fleckneymike – you say that 'you disagree with my? views re Lloyd Dyer'. I was somewhat puzzled where you had remembered this from. I do like Dyer and above all respect the loyalty he has shown to the Club. However, I would have to agree with the comments in Finnegan's posting. Since Dyer joined LCFC, things have moved on. Sven's policy to upgrade to a better player in every position has meant that Lloyd has moved down the pecking order and is unlikely to start in the initial XI but come on as an impact player after say 70minutes.

Just to perhaps clarify that there are at least two other fairly regular contributors to the programme called 'Peter' – Peter from Markfield, (who along with David from Coalville, to my mind make some very valid interesting points and observations) and Peter from Ibstock.

As I also was born and bred in Ibstock, It is probably as well that I now live in Stockport, otherwise this could have been somewhat confusing.

Cheers!

[One Arm Babba]

I agree with what you say but much like the threads and comments about someone such as Ross from monday, it is better left unsaid the only way to eradicate that attitude is to not join the debate. I'd rather comment on more pressing matters.

A bit of banter Is ok, but I don't like it when people are targeted and mocked.

A lot of us may think we know everything about city and football in general. Just because somebody is less informed or possibly lacking a few sandwiches short of a picnic, it doesn't make them any less of a supporter. If they buy the tickets, wear the shirt they are well entitled to their view.

So Ross, I salute you!

Come on Leicester!!!

[Finnegan]

Don't think Fernandes was poor against Brighton by any stretch but given how well Vassell, Abe, Bamba and Peltier all played he was never going to draw many plaudits. They were exceptional, he was just "good."

Don't think he did anything that particularly stood out for me as either exceptional or poor. I thought King was largely more involved than he was and that's saying something.

[Rhysm]

I know what you mean Stocky regarding negative views and hopefully Stringer et al view the board as there is some valuable feedback they could gain. It is safe to say that although it passes the time, there are a number of things that other posters have alluded to which make the show a bit poor.

My biggest problem with it is that it just seems to chug along at a really slow pace - there is never any debate that gets going. Example - caller phones in and makes his/ her point. Occasionally guests respond to question and that is it - it moves onto the next caller. Not wanting to hold up something like talksport as an examplar of good practice but they usually have a main topic of debate and encourage the callers to discuss this. 5 live also do it quite well with host suggesting a few topics of conversation to get peoples minds working. Examples could be "Is Dyer worth a start? Gallagher - key playmaker or liability?". They could even throw it open to topical football discussions not solely related to Leicester city such as that recently discussed on dispatches about drugs in football etc - it would just be a time for people from Leicester to have a football related phone in.

These talk back shows also usually have a short stint at the start where the topic will be discussed by the hosts where factual information is debated to also give the listeners some food for thought - again using the example of Dyer there are opta stats that could be discussed around assists, impact that he has had on games where he has come on, along with perhaps discussing possible alternatives.

It also seems apparent (as someone else alluded to) that there is not the volume of callers to get a good debate going. Maybe they should heavily promote during the game the topic for discussion, offer competitions - maybe surveys with fans as to why they don't call in could perhaps be a solution - there must be some tips they can pick up from people like 5 live to see how they do it. I personally don't care if the caller has been to the game or not - there is enough media out there to help you form your own opinion radio coverage just being one of them along with the footage on iplayer, forums, newspapers etc - the main thing for me is that they have a point that can be debated by people who are lucky enough to have been to the game or not.

I think that they do a lot of things well - it is excellent that they regularly have Sven, the owners, players etc on

[tomtom]

Maybe listening to all the callers live on air just reminds us all how orrible our lesta accent is on the radio!

Seriously though the producer is mainly to blame and the show could easily be improved by a better selection of callers and with most of the ideas raised by the great post by rhysm above!

[stockyfox]

Rhysm – I congratulate you on the excellent points and substantiated observations you put forward in what is a very fair structured appraisal.

You may be interested to know that I have contacted theSports staff at Radio Leicester re this thread and I am assured that it will beread with interest.

If, by so doing, it brings about a revised approach, new ideas etc. then this thread will indeed have been worthwhile,serving as a neutral ground whereby fans can air their views and make suggestions without prejudice.

[MrSpaM]

Decent post to be fair. I do understand why people get frustrated by the callers on the show though, it's like the guy who selects the calls is mates with these people who get on every week or something, must be other people calling in surely?

It seems to be getting to the callers who get throughs heads a bit, there points are getting less and less valid every week.

And why the hell was one of the calls wasted this week by putting someone through who was just going to ask Fazackerley who he prefered out of two of our players, AS IF HE'S GOING TO ANSWER THAT! Do these people not get screened for what questions they'll ask before they are let loose on national radio? Anybody with a single braincell would know our assistant manager isnt going to answer a question like that.

[fleckneymike]

In response to a couple of points, first Sphericalfox: yes, 'twas me for about 30 seconds at the end of the programme. I had been a little disappointed that Gelson Fernandes' contribution v Brighton had not received the plaudits I thought it deserved. Alan Young had given Darius Vassell his Man of the match award and although I acknowledge that Darius played really well,so did everyone else. It was a real team effort but for me the two players who by example, had inspired the rest of the team to play so well, were Sol Bamba and Gelson Fernandes. Indeed, I think Fernandes is proving to be a superb addition to the squad. He exudes energy, pace, confidence and skill and gets through a tremendous amount of work without being over spectacular. On Monday night, I think the only time his name had been mentioned was in the contribution by David (from Coalville).

Fleckneymike – you say that 'you disagree with my? views re Lloyd Dyer'. I was somewhat puzzled where you had remembered this from. I do like Dyer and above all respect the loyalty he has shown to the Club. However, I would have to agree with the comments in Finnegan's posting. Since Dyer joined LCFC, things have moved on. Sven's policy to upgrade to a better player in every position has meant that Lloyd has moved down the pecking order and is unlikely to start in the initial XI but come on as an impact player after say 70minutes.

Just to perhaps clarify that there are at least two other fairly regular contributors to the programme called 'Peter' – Peter from Markfield, (who along with David from Coalville, to my mind make some very valid interesting points and observations) and Peter from Ibstock.

As I also was born and bred in Ibstock, It is probably as well that I now live in Stockport, otherwise this could have been somewhat confusing.

Cheers!

Stocky I have the memory of an Elephant and as you are a Roofer you know we never forget anything if we can use it in a petty point scoring fashion. I think Dyer is technically one of the worst players I've ever seen in a City shirt, I think he's just a quick Josh Low. Now I'm well aware I'm typing this immediately after he's scored in Cardiff to put us 2-1 up but for all his honest endeavour I just don't feel he's good enough for where we are hopefully heading. To give him deserved credit his application under Sousa was exemplary and like Robbie Neilson he actually improved during that period. I really don't think his record as a player supports the belief that he can have an impact off the bench, obviously I'd be delighted to be proved wrong but I just cant see it happening.

[stivesfox]

What a shame no phone in tonight extra time the regular callers have to find something else to amuse themselves with

[stockyfox]

Fleckneymike – fair enough! I hadn't thought about cross-referencing message boards but I still feel your opinion of Dyer is harsh. I've just watched his goal and I wish a few more of our players would emulate the way he dispatched the ball into the net instead of hoisting it yards over the bar. It seems we must agree to disagree!

What a shame no phone in tonight extra time the regular callers have to find something else to amuse themselves with

Stivesfox - why should you be concerned that due to extra time, there was no opportunity for fans to phone in their views on the game? The tone of your statement, which I see you have also posted on the 'RL Phone-in' thread, implies your own disinterest in hearing of the views of other fans in which case, you are not obliged to listen, you can always switch off and find something else to do.

Live and let live!