ant Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 Vicious circle Crap results = crap support I don't remember this being the case at any other point of my lifetime though (granted I'm only 27, but the point stands). Our desire to support shouldn't purely hinge on what's happening on the pitch. Although we seemed to resist the 'Premier League hush' for about 18 months after our return, the difference this season has been noticeable. I love a good atmosphere and being part of it is a fantastic release. Yet increasingly I find myself one of only a handful (in the Northam) singing when the team's not firing on all cylinders. It's got nothing to do with trying to be a 'superfan' and everything to do with being saddened that some of the game's life and soul is dissipating.
Bourne Valley Saint Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 Our support at Arsenal, Burnley and Sheffield was diabolical. Supporting your team isn't just paying for a match ticket and sitting in your seat (or standing) - a neutral can do that. IMO support is classified as giving encouragement and backing to your team by applauding, singing, chanting, whatever...... Not just turning up. I'm 56 and have been following Saints for years and our away support has got steadily worse over the years - not the numbers but the atmosphere. So may people just stand silently as if they were watching a neutral match not involving your club. I put plenty of effort into backing Saints when I follow them away (and mostly at home) but I am not going to join in with meaningless songs about Pompey and telling our hosts that their support is effing sh*te. A few renditions of OWTS and other player or club related songs are far more likely to encourage mass participation from our aged band of followers - the average age of which has definitely risen as the cost of travel, food, tickets, etc is expensive and generally the younger fan with more important commitments (children, mortgage, etc.) is reluctant or unable to spend such sums. We are not very good en masse at getting behind our team when we are losing. However it does work both ways - the players have got to show some commitment and not just go through the motions as happened on Tuesday night. I don't blame our fans for their lack of vocal backing on Tuesday. We could have sung ourselves hoarse and it wouldn't have made any difference - the team were pathetic, ill-disciplined and incompetent.
pap Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 It has not been great lately, but what has there been to be excited about? It certainly doesn't help that SMS usually has a fair percentage of away fans in the home end.
Batman Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 It has not been great lately, but what has there been to be excited about? It certainly doesn't help that SMS usually has a fair percentage of away fans in the home end. It's a shame that the "away" section is not moved over 2 blocks
OldNick Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 Funnily enough the loudest chant of the night was "one Les Reed" and the biggest cheer when his face came up on the big screens.I sure you gave your loudest chant of the night when you saw him. He must feel like Alan Partridge with his stalker with you about
100%Red&White Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 It has not been great lately, but what has there been to be excited about? It certainly doesn't help that SMS usually has a fair percentage of away fans in the home end. Really? I'm a season ticket holder and I can't say I've witnessed any in home areas for quite some time, even against the mancs recently. They must be keeping very quiet, are they texting you?
100%Red&White Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 I think our support was always at its best with our backs against the wall like in all those relegation years. We could do with a bit of that tomorrow.
trousers Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 http://talksport.com/football/premier-leagues-top-10-loudest-away-fans-revealed-according-poll-141218129165?p=1
sandwichsaint Posted 19 December, 2014 Posted 19 December, 2014 http://talksport.com/football/premier-leagues-top-10-loudest-away-fans-revealed-according-poll-141218129165?p=1 7.2, Trousers must guard against becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Yuki Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 I have been to both and the EPL support generally is quite similar to the J League in Japan. You have the general audience who await entertainment and then the fanatiks who build the atmosphere for everyone and lead the songs. They are the ones who make most of the noise and the others just cheer when there is a goal or close goal chance. I like my visits to St Mary's and always enjoy being part of the Saints family.
simo Posted 20 December, 2014 Author Posted 20 December, 2014 I can take a defeat today as long as the boys try and the atmosphere is bouncing (doubt it will thought it was xmas party night for most of the country)
fanimal Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 The fans are clearly fatigued after so many games recently, and like me, no doubt have picked up some niggly injuries at work, damn 9 hours on minimum wage for us zero contract workers…..
Dig Dig Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 I have been to both and the EPL support generally is quite similar to the J League in Japan. You have the general audience who await entertainment and then the fanatiks who build the atmosphere for everyone and lead the songs. They are the ones who make most of the noise and the others just cheer when there is a goal or close goal chance. I like my visits to St Mary's and always enjoy being part of the Saints family. If I see you at St Mary's today Yuki-san, you're getting knocked out son
Grigsy Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 If I see you at St Mary's today Yuki-san, you're getting knocked out son Errr...
70's Mike Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 I think our support was always at its best with our backs against the wall like in all those relegation years. We could do with a bit of that tomorrow. your wish was granted
simo Posted 20 December, 2014 Author Posted 20 December, 2014 Was pretty good at times today, think the ref helped get everyone riled up!
Crazy Diamond Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 It was very good today, I certainly noticed it in the build-up to the second goal. Everton's fans by contrast may as well have not turned up, silent throughout.
Wiggles31 Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 Best home atmosphere of the season today. Agreed the ineptness of the ref riled everyone.
Batman Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 It was very good today, I certainly noticed it in the build-up to the second goal. Everton's fans by contrast may as well have not turned up, silent throughout. It was great and a bloke behind me said it would be good to score the 2nd now. Within a minute, we did
Ziggy Posted 20 December, 2014 Posted 20 December, 2014 The atmosphere was excellent today. Especially the lead up to our second goal.
JRM Posted 21 December, 2014 Posted 21 December, 2014 It has not been great lately, but what has there been to be excited about? It certainly doesn't help that SMS usually has a fair percentage of away fans in the home end. That's rubbish I've sat in all stands at st marys and its incredibly rare to get an away fan in the home section. Not sure what you've got to support that. What we do have is quite elderly support in side stands and family support in Chapel end which generally means the only areas to make any noise are the northam, itchen north and Kingsland north. Good atmosphere yesterday , helps winning and under the lights
Goatboy Posted 21 December, 2014 Posted 21 December, 2014 That's rubbish I've sat in all stands at st marys and its incredibly rare to get an away fan in the home section. Not sure what you've got to support that. What we do have is quite elderly support in side stands and family support in Chapel end which generally means the only areas to make any noise are the northam, itchen north and Kingsland north. Good atmosphere yesterday , helps winning and under the lights Was excellent yesterday I particularly liked the rendition of OWTS after the final whistle.
Bucks Saint Posted 21 December, 2014 Posted 21 December, 2014 Agree yesterday was good, with obvious supporting credit to the Ref. But this thread was about the poor / worsening support at away matches, so lets see how it is on Friday
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