Billy Bragg knows it, so why do certain football sites use it as a source for stories about Everton and the other lot.
Part of my morning routine is a cup of tea or coffee and looking over NewsNowEverton
As usual, there is the usual mix of half-truths, rumours and reasonable ideas on the page, this time of the year with the transfer window open it’s even more fun with clickbait headlines calling everybody “An Everton Ace” or something like that.
Considering, most of Everton’s transfer dealings for the last half decade or so have been mostly rubbish. You could argue the coverage matches that.
Remember, no journalist ever gets every call right, after all transfers involve humans and they’re apt to change their minds at any time, then there is the brilliant media relations from the club, which seems to believe not answering is a good way to deal with questions.
There are some outlets that are fairly accurate. Greg O’Keeffe and Patrick (Paddy) Boyland both provide analysis and feature stories daily in The Athletic. O’Keeffe has spent a good part of his professional life covering Everton and has probably built up relationships in the club which might give him an edge on developing stories in Evertonland.
There are other journalists who likely have sources in or close to the club - Alan Myers and Fabrizio Romano are two good examples.
Then you have the sites that take a dubious source and run with it, without thinking about it.
For example, this morning I saw articles citing the S** and the Daily Mail. Neither paper has a good reputation on Merseyside.
HITC runs a story with a headline saying Everton could sell £40 million Spurs target to Newcastle.
The source is The S** and the player is Anthony Gordon. Now, Bill Kenwright hasn’t been a success as Everton chairman, but he knows, he would be putting his life on the line if he did sell Gordon, a Scouser and life-long Evertonian. Even worse is using the S** as a source. The paper is hard to find on Merseyside and Blues and Reds are united in their hatred for the alledged newspaper. Both Everton and Liverpool have banned workers from the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid toilet paper in the past. It’s unlikely they would have much access to either team.
Let’s talk about the Daily Mail or Fail as it is sometimes known. During the tail end of last season when relegation seemed a possibility for the Blues, the paper decided Everton would need to sell Jordan Pickford to help finance a quick return to the top.
The club’s money issues are also big deals to the tabloids. Richarlison was sold for £60 million to Spurs, but the move was probably more to balance the budget than the Brazilian’s desire to play at a higher level.
Reports say Everton has no money to spend, hence James Tarkowski on a free being the only arrival, so far. Of course, other reports say Everton has money to spend, but don’t say how much. Frank Lampard has been linked with Burnley’s Maxwell Cornett. Wolves Morgan Gibbs-White as well as a host of young Chelsea players.
With the current Everton communications team, it’s likely you won’t have a confirmation of a new Everton signing until he’s shown holding up a jersey with his name on it.
That’s my opinion or perhaps a bit of a whine. Like it or not, you’re welcome to comment.