nfr -- twitter

[HatterDon]

Just a short time ago, people would pass lame-ass transfer tips that somebody made up either verbally in a pub or via email: "My mum's hairdresser's sister's fourth cousin trims the hedges at Motspur Park, and he saw ... ."

It was kind of harmless fun and acted as good comedy relief. Now nobody has to even bother with figuring out the familial relationships, ll they have to do is open their Twitter account and post any trash their fevered mind can make up. Other people open their accounts and hey presto!

The MAJOR difference is that, before, everyone would laugh at the hedge-trimmer, tea-lady story. Now, any gibberish that's put out on Twitter is treated with respect and -- worse -- instead of being laughed about on sites like this one, it's worthy of endless conversations.

It reminds me of people my parents' age who believed that anything said on the radio had to be absolutely true or the government would shut down the radio station.

The fact is that Twitter can be -- and is -- used by anyone who knows how to access it. It's the 21st century equivalent of graffiti. In the 60s when I first got to England, "Clapton is God" was the most popular bit of wall writing I remember seeing in London. Seeing it written in three or four places over the course of a couple of days did not mean that he was, any more than 15 Twitter accounts re-tweeting slight versions of the same ruminant waste makes transfer rumors valid.

[Northern Cottager]

I'm not sure that any conversations on here revolve or begin with the sentiment that they came from Twitter so they must be true?. We all treat them with a pinch of salt and get more inclined to believe them as they snowball or they actually happen. Times move on as you said and Twitter is the equivalent of previous tales, some made up and some true. Just go with it.

[aFFCn_Fan]

Don, I'm a transfer mug, I'll be honest.

Come transfer window my F5 refresh button goes into overtime on FOF, Skysports Clockwatch, and when I'm not at a PC its Twitter on my phone. I'm intrigued to find out who we're linked with, who we could get, who is signing for other clubs, and ultimately the players I've never heard of who have joined Fulham.

Unfortunately its in my nature. When I was a child I couldn't sleep on Christmas eve, and would wake up continually, perhaps sneaking out of bed if the stocking at the end of my bed had been filled, starting to unwrap a few presents...but knowing the 'real' presents were by the fireplace...and would have to wait until the family were gathered, the Mario Lanza tape had been put on, and the sherry was flowing, before we could get opening. Ultimately it generally ended in slight disappointment that the main gift I received was not quite the motocross bike or top of the range trainers I'd been hankering for.

Transfer Window is my modern Christmas day. Lots of expectation, lots of 'ooh its kind of an interesting shape, but still wrapped', and ultimately being left with a feeling of 'meh, time to move on from the presents and get stuck into the turkey'.

Seeing it written in three or four places over the course of a couple of days did not mean that he was, any more than 15 Twitter accounts re-tweeting slight versions of the same ruminant waste makes transfer rumors valid.

Anyway, my original point was going to be yes Twitter is the modern day equivalent of Chinese whispers for the football transfer window. But before Twitter was the internet, and one rumour with little-to-no substance would get repeated and rehashed until it was a dead certainty. Before the internet it was the backpages, and like you say, the guy down the pub whose uncle works at Alex Ferguson's horses stables cleaning sadles.

While I do enjoy the news, chatter and information value of Twitter, I also find its addictive quality equally annoying. It's my stocking fillers and unfortunately now an integral part of transfer windows for me... 

[Lighthouse]

It isn't the gossip from individuals that bother me. But the fact that SKY can put a headline that reads Fulham Favourite to Win The Title. Then that is repeated over all the platforms. Until one opens it up and reads it and the story is about Fulham  only winning the title if they dressed in red and called themselves Manchester United. So often we believe in headlines.

We are favourite to buy Bent. Oh wait - until you actually read the story.

[Rupert]

Frank Bent, 42, leading goal-scorer for Leagrave Casuals in last season's South Beds Sunday League division 2 campaign, admitted he was both surprised and gratified to be linked with a move to Fulham FC, but stated his aim remained regaining his place in the Casuals starting XI and playing his part in their division 3 promotion push this season.

Let's see SKY pick this one up.