I'm sorry Stan but I don't understand how any fan could have any sentimentality toward any player. They're only as good as they are now, in the present. If they're no use now, drop 'em and then get rid. Faurlin was the only player I marked out on many occasions as the only one I thought would step up to PL level. He was my favourite out of the whole squad at that time. But that means nothing now because he's done nothing since. He either gets it together or we ship him out. That's the way it should be.
It's irrational mate. Faurlin just stands for something I like about football. Passing, calmness and given his longevity at the club, some kind of continuity. I genuinely don't know how good he is, or isn't; or what the injury has really done for him. I just know I've seen enough, on occasion, to think 'I like you'. We know he can't be that great because he would not have been playing for us for however many seasons if he was. Some players do that for you - when Gerry Francis went to Palace, even though he was a shadow of his former self due to injury, it cut me to the bone. Likewise when Stan was sold to Forest - even I knew he was nowhere near his glory years and that idiot Docherty was making him train with the kids - I was genuinely distraught (though I'd trust Clough's judgement over Docherty's 100 times out of 100). Sentimentality is also why I always want QPR to field a flair player who can delight and entertain me - because that's what they did in my formative years, which have shaped the way I look at the game. I'm delighted that Kranjcar is with us. Why do you follow the R's? I'll bet sentimentality is at the root of it - family, an experience, some resonance or other. This is more like it mate.
Perfectly put. It's vital to feel affinity with at least one or two of the people that represent your club and feel that they care as well.
Two very good posts and I agree with them both. I think I fall somewhere in the middle. ( Boring! ) The little boy in me resonates with Stan's take on matters, while the analytical adult me agrees with Swords. Faurlin is one of the good guys and cares about our club. I hope he does well and gets a good run of games so we can judge exactly where he is in terms of ability at present. If he doesn't take that chance then the emotional element will thankfully be removed.
We can't really bemoan the lack of loyalty of players and their lack of attachment to our club, if we can't form any sort of attachment to them beyond their current form.
Intresting view Matt, but isnt it up to the players to make us "fall in love with them"? They need to give us a reason to be loyal to them; and before aneone says it; I know this can be applied to "others" in our Championship winning year! Personally Faurlin is one of my favourite players and I'd love him to prove himself good enough. Sadly though, If he aint good enough then there is no point in hanging on to him. He's obviously capable at this level (sorry - or was a few season ago). Up to him to prove it again i think, or, as Swords says, he's gotta go ! Id be sad to see him go but would fully back it if doesnt cut it.
Thats the joy of it for me Nines. In most of my life I am grown up, rational (or at least pseudo rational) and utilitarian (or try to be). Football, and specifically QPR, something that I can't influence or change, totally beyond my control, enables me to be entirely free of responsibility for my views and behaviour, hence the sentimentality, bellowing at matches, spending way too much time on here. I'm very aware that its a weird mix of nostaglia, personal associations, and thrill of seeing master craftsmen, and on the very rare occasion geniuses, at work. It also allows me to be inconsistent and hypocritical, as most on here will have noticed. For example I love QPR, but have zero interest in the inner workings of the club, how they respond to fans etc - as long as its still there and I can get to games thats enough.
All good points there and views that are actually quite normal! Its me that's out of step. I'm just a cranky old git!
I've been patient before wading into the Faurlin debate. I've expressed views before that I didn't think he was up to scratch, and I certainly believe that's the case in the Premiership. However, I agree that he cares about the club and in this league he will be an asset. He's definitely suited to games at home where we're forced to take the game to teams. Many seem to set up for the draw against us at Loftus Road, so Faurlin's passing makes a tonne of sense here.
I think any one of technical skill, audacious tricks, commitment or crowd interaction will win fans over. I don't think players need to be anything other than genuine beyond that. Fans want their heroes and as SB says (much better than my previous posts about the odd place football holds in our lives), we want the romanticism and frivolous, irrational adoration of, and addiction to, that a simple kick about, by our club and players, on Saturday gives us.
