FFP

[Dave]

^^Same reasons.

I don’t fully understand this, clickbait journalism makes sense when it generates advertising revenue but the BBC is funded differently (at least in the UK).  Wouldn’t is make better sense for their USP to be the quality of the work and depth of research.

I imagine they've got reams of data on the sort of people who clicks on their articles and what they're looking for. People who want depth of research already have their Athletic subscriptions and their niche podcasts, and aren't wondering what Phil McNulty thinks about it.

A bit like the criticism of Match Of The Day not having Proper Journalists on to give Insight - when the people who are getting their football content from MOTD are the people who want seven minutes of shots and goals supplemented by Micah Richards saying how "he just needs to hit it there".

[Dante Lavelli]

I’m massively overthinking it, but I wonder whether the same critical thinking is applied to politics and important things as there is with Simon Stone (?) writing a Man U article every single day.

They should be better. I say that as someone that loves the BBC and the idea that it’s can be truly independent. A swerve to clickbait territory just supports the idea that it’s no longer relevant.

Anyway…

[Dave]

Don't think you are overthinking it and I think you're probably correct.

[LeeS]

It must be tough being the allocated journo for Villa. Every day you have to have 500 words on something or other. They can’t all be scoops or in-depth analysis. Sometimes it just has to be rumour or made up shit. Or stuff you’ve copied from a discussion on X.

Its. It even meant to be taken seriously. It’s entertainment.

[kippaxvilla2]

I saw or read something once is that one of rhe reasons Man United feature so much on tv is that an equal number of people tune in to watch them hopefully get humped as those that are ‘fans’.  Doesn’t explain the BBC obsession though. 

[Hookeysmith]

I saw or read something once is that one of rhe reasons Man United feature so much on tv is that an equal number of people tune in to watch them hopefully get humped as those that are ‘fans’.  Doesn’t explain the BBC obsession though. 

I was told that by Gary Newbon many years ago at the start of the Champions league when questioned why it was always them on tv.

As much as i loathe everything to do with them, even i cannot argue that they have the most eyeballs on them across the world. Millions of plastics that tune into clicking and reading anything and everything written about them.

Not necessarily in the BBC case but that is a lot of eyeballs that can be bombarded with advertising

Media like the Mirror and the Sun have their own correspondents just for them and every day have to fill national newspapers with stuff - if they have noting then a supposed link with the "next big thing" will suffice.

We could win the league for 10 years on the trot and we would never get that sort of media coverage.

[AV82EC]

Just seen a podcast with the Canadian Villa fan - he reckons that we will fail to meet the European SCR rules and another fine will need to be paid by us!

If we do fail their rules is this not down to incompetent management of our football club?

How does he know? Has he got access to the detailed accounts which will determine if this is the case? Sounds like another attention seeking internet whopper to me. And as was reported a few weeks ago we had complied with UEFAs restrictions in this transfer window so he’s basically talking out of his arse.

[IFWaters]

I saw or read something once is that one of rhe reasons Man United feature so much on tv is that an equal number of people tune in to watch them hopefully get humped as those that are ‘fans’.  Doesn’t explain the BBC obsession though.

BBC Sport is based in Manchester. Laziness, bias, that cities overwhelming sense of its own importance all play their part.

[Percy McCarthy]

€450,000 for the win last night on top of €4.31m for qualifying. If you want to keep track in future it’s €150,000 for a draw.

[TheToffnar]

We'll have that squad cost fine paid off in no time...

[Chris Harte]

€450,000 for the win last night on top of €4.31m for qualifying. If you want to keep track in future it’s €150,000 for a draw.

Any word on what Villa will get from the "Value Pillar"?

Last season it was over €18m before a ball was kicked.

Edit, just done a rough check and I reckon there are only four teams in this season's Europa League with a higher UEFA coefficient (based on 5 years).

[Somniloquism]

There are 8 teams with a higher coefficient which was why we were last in Pot1.

[Chris Harte]

There are 8 teams with a higher coefficient which was why we were last in Pot1.

I didn't watch the draw.

I just did a rough check but of course the coefficient places are constantly on the move.

[paul_e]

There are 8 teams with a higher coefficient which was why we were last in Pot1.

7, or we'd be in pot 2.