SUFC in the CCC - give the players a break?

[palexander]

Lots of comments on here recently about the 'abuse' being handed out to players.

There is one particular mindset for this that we discussed yesterday at the ground. We are in the CCC because we deseve it. Yes it is a step up of course, but that doesnt mean we should have rose-tinted glasses when viewing our players.

If they arent good enough then (IMO) that is fine to be pointed out. Faults should be highlighted and not swept under the carpet. I think the whole situation is more a case of the fans needing more patience and understading that it could take 10 games at least for us to settle.

This may seem a bit hypocritical after my appraisal of Simon Francis, but one of my thoughts behind pointing out Francis weak points so far is that this is not his first time at this level - unlike most of the squad (i.e. he should know better).

All I am saying is that is somebody on here is highlighting one player, I dont think it is fair to keep responding with 'oh but we are in the CCC so what do you expect' kind of responses.

If the poster makes a valid argument for his case, then he should be treated with respect.

Aidy Boothroyd (Watfords manager) made an excellent point last night on MOTD. During his post match interview, the interviewer was being a bit condesending like 'oh you were so close, played bravely etc' - just because Watford are a little side. Boothroyd was raging and said just because they are a smaller side, he shouldnt be happy with losing 2-1 to Man Utd and feeling unlucky. He said that anyone who says 'Watford played well and were unlucky' dont know what they are talking about unless Ferguson says it which he would respect).

I thought good on ya! Kind of how I feel about SUFC this season - just because we are a small club and have made the step up, doesnt mean we should stop demanding more from our side and rest on our laurels. We will go down if this mentality creeps in.

In summary, lets be patient and also keep backing our guys vocally 100% from the terraces as they need us - but I just hope we keep pushing to improve as a football club.

 

[McNasty]

I am sure that at lot of people are having a bit of trouble accepting we are going to find it much harder this year playing against better sides and not winning more , as per the last 2 years.
Be patient and keep the faith , hopefully things will get better as the season progresses.

 

[weststander]

Quote[/b] (mcnasty @ Aug. 27 2006,16:32)]I am sure that at lot of people are having a bit of trouble accepting we are going to find it much harder this year playing against better sides and not winning more , as per the last 2 years.
Be patient and keep the faith , hopefully things will get better as the season progresses.

I agree, what we've got to remember is that our average attendance has almost trebled over the last 2/3 years and i would imagine most of them have been brought up on the recent success of the club. There are not that many of us that remember the not so go recent times of the bottom division bottom half finishes. Everyone has got to remember that we will probably lose as many as we win this season, we are in a league where most of the clubs have been in the premiership with all the riches it provides. We are currently 2 and 3 in our matches so far, if we end up woth 23 home wins and 23 away defeats i will be more than happy as we will have 69 points and mid table mediocracy a good point to push on from next year. We still have the same excellent management team so keep the faith and we will continue to move forward !

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

It will be very tough this season, far tougher than many on here might accept. Six points from 15 isn't a great start but it's as good as I had hoped; just look at Col******r United ...

 

[shrimptank]

Quote[/b] (pboreham @ Aug. 27 2006,15:49)]Lots of comments on here recently about the 'abuse' being handed out to players.

There is one particular mindset for this that we discussed yesterday at the ground. We are in the CCC because we deseve it. Yes it is a step up of course, but that doesnt mean we should have rose-tinted glasses when viewing our players.

If they arent good enough then (IMO) that is fine to be pointed out. Faults should be highlighted and not swept under the carpet. I think the whole situation is more a case of the fans needing more patience and understading that it could take 10 games at least for us to settle.

This may seem a bit hypocritical after my appraisal of Simon Francis, but one of my thoughts behind pointing out Francis weak points so far is that this is not his first time at this level - unlike most of the squad (i.e. he should know better).

All I am saying is that is somebody on here is highlighting one player, I dont think it is fair to keep responding with 'oh but we are in the CCC so what do you expect' kind of responses.

If the poster makes a valid argument for his case, then he should be treated with respect.

Aidy Boothroyd (Watfords manager) made an excellent point last night on MOTD. During his post match interview, the interviewer was being a bit condesending like 'oh you were so close, played bravely etc' - just because Watford are a little side. Boothroyd was raging and said just because they are a smaller side, he shouldnt be happy with losing 2-1 to Man Utd and feeling unlucky. He said that anyone who says 'Watford played well and were unlucky' dont know what they are talking about unless Ferguson says it which he would respect).

I thought good on ya! Kind of how I feel about SUFC this season - just because we are a small club and have made the step up, doesnt mean we should stop demanding more from our side and rest on our laurels. We will go down if this mentality creeps in.

In summary, lets be patient and also keep backing our guys vocally 100% from the terraces as they need us - but I just hope we keep pushing to improve as a football club.

Possibly one of the best posts i have read on here ever.

 

[Bromley Blue]

I agree I don't think we should go easy on the players if they are not performing. However I expect us to pick up a lot more away points after 10 games or so once we have adjusted to the standard and style of play in this league.

IMO Leicester and QPR away are the sorts of games we would have targeted as being able to get something from. Therefore its gutting that we've come away from both with nothing..but football's a funny old game. We could go up to West Brom and win 3-0. I for one will get to as many away games as possible this year as now more than ever the boys need our support on the road.

It was great to see Lukey G have a great game yesterday. Haven't read any match reports on here but I thought he was our best player. Also remember that Michael Ricketts was brought in to be Freddy's first choice partner. IMO he will offer more of a goal threat than either Bradders or Paynter, thus taking the pressure off Freddy.

Keep your chins up Southend..you're doing the town proud and I'll be backing you all the way.

 

[sufcintheprem]

Quote[/b] (shrimptank @ Aug. 27 2006,18:00)]

Quote[/b] (pboreham @ Aug. 27 2006,15:49)]Lots of comments on here recently about the 'abuse' being handed out to players.

There is one particular mindset for this that we discussed yesterday at the ground. We are in the CCC because we deseve it. Yes it is a step up of course, but that doesnt mean we should have rose-tinted glasses when viewing our players.

If they arent good enough then (IMO) that is fine to be pointed out. Faults should be highlighted and not swept under the carpet. I think the whole situation is more a case of the fans needing more patience and understading that it could take 10 games at least for us to settle.

This may seem a bit hypocritical after my appraisal of Simon Francis, but one of my thoughts behind pointing out Francis weak points so far is that this is not his first time at this level - unlike most of the squad (i.e. he should know better).

All I am saying is that is somebody on here is highlighting one player, I dont think it is fair to keep responding with 'oh but we are in the CCC so what do you expect' kind of responses.

If the poster makes a valid argument for his case, then he should be treated with respect.

Aidy Boothroyd (Watfords manager) made an excellent point last night on MOTD. During his post match interview, the interviewer was being a bit condesending like 'oh you were so close, played bravely etc' - just because Watford are a little side. Boothroyd was raging and said just because they are a smaller side, he shouldnt be happy with losing 2-1 to Man Utd and feeling unlucky. He said that anyone who says 'Watford played well and were unlucky' dont know what they are talking about unless Ferguson says it which he would respect).

I thought good on ya! Kind of how I feel about SUFC this season - just because we are a small club and have made the step up, doesnt mean we should stop demanding more from our side and rest on our laurels. We will go down if this mentality creeps in.

In summary, lets be patient and also keep backing our guys vocally 100% from the terraces as they need us - but I just hope we keep pushing to improve as a football club.

Possibly one of the best posts i have read on here ever.

I agree.

We are here on merit and we are a Championship club like all the other teams we will play. Anyone who has watched us (barring QPR) will have been able to see this in the way that we have been as good or better than all of them except in finishing.

My biggest concern from the opening games is that we don't manage to turn good play in to goals before the point where the confidence starts to drop.

Back to the post, I'm pretty sure from Tilly's transfers in and out that he is well aware of this continual need to strive for improvement. He has dropped loyal players at whenever it's been needed and I have a lot of respect to him for doing that.