Leicester City & their Chairman....

[Charnwood]

Did anyone else on here watch the Leicester City v Southampton match today and witness the fabulous rapport Mr "King Power" has with the Foxes fans.

The atmosphere at home games is amazing and today The Chairman gave everyone of the fans attending a free beer or soft drink + a donut to celebrate his birthday on Monday. For full story read; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-le ... e-35950709

He attends every home game and leaves afterwards from the pitch centre circle in his "Leicester City Colours" helicopter which takes him to East Midlands Airport where his private jet takes him back to Bangkok.

What a contrast to our secretive Mr Evans.

Living in Leicestershire it's impossible not to be swept along with their fairytale season, but for me the best of all is seeing the four club dominance of the Premier League finally broken after all these years. (Apols to Blackburn fans) I hope this statement isn't premature, but even if Leicester do blow up, Spurs are waiting in the wings.

[hallamblue]

I think all true football fans want Leicester to win the PL this season Charny. It would be unprecedented and a breath of fresh air in the modern game tbh. Although I would add Leicester haven't exactly been frugal and have certainly spent levels of money Town fans could only dream of spending on players.

Whilst I respect Evans wishes for privacy a part of me wishes he would be a bit more open with the Town fans but he's not a flamboyant individual, so its unlikely to happen and people fear or are suspicious of what they can't see or understand.

[herforder]

Funny old thing, MM just reaffirming the great support he receives from ME!

A healthy relationship - or partnership - between supporters and owners/Chairman is essential. It 's great to have in the good times but, importantly, helps to get through the rougher times. Effective communication provides the oil to keep the wheels turning and build a sense of 'we're in this together'. So whilst ME's decision to remain low profile must be respected, in the goldfish bowl that is soccer it doesn't necessarily sit well; and rumour, speculation and discontent quickly arrive to fill the void.

But I guess the key factor must be the ME/MM relationship - we remain either the beneficiaries or victims of it. Depends how we view the glass!

[Charnwood]

Is this part of the secret of Leicester City's success. The Thai owners have spent something like £500k supplying flags and clappers for every fan in the "home area" to wind up the atmosphere before and during games, and you see Ranieri stirring up fans every time the players need a lift, it's quite incredible to watch.



I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance.

[barmy billy]

Is this part of the secret of Leicester City's success. The Thai owners have spent something like £500k supplying flags and clappers for every fan in the "home area" to wind up the atmosphere before and during games, and you see Ranieri stirring up fans every time the players need a lift, it's quite incredible to watch.



I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance.

We can only wish, what with our tight-fisted owner and boring, predictable and unimaginative manager.

[Charnwood]

BB it's so bloody frustrating living in Leicestershire at the moment and I can't wait to f*ck off to Spain...

The Leicester Story could so easily have been the Ipswich Story had we been bought by their Thai owners as opposed to our Marcus Evans.

In August 2010 when the King Power Group purchased Leicester City we were every bit as good, if not a better team/club than Leicester City.

I appreciate what Marcus Evans did for our club when he first took over, but having been bitten once/twice during the Keane/Jewell era he's lost all ambition for the club.

In contrast in 5 years the Thai owners at Leicester have gone thro Paulo Sousa, Sven Goran-Eriksson and Nigel Pearson before appointing Claudio Ranieri, in their quest to make the club successful.

Furthermore they wrote off Leicester City's £103m debt as opposed to simply purchasing it on the cheap and maintaining the debt.

[herforder]

Fantastic to see such unrestrained joy. Lived and worked in Leicester in the late 90's, and saw some of the less glamorous times the club went through. The wheel has now turned full circle for them, and I think most folk will be delighted.

Also made numerous trips to Filbert Street - some happy, some not so! Can recall Mr Lineker turning out for them, and a very young Mark Bright scoring a late winner against us! But happy days nonetheless!

[Charnwood]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

[jaykay]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

remember it well,the days when we didnt rest players for the cup.then we had 2 games against west ham in the semi final.where a certain tw@t in black robbed us of a cup final place.was at villa park in the game " ipswich " to the tune of amazing grace was born

[herforder]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

remember it well,the days when we didnt rest players for the cup.then we had 2 games against west ham in the semi final.where a certain tw@t in black robbed us of a cup final place.was at villa park in the game " ipswich " to the tune of amazing grace was born

Was at both the West Ham semi final games. Still recovering from the 2nd one!

[herforder]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

Great memory! Was at the original game with my late father-in-law; started queuing very early, with around 38,000 finally crammed into PR! Couldn't make the replays, but clearly remember listening to the Clive Woods' wonder/Brazilian like goal on the good old steam radio! Johnny Wark - what a great Centre Back!!

[Mr.Punch]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

.

[Shed on tour]

Although I'd been to Filbert Strret Leicester in the late 60's for a league match my second and third visits were by far the most memorable. Both games were FA Cup QF replays v Leeds United on a Tuesday and Thursday night in March 1975. Town and Leeds United had already drawn 0-0 at Portman Road and 1-1 at Elland Road after extra time. I went to the home game but didn't go to Elland Road for the replay ad it was too far for a midweek night game especially at such short notice. The 2nd replay at Filbert Street was again drawn, this time 0-0 and to be honest apart from the tension I can't remember much about it. It also caused massive fixture congestion and I think Town played 10 games in 21 days using only about 14 different players.

The 3rd replay I can remember quite clearly, it was Jonhny Warks Town debut as a 17yr old deputising for the injured Kevin Beattie and Clive Woods replaced Micky Lambert in both games at Filbert Street. Johnny Walk as I recall had a brilliant debut. Trevor Whymark scored an early goal for Town and Leeds equalised before half time. We then went 2-1 up early in the second half and Leeds equalised, then with 10 mins remaining Clive Woods hit an absolute gem which he curled from the edge of the box to win the tie 3-2 to send Town to their first FA Cup Semi Final.

I've been to Filbert Steet and The Walkers Stadium as it was and King Power as it is now more times than I can ever remember, but that Thursday night in March 1975 will live with me forever.

Living in the past again I know, but doesn't football sometimes leave great memories.

The old banana shot!
Was also there that night Charny and as you say certainly a night that will forever stay in the memory bank.

[Bluemike]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

[barmy billy]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

But surely Mike no-one is going to cheer if there is nothing to cheer about? The fact that people pay to go and watch is a measure of support in itself and it is understandable that the fans do not shout themselves hoarse if the players do not perform. Adulation is not a given, it is earned.

Don't be too hard on us.

[jaykay]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

jesus we all having a great time going down memory lane and we get this.its all the fans fault now priceless

[Bluemike]

The point was made at the beginning of the thread that fans can make a difference, the down memory lane rubbish came into it afterwards. That is exactly what is wrong with ITFC fans, they live in the bloody past year after year, yes lets be proud of our history but for christ sake let it go once in a while, this bunch of players never have been and never will be close to being what we had back in the day but it is not their fault believe it or not.

For what it is worth I am not keen on a large number of our so called fans, and yes I do believe a lot of the issues we currently have at Portman Road can be directed in the fans direction as much as the players. We now have the first real blip under MM and the knives are out, it is ridiculous to be honest, Mick is the best manager we can hope to attract and by some distance, all these names we keep seeing on list of possible replacements are either not viable or bloody hopeless, none of them would do the job he has done wioth the same spending budget, none of them.

Prior to the game at Wolves I had a conversation with Mach in the pub regarding our fans and he hit the nail on the head, I won't repeat what was said for fear of upsetting the more fragile and sensitive among us but suffice to say his views more than mirror mine. Our fans seem hell bent on ripping up the stability that after years of dross we finally have at our club, we have made massive stride with f*ck all to spend, have issues with ME by all means but Mick is a massive asset to us and to lose him would put us backwards not forwards. Thankfully I am pretty certain MM will be here for a good while yet and when he proves all the doubters wrong I will love rubbing it in. People need to take a look at the league table, of the teams above us ONLY Sheff Wed have improved and passed us by and that is with massive spending, all the other clubs have not long been in the Prem and have mega bucks to p*ss away, like it or not but it is a fact at this moment in time that we are the best of the rest, 4 or 5 measly points off some of these big spending teams, so yes I get the angst towards ME but no way do I accept the crap being aimed at MM. Careful what you wish for people.

[loudnproud]

I can see the point Mike is making and to a degree its a valid argument.Its a chicken or the egg thing all over. Apart from my health,Ive stopped going to PR for the poor football being played. I suspect i am not alone either.
Away games are a means of fans having a day out.......preferably with a win behind it. Remember Leicester away when we were 5-1 down?? we were singing "how sh*t must you be,you only scored five!!". Thats the spirit of Fans.

Dire football on a constant level produces and lowers expectations for fans. Town fans have had to endure a decade of it.

[ipswichtownNo1]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

Maybe its flat before kick off because everyone has seen that starting 11 the MM has chosen?

[arana peligrosa]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

Maybe its flat before kick off because everyone has seen that starting 11 the MM has chosen?

Valid point, and realizing (also) there's going to be an abundance of high-ball garbage and attackers that while capable, are clearly lacking and not working to required productivity. Get pissed off week after week reading three or four attacking names deployed during the course of a game and only finding one or two goals from it - often we get nothing at all. All successful teams that are able - or want - to compete have at least one reliable center forward and we don't even possess that right now. Ok leading scorer's on seven or eight goals thus far, not really good enough at this stage of the season.

As someone else put it, we've had over 10 years of in so many words - lackluster bullshit - to endure at this club and while McCarthy takes some level of plaudits for his time here it's not going to be (in the long term) a solution to a problem. As for living on past glories as someone else put attention to : I believe it's only a select few who reminisce about past honors. We realize we're not going to see any repeat of say 35 - 40 years back in our lifetimes and only look to the future. Yes we did well, it was a great success, but times change, we move on.

[Bluemike]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

Maybe its flat before kick off because everyone has seen that starting 11 the MM has chosen?

Then why go ? That is not a sarcastic question, I am being serious, why bother if they know the fare on offer is not going to be to their liking ? I genuinely do not get it.

[Charnwood]

Wow......I didn't mean to start an "in house" argument, and Mike I'm sorry if you think I'm living in the past. My reference to visiting Leiceters Filbert Street in the mid 70's was only a response to Herforder's post talking about his numerous trips to Filbert Street, it's just the way some topics unfold and was very relevant.

If you go back to my original post it had nothing to do with the past and was all about a current situation and in particular about the Leicester City Chairmans rapport with the fans and the fans impact on team performance, a subject which you should know is dear to my heart, all about cheering and motivation, not booing or wearing players down by getting on their backs.

There have been many reports written about the impact of Leicester's Clappers which are left on people's seats before every home game, and their impact on team performance...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... -them.html

I just wonder how much happier the fans at Portman Road would be if our Chairman had a better rapport with the fans and conjured up more support.....

Incidentally the clappers came before Leicester's success not afterwards and were introduced at the back end of last season when the club were sitting at the bottom of the Premiership before their Great Escape.

[Bluemike]

Andy I think you have misunderstood my post, I am actually agreeing with what you said about fans making a difference if you read it again. The past and all that is irrelevant as far as the actual topic of debate goes.

[Charnwood]

Andy I think you have misunderstood my post, I am actually agreeing with what you said about fans making a difference if you read it again. The past and all that is irrelevant as far as the actual topic of debate goes.

I know you and I agree 100% about the important role fans can have in being "the 12th man"..,
that's one of my pet disappointments when I come to Portman Road these days.......and my pet hate is booing... although that doesn't happen very often, I hope.

I just thought your reference to "living in the past" was aimed at me because I referred back to our 1975QF 3rd replay v Leeds United at Filbert Street.

Hey ho, move on and hopefully a win tomorrow night....

I hope so as my youngest Son in Law is a Charlton nutcase born & bred and we'll be arriving at his place in New York on Wednesday and I don't fancy my first few beers listening to "how Charlton whooped our arse"..,.. far better if it's the other way round.!

[Bluemike]

Certainly wasn't aimed at you.

[Charnwood]

Certainly wasn't aimed at you.

I should think not...even tho it's sometimes deserved....

What do they say, ... "If the cap fits, wear it" !

Maybe it's an age thing Mike cos I just love looking back when it comes to all things Town, especially those Bobby Robson days which gave me some of the most memorable sporting days of my life.

I can still picture so vividly a game in 81 v Spurs at Portman Road when they tried to physically kick us off the pitch as we ran rings round them.......I turned to my mate in the seat next to me who I used to travel with to every game and said "this football of ours is unbelievable, I wonder if when we're older and look back if we'll ever believe how good this team really was"....

Those days are here now Mike, and some of those memories surface every now and again.......usually prompted by posts like Herforder talking about Filbert Street, as happened on this thread yesterday, or Cruyff's death which prompted memories of Town v Barcelona....
all Town stuff which some of us will never forget.

Living in the past sometimes maybe, but that's what I love about football, the making of dreams, and that's what's going on at Leicester City this season. These fans will be talking about this season for the rest of their living days.

[herforder]

I think everyone on here is sufficiently grown up to know that the past is occasionally somewhere nice to visit, but not to live permanently. Those same people have seen the wheel turn at PR over many years, remained loyal through thick and thin, know how to appreciate the history, whilst understanding the realities of the present. Those who fail to recognise this, or become impatient and over-judgemental perhaps need to recognise there is no monopoly on how to be a true supporter. In the land of the blind, being the bloke with one eye can obviously be irritating at times!

[barmy billy]

Certainly wasn't aimed at you.

I think I may be in the firing line. My shoulders are broad though and I know Mike likes me really.

[number 9]

Andy your comment " I think we sometimes underestimate how much impact fans can have on players performance" is 100% correct and this is why i think most of the time at Portman Road our fans are bloody pathetic. I do not buy into this bullshit one bit that therte is nothing to cheer about and the players don't get us excited, what a crock of sh*te that is, it is a poor excuse to be lethargic where our support is concerned, none of us know prior to kick off just how the game is going to go and yet our atmosphere is a joke at best. It is no surprise we have been far more effective away from home because the players don't feel half as comfortable at home and they should do, it is our job to make them feel that way and we don't do it, instead we moan and groan from the first minute till the last, it does not help player performance, quite the opposite in fact.

Maybe its flat before kick off because everyone has seen that starting 11 the MM has chosen?

Then why go ? That is not a sarcastic question, I am being serious, why bother if they know the fare on offer is not going to be to their liking ? I genuinely do not get it.

While I understand fan's frustrations including my own, I have to agree with Mike in that if you're that pissed-off with the performances...just don't go to the game. I'm sure there are many fans like me who are unable to attend matches for whatever reasons, and trust me if I could I'd be there every week. It sounds like the players could really use a lift at the moment, so hopefully that will be evident tonight.

[barmy billy]

So, the players need a lift, bless them? It's the manager's job to lift and motivate them

The long suffering fans need a lift too. I would have thought it was the players job to do that!