john68 wrote:I'd hate some of you lot to be in the trenches next to me.....what a bunch of mard arses this generation must be. Brave when it's easy, all run away when the enemy attacks.
Maybe a generational, all spoonfed and handed on a plate, thing. Maybe that's just the way of the modern world.
When the Kippax formed as a singing area in the mid 60's, the loudest noise was always when City were put under pressure, usually as a response to the opposition scoring. The atmosphere was normally like that of the Hamburg game. The Kippax took it as a DUTY to get behind the team and lift them.
Now all I hear is "I can't be arsed...it's all shit...fuck the lazy bastards." "it's all his fault or their fault".
Shit happens, Great sides do lose to shit sides, it happens to every team. Every team falls down, it's how they stand back up that matters.
Currently City seem to have an issue with mental strength. Collapse v the dippers on 2 occasions and the rags last Saturday, (Fidel is right). It has to be fixed, whether with new players or a huge kick up the arse.
he Dippers next leg is NOT a City team game, it is a City Club game. Team and supporters. Pep controls the team but it is the fans that HAVE to create the noise whatever is happening on the pitch. The Scousers understand that, though they have no idea where they should behaviourly stop.
There should be no point of the game where those few dippers should be heard, they should be drowned out from minute one and their team should only know that City fans are in the ground.
I feel a tome coming on so anyone who wants to skip to the next post, by all means do so now.
John,
I think it’s safe to say you are one of, if not the most respected posters on here, IMO.
And there is a reason, for it. You’ve been there, seen it all probably have the T-shirt.
For what it’s worth I fully agree with you regarding how to support. I don’t have the right to say what you have, due to the fact I see most City games from my sofa. I used to go to all the Ireland games however and can totally relate to the loudest noise coming after the opposition have scored and the team needing a boost, knowing we are there behind them.
My old man used to say, it’s always when times are bad, that’s when to put on a show.
No matter how you are hurting you need to put on more than just a brave face, you need to actually be brave and step outside your comfort zone for the team.
However, although I agree with the generational differences you refer to, I think there are quite a few of us in here that are in the 50-60 year bracket that are by no means finished with City, but very nearly finished with football.
Believe me, I know I’ll get over it as soon as the next game starts, but the biggest disappointment is the perpetual struggle we have with external influences to the result and what should be an honest contest.
I think a lot of our players see what is going on and get extremely frustrated. Some handle it better than others.
Some on here blame Pep and say he doesn’t get it and they’ll never warm to him no matter what we win. I get it and that’s fair enough but I think they may as well jack it in now as well, as I think Pep does get it and the fact is he has been given a different brief from the top, and is following the agenda expected of him.
He along with the team are trying to achieve the ultimate goal of the CL all the while playing from the outside in.
We are trying to break into the elite and have to do it by being absolutely perfect on the pitch. We can’t acknowledge the obvious external detrimental influences that are placed in our way.
The Sheik plans on us being their at the top table, so we can’t dismantle the table on the way there.
My problem and I suspect a few others on here is, do you really want us to be part of this when we eventually get there.
Both domestically and in Europe, I’m just tired of watching a rigged game.
The only thing keeping me going is the belief City can do this working against the odds. But what then? Football was different back in the days of the Kippax, that you remember. It may always have been a business, but it was still a sport then and seemed fair and a team could achieve a lot through unity and honest endeavour.
City under Pep are playing a beautiful brand of football and it is what the Club as a whole want. Having strong characters, leaders etc. is not the the priority. Having skilful players comfortable under pressure is and 9 times out of 10 it would be enough for us, to get over the line following Pep/The Club’s philosophy, but coming up against injustice when we get to the real business end of things, time and time again, then you need strong leaders to unify the team.
A loyal vociferous crowd can help with that when things get hopeless, but a lot of the disillusionment of the crowd is more to do with dis belief of how low the game has got.
How low the game that we all grew up playing and loving, has stooped.
I think City are good enough to go out and beat Liverpool tomorrow but I also believe we will not be allowed go through.
I also believe that half the team know this and are probably resigned to the fact.
I believe that becomes part of a debilitating cycle and it’s hard to know how to break it.
Right enough of that. I know i sound down still, but my disappointment is with football, not with City.
