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Pochettino Press Conferences

davidmatzdorf

Front Page Gadfly
Jun 7, 2004
18,106
45,030
The irony of you purporting the idea of walking out of press conferences and being ridiculously unprofessional and rude to journalists, who are only trying to do their jobs, and then accusing other fans of being "chronically paranoid". Incredible stuff.

Once again, it's irrelevant how inane or malicious you think the questions are - it's his job to answer them as he sees fit - and if he decides to do so in the manner he has been displaying lately, then he will be judged on that. He's there to represent the club. There isn't a manager in the world who tries to pull the same "You know me I cannot answer this" job as Poch does for every single question.

As an example, during recent press conferences and the pre-season tour, he saw fit to be rude to and refuse to answer questions from Spurs Community's very own Ally Gold - a club-sanctioned journo for a local publication, who is well-respected, highly professional and never asks a question for the sake of it or to try and generate a headline. Poch refused to answer questions from him ranging from transfers, to player selection, even to basic tactics. He even answered the question of "Do you think Lamela will be an important player at the start of the season given his strong performances in pre-season" with a completely childish snap back at Alasdair.

I know you'll simply hit the Disagree or Dislike button and refuse to concede anything because that's what you do, but no, David, it is not "about time" someone acted so unprofessionally and downright rudely to journalists, especially not to ones sent there by the club!
I thought it was obvious from my post that I wasn't entirely serious. Apparently not. My main/underlying point was that he's visibly been becoming more and more frustrated with being asked a mixture of stupid questions, tactical questions that no manager would give a straight answer to, obvious questions that are there to fill column space and provocative/malicious questions about issues outside his personal responsibility and designed to create false scandal. I wasn't seriously suggesting that he should walk out, just that it would be nice if someone called these idiots and shit-stirrers out for a change.

Without fail, every time he gets testy at journalists, Spurs fans start a whole woe-is-me thing about divisions between Pochettino and Levy and the former's intention of leaving for a richer club unless we start buying mega-buck players wholesale. It's been obvious for the past two years at least that his friendly manner with the press was wearing off. But fans keep concluding that it's a sign of some deeper dissatisfaction with Tottenham.

If I were to guess, I'd say that he was naive enough 5+ years ago to think that, if he was open and warm with journalists, he'd get treated differently than other, less charming managers. As he's progressively discovered that they don't give a fuck, as long as they get their latest "Eriksen to Real Madrid" or "Alderweireld frozen out, rift with Pochettino" story, his manner has worn off and he is revealing his contempt.

I'm sure Ally is a lovely person - he's been on here for even longer than I have - but he asks the exact same inane questions as every other journalist, occasionally with a more subtle one added due to his extra knowledge about Spurs.

The Lamela question falls squarely into the category of "obvious questions that are there to fill column space". If I were Pochettino, I really would just sit there silently for a minute and then ask "has anyone got an intelligent question?" But I'm not him. He gets irritated and rambles instead.
 
Last edited:

Gareth88

Well-Known Member
Sep 19, 2017
4,592
6,727
I thought it was obvious from my post that I wasn't entirely serious. Apparently not. My main/underlying point was that he's visibly been becoming more and more frustrated with being asked a mixture of stupid questions that no manager would give a straight answer to, obvious questions that are there to fill column space and provocative/malicious questions about issues outside his personal responsibility and designed to create false scandal. I wasn't seriously suggesting that he should walk out, just that it would be nice if someone called these idiots and shit-stirrers out for a change.

Without fail, every time he gets testy at journalists, Spurs fans start a whole woe-is-me thing about divisions between Pochettino and Levy and the latter's intention of leaving for a richer club unless we start buying mega-buck players wholesale. It's been obvious for the past two years at least that his friendly manner with the press was wearing off. But fans keep concluding that it's a sign of some deeper dissatisfaction with Tottenham.

If I were to guess, I'd say that he was naive enough 5+ years ago to think that, if he was open and warm with journalists, he'd get treated differently than other, less charming managers. As he's progressively discovered that they don't give a fuck, as long as they get their latest "Eriksen to Real Madrid" or "Alderweireld frozen out, rift with Pochettino" story, his manner has worn off and he is revealing his contempt.

I'm sure Ally is a lovely person - he's been on here for even longer than I have - but he asks the exact same inane questions as every other journalists, occasionally with a more subtle one added due to his extra knowledge about Spurs.

The Lamela question falls squarely into the category of "obvious questions that are there to fill column space". If I were Pochettino, I really would just sit there silently for a minute and then ask "has anyone got an intelligent question?" But I'm not him. He gets irritated and rambles instead.
Jesus Perez at the next presser just lays into the next journalist to ask a stupid questions gets heated has to be dragged out of the room ?
 

dondo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2006
8,603
14,091
I don't mind at all if he cultivates a major case of hostility to the whole journo-cadre. Someone needs to say "stop asking me malicious bullshit questions, because I won't answer them" and "if you ask me about transfers again, I will leave the room". It may as well be Pochettino. He's got a lot of natural charm and he's more likely to get away with for longer than his more dour counterparts.

I really have no problem whatsoever if he alienates every cliché-spouting, shit-stirring football journalist in the British press. He should stage a couple of walk-outs at appropriate times. Or just sit there, silently, for a few seconds and then just say "has anyone got an intelligent question?"

He won't, because he's too polite, but we can all see him progressively losing patience, his responses getting shorter-tempered and less communicative.

Chronically paranoid Spurs fans see everything except what's there, which is contempt for his interlocutors.


The club gets paid a kings ransom by the TV companies and media for full coverage including interviews and in turn Pochettino get a huge contract with the club. He has to put his big boy pants on and stop being such a baby. I do agree that he does get stupid repetitive questions but he has to deal with it better than he has lately
 

Gilzeanking

Well-Known Member
May 7, 2005
6,093
5,019
I thought it was obvious from my post that I wasn't entirely serious. Apparently not. My main/underlying point was that he's visibly been becoming more and more frustrated with being asked a mixture of stupid questions, tactical questions that no manager would give a straight answer to, obvious questions that are there to fill column space and provocative/malicious questions about issues outside his personal responsibility and designed to create false scandal. I wasn't seriously suggesting that he should walk out, just that it would be nice if someone called these idiots and shit-stirrers out for a change.

Without fail, every time he gets testy at journalists, Spurs fans start a whole woe-is-me thing about divisions between Pochettino and Levy and the former's intention of leaving for a richer club unless we start buying mega-buck players wholesale. It's been obvious for the past two years at least that his friendly manner with the press was wearing off. But fans keep concluding that it's a sign of some deeper dissatisfaction with Tottenham.

If I were to guess, I'd say that he was naive enough 5+ years ago to think that, if he was open and warm with journalists, he'd get treated differently than other, less charming managers. As he's progressively discovered that they don't give a fuck, as long as they get their latest "Eriksen to Real Madrid" or "Alderweireld frozen out, rift with Pochettino" story, his manner has worn off and he is revealing his contempt.

I'm sure Ally is a lovely person - he's been on here for even longer than I have - but he asks the exact same inane questions as every other journalist, occasionally with a more subtle one added due to his extra knowledge about Spurs.

The Lamela question falls squarely into the category of "obvious questions that are there to fill column space". If I were Pochettino, I really would just sit there silently for a minute and then ask "has anyone got an intelligent question?" But I'm not him. He gets irritated and rambles instead.

OK David lets put the shoe on the other foot .

What are the intelligent questions that you wished had been put to Poch in the last presser ?
 

Primativ

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
3,229
12,486
I don’t see why some fans need to create some bizarre fantasies to explain the fact that Poch is being a moody git in PCs.

None of us know why, but it’s really bloody obvious that he is. It’s not really a criticism, just an observation. Although I do find his press conferences generally to be sometimes bizarre, and often boring, that’s been the case for years now. Lately however, he has come across like a kid throwing a tantrum. I think it’s probably the fact the European transfer window is still open.
 

LeParisien

Wrong about everything
Mar 5, 2018
3,212
8,169
Some people are not holding the media to a high enough standard.

Poch has answered most questions very clearly - the first time. A reasonably intelligent person would not ask the kinds of questions Poch gets asked ad nauseum. Reasonably intelligent journalists would ask different questions or know the answer to many of the questions they ask anyway. The questions are asked to generate controversy and even when there is none, they find it.

We have a media that are not interested in truth or nuanced perspective, either in sport or in politics. The mode works on EMOTION and ATTENTION. And that is frustrating for a professional.

That @Bobbins highlights Ally Gold in all that is illustrative of the problem. Ally - nice guy that he is - is a journalist whose raison d’être is attention. He posts 15 times a day with click bait headlines. As long as he can drive clicks he’s happy.

I’m not necessarily blaming all journalists. A bit like in Parliament, the system is such that even good people are corrupted. But the fact remains that the medias special role is predicated on bringing light to issues but far far too often they bring emotional heat, even where there is none.

This has the potential to corrupt all people who live in the spotlight and it must be difficult for a man like Poch for whom integrity is so important.
 

SteveH

BSoDL candidate for SW London
Jul 21, 2003
8,642
9,313
I thought it was obvious from my post that I wasn't entirely serious. Apparently not. My main/underlying point was that he's visibly been becoming more and more frustrated with being asked a mixture of stupid questions, tactical questions that no manager would give a straight answer to, obvious questions that are there to fill column space and provocative/malicious questions about issues outside his personal responsibility and designed to create false scandal. I wasn't seriously suggesting that he should walk out, just that it would be nice if someone called these idiots and shit-stirrers out for a change.

Without fail, every time he gets testy at journalists, Spurs fans start a whole woe-is-me thing about divisions between Pochettino and Levy and the former's intention of leaving for a richer club unless we start buying mega-buck players wholesale. It's been obvious for the past two years at least that his friendly manner with the press was wearing off. But fans keep concluding that it's a sign of some deeper dissatisfaction with Tottenham.

If I were to guess, I'd say that he was naive enough 5+ years ago to think that, if he was open and warm with journalists, he'd get treated differently than other, less charming managers. As he's progressively discovered that they don't give a fuck, as long as they get their latest "Eriksen to Real Madrid" or "Alderweireld frozen out, rift with Pochettino" story, his manner has worn off and he is revealing his contempt.

I'm sure Ally is a lovely person - he's been on here for even longer than I have - but he asks the exact same inane questions as every other journalist, occasionally with a more subtle one added due to his extra knowledge about Spurs.

The Lamela question falls squarely into the category of "obvious questions that are there to fill column space". If I were Pochettino, I really would just sit there silently for a minute and then ask "has anyone got an intelligent question?" But I'm not him. He gets irritated and rambles instead.

I find it unprofessional. He can't seem to cope 'recently' with the presses prying into team matter which is their predominant reason for being there, as is Pochettinos'.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
If you want to see the best of Poch check out his one on one interviews with Gary Linekar, Geoff Shreeves, Laura Woods, you get a much better insight into him as opposed to press conferences.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
OK David lets put the shoe on the other foot .

What are the intelligent questions that you wished had been put to Poch in the last presser ?

I wouldn't mind if prematch press conferences and interviews were done away with, release an injury update and squad list and I'd be fine with that. I do enjoy the articles which Dan KP and AG release the evening of a press conference when they get a bit of a more insightful convo out of poch.
 

SteveH

BSoDL candidate for SW London
Jul 21, 2003
8,642
9,313
Some people are not holding the media to a high enough standard.

Have they got a standard?
They are hacks after a story, nothing more.
I think you are whistling in the wind expecting anything from the press.
 

LeParisien

Wrong about everything
Mar 5, 2018
3,212
8,169
Have they got a standard?
They are hacks after a story, nothing more.
I think you are whistling in the wind expecting anything from the press.
So on what basis can we criticise Pochs response ?

Hacks desperate for story. Poch desperate not to give them one. It’s a circus, a game.

Edit: it’s not Pochs professional duty to feed journalists confected stories.

Anyway the response is overblown because journalists still see poch in a positive light.
 

homer hotspur

Well-Known Member
Dec 7, 2014
2,868
4,637
It's the same at virtually every other big club. Klopp and Emery seem a bit more amicable. Pep , Poch and Sarri( last year) seem to enjoy being obtuse and mysterious
 

13VanDerBale13

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
14,269
33,647
Would have been nice if he mentioned Ndombele, instead we will be left sweating till next Friday to find out if he's trained or not/how bad it is
 

LeParisien

Wrong about everything
Mar 5, 2018
3,212
8,169
He is our manager and representing Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

He just sounds petulant and what @homer hotspur said above.
Is it in our interest to have journalists misrepresent the club in bad faith?

I would argue not.

In that case, Poch is entitled to speak in a way which limits the potential for the above to happen. He does that on certain topics eg always referring to transfers as rumours. His professional duty is towards the club, not the press.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
I think this is being blown out of proportion, he hasn't acted unprofessionally nor has he represented spurs in an ill-fashion, to suggest he's not being a good representation of spurs is farcical.
 

SteveH

BSoDL candidate for SW London
Jul 21, 2003
8,642
9,313
I think this is being blown out of proportion, he hasn't acted unprofessionally nor has he represented spurs in an ill-fashion, to suggest he's not being a good representation of spurs is farcical.

I would agree with the 'out of proportion' bit.
We are just talking about recent press conferences nothing else.
He thinks Mourinho is "brilliant" and it shows of late.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
I would agree with the 'out of proportion' bit.
We are just talking about recent press conferences nothing else.
He thinks Mourinho is "brilliant" and it shows of late.

He said when he met Fergy that Fergy told him that they're 2 games everytime we have a match, the press conference and the match and to make sure you never lose the press conference, at the time Poch said he didn't approach it in the same way as fergy but more recently I get the impression he's shifted to that mindset.
 

SteveH

BSoDL candidate for SW London
Jul 21, 2003
8,642
9,313
He said when he met Fergy that Fergy told him that they're 2 games everytime we have a match, the press conference and the match and to make sure you never lose the press conference, at the time Poch said he didn't approach it in the same way as fergy but more recently I get the impression he's shifted to that mindset.

Could be!
Whatever he is attempting to do in the more 'recent' press conferences and I will be polite, he doesn't need to.
I do though loathe all Mourinho'isms in a manager.

Let's talk footy.
 
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