Go back a few years - John Stones couldn’t wipe his nose without people getting on his back. Pundits analysing his every mistake and that was then multiplied by social media. To his credit, he came back and showed the world what a class act he is. Fast forward 2 years - Harry Maguire getting exactly the same treatment. Horrendous bullying as if we want our own English players to fail. Now it would seem he is proving what a decent player he is, and always was (give or take form). Closer to home, Max Watters the fall guy. It’s almost as if one person says something, the whole flock has to follow. Yet this season he has been decent. In my opinion anyway. So attention goes to Cosgrove. My question is why do football fans need to destroy a player? I have shouted up if a player had a bad game - but wow, some of the derogatory comments towards players of our own club who really haven’t been that terrible is just bonkers. Hounding them on social media hardly helps our cause does it?
Honestly, I just think it's frustration from initial fans. Then it grows online with the fan base, then the media pick up on it because that's just what the media do and add fuel to the fire. Maguire wasn't worth anywhere near 80 million, but he's a solid premier league defender. Some of the abuse is ridiculous.
30 years ago, the fall guys were Nicky Eaden and Andy Liddell. Before that it was other players - usually home grown with the occasional failed transfer Our fans have always picked on certain players. Probably always will. We are not unique in this.
You've got me on ignore but I agree. If he got the minutes there's a player in there. I try not to pile on with Watters and Cosgrove because we don't play simple football that caters to a strikers needs. You can't with DKD and Phillips in there.
What do you mean by your last bit mate? I sorta get DKD cos he wants ball into feet and wants to dribble and take a shot etc, but Phillips puts some wonderful crosses in, or am I getting you wrong?
I can honestly say that I never get on a player's back just because he has a bad game. I have certainly never hounded one on social media (Twatter etc) maybe the odd remark on here but never anything offensive. I've been known to take the pee occasionally....
Personally I think more important than personnel is how we set up. Especially at home. We get after teams and leave ourselves wide open at the back. O'Keefe has 6 assists but how we play (without proper wingers) that needs to be 12 or 13. Same goes for other wingback. We tuck in more away. I feel Cosgrove and Watters are expected to do too much on account of poor team play and being set up all wrong.
Its quite simple mate. A) Lots of fans are moronic B) Lots of fans get angry too easily C) Lots of fans react in the short-term (see A) and D) Lots of fans are just plain rude. If you get A,B,C and D combining you have the perfect storm.
Might as well be controversial. DKD has a decent contract. I'd sell Phillips whilst his stocks high. Sign one striker and alternate between Watters/ Cosgrove/ Humphrys and new striker. Play a proper 3-5-2 and hope that the wing backs can supply more assists.
I wouldn't change anything regarding tactics as it stands, we're on some great form. Let's hope all this time off doesn't impact our momentum. Would obviously love a striker in and to keep all our big players, but I think we are doing the correct thing and not just buying any tom dick & harry. Hopefully we have someone lined up
Me too. Last thing we need is a 500k 5 hi t house up front with two left feet because it'll look good in Chronicle.
Professional footballers will always be judged on their performance. It's just the way it is and always has been. Managers, coaches, pundits, fans alike. I think football fans have absolutely every right to criticise poor performances. Pro footballers get handsomely rewarded, and it just comes with the territory IMO. I imagine most players will say the same themselves.Totally agree there's a line though. Booing your own player is crackers for me, and personal abuse on any level is unacceptable.
Ray McCale got dogs abuse at times when he played for us in the early 80s probably didn't help that he'd got a certain Ronnie Glavin and Ian Banks playing alongside him in midfield.
Cosgrove had some good games at the end of last season and I thought he had turned a corner and would push on this season , he hasn’t and has regressed . Watters puts effort in but isn’t very good as a goal scorer . I’d rather see Dallas or one of the development squad players like Dyer given a chance if we aren’t bringing anyone in
Well young Dyer may just elbow himself into the first team squad apparently he got a bit of practice in with the elbow this afternoon scored twice too.
Great post. Although my point still stands we don't create enough chances for "strikers". TV crews love it when we play. How many (f cu king) worldies do we have to score to win a game?
Yeah but you and I know that it was only because Ray McHale did what he did in midfield that Glavin and Banks could play like they did.
I must admit i av occasionally had a spat but frustration, an yer 7 fold going down dunt help, were all Human an we av our moments. Keep the faith, C,O,Y,R.
I try never to be personally critical of players as I'm sure they would all love to be playing 1st team football to a good level and be adored by the fans. sadly it doesn't always work that way and the frustration is when the likes of Cosgrove and Watters do get the chance they fail to impress. Cole demonstrated that hero to zero can be achieved by failing to score in half a dozen games, sadly it became apparent that without goals he contributed nowt. Cosgrove needs a new start elsewhere, Watters is looking better but for me is a support not a reliable number 9 at this level. Sadly we need a Winall type in this squad cos we create a lot of chances but don't have a selfish kick it in the net forward.