Yeah your right. I mean everyone knows as soon as you lose a game your only allowed to talk about how rubbish we were in that game and you must not discuss derogatory comments from former players. BTW- If you have a look at the rest of the board you will see that we have done anything but divert attention away from our bad performance
Some very good points well put Swords. You have got me thinking. Can I ask when you started supporting QPR ? I'm just thinking could another reason some of us think of current players being from the 'QPR Family' be because we have been supporting the club from childhood and therefore as we've grown up idolising players from our youth, do we really see the current bunch of (mostly) money grabbing mercenaries still as part of the 'family' ?. (obviously I'm not just meaning QPR but modern players as a whole)
Since childhood as well mate. In one sense its in my blood too seeing as my old man supported them and lived in the Bush for a number of years. I just think that when you're born, reared and live hundreds of miles away from the Club, its inevitable you'd have a different relationship with the Club. On the other hand it may well just be me. I'm sure fans from other Countries like Ireland, Norway etc will put me straight if I'm not representative of their feelings (although Ozzie has already said he feels the same).
I don't regard any of the players as integral to my support of the club, though I do have a soft spot for Faurlin and I loved Taiwo - this is nothing to do with their skill, contribution to the team etc, but they just have something about them that I warm to. But when I first started going the players were the be all and end all and I can reel off the names of our early 70s teams without a second thought. I would have to refer to the interweb for many of the 2009 squad. I think as a kid it's easier to identify with people, and as a 11 - 15 year old I was lucky to witness a great team. Now I've been institutionalised, the club is the thing. All I ask of the players and managers now is that, while they are with us, they try their best, recognize that there is a QPR 'way' and follow it, and represent my club with dignity and respect.
So that's my theory of childhood adulation disproved. Is it then just a personal thing ? Any other suggestions ? Do any other far flung R's hold to Swords 'local support' theory ? Very interesting topic IMO .
When I were a lad I idolized the players like any other. Bedroom wall covered in pictures, names on the back of jersey's, autographs - you name it. It could just be that I've become very cynical as I've grown older. Although I do think that far flung theory has something in it.
I do actually think you might have something there mate, i can't come up with any other reason other than it just being a personal thing
I'm not a local lad (well I've always been local to somewhere - especially to me but you know what I mean) but can't watch a match between teams that I have no real reason to follow without picking one to follow and selecting my favourite players. Apply that by my magnitude of passion for the Rs and you'll find that I am one of the most sentimental people when it comes to favourite footballers. I do have a general sense of cynicism but I'm also prone to getting carried away but I think the point is valid enough. I might speculate that following the Rs in foreign countries might be tough (not so much now but definitely pre return to the Prem and also pre-internet) so a mentality of being happy to get the result rather than knowing you'll see the result might explain a bit (or further - knowing you'll watch the result being formed). So basically, I'd put it down to availability of information/level of cynicism (which is very reasonable considering the money brought into the game). Sort of covers geography and age too (in a round about way). Perhaps I ought to act my age but I'll leave it a bit longer thanks.
Some good points Matt..........And don't worry about acting your age....that would mean you're getting old
more faces than the town hall clock but i don't really care what they say as they are not with us anymore.