I wouldn't mind Hamer goin either and have faith in pope BUT stand by my comment. Saying that I'd say there isn't much difference between most keepers in this league to be honest BUT Hamer no2 for me. Had off night with his distribution last night but normally one of our best ball players passers too.
I was in the North Upper for Burnley, and by god there are some freaks of nature up there. Good view but I doubt I could spend a season in the company of idiots who just constantly get on the players backs. There were a couple in front of me who did Church in the first half, and when they felt his morale was in tatters, moved onto Hamer. The kicking seemed to engage them more than the couple of great saves he made in the first half. Has nobody ever sat down with these clowns in therapy, and explained in simple words that yelling abuse at the players will only make them worse and therefore incite the opposition to win? It's not rocket science, but judging by the Adams Family members I was stuck with, anything beyond Masturbation 101 would have been beyond them. In short, Hamer is'nt perfect, that's why he's at the Valley, not the Emirates, but he's a good keeper, and if he signs up for next season, I'll be happy.
Yep, "scum" who pay top dollar to follow the club week in week out despite the **** football, **** pitch, rip off prices etc.....
And yet the bovril brigade also pay top dollar but you'd like them banned because of the effect they have on the atmosphere...
In my opinion there's a difference between booing at half-time or full-time if we're playing poorly, and constantly yelling abuse at individual players during the game. Of course, you have paid your money and have every right to hold and express your opinions, but as supporters surely the question is whether or not it is in the players' best interests and whether or not it helps the team while the game is in play. If the performance is below par, booing as the teams are walking off the pitch at HT or FT, as much as I never do it, is understandable, but not during the actual game IMO. I know we keep going back to it but the Cardiff game was the best example of how positive support can be so much more powerful than giving stick. The crowd could have turned on the team, having just lost 4-1 at home to Middlesbrough, but instead stayed upbeat and the effect was incredible.
Giving stick to certain players is all part of the game. Not sure how old you are (I am guessing around Clive Dunn's age ?), but we have always given stick to naff players. Remember Lawrie Madden ? Ralph Milne ? Andy Peake ? Players are generally speaking "thick" and respond well to industrial language.
I'm 21, and only saw my first Charlton game in 2002 (the opening day of the season, when we lost 3-2 to Chelsea after being 2-0 up), so I don't remember any of them. The fact that some fans have always given stick doesn't mean it's right, or helpful. Some players do respond well to it, others will retreat even more into their shells because of it. I would also say that booing/shouting abuse during the game at our own players gives the opposition a boost.
Or it makes the stadium more intimidating - not many opposing players & managers have looked forward to a trip to Millwall in recent years.
Remember giving him a bit of stick. He didn't have a great football brain, but did have a university degree in the days when they were difficult to get.
Some players certainly do need a kick up up the a$$, where as others need an arm around them... they are the kind of players who wouldn't do too well under the abuse some give them, but the fans who hurl abuse at the slightest mistake don't often seem to be able to realise the difference in players like that. Lawrie Wilson, fine example, lots of abuse and stick in his first season and arguably this season too, but Powell put an arm around him and this year been consistent... the chant "he used to be sh!te but now he's alright, walking in a Wilson wonderland" doesn't exactly show support for a player, it shows the typical 2 faced nature of ALL football fans.
They've been even worse than Charlton at home this season. I went in the East Stand a few times. Didn't like it. Too many moaners. Maybe Bovril sales are higher in North Upper ?
In what way does that answer my point? You went on a whole "kick them out if they aren't like me, I don't of the way they support the team" rant a few weeks back, and apparently the fact they paid their way was no defence. However when someone takes issue with the behaviour of the sort of fan you see yourself as, they have the right to conduct themselves how they want because they paid for a ticket. I'm not saying the Covered End isn't full, just that your argument is inconsistent.
I have my season ticket in the north upper and agree you have the right to criticise BUT a it doesn't help the team and B random chants of Pritchard your a C word are not very palatable as for players being thick not as thick as some of these morons believe me.
