I thought the question was phrased well, insofar as it queried why a specific substitution was made, but framed it in the context of being puzzling to the man on the terrace.
I didn't think the question was phrased in the "context of being puzzling...", it inferred that the reporter knew better than the manager and I am sure this is what annoyed John Yems the most. I am not surprised he was annoyed - that is a terrible questioning technique and the reporter should have known better.
JOHN YEMS' RED ARMY!
You are absolutely right that it was certainly interpreted that way, but I am not sure it should have been... ...however, you likely have the advantage over me, in that I never bother with interviews as they are invariably the same old drivel and only bothered this time because it had become the main story... but I already knew the gist of events, so my reaction was likely more analytical than spontaneous.
But aren't a lot of people hereabouts 'inferring they know more than the manager'...? The entire sub-text appears to rest on the notion that swapping Hesketh for Matters cost us 3 points...!
No sub text involved from me. Watching on TV I couldn't tell Watters legs had gone. The people watching in the stands (the reporter for one) couldn't tell his legs had gone so the question "eyes were raised when you took Watters off, why was that?" is perfectly valid and all us would have said " fair enough" if John Yems had said his legs had gone and that would've been the end of the story.
I'm not angry with him but I would like some information from the club and manager at times and part of his job is giving that information out.
Remember, this interview was not a one off. He now has form for this.
I have no problem with any of your post Jim, it was valid for the manager to explain why he made the change.
My point is about the true outcome of that change... Not the mythical "cost us 3 points" one that appears to have developed post-match.
IMHO there is NO rational basis for concluding that...
...the replacement of our forward with an attacking midfielder... meant that it was inevitable that a clearance from our goalie, would ricochet off their player into the net...!