Complacency setting in amongst supporters

[sadloserkid]

Originally posted by Howard Hughes
I just want to clarify that the Waterford utd avatar has nothing to do with me! I must have chose it by mistake when registering. How can I change it or get rid of it?

Howard Hughes, do the following...

1. Acess the 'Control' menu at the top of your screen
2. Hit 'Edit Options'
3. Right down at the end of that screen is 'Change Avatar'

Hope that helps. PM me if you need more information...

[LFC in Exile]

Originally posted by deise deserter
I think it is ridiculously childish for people to say that constructive criticism of players and the club shouldn't be allowed.

Who said that? I can't remember anyone saying that constructive criticism shouldn't be allowed.

As John implied there is a huge difference between constructive criticism and abuse. Is it constructive to roar at a player than he is a waste of space or "that's f#ing terrible". When a player f ucks up I think they know it and don't need us to tell them.

What I took from the meeting and what I understood as one of the aims of the SC is to present a positive image of Limerick fans at home and away matches - and in turn a positive image of Limerick. We're all going to get annoyed and frustrated by our own players, the ref, the opposition - but the basic reason we are there (I think) is to support the team and our players. It is not possible to constructively criticise from behind the wall when a player plays a shocking pass or something. But getting on the players case doesn't help.

Paul Finucane's quote is interesting. I agree that players can be criticised (I have to keep saying that so I am not taken up wrong) but it must be hard to hear your son, husband, brother whatever getting abuse from people who are wearing the same jersey he is.

There is a small step from a fan saying "I paid my money I can say what I like" to a player saying "I get paid my money, screw what the fans think" (I am not syaing Paul thinks this.) When we pay money it is to support the club - to pay players wages etc. we pay it because we want to support the club. Players respond to support (as we all do) and they also repsond to abuse.

This, just like the other issues, is not black and white.

I think it is kind of sad that we are talking about moving fans to one side of the ground etc. There aren't that many fans up there. We should be trying to encourage people to come to matches - not tell them that if they want to come they have to stand over there or hear an ear full of abuse.

[sadloserkid]

First of all I want to say that I don't agree with criticising our own players. The worst I've done (to one of ours) is maybe go "Ah Player X..." when they misplace a pass, usually followed up with a "Hard luck Player X, keep going man!" I think that criticising our players is completely counter-productive. Like you LFC In Exile, I feel I have to keep stressing this, in my case so as to make people aware of the fact that I'm not the petulent thug some people seem to think.

However one of the reasons our home form was so abject last year is because there was no atmosphere in the ground, the number of partizan supporters in the ground was minimal unless somebody like Harps or Waterford brought a big crowd in which case we were inevitably and embarrassingly outshouted by the travelling support. Now it's felt by some that we need to be even quieter. It's a football match, not a library!

Originally posted by LFC in Exile
I think it is kind of sad that we are talking about moving fans to one side of the ground etc. There aren't that many fans up there. We should be trying to encourage people to come to matches - not tell them that if they want to come they have to stand over there or hear an ear full of abuse.

I look at that the other way. I think it's kinda sad that people could be told if they want to come they have to stand quietly, applaud all efforts and remain 100% positive at all times. What next, a sheet of slogans to encourage the team that's been pre-approved by the club? Perhaps even a Kangaroo court to try offenders? I think it's kinda sad that some people effectively tried to enforce censorship at a football ground. The 'enclosures' are a compromise and a way to placate both camps if they're reasonable enough to accept it. We'll see.

[LFC in Exile]

First off - I am not addressing my previosu post at anyone in particular. In fact I couldn't follow what you were saying about the internet thing above.

Originally posted by sadloserkid
However one of the reasons our home form was so abject last year is because there was no atmosphere in the ground, the number of partizan supporters in the ground was minimal unless somebody like Harps or Waterford brought a big crowd in which case we were inevitably and embarrassingly outshouted by the travelling support. Now it's felt by some that we need to be even quieter. It's a football match, not a library!

So why not chant and support? How many had Galway at the last game? 20? But they sang and their side were really awful. I didn't hear anything from them towards their own players either - even when they were a goal down and looked dreadful. The players kept playing - they got their goal. I just think that that is an example to us.

And I don't think that abuse of our players is a big issue (anyone reading this thread would think it is). But this can be looked at two ways. Either you see it as "I must stay quiet" or as make some positive noise.

[sadloserkid]

Ok, my take on it is that all noise directed towards your own players should be positive. They're our team after all right? Hand on heart I feel I make more positive pro-Limerick noise than most up there (I'll also hold up my hand and admit that I make more negative noise towards opposition players too). I would love if we sang our hearts out every game for Limerick. In fact if you promise to join in tonight we can even give it a go!?!

[JohnD]

I think LFC in exile makes a lot of sense. The Galway game was a prime example of great fans. Harps were the same last year. The Last time we have sung at a match other than the Stevo Chant is when Derry Shamed us into singing ("Shall we sing a song for you") at the League Cup final 1st leg.

Why dont we get together and get some Chants organised. I t will have the dual function of creating a better atmosphere and also drowning out any "out of order" Fans.

Lets surprise oppossition fans who are not expecting to hear anything this year !!

[joeSoap]

Now that lapellos has been raided, we could procure some lapdancers to become cheerleaders. This is bound to increase attendances....just kidding..(or am I??)

[deise deserter]

LFC in Exile:
Get the distinct impression that you will be going to the other side then?

It was my post you were talking about when you mentioned "constructive criticism." Personally I don't think I have heard anyone "abuse" players with the exception of Lims Fan.

I think no-one really gets on our players backs. There has been some mumbled stuff about Healy recently, but all deserved and always followed up with a louder comment to get his spirits back up. We are "supporters" after all.

I really don't think that what is being said about our own players is an issue at the moment. All our fans currently attending the games respect the players. I think the real problem is the language used against refs and opposing players, and I believe that is the only real "problem" that needs to be sorted.

Are you making the game this evening btw?

[BlueisBeautiful]

.... with Deise here, I think this abuse of the players thing is being blown out of porportion when as far I can tell I havent heard any Limerick players "abused" by any limerick fans in a long, long time. By the way sorry about my abscence from the supporters meeting after Kildare game but had to leave early! I'll be there next time, keep me up to date lads.