I think there are those are too emotionally invested in every single game among the support base. This is a natural part of being a supporter. You then also have those who use any game to support their narrative where they have an axe to grind. This again is a natural process with supporters. Howe doesn’t really have time to get emotionally invested like that, he has to be more calculated. We have to remember almost everyone accepted he’d taken on a poisoned chalice and a team that was big favourites for relegation. So he has to find a way of beating the odds. Part of that would be having no distractions. Including the FA Cup sadly. The truth is no one will give a **** about the Cambridge game if we stay up. If we don’t it’ll come back into the mix for those with an axe to grind. Life of a manager, he knows the score.
Prior to the game I wanted us to throw it. Longer term it is more important to stay up. So when I seen the team he put out and then we still lost I was in two minds. One I was confused as to why he did what he did. And it worried me slightly. Two I was pleased because we could do without the distraction. I think he will get us safe. He has the players now and we are in touching distance so his only remit that he should be judged on now is if we survive relegation. Nothing else really matters.
I agree. The one thing I’ll say though for those who do attend the games, if you are just going to be negative or judgey instead of carrying out the point of you being in the stadium (supporting), then just stay home. We don’t need that negative ****, everyone needs to be rowing in the same direction. This is not a “I pay my money I’ll say my piece” type of situation. It’s a big ****ing team effort. **** will go against us, Eddie will make mistakes, but I do think fans just need to stay positive and consistent. If your gonna whine like a bitch save it for forums like this after the game. I’ve heard some utter bollocks and pure negativity from fans around me this season. You get to the point where you feel like just saying “**** off home you daft ****”. I don’t really understand some people, it’s like they want something to moan about.
I'd say the support has been much better, much more vocal and the volume is getting louder and louder as more parts of the ground other than the strawberry corner get used to actually joining in. Not quite sure the bloke in his 70's I sit next to is quite ready to kick his flip flop off and raise it above his head and join in with "shoes off if you love the toon" but at least he now gets out his seat for the "stand up if you love the toon" chant. I'm making it my mission if we stay up to have him pogo by the end of the season. I'd say with Clark and Hayden out the team things will get better as people just waited for them to make a **** up to groan. We can't get everything we want so Lascelles and Shelvey will have to wait for the impending summer clear out to **** off.
Totally agree with that. I know we've had to put up with years of utter ****e from the Ashley era, but now is the time to back the club (players, manager/coaches and owners alike). Support the team, even during tough games or the odd mistake. Everyone involved now WANTS to take us forward, so give them a chance - and support. No, it won't be a smooth ride, but that's football.
I guess one good thing about being out of the cup is it's given the new boys more time to bond with the team and coaching staff, due to the timing of the cup this weekend. Hopefully they'll all be ready to be involved against Everton.
Totally agree. I didn’t go to the game but if I had I would have liked to see some of the young uns be given a chance. The future is bright. And as a fan base we have had it pretty grim. By premier league standards anyways. So it is unfortunately engrained a little bit to be negative. But I don’t see that happening now. The atmosphere is much better.
Dare I say it the Everton game isn’t a must win game. But it does feel like a must not lose game. Im nervous for it.
