Re: Birmingham must prove their worth to Harry Redknapp
Deflect attention to a result by any means possible
[bleacherreport.com]
....
"What is undeniable is that regardless of whether or not Taarabt deserves the criticism, the incident has been a superb illustration of a Machiavellian master of media manipulation at his best.
Once again, Redknapp has showcased his uncanny ability to play the nation’s media like a fiddle. For a man so often characterised as a streetwise, no-nonsense operator who makes up in charm and charisma what he perhaps lacks in technical ability and education as a coach, he certainly seems to have an advanced degree in wrapping journalists around his little finger.
The fallout from the weekend’s game has been such that it’s easy to forget that QPR even played, which is probably exactly what Redknapp would have wanted after losing for the sixth time in just eight games. It’s a trick that he’s perfected over the years.
At Tottenham, he dealt with any hint of criticism by trotting out the fact that the club had only two points from eight games when he first arrived. He used the stat so often that he effectively painted the picture that he had inherited a team of relegation-certainties rather than a wealthy, well-stocked team that was underachieving.
His use of Taarabt as a scapegoat, then, is not a surprise. What is a surprise is the sheer impudence in his choice of target."