Now, obviously I can't get to many games at all, so it's not really my place to give advice, but does anyone else think it would be in the best interests of the team, and the players that do remain, to stick to supporting the team before/during the game, and keep the Bates protests to afterwards? Obviously the protests would need to be big ones, but it's possibly not in our interests to create a negative atmosphere before and during a match, and we should maybe channel that energy into louder and more vociferous support. Anyone who goes regularly think this may have an effect?
Totally agree with this, protests after the game would be better, like stay for half hour after the game or an hour (costing bates extra costs in staffing costs)
Why would players react badly to criticism of their Chairman? A) They probably hate him themselves and B) We're not criticising them, and if they're true professionals they won't care anyway. I also think that 'supporting the team' can be done at the same time. It's not a black and white situation. It's not just either 'sing anti-Bates for 90 minutes or sing pro-team for 90 minutes'. Do both. I'm not trying to big myself up, but I tried to start about 10 chants to get the team going on Saturday and no-one is interested, no-one wants to join in. Bates has killed Elland Road and filled it with voiceless men who fold their arms. I do agree that getting on the team's back doesn't help, and we need to sing more often in their favour. But I see no reason why the anti-Bates stuff should stop. To do that is to play into the hands of his supporters.
