Media Savvy

[RobNox]

Something I noticed in the post match interviews with Jason and Callum.  They were both fed a line by the interviewer on the basis that, you're 9 points clear, is the league now yours to throw away?

 

They both came back with basically the same response, there are no easy games and we will take every game as it comes and try to win it.

 

Robbie was fed a similar question, but as we would expect, he didn't fall for the bait either.

 

But I remember McHattie falling into a trap earlier in the season, when asked if Hearts could go unbeaten all season and he responded, 'hopefully, but....' and the media weren't interested in anything he said after 'hopefully'.  The headline became 'Hearts can go unbeaten says McHattie'.

 

It seems as if we are now briefing the players on how to handle these questions, and making sure nobody falls into the trap of saying something that will be totally misrepresented by the media.

 

Imagine how it would have been reported if Holt had said yes, we're 9 points clear, technically the league is out of Rangers hands, therefore technically it is ours to throw away, but there is a long way still to go etc etc.

 

The media would report this as 'Holt claims league is as good as over', 'title is in our hands claims Holt', 'Rangers out of title race according to goal scoring hero Holt', 'Jason Holt - we're already planning for the Premiership cos Rangers are shite'

[Snedescu]

I thought both players came over brilliantly during the interviews - very calm and grounded.

[NewYorkJambo]

Given the club has a PR person on the books I would certainly hope the players are media trained.

[richiehmfc]

I think it's clear that the players have been well drilled on what not to say. Neilson was reiterating it before the game yesterday by saying we will do our talking on the park.

 

Another example of the club handling things correctly

[Riccarton3]

So much can happen, such as injuries and suspensions and simply lack of form,over something like 20 games? But already it's Hearts to throw away.

 

Cages have certainly been rattled.

 

It's good for the game. Hearts 9 ahead generates interest, rather than have a procession to the title.

[Jambos_1874]

Given the club has a PR person on the books I would certainly hope the players are media trained.

 

The Hun PR department obviously don't operate in the same way as ours does given the absolute sh*te their players/management keep coming out with.

[A Boy Named Crow]

The Hun PR department obviously don't operate in the same way as ours does given the absolute sh*te their players/management keep coming out with.

I've not seen/heard any of the post match interviews. What have they been saying?

[22HMFC22]

I would like us to make some kind of statement regarding our disappointment regarding the situation with McHattie once the extent of the injury becomes clearer. May be better coming from Levein ? just my thoughts.

[Jambos_1874]

I've not seen/heard any of the post match interviews. What have they been saying?

 

Not so much after the game but more the absolute nonsense they have been coming out with all season; "Hearts are under pressure", "Hearts will bottle it", "Hearts don't know how to win championships" etc, etc. Just the usual undignified nonsense.

[Watt-Zeefuik]

[Hungry hippo]

Agree with the OP and would add that Holt and Paterson have both clearly been brought up very well.

 

I liked Paterson's sincerity and clear remorse with his comments after the Hibs game.

[R1874]

That will be Levein's doing, no doubt. He knows that talking a big game helps no-one. Sure, I'd love to hear what players honestly think but there is a time and place. 

 

It seems like it's not a big deal but it is. Even with Ann's comments about Robbie; there is a clear vision for this club. We are going to be run with a genuine attitude of pride and responsibility. None of our players will get done for doing something stupid on social media or outside a Tesco. I like the idea that we are producing good people as well as (most importantly) good footballers. 

[auldy19]

I would like us to make some kind of statement regarding our disappointment regarding the situation with McHattie once the extent of the injury becomes clearer. May be better coming from Levein ? just my thoughts.

I'm sure this will be reported but any statement made by the club will most likely be turned into a negative spin complaining about rangers heavy handed tactics etc etc, rather we just got on with it.

[Dusk_Till_Dawn]

Thought Robbie handled the week leading up to the game brilliantly.

 

Low key, no arrogance. Class act

[tartofmidlothian]

Thought Robbie handled the week leading up to the game brilliantly.

 

Low key, no arrogance. Class act

Agreed. This goes right through the club too.

 

I'd rather we were boring winners than loudmouth losers.

[Jammy T]

Love Robbie to bits but I'd prefer a bit more bite than for him to say

 

? would have been a different outcome but for the sending off

? not putting any blame on Miller or Boyd for their tackles

 

Not a big deal but it's just a bit too gracious

[tartofmidlothian]

The Hun PR department obviously don't operate in the same way as ours does given the absolute sh*te their players/management keep coming out with.

Not being glib, but was their PR dept not laid off last week?

 

Of course it's been well reported they have an outside advisor too, but I guess he has bigger fish to fry than post match interviews.

[EIEIO]

Love Robbie to bits but I'd prefer a bit more bite than for him to say

 

? would have been a different outcome but for the sending off

? not putting any blame on Miller or Boyd for their tackles

 

Not a big deal but it's just a bit too gracious

Quite happy for Robbie to stay aloof from name calling and seethe leave that up to us. Never enjoyed a player being substituted as much as Kenny Miller on Saturday, seethe factor ten.

[OmiyaHearts]

I don't think anyone at the club has to complain about or mention the tackling and the ref decisions. We do our talking on the park - go out there, get the three points and focus on the next game.

 

We've demonstrated we're the top club in this league and it'll be other teams who will be making post match comments and taking pops at us. You only need to see Daly in the papers today and weirdos like Scott Robertson saying Hibs are just as good as us.

 

We just keep our heads down and prepare on the weekends match - anything else is just a distraction.

[Seymour M Hersh]

Love Robbie to bits but I'd prefer a bit more bite than for him to say

 

? would have been a different outcome but for the sending off

? not putting any blame on Miller or Boyd for their tackles

 

Not a big deal but it's just a bit too gracious

 

Give them nothing to hold onto as a sop. be generous with being patronising and the media won't have a clue what to do. Be totally professional that'll scupper them.

[THIRABHESES]

I don't think anyone at the club has to complain about or mention the tackling and the ref decisions. We do our talking on the park - go out there, get the three points and focus on the next game.

 

We've demonstrated we're the top club in this league and it'll be other teams who will be making post match comments and taking pops at us. You only need to see Daly in the papers today and weirdos like Scott Robertson saying Hibs are just as good as us.

 

We just keep our heads down and prepare on the weekends match - anything else is just a distraction.

Absolutely correct . Its a relatively minor matter but our handling of things , media etc , off the pitch has been brilliant . Obviously put in place pre-season this attention to detail exemplifies how the club is being run from top to bottom

[jambo89]

If anything, the McHattie incident has helped us. No doubt the PR department would have briefing against making such comments and how the media can twist your words. Fast forward to the Kevin's interview and that is exactly what happens. The rest of the team see this and the penny drops.