Yet again the attendance for last night's wasn't announced - it wasn't as if it was difficult to count - probably between 3000 & and 3500.............. so where were the other 'fans' that we've lost in the last few seasons ? Were they tucked up indoors - out of the wind and rain - watching Champions League ? I probably wouldn't have watched the Man City game if I wasn't enjoying myself so much in the freezing cold at Priestfield -- BUT -- (( I already know brb's response )) -- how can you argue against staying at home after watching another pile of dog-do ? I have been following my team's dog-do for MANY years. I have been extremely loyal to The Gills -- the Club will always continue to hold a place in my heart --- but -- for a long time, the problem hasn't been in my heart - but my stomach ! I am getting increasingly sick of being given so much rubbish. I am sure that the 'rubbish' that is being given, particularly at home games, is responsible for so many people no longer willing to waste their time. --- but -- that isn't the real problem for me -- it is the lack of effort ((( I am NOT including Fuller ))). Last night, as on Saturday, we played against a team 'low' in League 1. Both Oxford and Bristol Rovers showed a much greater commitment to 'engage' in the battle with far better intensity than The Gills. In both games we struggled to win the 3rd ball - let alone the first or second. We just let the opposition have so much possession - and 'stood off' too many times.... These are teams that are supposedly 'struggling.' - and let's not forget the defeat against bottom club Wimbledon. Where is the 'fight' from The Gills ? - Mind you, I'm not sure if I actually want to watch us 'in possession' -- where we just employ 'hoofball' tactics - cringeworthy ! ( almost as bad as Ehmer's shot - which went off for a throw-in ! ) I could continue - but ( for those of you who are still with me ), you know what I mean without further embarrassing the players ( other than Oldaker -- simply AWFUL) . People have said "Enough" - people in their thousands - and it can only get worse! I know that we've got limited resources etc - and I don't mind losing - but - if the players don't give 100%, why should the Club expect people to put up with dog-do................... and even I am getting fed up with having to endure so much of (sh) it.
I know where your coming from Always, though people do see things differently. I have read a lot of criticism of RCC last night, yet I thought he was one of few players who actually did try to put in a tackle. Eaves who is always the hero, or always out of position depending on your point of view, rarely fights to win the ball, preferring instead to play the man and hope the ball finds its way to him. I said in the prediction league that it would be a tough game, Bristol have only conceded 37 goals this season, against our 59. The bottom line is that a club of our size (measured by attendance and therefor revenue) are between 14th and 18th in league 1 size, we currently sit in 17th place which leaves us exactly where we can expect to be.
(( I wasn't going to mention it )) - but, I watched Barcelona last night - not a 'hoofball' in sight. The quality of play was joy to behold. It succinctly illustrated why people do not go to watch dog-do at Priestfield. I don't blame them --- I've said, on several occasions, if you repeatedly get a crap product from anywhere else, you would NOT put up with it - I do not* subscribe to the blind loyalty demanded by football -- not when it's taking so much money every time it gives me crap. * actually, I 'do' - but I am more stupid than a lot of people ! - but - after too many years of dog-do, I am beginning to see sense (( it might take L2 football next year to finally get to me. ))
I thought we did huff and puff second half but no one took a chance in the box to get at the end of it. Bristol Rovers actually have a brilliant away defensive record so it was tough. We got a lot of corners and crosses some good some awful.
gioblues I understand your point! - but - ((( and what I will say next is NOT a criticism of YOU - because I am also guilty.... ))), The viewpoint is one that is loaded with favourable bias - by people who are fans of the side that is giving so much rubbish. You ( I ), would have to concede that (( certainly over the last 3 seasons )), the standard of football - and therefore the 'entertainment ' on offer, has been poor. The results cannot lie ! We have lost 10 home games already this season - and there's still another 4 that could end up the same way. Even when we've won - with one or two exceptions, the victories have hardly been convincing - or involved much quality. My point, in making this thread, was to give an opinion as to why so many seats were vacant at Priestfield on Tuesday ( and other times ) - and why more fans will not continue to part with a lot of money - for continual crap entertainment ------- then my subsequent post ( after the Barcelona game ), emphasised my point. It cost me considerably less to watch football which entertained me - than going to Gills to be fed dog-do AGAIN, & AGAIN & AGAIN ETC. .....Gills til I die
Easy to say that Barcelona play good football when they have a squad with a value of around half a billion pounds lol. Ours would be lucky to get a Hapenny for its troubles.
Pegleg - I entirely agree - I am not expecting Gills to have an ounce of Barcelona's quality - and nor are all the people who have stopped coming to Priestfield - and who have now chosen to stop coming to watch so much rubbish week after week after week and so on.......... if the only bread shop in town continually sells me stale bread, I'm eventually going to stop buying it - and make my own at home.
8-0 was the collective score in 1964/65 **(( for the benefit of Steve347 )). We beat Luton 5-0 at Home, and 2-0 Away, and 1-0 in the FA Cup.... ** I just hope that Luton do not exact 'collective' revenge on Saturday.
Continuing the theme.... ITV4 are screening ( live ), one La Liga match each weekend until the end of the season (( it might be going back to SKY next season ). Last night, I watched the magnificence of Messi ( hat trick -- over 50 of them ! ). The quality was beautiful......... it's exactly why people stay at home, rather than go to Priestfield etc..................... ........... although I'm looking forward to renew my acquaintance with the stewards at Wimbledon on Saturday ( I shall not be moved ! )
