Eight days a week

In recent months, we have all criticised our local paper, The Evening Post, for its coverage of the Swans. Most particularly, perhaps, the tolerance that was afforded to the previous owners, and the lack of critical comment on their actions. The media is and always will be good fodder for criticism from one quarter or another, that's inevitable, as it can't pander to everyone's viewpoint.

Maybe, however, where there is a situation involving the City's Football League club, there could be more allegiance between the readers, the journalists and the editors. After all, it is a hometown issue and I believe the press should be very outspoken and supportive on the issues that have significant local impact.

Now don't worry, I am not going to travel back in time on this, but look forward at what the Evening Post (and the local radio stations) could possibly do regarding their coverage of The Swans, and even the Trust, and everything else associated with the club.

Taking a sideways diversion a moment, let's look at the music industry. What one word could be used to explain the successes bands and singers, that are often mediocre at best, achieve. To my mind – hype.

Every media channel is full of hype for every artist. It works without a doubt. It is 'in your face' advertising and journalism. They can sell almost any record in huge amounts purely through giving the song masses of airplay, and the artist masses off exposure. So if it works in the entertainment industry………..wait a minute – we are in the entertainment industry - of sorts.

Locally we cannot compete with the huge amounts of financial backing that the big clubs and music industries enjoy. OK, we have a smaller audience at which to aim, fair enough, but isn't there something that could be done to make the Swans an integral part of Swansea life for many people. So we go back to the press angle. Coverage of games, and headline news is fine, but fairly routine these days. Does it stir up the enthusiasm of the potential audience? Not really. So what can be done?

Well I took the decision to check out the press coverage that our rivals up the M4 get in their local rag. It smacks you in the eye; it is eight days a week coverage. I have copies of a Friday and Monday Echo, and the paper just oozes football. There are front and back page headlines, colour photos, interviews, statistics for the game on Saturday, and a full-page advert for ticket ordering. It is a world apart from what we see here, and all for the same price of 32p.

As for Monday's edition, it was more of the same, both in the main body of the paper and in the full colour supplement that accompanied it. We, the fans, need something like this; the club need something like this and even the Trust need something like this. We need a paper to give our club coverage the way the echo does, hitting the streets and houses on a Friday night full of Swans' related news.

Can't we put some pressure on the Sports Editor to crank up the way they report on the Swans? Isn't it worth a go?

I'd have to say that after seeing the Echo for the first time in a few years, it did hint of 'Here comes the Sun' but I do not think it can be faulted in the exposure and hype that it gives to the team up there. Hype sells; the product doesn't have to be brilliant, just well marketed. The club must work with the local press to get it right. The club must sell itself and the Trust must sell itself and have the 'in your face' attitude that works so well for others. If only this could change ready for next season, I am sure that it would make a huge difference to a lot of things.

The first cut is the deepest

The time is drawing ever closer when the squad for 2002/3 and the inevitable cuts that will be necessary will be decided and announced. Depending on your viewpoint, the cuts could be severe, irrational, short sighted, unambitious. We shall see. The mix of youth and experience must somehow match the pot of money that will be allocated to pay the wages, and it will be a difficult juggling act, especially considering the forthcoming contract negotiations, and the loss of the ITV Digital revenue.

I'm in with the in crowd

Having gone through months of disagreeing with every decision that came out of the boardroom at the Vetch, I hope that the people of Swansea do not automatically agree with everything that is being done now that local people are in control. That would not be a healthy position for anyone. Decisions are made, and are always open to debate afterwards. Mistakes will be made, and whilst we may need to be tolerant of some decisions, and ultimately accept others, we, as fans, have a voice now and should use it. The louder the voice, the more it will be listened to.

It would be foolhardy and naïve to think that every decision made by the Management Committee is the right one. Fans should not knock other fans that disagree with how things are being done. Opinions matter, blind acceptance of what goes on is unhealthy.

In a week of dramatic events I have managed to write a column without covering the CVA or the ITV Digital issues. Enjoy the Easter break and the football that goes with it. More from me next week, as we continue down the long and winding road.

If there are any particular subjects that you would like covered in this column each Friday, then I'd be pleased to hear from you, and I'll throw my views and perspective on virtually anything. Use the e mail address below.

If anyone has any feedback to give me, I'd love to hear from you at pauly@scfc.co.uk