My understanding of SOD reached a further state of confusion today with two statements emanating from him.. 1) Our team can't cope with the pressure of us fans expecting them to achieve a win, that is what's causing them to lose.. 2) Bristol City ‘the team’ is not Bristol City ‘the club’. I keep banging on about that; we’re trying to get there but we’re a million miles away at the minute. Now I know it's only statements from an article but I do expect them to cope and get a win and bollocks the team is part of the club, we'll get all the professors on explaining the message but I only go to watch the football.. A little less waffle, a little less claptrap, just get on the pitch, play the bloody game, put the ball in the net and achieve a win, that's what I want my TEAM, who are BRISTOL CITY to do. Sorry, that is my rant over.. http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/20130927-sodprecolchester-1079812.aspx#GlxRp2WSKiEYobjW.99
Its nothing you don't hear abroad. They are not our team yet. Paid mercaneries mostly. The end goal is everybody versed in what the club is about top to bottom. A few fans appear not understand the role they can have. Who will be this weeks scapegoat? Baldock, Fielding, Flint, Kilkeny. J E Thomas or ? Will there be shouts of "stop ****ing about with it, get it forward!" There are fans whose expectation is beating Shrewsbury three and fours. Shrewsbury spent most of the match with ten behind the ball. Three and fours were not going to happen.
the bookies have not made to many changes to who they consider will go up or down..YET teams like Shrews are surviving, drawing or winning/ losing 1-0 getting points on the board whilst they can, after 10 games most teams have settled into a niche, oppositions have a better idea how teams play and phase 2 starts. Psychologically fans expect.. ...........now we expect, BCFC expected to get promo or top 6, we now or some do do find it frustrating and take it out on the team, which becomes a vicious circle.. Shrews ( drawn 5 )heavily toted as relegation certainties are behind their team because they have grabbed a few points playing football that is not attractive..10 men behind the ball, and probably prepared for a dogfight with 6 or more likely placed relegation teams later in the season......... remember City last season bottom had to beat the teams in the bottom 6 or 8 and didn't.... THE SO CALLED FANS THAT BOO BECAUSE THEY ARE FRUSTRATED SHOULD BE GIVEN FREE TICKETS TO GO AND WATCH YEOVIL IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE NEXT 4 HOME GAMES, then maybe we might just pick up a few points, when we do lets open the flood doors... we are currently 4 wins point wise from top 6.....so at least we will not see top 6 before game 20. top six after 20 games hey ho 26 to go then BOO BOYS ARE THE AMOEBA'S of the animal kingdom...............
Apart from the odd exception on this board, I think we all agree that booing does not help. I think what SoD is trying to say is that Bristol City by reputation should be easily beating sides like Shrewsbury and Colchester (with respect to those 2 who are both good clubs). However given the massive transition happening both on and off the pitch, the reality is that we won't easily beat anyone in this league. that's where we are. So, given where we are, everyone at the game has to stay behind our young team. it's easy being a fan when things are going well, but it's at times like this when it's not as easy - we can show that Bristol City is a great club to play for by staying with the lads. Remember - possession is the key - get behind the lads!!!
Sorry, at this level. this is not an acceptable return IMO. There have been enough lame excuses, the team and Manager need to deliver results starting tomorrow. I would suggest that SOD stops spouting drivel and concentrates on us avoiding the trapdoor, beating Colchester would be one step on what's looking like one hell of a long road Agree that booing doesn't help but you can sympathise with people's frustration and there is no law against it......yet !
'They are not our team yet. Paid mercaneries mostly' - You haven't invented the wheel, it's always been thus. It really amuses me how some fans think they play for anything other than money. 'A few fans appear not understand' - And of course you do. ps - Is SOD not a mercenary or does he come under a different description ?
There is a world of difference between a team producing its own players and buying an XI. City have had teams based on local talent. 1976 was full of players who spent considerable time at BCFC. Wilsons BCFC was full of local lads ... It is clear some fans do not understand. It is blantantly evident they do not and you hear it all the time. The game has moved on "get stuck in, close down, put it in the mixer" is not enough anymore, and never was good enough. % football is dead. Is SOD not a mercenary or does he come under a different description ? Wait and see. After spending time last week in the prescence of some of Citys kids coaches I am sure I heard his influence being spread. I saw cohesion between kids coaching at 6-8 right up to the first XI, or hope I did. That is new and healthy.
'There is a world of difference between a team producing its own players and buying an XI' - This sound ideal, but saying it and doing it are entirely different. Pretty sure we both know it's a balance between the 2. However, we have differing views on SOD's ability to achieve this goal. 'I am sure I heard his influence being spread - Fair play, I do hope you're correct.
Hmmm appreciate this in some sense, but on the other hand, I don't make sacrifices in my personal life to pay for my season ticket in order to working harder and doing more to support a group not producing. I agree its easy to be happy when riding high, but the onus is on the players to work harder to get us out of this mess, concentrate harder, not on the fans to support them harder and cheer louder. Ultimately that makes no difference as the wins come from one person with the right message to deliver to the players and then its up to the players to execute the correct message and game plan. We are solely there to push them over the finishing line and give them the ongoing confidence for the next game, not win the game for them.
I have seen only one performance this season that was vaguely reminiscent of those thta sure off McCinnes. They are trying. What they need to do is also relax. There are times when the team looks tense, hardly suprising, and that is where ... Fans can always make a difference. Supporting people whether its adults or kids always makes a diffrence. One poster on here fought in the ring. He said very similar about what it is like to have people behind him rather than doubting him. Managers from Shankly to Johnson say the say. Yet fans still doubt it.
Footballers are human beings and just like in life they will respond/improve with support rather than public humiliation (maybe not the right word but you know what I mean). I'm pointing out that you can help to get better value for your season ticket by helping the team - surely we are all in this together?
'Supporting people whether its adults or kids always makes a diffrence. Shankly to Johnson say the say. Yet fans still doubt it'. No fan doubts the importance of positive support. However, it's totally up to SOD to inspire, lead, and be sodding positive. While he continues with 'odd' decisions - Kilkenny ahead of Reid, Fielding ahead of Parish and his ultra negative personality then things won't get better. In any business the boss/manger leads. Lesser mortals (players and fans) follow and need leadership/guidance. It's high time SOD realised that and stopped blaming fans expectations or other spurious reasons. And had a good look at himself.
