Our fans: loyal and positive, or noddy and soft?

[Midfield_General]

Our fans who were there yesterday sang and supported the team the entire time. At the end, at the point our owners, management team and players set the new record for fastest relegation from the Premier League, they were given a standing ovation and clapped off the pitch. 

Juric said he was amazed by it. One match report described it like this: 

When the final whistle went, Ivan Juric advanced on to the pitch and stared across at the corner where the away fans were gathered. Southampton had just suffered the earliest relegation in Premier League history, with seven games still remaining, but there was no bitterness. Juric, who seemed almost moved by their reaction, ensured his players applauded them.

“For me, this is something completely new, a new experience,” Juric said. “I said to the players they have to be really thankful that they have fans like this. It is something incredible the way they love their team even though we were relegated. They really deserve much more. It’s another type of culture [to Italy]. They show love in this moment; it is a great thing in English culture, Southampton culture.”

When Leeds got relegated their players were afraid to go to their fans in the stadium because they were getting so much shit. Everton fans barracked their players in the street when they felt they weren't giving it everything, and they didn't even go down. 

Where do you stand on it? Should we be proud to have such loyal support, who get behind the team and the club no matter what, or have the players, management and ownership got off way too easily for what they've delivered this year? 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Wade Garrett]

Anyone can say whatever they want, whether that’s happy clappy or giving them dogs abuse.

Personally, I wouldn’t be clapping them.  For me, part of the problem is their attitude and lack of effort.

[Sir Ralph]

13 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Anyone can say whatever they want, whether that’s happy clappy or giving them dogs abuse.

Personally, I wouldn’t be clapping them.  For me, part of the problem is their attitude and lack of effort.

Societally, clapping is used to show approval, appreciation or excitement. 
 

I think that answers the question. It would be a better use of time to clap paint drying because it’s doing something productive.

its rewarding incompetency, which is historically shown to be folly. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Sir Ralph

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

We are literally the ONLY team in the Premier League who would have clapped that and our fanbase is part of the problem.

Christ... If that was West Ham, Everton, Villa, Newcastle, Spurs.. Any other team... The team would have had to have been escorted off the pitch.

10 fucking points, record relegation, worst points haul in history and our fans were fucking clapping that ffs.

I held a season ticket for 10 years right up to covid and didn't renew.

 

[Saint_Jonny]

I understand why people would want to vent at the players on the pitch, the people in the board room, the manager, etc. For me yesterdays "noddy" response from our fans was just them saying "we'll be here no matter what division" - sure we got absolutely bum raped this season, but we all expected it so we'll crack on next season, hopefully with less anal lube required.

The people at the top need to answer for the shower we've had to endure this season, but I see no problem with fans standing up and showing their class in the face of a relegation that has been certain from the start. It's not the same as dropping out of the league after an extended period, we came up with an ill-equipped team that hadn't been invested in.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, Saint_Jonny said:

I understand why people would want to vent at the players on the pitch, the people in the board room, the manager, etc. For me yesterdays "noddy" response from our fans was just them saying "we'll be here no matter what division" - sure we got absolutely bum raped this season, but we all expected it so we'll crack on next season, hopefully with less anal lube required.

The people at the top need to answer for the shower we've had to endure this season, but I see no problem with fans standing up and showing their class in the face of a relegation that has been certain from the start. It's not the same as dropping out of the league after an extended period, we came up with an ill-equipped team that hadn't been invested in.

Was that intentional?

[Lighthouse]

Losing every week like we do has to be very tough emotionally on any player, particularly some of the younger ones. With that in mind I’m glad the fans in the ground have mostly been behind them. There were a couple of times I think they may have downed tools, Spurs and Brentford at home, but for the most part they look like a group of players trying their best in a hopeless situation.

Screaming abuse at them achieves absolutely nothing.

[EssEffCee]

Bit of both.

The support has largely been excellent during what's been a horrifically bad season but the amount of people who applauded them yesterday was baffling.

[Turkish]

Noddy and soft.

I cant think of any other clubs whose fans would greet being the worst team ever in their league with a relegation party. The players and owners cant believe their luck that they're with a club whose fans are happy to suck up as much shit as they can give them and keep putting their hands in their pockets. 

[LuckyNumber7]

1 hour ago, Midfield_General said:

Our fans who were there yesterday sang and supported the team the entire time. At the end, at the point our owners, management team and players set the new record for fastest relegation from the Premier League, they were given a standing ovation and clapped off the pitch. 

Juric said he was amazed by it. One match report described it like this: 

When the final whistle went, Ivan Juric advanced on to the pitch and stared across at the corner where the away fans were gathered. Southampton had just suffered the earliest relegation in Premier League history, with seven games still remaining, but there was no bitterness. Juric, who seemed almost moved by their reaction, ensured his players applauded them.

“For me, this is something completely new, a new experience,” Juric said. “I said to the players they have to be really thankful that they have fans like this. It is something incredible the way they love their team even though we were relegated. They really deserve much more. It’s another type of culture [to Italy]. They show love in this moment; it is a great thing in English culture, Southampton culture.”

When Leeds got relegated their players were afraid to go to their fans in the stadium because they were getting so much shit. Everton fans barracked their players in the street when they felt they weren't giving it everything, and they didn't even go down. 

Where do you stand on it? Should we be proud to have such loyal support, who get behind the team and the club no matter what, or have the players, management and ownership got off way too easily for what they've delivered this year? 

 

I remember the footage of the Everton fans harassing their players after we beat them, and it was utterly cringeworthy. I'd hate for our fans to be like that.

I can understand anyone wanting to dish out abuse after the season we've had, but I don't think it would help in any way. I think most of them are trying, they're just not good enough. I'm finding it hard to get angry about it all, more just numb/apathetic.

[beatlesaint]

Tend to agree with Steve on TSP - each to their own I suppose.

Personally there is no way that group of players are getting clapped by me. 

[BarberSaint]

The only one to clap would be Fernandes.

[franniesTache]

Yesterday our support was beyond embarrassing, people at half time dancing and partying, swinging their shirts around and singing about the championship. Noddy as fuck songs about going to coventry - when that started we left - some singing about being the worst team ever, and the most baffling of the lot people clapping the team off.

I know it's been a long shit season but i genuinely don't understand why people aren't fucking raging at Sport Republic instead of celebrating failure. It's like our modern support has no pride in the city or how people view us as a club.

[S-Clarke]

I guess there comes a point where there's nothing else to do, other than having a laugh and enjoy a bit of gallows humour - I get that.

But...the passionate applause at the final whistle baffled me, these guys don't deserve a drip of our sweat let alone a clap. The worst bunch to ever wear our shirt, they shouldn't be getting clapped under any circumstances.

[franniesTache]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

I guess there comes a point where there's nothing else to do, other than having a laugh and enjoy a bit of gallows humour - I get that.

But...the passionate applause at the final whistle baffled me, these guys don't deserve a drip of our sweat let alone a clap. The worst bunch to ever wear our shirt, they shouldn't be getting clapped under any circumstances.

There's gallows humour (which is fine and understandable) then there's celebrating failure. Singing Championship again ole ole isn't gallows humour, it's just fucking embarrassing. I've been going since the early 80s and we have spent most of my time going in the top flight, being relegated is absolute failure to me and there's nothing to celebrate about it.

The fans should be fucking fuming and directing their anger at the board and at the players so they know it's not fucking acceptable. Is it any wonder there's no fight or pride in the team if they know they'll just end up getting sheep like support.

I know i really should be too old to be this annoyed by a football club but i'm personally livid at what the club has done this season, useless fuckwits who've completely failed at their jobs, in any other industry the people responsible would be sacked for it.

But yeah Championship Ole, because why not celebrating going down, being relegated the earliest in history, probably beating the lowest points total ever and normal sotonians who work at the club losing their jobs again. Ole in-fucking-deed. Twats

[Patrick Bateman]

3 minutes ago, franniesTache said:

 

The fans should be fucking fuming and directing their anger at the board ...

I know i really should be too old to be this annoyed by a football club but i'm personally livid at what the club has done this season, useless fuckwits who've completely failed at their jobs, in any other industry the people responsible would be sacked for it.

This is it for me - the club has been completely mismanaged by those responsible for hiring, training, fitness, everything. 

Whilst I wouldn't have clapped the players personally, I don't think they can really be blamed.  Lack of fitness and not being good enough for the Premier League is not really their fault.  Juric as I said on another thread I can't really blame either, he had a horrible job to do and yes, he made some weird decisions, but I agree, my anger is direction 100% towards non-playing staff.

Hopefully more changes will happen, ESPECIALLY in the player and manager recruitment and fitness areas. 

[OldNick]

So you think that giving players dog abuse gets us anywhere? Yes they have been gutless at times, but its not their fault they are not good enough, or the owners have been useless. You can have as many marches as you like but the owners will not sell as they are not going to have any takers. 

The fans are and have been fantastic so why fee embarrassed, more embarrassing having fans throw abuse and bile one minute and then worship them the next minute

[St Louis]

Personally, I think that the response yesterday is MORE likely to motivate them, make them feel guilty for the lacklustre performances this seaon and make them more inclined to want to play/fight for the badge beyond this season (please stay Fernandes), than giving them abuse and making the situation feel unforgivable (so they may as well all just leave).

Their performances this season obviously dont deserve a clap. But I'd have clapped them off, and as others have said above, its more to show we have a decent and loyal fanbase and we will be there next season to cheer them on and push for promotion again. But I understand... each to their own and all that. 

[EssEffCee]

Some people have been sacked for this season haven't they? Kraft and Mowbray.

Think things will turn nasty very quickly if he have a bad summer and poor start next season.

[EssEffCee]

1 minute ago, St Louis said:

Personally, I think that the response yesterday is MORE likely to motivate them, make them feel guilty for the lacklustre performances this seaon and make them more inclined to want to play/fight for the badge beyond this season (please stay Fernandes), than giving them abuse and making the situation feel unforgivable (so they may as well all just leave).

Their performances this season obviously dont deserve a clap. But I'd have clapped them off, and as others have said above, its more to show we have a decent and loyal fanbase and we will be there next season to cheer them on and push for promotion again. But I understand... each to their own and all that. 

None of the players we'd want to keep will be staying mate. And certainly not because some people decided to applaud them when they were relegated.

[LGTL]

It was a pathetic reaction from our fanbase yesterday. Clapping and celebrating that utter failure. They should be fucking furious that these cunts have embarrassed our great city. But gave them a standing ovation instead. Unforgivable. 

[East Kent Saint]

We are fans whatever the situation , ok I couldn't face watching Motd some sundays but I'm still a fan !

[ant]

Much of the board attends home matches, no?

All and any ire should be turned towards them. To a man they have utterly fucked it, or presided over those that have. Awful, amateurish decision after awful amateurish decision, with a bottom line of 13 wins, 15 draws and 60 defeats at Premier League level; a win rate of 14.8%.

They're shysters, and should be ashamed to show face.

[Pamplemousse]

To be fair, I think the response (the clapping) was more in reaction to the spirited performance in the second half. If we had lost 4-0 there wouldn't have been the same response.

Personally, the overwhelming response (from neutrals) has been positive - that we're loyal, supportive and positive, in the face of everthing. So as a reflection on us, players are more likely to want to join us than say Leicester where there is a negative atmosphere at every game.

Abusing the players is pointless. And there are people on here (this isn't aimed at anyone in particular - it's just a general trend I've noticed over the last couple of years) and on Twitter who care way too much about what other supporters do, sing, even what they wear or how they get to games, which is a bit rich if you don't attend that often.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Noddy and soft. Fans of many other clubs wouldn't stand for the crap we've endured. 

[tdmickey3]

10 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Noddy and soft. Fans of many other clubs wouldn't stand for the crap we've endured. 

What did you do then in order not to be noddy ?

[OldNick]

11 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

Noddy and soft. Fans of many other clubs wouldn't stand for the crap we've endured. 

And where does it get them? apart from leaving as sour atmosphere. I will never forget howbad it waas when I saw our own fans fighting amongst ourselves in the Northam in thelate days of Rupert. It made no difference butjust made a toxic atmosphere that helped none of us

[Lord Duckhunter]

Yesterday was fucking Noddy, peak fucking noddy. It’s not a question of clapping the twats or giving them clog, how about just fucking off in silence, or ignoring the useless bottleless cunts.
 

It’s fucking laughable. The busiest people in the UK today will be their agents trying to get them out of here, yet we have supporters who fucking clapped them, for what?  Going through the motions, mincing about, bottling it? What were they clapping, the fact they got 10 points or the fact they only lost 3-1?
 

 Wankers….

[EssEffCee]

One thing I have noticed in the last two seasons is how there seems to be much more younger fans (under 20) at away games than there seemed to be beforehand.

This is the social media generation and it shows in how they constantly have their phones in their hand and that seems to be their priority more than anything else.

It's also noticeable how many songs seem to have dropped off recently like nobody knows the words. Tried to get 'we are Southampton, the pride of the South' going at about 7 aways this year and not once had more than 10-15 people join in. Never hear 'we all follow Southampton' anymore either.

Was good to hear the woolston ferry yesterday mind. Again only a fairly small amount of us singing it though.

[Turkish]

4 hours ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

I remember the footage of the Everton fans harassing their players after we beat them, and it was utterly cringeworthy. I'd hate for our fans to be like that.

I can understand anyone wanting to dish out abuse after the season we've had, but I don't think it would help in any way. I think most of them are trying, they're just not good enough. I'm finding it hard to get angry about it all, more just numb/apathetic.

It wouldn't have done any harm either.

At least the clowns running us and those supposedly playing for us would have go the message not have morons celebrating an absolute shambles of a season from top to bottom

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Yesterday was fucking Noddy, peak fucking noddy. It’s not a question of clapping the twats or giving them clog, how about just fucking off in silence, or ignoring the useless bottleless cunts.
 

It’s fucking laughable. The busiest people in the UK today will be their agents trying to get them out of here, yet we have supporters who fucking clapped them, for what?  Going through the motions, mincing about, bottling it? What were they clapping, the fact they got 10 points or the fact they only lost 3-1?
 

 Wankers….

and you would have been dancing up Wembley way with those same players names on your lips. Yes wehave been crap, but the players have been absolutely been scarred by this season and in the main have tried.

Im obviously a soppy git as I usually await the final whistle and apart from a few games I have clapped them off. Not after the hammerings but generally they have coped with poor management and lack of skill, but that doesnt mean they dont need to be appreciated. 

[haddock24]

The real sign of revolt will be when the season ticket renewal forms drop in your mailbox with increased prices. lets see then how many are prepared to watch these less than talented players continue the downward trend.

[OldNick]

Just now, haddock24 said:

The real sign of revolt will be when the season ticket renewal forms drop in your mailbox with increased prices. lets see then how many are prepared to watch these less than talented players continue the downward trend.

Im not sure the club will risk increasing ticket prices (but you never know) I suggest they will keep prices the same with the 'there are more home games next season'

[Mixedkebab]

I suppose we’ll see if the fawning applause motivates  the lazy bastards to run, concentrate and tackle (the absolute basics footballers on big money should be doing) in the next few games.

In contrast, Sheff Utd fans barracked their team for losing 1-0 at Oxford when they’ve been on a fantastic run, and made Wilder spit his dummy 

[ItchenRob]

I stood just (mainly) observing, not reacting . Quite a lot of people had left before the players came over and there was a fair amount of booing as well and a reasonably loud rendition of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' so it wasn't all positive. 

As mentioned it's an individual choice with different people having different motives.

I did applaud when JWP gave his shirt to someone.

[dsrdorset]

I can see both sides of it. Our away support has been terrific this season, despite the shit being served up. I think they were the bigger person yesterday by showing some appreciation. I much prefer this to the bitter entitled Spurs fans who are complete bellends. 

[East Kent Saint]

If the fans turn up at an away game after this seasons disaster they can behave as they wish , while I sit at home in my armchair muttering to myself 😄

[Weston Super Saint]

Was it free pints for away fans?

Only explanation I can think of for clapping abject failure.

[Convict Colony]

Anyone who still goes to support the team away at spurs even tho there is an excellent chance of being relegated have earned the right to do whatever they see fit to the players, club etc.

I dont have a problem with it, i think gallows humour took over from Nov onwards so the shock of relegation isnt there.

 

[Killers Knee]

Hopefully that’s the Saints faithful bidding farewell to the worst collection of footballers in the history of the premier league.    We need to focus all efforts in selling everyone, a scorched earth policy is required.

[bpsaint]

Leicester fans were chanting “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” at their team tonight. Our fans applaud the players despite them embarrassing the club on the world stage. Says it all really.

[AlexLaw76]

We have an fan base that have become extremely compliant 

[ApprenticeBillionaire]

11 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Screaming abuse at them achieves absolutely nothing.

Sure.

Ok fine.

How's being passive and soft as shite working out for us?...