lake district canary 4,520 Posted July 3, 2020 Fans at matches can be a twelfth man, inspiring the team on - but can also be a drain on the team when they are nervous or worried or downright negative, giving the players or manager stick. But we have a new phenomenon at matches now - the non existent fan. So how does the non existent fan affect the team? He/she doesn't of course, there is no help or hindrance when you can't be there. So it's a kind of neutral situation - the team is on it's own. For some players that makes the game easier - their focus might be easier to maintain, for others like the crowd pleasing flair players that thrive of the adulation of the crowd, it might make things harder. Different, it definitely is. So this strange state of affairs where we cannot go to matches, we are seeing top class football without frills, no referee being barracked by thousands of people, no opponent being verbally abused, no getting on a player's back if he makes a mistake....players and officials can just get on with more focus. I'm not saying it's better than having fans there, of course it isn't better, you lose that extra buzz that a crowd gives to a match, but it is in some ways a no nonsense form of football - so much so that some purists might actually be enjoying watching it. So arguably, we are getting football of a more pure, technical nature - top class football without the distraction and added dramas that the crowd can bring to the occasion. Better? No, but not to be dismissed as worthless - no-one wants empty stadiums, but it is still top quality football. Fans on top of their game - the twelfth man Fans on a downer on their team - like having a man sent off No fans at all - pure football. Or maybe not? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted July 3, 2020 Footballs nothing without the fans, Lakey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TIL 1010 4,656 Posted July 3, 2020 2 minutes ago, Alex Moss said: Footballs nothing without the fans, Lakey. 100% Alex and i would love to know the viewing figures for this restart as i suspect not that many are bothering with it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ricardo 7,239 Posted July 3, 2020 1 minute ago, TIL 1010 said: 100% Alex and i would love to know the viewing figures for this restart as i suspect not that many are bothering with it. I've watched all the games but have to admit that its not the same experience by a long chalk. I expect we would have been relegated in any event but this has been transformed into a false season and a contrived solution in completing it. Things may never again be what they were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted July 3, 2020 20 minutes ago, TIL 1010 said: 100% Alex and i would love to know the viewing figures for this restart as i suspect not that many are bothering with it. Yep, me too, John - and I think you’re totally right, just on the basis when I’ve text someone something like ‘that VAR decision in your game was shocking’, I get a response ‘dunno, wasn’t watching!’. I know many friends that have quickly got bored with it. So I don’t think it can ever be argued that football is more ‘pure’ without the supporters, the supporters ARE football, the very heartbeat of a club and team on the pitch! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TIL 1010 4,656 Posted July 3, 2020 9 minutes ago, Alex Moss said: Yep, me too, John - and I think you’re totally right, just on the basis when I’ve text someone something like ‘that VAR decision in your game was shocking’, I get a response ‘dunno, wasn’t watching!’. I know many friends that have quickly got bored with it. So I don’t think it can ever be argued that football is more ‘pure’ without the supporters, the supporters ARE football, the very heartbeat of a club and team on the pitch! This restart was for the integrity of the game and a morale booster for the country during this pandemic......yeah, yeah whatever. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted July 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, TIL 1010 said: This restart was for the integrity of the game and a morale booster for the country during this pandemic......yeah, yeah whatever. When Boris Johnson said it was a ‘morale booster for the country’, it was at that point that I knew he couldn’t possibly be a Norwich City fan ha ha The truth is, the only way it would have been a morale booster for the country would be if supporters were sharing camaraderie at the games, before and after in the pubs, chewing the fat. Financially motivated alone, the fool thinks we’re all gullible, and clearly doesn’t actually understand football, it’s culture, and where the morale lies. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,352 Posted July 3, 2020 48 minutes ago, Alex Moss said: When Boris Johnson said it was a ‘morale booster for the country’, it was at that point that I knew he couldn’t possibly be a Norwich City fan ha ha The truth is, the only way it would have been a morale booster for the country would be if supporters were sharing camaraderie at the games, before and after in the pubs, chewing the fat. Financially motivated alone, the fool thinks we’re all gullible, and clearly doesn’t actually understand football, it’s culture, and where the morale lies. Yes Alex!!👍👍👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,265 Posted July 3, 2020 I'll definitely watch our game tomorrow, I've watched all our lock-down games and will continue and religiously watch all our other forthcoming remaining fixtures...It was Todd's goal against Utd that sadly has currently been the only thing that's actually got me out of my chair and shouting 'YES!'... Unfortunately the rest of our other lock-down games have (for obvious reasons) lacked the decent atmosphere, been somewhat drab, seriously underwhelming and at times, so, so disappointing..... I've missed going to Carra then socialising and linking up with my football mates in the pub after the games - and do yearn for a return to normality.... But, I shall remain at home and maybe give it a week or so, and let those thirsty, exuberant and excitable lock-down desperadoes, decompress, socialise and fill their boots with booze on that July 4th sort of grand opening of the local boozing establishments in the City ....Hopefully Norfolk Constabulary's finest, including our other exceptional emergency services aren't overwhelmed, abused and put on the back foot with groups, aggressive elements and abusive individuals overstepping the mark by their being total and absolute anti-social 'A' holes, puke bazookas, punchy prats and generally spoiling it for the sensible majority just having a good time..... Here's to everyone if they're venturing out to have a safe enjoyable day and evening tomorrow, and hopefully celebrating a good win..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 4,746 Posted July 3, 2020 2 hours ago, ricardo said: I've watched all the games but have to admit that its not the same experience by a long chalk. I expect we would have been relegated in any event but this has been transformed into a false season and a contrived solution in completing it. Things may never again be what they were. I thought we were 50/50 to survive prior to lockdown due to the huge inbalance in fixtures. The minute we lost our home advantage we were as good as down. It's been shown in Germany and here that home advantage only exists in a stadium full of fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Moss 2,165 Posted July 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, dylanisabaddog said: I thought we were 50/50 to survive prior to lockdown due to the huge inbalance in fixtures. The minute we lost our home advantage we were as good as down. It's been shown in Germany and here that home advantage only exists in a stadium full of fans. We were also in some relatively good form. I thought the restart might have been good for us, but in hindsight our position could have been slightly different if the season had not been temporarily curtailed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yorkshire Canary 118 Posted July 3, 2020 I agree with others, Football is nothing without the fans. Since the restart i have watched the Southampton and Everton League games and Manchester Utd cup game. Our performances left a lot to be desired which did not help but it was like watching a televised friendly games, no punch, no atmosphere, i know it cannot be helped and everyone is trying to make the best of a bad job, but thats enough for me this season, lots of better things to see and do, hopefully we can be back watching live sooner rather than later Share this post Link to post Share on other sites