Chris you state that there are still eight days before the transfer window opens. The transfer window opened as soon as the season finished (Premier League rules Section M). Otherwise how could Phil Jones transfer to Man Utd have taken place.

Hi Anonymous

Actually Scott Carson hasn't signed for the Turkish club (and he certainly was an Albion player at the time I wrote the piece - check the date).

I deal in fact, I don't concern myself in speculation.

Widespread gossip on the internet, causing local journalists to write articles in an effort to justify their jobs.

This will all end in tears, just like Albion appointing Hodgson.

Mark, from Manchester.

Hi Charlo_Baggie

Fair point re my message, but I happen to know who it is and know their agenda...
And I fail to see why I should be polite to someone discrediting me, when they're not even willing to post under a real name. It's easy to be a keyboard warrior behind a pseudonym.

Regarding 'breaking stories' (Or not), is that really the point of what I'm trying to do? I'm here to provide readers with factual news. I can think of certain websites who 'break' news several times a day - 99 per cent of it proves correct. People look towards local newspapers to give them fact and, when necessary, comment about their club. That might mean occasional 'egotistical' comment pieces but probably nowhere near as severe as comments you'll find over on message board communities throughout the country.

I've broken enough stories, as have the other newspapers you mention. However, the days of in exclusivity in print media are fading, not least when there are so many sources of news and - unlike the Birmingham Mail and other newspapers - are not bound by printing deadlines. Red top nationals are your best port of call for transfer gossip. Some of this might be true, more of it will be speculation (probably fed by a desperate agent trying to drum up interest for his player).

Strange as it might seem in this modern era, my work is still prioritised towards print deadlines - hence at the mercy of those deadlines and the increasingly futile hope that the story I'm sitting on doesn't break elsewhere.

Thanks for your observations about getting out of bed earlier...I shall reset my alarm.

Charlo _Baggie

Apologies - I did

Reference: I can think of certain websites who 'break' news several times a day - 99 per cent of it proves correct.
....

I did in fact mean 'incorrect'

Football fans look to their local papers to communicate fact and trust them to do that. There is so much trash written on the net, whilst nationals have the luxury of not having to maintain relationships with the clubs that local journos do. I think we are lucky at the local football journo's we have in Brum, I particularly rate Chris and his Albion coverage, cheers from Halfords Lane.

That's just, like, you're opinion, man.

I think those who are being critical need to examine the detail of Chris's work and compare it to his peers. You only have to look at the E&S- and this is certainly no slight on Steve Madeley, whose articles and paper-space I spend a lot of time reading- to know that Chris's articles hit the web a lot sooner (E&S's tend to go up at certain times of the day). He allows himself to be accessible to his target market at all hours of the day through Twitter and online feeds. If you send him a question, he'll generally respond almost immediately. I can't think of any other journalists that do this to such an extent (although admittedly I don't work in media).

Of the articles Chris does publish, I can't ever recall one being proved false. The speculation generated elsewhere is given as such; the facts or knowledge is generally proved correct.

Egotistical and wrapped in self-importance? Yes I can see how it can be perceived as such, but how does a writer who has access to knowledge demanded by tens of thousands convey it modestly?? You're almost asking him to apologise for having it. If he responds to a thousand tweets in a conversational and friendly manner, he'll undoubtedly end up with a thousand more tweets. Until any of us have spent a day in Chris's job, I imagine it's difficult for any of us to tell him to do it better.

Chris- this isn't intended as a sycophantic response, but you do seem to have taken some of the above quite personally. I'm sure you're already more than aware that you'll never please everyone, but I imagine there are far more that appreciate your work out there than don't.

Personally I think the whole social media world has caused so much stink.. Yes people say it connects people and brings them together. Look on the flip side to this. It create's issue's with peoples lives other than football, like relationships and loosing jobs over small remarks... It's stupid when I thought this country was all about freedom of speech. It's a load of rubbish if you ask me. If your life is in the media you only have to say one word out of context and people jump on the hate train and want to stone you to death. Why are people in this world so fickle!!.. They clearly don't understand the term nobody's perfect!.. It's the truth everyone gets stressed out and makes mistakes it's only human.. we all get annoyed with life! So why can't we be allowed to be harsh, swear rant or release whatever stresses we have? Basically do what we want. People shouldn't feel as if they are under control because they are falsifying who they really are. Chris ignore the haters just keep doing your job mate. I'm a Baggie through and through... I've read stories and hear word of mouth blah blah blah!. I don't listen I only believe it when it's happened and real. Your stories have truth so hense my alliance to your cause!

Final point: Social media has made the world paranoid and pointing the finger, so don't be sucked into believing everything you read!..

Thanks.

Linked here by the Guardian.

I appreciate the job Journos like you do in separating fact from fiction. It can be difficult finding relevant, factual news about your team, especially regarding transfers. And doesn't help when you have certain websites (CaughtOffside?) linking players and clubs at random.

Nice article Chris. "Sigh" why can't we have someone like you write about Arsenal, iso of having to read a lot of negative spin, rumours and gossip every day.

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