For anyone who didn't see it, the Guardian's Ian Prior told his followers on twitter that there was going to be an announcement of an exclusive bit of transfer gossip at 5.30 this evening. Immediately twitter was full to bursting point with speculation about what was to be announced. Top rumours included Howard Webb making a move away from Old Trafford and speculation about Nick Clegg's little known achievements.
By the time 5.30 came around thousands were waiting with bated breath for the announcement.
And then it arrived.
This
The big announcement was a small piece of transfer speculation from a supposed 'insider' amounting to nothing more than the usual tittle tattle that is found every day in far less reputable publications than the Guardian.
This really is a sad reflection of the way the media treats excitable fans during the transfer window. The article contains no quotes, no official statements and a denial of the story came from both clubs just 20 minutes later. The backlash on twitter was predictably harsh and the credibility of the Guardian is understandably dented.
Surely the low to which media outlets now stoop in order to get attention during the transfer window is reason enough to get rid of it all together? Maybe then football fans would feel less cheated and the stories that did get published would be respected far more.
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