Tom, I'm glad to say that although there are several whingers around me, it is mostly good natured. Sadly it is also often quiet for long periods as well.
I accept that SA plays a very cautious game, and ideally I'd like a more attacking formation sometimes, but we are currently 2nd, and if this gets us back to where we belong, and keeps us there then so be it, at least until we get the squad to a higher standard.
I'll concede that the tactics might be adding to a few peoples frustration, but the lack of vocal support for much of the games, has been a fact for a long time before SA arrived, or even his predecessor. Thankfully, every now & then the exception proves the rule and we get a really good atmosphere still.
Well said Chappers, I totally agree. Sorry Tommo but I completely disagree with your comments. I nor anyone around me in the BM upper boo'ed the team at any stage last night. I don't think they were shambolic either; they were certainly no where near their best, but no team can play every game 100% efficiently. The lack of atmosphere can't be put down totally to the teams performance on the night. I've been going to the BG for most home games since the mid 70's, & the atmosphere has been getting steadily worse, noticeably, for several years now. Sad to say, the home crowd have become almost fairweather supporters.
Maybe the time of kick off is a factor, but I think it is far more than that. I beleive the atmosphere at the BG has been in decline for several years. It is near silent for long periods during most matches, and when we do sing, it is either prompted by Bubbles over the PA, or often in response to something from the opposition. (Who are yer?etc) A few years ago, singing was much more prevalent, and involved many different songs. So what is the cause? Time of day maybe, (particularly if it means not much alcohol has been consumed), seating rather than standing?, average age of crowd increasing?, quality of football played?. I don't know what the cause is but one thing is clear to me. The fans at away matches are far more supportive to the team and provide far greater support than those at home. So how do we put that right?
I agree with your comments about booing the team, and think the teams you mention are about right for the top 6 places; it's just the order I can't agree with!
I have two lists, governed by head & heart :-
Head Heart
Champions : Soton : Irons
2nd Brum Pool
3rd Irons Pompey (yeah, I know!)
4th Cardiff Soton
5th Reading Cardiff
6th Pool Brum
Agreewith most of your points, especially 17, but thought Vaz Te had a poor game. Considering it was supposed to be a sell out today, I thought the ground was far too quiet, even taking into account the below par team performance. We were supposed to be at home, yet the Palace fans easily out sang us for most of the game. This seems to be happening quite often now, and the usual accusation 'you've only got one song' seems to be sadly true these days. I accept that the team needs to give the supporters something to sing about, but shouldn't the crowd get behind them more?
I can't do much else other than say what everyone else looks to have said already, but the DS interview was excellent, addressing everything that I think we would want to hear about, and you really should feel very satisfied.
I must confess to having been an opponent of the two Davids take over, preferring the option presented by Tony Fernandes. How wrong was I !
I now freely admit to having been won over by DG especially, but also DS since he learned to keep out of the media, and think our beloved club is in safe hands.
Blimey Aussie, where did those numbers come from? It would be nice to think that there is that pot of gold when we get there, but I can't see it! You been watching the Wizard of Oz again mate!
You're going to be really popular with the source, relative or not! I think you can also say with some certainty that your source will now have dried up!
Are you for real Bradley?
Well said Tom. The first half particularly we were all over Burnley and it was sweet to watch, Over the full 90+ minutes we were still much the better side, yet the team get boo'ed! 'Supporters' who do that need to consider whether Chelski or similar might be a better bet to follow.
Well said Ironsides! Yes Scott Parker was excellent , but so were his wages! He has made it very clear by joining the spuds that his relationship with our club and the fans is purely that of employer / employee and I for one will be very happy to see the end of the Parker cult. It might even help if the other players see this. I lost count of the munber of times Scott was made man of the match when there appeared to me & usually those seated around me, a better candidate. Good luck to him, but will I welcome him back in a spud shirt? Well I won't boo him, and might briefly & politely clap him, but welcomes a la Carlito, NO!
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Contraption