Forums eh? Interesting to see DWLC says it’s always been like that on this forum. I’m not disagreeing as that’s their viewpoint but have to say when I joined on here I came from another forum because found it full of negativity but felt this forum was more balanced with only a few generally negative posters. In my early days I could tell results by a certain posters(no longer here) need to start a thread. Recently it seems that there are more negative viewpoints than positive and that can sway opinions and TBF the club have given us some stuff over the last couple of years to moan about but I agree people jumping on everything is getting very tiring, the one about the live stream yesterday a good example. As others have said if it instigates debate and respect for others opinions then let’s encourage it.
Good post, I think criticism and holding those in control of our club to account is vital - and this board is brilliant at that, we get to see the full story of the accounts and the ownership stuff offered by posters for free. but sometimes it does stray into unnecessary conspiracy nonsense and wild accusations - the only thing to add is that its much worse on "X" and Facebook. Again, on X you did get some good tweets and interesting stuff, but its just drowned out by the Tsunami of absolute weapon heads and so I came off for good.
I understand the apathy - I'm apathetic myself after this last 12 months, but I don't get why it has to be so toxic (by some). And not only toxic, but repetitive toxicity too. Even worse on Twitter (ain't it Dr Z ) End of the day, we still have a club to support. It's tougher some seasons than others, but ain't that the nature of the beast? Over the coming weeks, we'll appoint a gaffer. We'll sign a few players, we'll let a few go. Summer will come (I think), we'll all get bored and angry at 'The 100' and we'll be longing for another season to start and hoping for a good one. I've renewed for that very reason. Hated last season - can't wait for the next. On the above. * The gaffer we appoint - some will like him (her!), some will doubt them. * Of the players we let go, some people will think it's the right time, some will think we should have kept them. * And some of the new signings will be written off before they pull on a shirt, some will 'become new heroes'. It's how it works. Opinions are fine if they are respectful and to the point. Opinions are like Ar53holes - everyone has one!
It's been a weird season that's split opinions in extreme ways which then leaves people continuously trying to prove that their right, but for me the people that moan at the moaners are just as bad. Hopefully the new season is an exciting one that reunites everyone.
I wouldn't ever criticise anyone for venting their spleen. Many criticisms are absolutely valid. But there are folk on here who constantly whinge at whatever the club does, on or off the pitch, without giving any constructive or realistic suggestions as to what alternative courses of action they'd take.
Agree with all of the above and I find myself speed reading more and more of this board’s content. Life’s too short to waste on drivel so it’s easier just to skim over it and hope to find something interesting. One of the things that annoys me most is the word “Jokewell”. A few on here use it and plenty on Facebook can’t resist using it either. Why? If this is really how you see it why go to the ground at all and why bother commenting on the club? It’s a mystery to me. I’ll have a moan during matches the same as the next fan, especially when the likes of Herbie Kane are doing their best Jonathan Greening impressions, but it’s a fleeting thing. I know that a minute later I’ll be smiling and applauding a lovely bit of skill. Maybe even a goal. That’s why I go to OAKwell, and have been doing so all my life. It doesn’t matter who the new theatre director and new players are on that stage come August. I’ll watch to see how the performance plays out. Sometimes I’ll feel like walking out during Act 1 but I never will. There’s always the promise of something unexpected coming up to get me out of my seat.
I can draw up a shortlist of 3 as to who will be the first to ask for the new manager to be sacked whoever he is.
Yeah whilst I still read here daily to keep an eye on reds news, I've taken a step back from posting because I can't be arsed arguing with people anymore and it isn't good for my wellbeing. What I will say is that for every one who is negative, there is someone else the polar opposite who is intolerant of someone complaining and when you're in between the two, both elements absolutely do my head in equally. Especially the ones who think they're more important than others and have to start their own threads on established subjects. Nobody gives more of a **** what you think, you're just the same as everyone else on here.
No matter what anyone ever says about the club, behind my family it’s probably brought me the most happiness in my life. It may not be perfect and I think constructive challenge is good but it’s our club.
I totally agree and ultimately the owners are playing with their own money in subsidising any financial shortfalls so they at the very least deserve respect for that.
Personally speaking I have no qualms about reading negative OR positive posts. Its the way in which they're written which I think is important. If someone wants to praise something about the club then as long as the praise is explained and contextualised that's fine by me. Same with criticism. If someone criticises the club/manager/players that's fine too as long as it's explained, remains polite and respectful and doesn't abuse anyone. It seems for some far too easy on social media to make a knee-jerk insult and openly abuse rather than engage in a sensible discussion where the views of others are considered and acknowledged courteously. Its the impoliteness of some posters on here which makes me sad and ruins my read of the threads. No need for it at all, demeans debate and drags others down to a low common denominator. A lot of folks dont seem able or capable of debating sensibly so they end up being rude because they can't be bothered trying to argue constructively and being rude is really easy... I'd anyone disagrees with me just **** off eh?
My constructive critique of them is they waste a lot of their money. (Not going off topic on what those things are, they've been discussed on numerous occasions.)
As others have said, there is a difference between "that pass/shot/clearance was rubbish" and "x had a bad game" and "x isn't fit to wear the shirt". The players - and coaches - don't deliberately try to play badly or lose games and we, as fans, gets frustrated and mouth off. But even something like a bad night sleep or a low level injury/illness can affect their performance on the pitch. At the same time, they can have good/great games and that doesn't suddenly make them worth millions to Manchester City. For the last season, there has been a number of posters on here that have voiced their displeasure at Collins - every time we went behind or didn't go in front there were people calling for the coach to be sacked.. Even when we came back from behind to win more times than we have for years, or when we set the club record for most away victories or points. It seems that anything - including winning the league - wouldn't have been good enough for them. I'd be surprised if the next coach - and the ones after that - doesn't have the same problems over the next few seasons. We all want the same thing - a successful (comparative to our budget and league history) team and to be entertained. We won't always get that.
Depends on what you mean waste. Some players do not give a return. Some give a return on the field and bank ballance. It's allus been the same. But Bossman put an end to the clubs holding the upper hand. Players now hold it. Its same for all clubs trying to ballance the books. Most running up debt. Cole, Kane and Cundy can leave for nothing. Some others (i assume that's what you refer to, turn out to be a waste of money) are tied to contracts and dont get better offers elsewhere. So we either have to hang on to em or compensate and release. One or two may not prove to be a big asset till later into their contract. Imho Hourianne a prime example. Hammill brought him to life. I honestly believe Hammill would be great at motivation and would welcome him back in some capacity. (Chief motivator anyone )