Pat Murphy, at it again: Lerner needs a PR lesson
Tuesday, 29 January 08, 03:37 PM
I like listening to Pat Murphy on the radio but every time I read something from him it reminds me of that open letter written by Hyder Jawad to Richard FitzGerald.
That letter was Hyder Jawad throwing his toys out of his pram and I thought quite embarrassing, considering the circumstances and who it came from. This however, isn't the first time Pat Murphy has had a little moan at the expense of Randy Lerner and it was too much the first time.
The first time was back in March last year when Pat got a little upset that Mr Lerner spoke to only 20 or so reporters. Poor Pat.
Today, Pat Murphy is complaining again that Mr Lerner isn't talking to him and his requests are getting turned down. He is even suggesting that Mr Lerner needs a PR lesson. He is disguising it quite well though, by saying he's not speaking to a few companies.
Is he doing this to try and publicly force Mr Lerner into a speaking with him and is this really his last resort; going public and like I said, throwing his toys of his pram?
Now, back in March, Pat Murphy suggested that Aston Villa fans might like to hear from our new owner and he was right, we would like to, but it's not the be all and end all.
Today, he is saying pretty much the same thing, but I think if he was to actually ask an Aston Villa fan most would say they're happy with the majority of things at the club and hearing Randy Lerner say a few words into a microphone isn't high on the priority list.
I'm sorry for bringing this up but sometimes Pat is just going to have to accept that his buddy Doug Ellis is no longer at the club and that Mr Lerner, much like Richard FitzGerald, doesn't have to speak to anyone if he doesn't want to.
Comments (15)
I read that, the guy's a fool and can't take it he isn't getting an interview. Is her surprised when most journalists twist things out of context anyway?
I read this article earlier and I completely agree. It was such a rant.
We're really luck to have a chairman like Randy Lerner. If he decided to take a vow of silence until the end of the season, I really wouldn't be bothered. It's his prerogative.
I've a lot of time for Pat Murphy. He speaks a lot of sense about Midlands football, and the Villa in particular.
But in this case he's wrong. Randy employs the likes of Phil Mepham to do the PR. Us Villa fans are relishing the fact that we don't have a chairman who's face is in the papers every two minutes like we used to.
Randy is far better than that fat old bastard ellis
I for one am quite pleased with the way our Chairman conducts himself, he is after very private and unasuming man. He is by all accounts from what other people have said a family man and that is something that Mr Murphy should think on.
It is every individuals right to talk to whom ever they wish, and Mr Lerner is exercising that right. If you happen to bump into Mr Lerner in the grounds of VP you will find that he will stop and talk as happened to a friend of mine, and this is the same of the whole board. Mr Murphy should now appologise for insulting Mr lerner by his comments regarding his PR skills as by reading this report I think it is the other way round.
What an idiot!
I havn't seen the article, though why should the owner need to speak to the press? In days gone by the owners were mostly silent until managers needed "full support" or "every confidence" prior to getting the sack. Fans appear to be right behind the Randylution, sometimes the press need dissent to create a story, we mustn't alllow this apparent prat to stir us up.
pat murphy is a petulant child when he cant get his own way he needs to take a chill pill, i totally disagree with taglors way over the top way of discribing ellis though at least ellis gave lerner a club worth taking over, one that was not in debt with a lot of assets.
Just found the article. What an opinionated, self aggrandising pr*ck! In London Fleet Street is dubbed "The Street of Shame", is there an equivalent in Brum where the Post hacks hang out?
I've just read the article and cant believe what an idiot this man is, if Mr Lerner does not want to speak to the media then that is totally his perogative. I for 1 am extremely glad that we have Mr Lerner and not 1 of the other American owners in the premiership who cant seem to stay out of the limelight whether its good or bad press. Keep doing what you are doing Mr Lerner, the only thing I would ask is that you give MON a little shove and gently remind him that the transfer window is about to slam shut and we may need to get a move on with signing players!!!!
Who can blame Randy Lerner for not wanting to speak to the press.
The press can not be trusted,they are underhanded,fabricate as much as they want to and will stab him in the back given half a chance.He's done nothing wrong at Aston Villa.Yes it's frustrating that MON.hasn't spent any money in this window but we need to be patient.I like Lerner's style and if it winds up the media so much the better.
Have read said article. Wot a load of self opinionated arse!!! "Randy won't talk to me" bleats Murphy...well, who can blame him you boring old fart!! Mr Lerner is doing a great job at Villa and if you need to talk to someone about how the club is run why don't you try the General, or are you scared he might tell you a few home truths...p.s Pat..Leicester really are crap, get over it!!!!
aawwwwwwwww shucks poor murphy. dont like it? then get another job. if i worked in his local pub, id shit in his food an feed it to him. atleast it wud explain what comes out of his mouth as well as his pen.
It does look at though Pat Murphy's let his feelings get the better of him on this one - when Ellis was in charge, he had all the scoops, the interviews, the exclusives, and was considered one of the West Midlands #1 football correspondants.
How upsetting it must be then to be frozen out by the new regime. Suddenly he's not the media voice for Villa anymore.
Problem is, as countless people have said above, it's entirely RL's perogative who, if anyone, he speaks to.
And by releasing this article I don't think Pat's done himself any favours on that score.
Villa are to quite as a club i dont even think i could call it a fans club we dont get much info really do we lets face it
Only info we get is about things the club are doing involving getting out money like the peices of history sale on ebay
Loads of other teams fans from what i see get told everything thats going on
Man united arsenal chelsea spurs newcastle blackburn pompey loads of em have confirmed targets to fans and press and still sign the targets villa on the other hand seem to think if u confirm targets to fans and press u wont be able to get ur target
Very quite club we are :(