ArfieldsSalute
Well-Known Member
We used to be a big fish, domestically and in Europe. We used to punch above our weight financially and on the park but times have changed and as a support we have not changed our expectations.
Football isn’t what it was - nowadays money rules the game and if you don’t have it, 99 times out 100 you don’t win things. Sure, you can have your ‘good runs’ or wins against run of play but it goes without saying.....the big teams usually are more consistent and hence win leagues.
I am not for a second saying we are below them across the way in stature but as a playing squad we are, it’s plain and simple and a fact. If we compete and get anything from this season it will be unbelievable. A full new team assembled in the summer not to mention other factors such as poor decisions have made getting back to the heights we once had that more difficult.
But as a fan base, we are still expecting to beat everyone, to pump all in front of us and be on top. If you look at us in world football, stature wise we will always be a ‘big team’, great support who travel everywhere and sell out at home each week BUT......we are no longer a big team on the park. We cannot compete financially with those down south, teams such as Burley/Southampton etc have more riches than us.....probably not right but true meaning their quality of player can be more wide range and better.
We need to understand that having a big team mentality requires the financial backing to boot and the players/management also. I know we are up and down this season but I truly believe we have a big time manager in that he has the mentality to take us to the next step. The issue is in order to get there it will take time, possibly a few seasons of buying in specific players at certain times and growing as we go. The 16 players in summer were dobe to make us more competitive and it has, the up coming windows will be used to add specific players and quality buys.
I think as a support we really need to take a step back and genuinely ask.....are we being fair in our criticism? Yes we’ll make mistakes but so will they all. Man City are flying yet got pumped off Chelsea - bad games/performances happen.
We need to grow together, let the manager work his magic. Give him time to do so and we’ll see the rewards.
The last 6/7 years has been a non event really for us. We were kicked from pillar to post and it has hit us hard. We are getting better but surely, keep emotions in check and ask if you are being fair. Otherwise let’s keep the same cycle going of not allowing anyone (player or management) to grow.
Look forward to the usual - that’s rubbish blah blah. But every team who has taken the step back and allowed a philosophy to flourish has reaped the benefits (Ajax/Barcelona/Belgium etc)
Football isn’t what it was - nowadays money rules the game and if you don’t have it, 99 times out 100 you don’t win things. Sure, you can have your ‘good runs’ or wins against run of play but it goes without saying.....the big teams usually are more consistent and hence win leagues.
I am not for a second saying we are below them across the way in stature but as a playing squad we are, it’s plain and simple and a fact. If we compete and get anything from this season it will be unbelievable. A full new team assembled in the summer not to mention other factors such as poor decisions have made getting back to the heights we once had that more difficult.
But as a fan base, we are still expecting to beat everyone, to pump all in front of us and be on top. If you look at us in world football, stature wise we will always be a ‘big team’, great support who travel everywhere and sell out at home each week BUT......we are no longer a big team on the park. We cannot compete financially with those down south, teams such as Burley/Southampton etc have more riches than us.....probably not right but true meaning their quality of player can be more wide range and better.
We need to understand that having a big team mentality requires the financial backing to boot and the players/management also. I know we are up and down this season but I truly believe we have a big time manager in that he has the mentality to take us to the next step. The issue is in order to get there it will take time, possibly a few seasons of buying in specific players at certain times and growing as we go. The 16 players in summer were dobe to make us more competitive and it has, the up coming windows will be used to add specific players and quality buys.
I think as a support we really need to take a step back and genuinely ask.....are we being fair in our criticism? Yes we’ll make mistakes but so will they all. Man City are flying yet got pumped off Chelsea - bad games/performances happen.
We need to grow together, let the manager work his magic. Give him time to do so and we’ll see the rewards.
The last 6/7 years has been a non event really for us. We were kicked from pillar to post and it has hit us hard. We are getting better but surely, keep emotions in check and ask if you are being fair. Otherwise let’s keep the same cycle going of not allowing anyone (player or management) to grow.
Look forward to the usual - that’s rubbish blah blah. But every team who has taken the step back and allowed a philosophy to flourish has reaped the benefits (Ajax/Barcelona/Belgium etc)
