If you were accused of animal cruelty would you let a kitten conduct the press conference? Perhaps you could send your calculator to court if charged with tax evasion? Or even more ludicrous, allow Cywka to make a statement to the media before Clough or Club?
Perhaps my intro was laced with a bit too much sarcasm but frankly it is bordering on deeply insulting that neither DCFC or Clough have issued a statement or confronted the press yet but were happy to allow Tomasz, who is the victim in this case, release a short statement.
After taking heat from the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) chief executive Gordon Taylor, it is unbelievable that the club would take this road in the way of a response.
Gordon Taylor spoke to BBC Radio Derby about the situation:
"It cannot be appropriate to criticise your team in such a way in public. We'll sort things out...otherwise it looks an untenable situation."
“It's a breach of the trust between the players and the manager and the manager and the players, but I would hope that Nigel sees it that way as well. Knowing Nigel as I do, he must have been so frustrated as the club have not been doing so well and there was a chance to win the game.”
"I think that sometimes that's the problem with speaking after the game before everybody has time to calm down because the game brings up such emotions."
After that the silence continued until the statement from Cywka was released on the DCFC official site:
"I have no problems at all regarding the comments that the manager made after Saturday's game at Portsmouth relating to myself. I have felt no need to speak to anyone outside the club about this, including the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).”
"I was delighted to sign for Derby County in the summer and I have loved the challenge of playing first-team football, it has been a great experience and I feel I am learning all the time under the manager and his staff.”
“My total commitment is to Derby County Football Club and to do well for the manager, the team and the fans, who have been fantastic with me since I first came here.”
"Nothing will distract me from working hard to compete for a first-team place. I'm looking forward to the remaining 17 games of the season and winning as many as possible for the team....starting this weekend against Leicester City at Pride Park."
Well it’s nice to hear from Cywka on the matter but is it just the jaded ex-media man in me that, in my opinion, believes it could possibly just be a well written pre-prepared media release that young Cywka might have agreed to, but had little hand in writing himself.
I personally know how these things often work, having written many a regretful media statement for everyone from players to politicians. Once all parties agree on the content and wording is prepared, then it is readied for release under the guise of a statement from the individual.
Cynical of me maybe but the fact it says exactly what the club want and need it to say after the recent criticism, will raise questions over the players input in the wording. Especially when Cywka himself is not the most fluent communicator due to the language barrier and even with a translator he is unlikely to suddenly speak with the aplomb of an experienced media presenter.
I am not suggesting for a minute that the player does not feel this way or genuinely cares less about Nigel’s comments but the dissatisfaction amongst fans that is festering required and deserved something more poignant and satisfying.
For Clough and the club not to have commented on the matter only allows the frustration to grow and then letting Tomasz issue a statement in lieu of an official club stance is unprofessional and insulting.
It is the media equivalent of sending a child out waving a white flag to see how many bullets are still whizzing around. The innocent party does the dirty work and those who sent him out are guilty simply for not doing it themselves.
Saying nothing can allow things to cool down but silence for too long is a much worse option. The only option worse is saying nothing at all and letting someone else do it for you. It is time GSE and Nigel himself (whether directed to by the club or not - he is his own man) stopped sticking their head in the sand acted like a team of professional people delivering the communication that a club of this size deserves.
How hard is it to organize a press conference with smiles all round to show all is ok?
How hard is it, with the possibility of a low turn out Saturday and protests on top of that, to address the concerns of fans on what could have been an issue apologized for and explained away by lunch time Monday?
How hard is it for Tom Glick or the Media department of DCFC to use a little common sense and tap into the feeling amongst fans and work towards hitting the target more often than not?
That doesn’t mean discounts on partner’s products or match day competitions. It means a feeling that the team and manager are a united force. When was the last time we had pictures of the team together, smiling and laughing with the gaffer.
If it is happening, show us! It is superficial but subliminally satisfying.
Instead of appearing on the pitch with a Pea, give the fans a feeling of community and a club moving forward in its attempts to connect rather than force it’s promotions upon the very people it needs to respond to them. If you can achieve the second first, then the first is fine to roll out second…. if that makes sense!?
Much like the Robbie Savage attack on Roger Davies last year, the club has handled this current situation terribly and when action was needed did nothing and hoped it would go away.
Savage should have been reprimanded by the club for his comments last season and made apologise to the former champion and fans. On this occasion some recognition that the situation on Saturday was not acceptable but player and manager are fine and have moved on, would have been enough. Four days later and it needs so much more.
How come a second rate radio announcer and washed up media man like me can see this but the people responsible for a very large football club cannot.
This is not rocket science; this is basic, media / supporter damage control.
If this situation is beyond DCFC to hose down, then what genuine hope can we hold they will successfully deal with the issue of investment and supporter dissatisfaction?
On current evidence it doesn’t look good but I am available on a free-transfer if they are interested! ;0)