It's Never Personal

Midway through John Carver's first season in Toronto, we've all grown used to him going off... on the CSA for not playing the TFC players he loans them...on Guillermo Barros Schelotto for diving... on officials for bad calls, blown calls and disrespect.

During the news conference following TFC's 0-0 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, Carver went off again.

On the media.

I won't detail his first rant here because I know Cathal Kelly is covering it in his column for Sunday's paper, but midway through the news conference Carver challenged a reporter to tell him whether the local media want Toronto teams to win.

I'm summarizing here when I say the reporter replied (correctly) that his job is to ask questions, not to answer them and that he was just trying to do his job. They butted heads a while more before agreeing to disagree. The reporter left the conference to grab quotes from other people.

Before we continue, and since this is a discussion forum and not a news conference, I'll answer Carver's question here.

I can't speak for reporters on other beats, but every reporter who enjoys covering soccer secretly wants TFC to make the playoffs and play well once there.

Yes, we're supposed to be objective and I try my best not to come off as a homer, but I also understand that the soccer beat is a minor one at major papers in this market. That means mainstream media will cover TFC as long as they're either winning or setting records for goal scoring droughts.

But give big media in this market a reason to stop paying attention (by, say, missing the playoffs), and they'll gladly scale back coverage, and cover TFC the way they cover the Marlies -- which is hardly at all.

So yeah, part of this reporter wants TFC to do well. Working this beat has raised my profile both inside and outside the newsroom and allowed me to collect some Aeroplan points. But most importantly, it's fun.

Even when Carver's going off on me.

And did he ever go off Saturday night.

He singled me out, saying he took issue with something I'd written for Friday's paper:

Since then TFC has shone at times. On a sweltering April Sunday in Los Angeles they defeated the Galaxy on Jeff Cunningham's late goal.

Other times, though, they've stunk, earning just three of their 21 points on the road.

What, I thought to myself, did I have to do with the team winning just once on the road? Three points out of a possible 18 on the road sure isn't shining, and that's why I said it stinks.

In a packed news conference, the following exchange ensued:

John Carver -- That's a great comment, innit? That's gonna get everybody on our sides, innit?

Morgan Campbell -- You're 1-5 on the road, John. I'm not the one out there playing.

JC -- No, I understand that, but what I'm saying is, why do you have to go and write crap like that?

MC -- One and five on the road, John.

JC -- And we're playing at home...I think I've made my point. It's dead easy going on a website and looking for your questions to ask from supporters groups.

MC -- John, I write the good, I write the bad.

JC -- Yeah, but you never turn up on a Monday when we win. Monday's your day off.

Yes. A lot of times, it is. Has nothing to do with wins and losses. I'm not disappearing on Monday in a dastardly effort to deprive TFC of good press.

It's about a union contract that mandates a five-day work week and a hefty overtime rate for anything beyond that. Now, some folks in this business make a ton of money, but nobody's trying to see me join that list just yet, so for now I work five days a week.

Now don't think I'm trying to bash Carver here, because I'm not. He said later in the news conference that things would be back to normal by the next practice, even for the reporters he lambasted. And I believe him.

Thing is, I never took any of it personally, and I told Carver as much in the locker room after he had calmed down a little.

I write, people read. Sometimes they don't like it and they lash out. I get called all kind of names, but I really don't mind it. For me, it's never personal. It's just part of the job.

For him, too.

I can't call myself a journalist, then only write the truth when the truth flatters TFC. It's not the media's job to cheerlead for the team and Carver told me he understands that.

Again, I believe him.

I don't go out of my way to give people bad press, but I've got to be honest with readers, with sources and with myself.

So was it a little harsh to say TFC stinks at times?

Possibly.

But again, I've got to be honest.

And honestly, 1-5 on the road speaks for itself.

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[Cashcleaner]

Sorry John, but you're wrong on this one. Morgan is paid to ask questions, even the ones you don't want to hear. Its silly to expect otherwise.

[Jake]

What does he mean by "your supporters groups"? What does this mean? They're your supporters groups John and you should learn to calm down. I have to say I'm tired of the whole attack whoever's around after a loss thing man. Just do better!

No one's fault, but the boys and you.

[VPjr]

good on ya Morgan.

JC is pissed because his team was just horrible today and takes it out on the inked stained wretches? lack of class in my mind. What would he do if he coached the Leafs? he'd have a coronary.

John, spend less time blaming the media and more time getting us some players who can play because right now, very few are earning their keep.

[Daveisonfire]

One converted penalty kick, and none of this happens. Football sure is a funny game; full of passion and emotion...I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Batman]

Carver's clearly as frustrated as anyone, and unfortunately it sounds like he lashed out at the press conference. If it wasn't you Morgan, it would have been someone else. It's not right, but it's human nature.

[Ryan Johnston]

Well, seems to me to be a classic case of both sides doing their job. Good on ya Morgan for sticking to your principles and reporting what is happening out there on the pitch. Carver was obviously sticking up for his clubto the public. But you know that he's singing a different tune in the locker room. As bad as the reporters felt he was berating them in the news conference,, i'm sure none of them would have wanted to be a player in the dressing room. I bet they got it at least twice as worse.

[seven]

Carver is lucky that the media is not writing the truth about the team. His managing has been terrible in the last few games. Against Chicago he had the media thinking he was going for goals by playing a 3-5-2, but he didn't add attacking players he added another defender. Despite that Toronto managed to give up their customary early road goal. Rickets who has scored 3 goals & almost always looked dangerous is rewarded with a spot on the bench & Robert gets an undeserved spot on the bench. Then with a tired Toronto team trying to hold on for the win he doesn't make use of his final sub to bring in an extra defender or defensive minded midfielder.
The loyal fans are rewarded with almost a complete line-up of reserves in the friendly against Independiente presumably so the starters are fresh for the San Jose game. That worked like a charm.
San Jose could barely get out of their own end in the 2nd half, but Toronto barely tested Cannon. Carer's only move was to bring on Jeff Cunningham. Carver admits that the team was struggling in the heat, but doesn't bring on fresh legs. Smith would have given the tired San Jose defenders real problems. He could have brought on James to provide an aerial threat on set pieces. He could have changed to a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, but he did nothing.
A great manager uses every resource he has to get a result. Carver has dropped points in 2 consecutive league games without using all his weapons.

[Devon]

I agree with everyone here and TFC has been dismal on the road. However, I just want to point out there are no fewer that EIGHT OTHER teams with only 1 road win. that is not to make excuses or to somehow rationalize it's acceptable... just that it is very tough to win on the road in this league. I desparately want to see them improve on the road but equally they need to score more goals at home.

[louis]

oddly enough, the players, the ones on the field actually, you know...playing, really don't get too much mention. or attention.

looks like coach did a fine job deflecting.

[Paul]

While Ricketts and Robert were standouts, the absense of chemistry in the middle is frustrating. I am hearing about a scoring forward or 2, but midfield is there to generate opportunities, and it just does not do enough to consistently outperform opposition, even playing 4-5-1. JC focus needs to be on getting his players to work together, and using forwards he's got now.

[Santosman]

Carver's way off base. The team stinks right now and he should look in the mirror for that, not blame the media. Sure the officiating is appauling in MLS, sure he doesn't have anyone who can put the ball in the net with regularity. But he's the man in charge and he needs to suck it up. Maybe grow up, too.

[Matt]

You're not paid to be a booster -- you ask questions and report on the events and facts. The TV stations seem to do that just fine.

The British media seems to come in two forms: you're with us or against us. They're cheerleaders or they hate a local club's coach/manager/owner. Its obvious what JC wishes he had here.

And it seems the PR flaks from the Leafs and Raps are feeding TFC and JC their own spin.

[pjm]

There's a simple way for Coach Carver to cure his problem with your writing: Win on the road. Then you have to write they're doing well, and he won't have anything to complain about. There's an old saying in newspaper circles that the ol' coach would do well to learn: If you don't want to see it in print, don't let it happen.

[alex]

Keep up the good work Morgan.

You aren't the first MLS media member to be ragged on. Ives Galarcep has been crapped on a few times by Red Bull management. Hasn't stopped him from becoming a respected columnist.

[Skinn]

You're doing your job, and JC's doing his; he's taken the focus and the heat off his squad and put it on him. Well done MC and JC.

[James]

Morgan,

I heard about what happened immediately following the presser, and I have to say I am completely disgusted with Carver's behaviour on Saturday. The fact that he brought in past articles of yours shows just how little he has to answer for the problem(s) at hand.

Really childish stuff from a grown man, if you ask me.

[rog]

Morgan,

Keep up the good work. I do, however, think you could have helped defused the situation a bit by not repeatedly responding "1 and 5, 1 and 5" when Carver was calling you out. Once you made that point, and then kept repeating it, you risked
giving the appearance of egging things on. Just let the guy vent, bite your lip and keep thinking, "Wow, this is going be a grat blog item!" :-)

[Eric]

Obviously Carver was looking to vent. And he'd be stupid if he didn't realize his mistake. I'm sure he'll apologize at some point.

I think people know when they're being unreasonable and taking out their frustrations on "innocent bystanders". I think they know it every single time, whether they admit it or not. I wouldn't kick dirt on Carver in this case- I'm sure he knows it already. All he has to do is apologize and he's in everyone's good books again.

The jerks are the ones who can't apologize, and only dig the hole deeper for themselves by doing it over and over. The irony is that they do it out of guilt and insecurity. Of course, it never works, and their mountain of frustration only gets higher. It's a self-inflicted wound, too, which is the most painful part. It's truly painful to think that some people are so guilt-ridden from their mistakes that they convince themselves to repeat them in an effort to relieve their frustration! It never works- in fact, it gets worse- but some of them never learn. I think we all have examples of these people. Hopefully Carver is not one of them.

Keep up the good work, Morgan. We do appreciate your contributions and candour. It's a refreshing change.

[Chris]

MY problem with the media in this city...and I think maybe JC saw it too...is that whiel they are all too willing to shoot down a team that is stinking it up (which TFC is at the moment, no doubt)...they don't give credit where it's due. AND they don't back up the team when they need it.

What happened to that opportunity Carver gave the media where he practically BEGGED them to call out MLS and the Refs for costing us points? Bad refereeing is just as much a part of the game that needs analyzing as calling out Guevara for a poor game against San Jose, or our defence for dropping the ball against Chicago. And yet, not a single reporter, Campbell included, had the gonads to call out the refs. We NEEDED them to and they basically refused.

So you know what? Good on Carver for reminding them that they need to show SOME support to the team as well. If they really want to "see the team in the playoffs" then they need to nack up our boys and make sure we aren't dropping points unfairly because of the refs. Now if we do it on our own, the media has every right to call out the coach and the players. But I am convinced we have been robbed of a good 4 or 5 points because of bad calls from the refs...and I can't remember a single instance this year where we have won a game because a ref blew a call in our favour. That is a BIG deal in my books and Campbell and the rest of the media have dropped the ball in this regard. Carver knows that in England, this level of incompetence by the refs would not be allowed and his frustration at having to endure it AND not having the hometown media support him (like they would in England) must be incredibly frustrating. And nobody is acknowledging it.

[Denis]

*** I completely agree with the last comment made by Chris ... This is EXACTLY why Carver went off on the MEDIA. This is something that you MUST understand! He challenged you and you did NOTHING! ***

My Reasoning: the e-mail regarding that Carver quoted during the press conference. See: http://www.thestar.com/article/463749

[Doug]

"and I can't remember a single instance this year where we have won a game because a ref blew a call in our favour. "

You should have won Sunday for exactly that reason- as Ben Knight observed, that PK Guevara missed shouldn't have ever been called- that ball was being cleared from the penalty area before it ever dropped anywhere near the foul.

[Paul]

Unless there is a conspiracy in MLS against TFC we should not be entertaining 'poor referiing' excuse. Concentrate effort on building a team that can win with or without referee help.

[Betty Swarski]

Do you ever get bored writing about yourself? I thought reporters were supposed to report the stories, not constantly talk about themselves.

Try giving us some real sports stories here. I'm sick of hearing about you all the time.