: Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:33 am
Asim wrote:
Don't see how, you firmly put the emphasis on the muslim bit, and the "ambassadorial" aspect, unless there is another reason you'd regard a muslim signing as being a good idea?
The straw man is that you criticised me for expecting miracles, Muslims pouring through the gate. Being a successful ambassador doesn't require that outcome.
If he was that good he wouldn't be playing for City but, seriously, who do you really think has the highest profile in potential within that community? I'd say the British guy who thinks he's Pakistani and is the national captain of their national team in the most popular game in the world takes it from the Lebanese guy who is the record points scorer in a competition most of the "community" will have never heard of?
But El Masri, if he came, would be banging them over every game most likely. I'd expect that to make him more marketable than Rehman in that respect.
Rehman works his booty off by all accounts, in schools on a daily basis despite only being on loan, yet it has and will make no difference to the crowds apart from the freebies he'll give out.
You assert. Obviously City think otherwise. And isn't there potential for the long game here? Chipping away and showing an interest that might, just might get the ball rolling.
The way the Bulls went on about the player mentioned by red was embarrassing, given that those who had seen him play were amazed he'd been signed in the first place, and this is the 3rd time City have tried to succeed with the "Asian" community, though at least this time they have managed to get someone who might identify with the people they are chasing (as opposed to the guy called Chris who looked like he might be of Asian origin but couldn't play football anyway, and the similarly terrible Sikh player they loaned from Leeds).
Agreed that poor-to-average players will have little impact. I honestly think El Masri has 'Beaver' potential. Fair chance of him leaving the NRL in similar fashion. whose to say he couldn't go on to match Menzies' achievements in Super League?
I've not yet seen an example of patronising people being a successful way to attract them, so very much doubt there has been any trick missed here.
If he was a mug, and if it was handled in a ham-fised fashion then yes, it could backfire. But surely it could be done with a bit of nouse. El Masri himself has form in this regard, in fact he is seen as the game's chief golden boy now Menzies is over here, credited with turning the sullied rep of the Bulldogs around.
Anyway must dash, there is a fellow atheist on the telly.
I don't care about the Bristol derby, but if it turned out that Dawkins supported Rovers, I'd probably go for them.
