I am sitting watching the seattle seahawks vs the San Franisco 49’s. This – in my British understanding – the equivalent of what our old FA Cup semi-finals used to be. – before it got out bid by the TV companies and the management decided for us that it was ****– following the God of Greed over tradition. Somehow they got both in the USA - the tradition and the money focus. Before this – I just had an intense coching session from a new American work colleague on the tactics and choices by the managers. The managers / quarterback can shift the play based on the wind speed. They have changed their ‘huddle formation’ at the start of each play as a reaction to the Seattle Stadium – which is loud and intimidating - the noise had helped them win games apparently - the 12th man and all that. Many of you familiar with US Football know this already I guess -but its all new to me. This is a game of dealing with what you have by adapting in the moment – both defence and ‘attack. I just can’t say offence – as it is something which is not good vs an attacking formation in my language. So lots of points to make from this. Our stadium in the season we went up was intimidating – every home game – the atmosphere at some games was intimidating. Other fans talked about how intimidating it was – in the stadium and in the street around. We had a very young urban diverse aggressive fan base from West London. Alongside an older hardcore base of about 12,000 in the 35 – 55 age group. Have we gone softer with more glamour and ticket prices? Away from home we remain full on and passionate as ever. Why is our stadium so quiet this season compared to then? We are doing great overall. Is it too boring, too scary, we don’t all like Harry – what? Harrry I think takes the view of – take 11 good lads throw them on and have a good game. I don’t see the tactical masterpiece at work. Maybe I have only been watching QPR since 1974 – so can’t stack up against Harry wisdom – or is it a style of football we just don’t like around here? I think in football – you need a bit of Harry (old school) with a mix of the technical advisors who are technical geniuses telling you what to do. I reckon Arsen and Sir Alex are characters who are old school (win respect) but listen to the expensive statisticians the clubs buy. The bright ones don’t always get the respect and street savvy but they are supposed to be the future. If you had to have an operation would you choose - the old guy who has done it 5000 times but is 72 or the 33 year old who passed top of class, is robotic trained – to save your life? Finally - I do think we have a strong squad if we go up. I am assuming - that given our financial clout - we can bring back all of the players on loan and that some will get fit - so 14 / 15 has a team with everyone now - Rhodes - plus Adel, Remy, Faurlin etc. - is my positive look forward. Anyway – off the sherry - welcome any responses.
Seattle designed their stadium to maximise noise. Earlier this season it even resulted in a 2.0 something magnitude earthquake being registered in the surrounding area. Might be something to look into for the new stadium. This season we seem to be quieter to me at least because there much more expectation surrounding this season. I personally thought at the beginning of the year that we'd be lucky to finish in the top 6 yet the expectation around the ground and at the club seems to be that we should be dominating the league. In addition, last time I think there was much more passion from the fans due to this being our first real chance of getting back into the premier league for the first time in over 10 years.
The lack of noise is due to the fact that our main home support is herded into the corner akin to that of an away ground. Whilst the away support is all behind the away goal. We need to get the main support and singing back in the Loft. It really is that simple. This cacophony will then emanate to all parts of the ground.
The most famous 'intimidating' stadium was at Cleveland Browns. I remember watching a play-off match there many years ago where the noise from the 'dawg pound' was so loud at one vital point the opposition were having to use one of their time-outs as they just couldn't get their message across. The fans in the pound would also pepper the opposition with dog biscuits etc... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawg_Pound
