September Player of the Month

[Ian]

Quote:

Anonymous said:
The clique behind the goal, as viewed from the sidelines, do not have a monopoly on acceptable views.

I don't think anyone would argue they do although I think they're right to stick up for Mets against preconceived bias from the whingers on the side. I've never understood how they think that helps the team they supposedly support. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Chris]

I just don't see the need to 'worship'. Every player gets stick and every player gets praise. Take Josias for example - up and down the wing every home game, always looking to get involved and yet a few in the stand just moan, moan moan(!) and yet he's probably been arguably our most consistant player this season.

 

Take Westy as well. First game in probably over a year Saturday, and a Slough legend, but still moaning from the stand! We just get some of these supporters - take it with a pinch of salt - the players do. Yes the support from the goal is great, but this 'worshiping' is a bit too far.

 

Now as i've said before - i'm a big fan of Mets and always have been and even with that stick he took at Northwood last season when they were all crap and Mets also had a stinker I would stick up for him. He's so important to the way we play and he's one of the major players in the team when it comes to upping the tempo ie taking things quickly free-kicks/throw in's and always switching on which people don't always notice.

 

I don't however see where he has been that different to normal??!? Yes he was easily potm for the first month, but has not rally been any different to normal - just doing his job, which he does well?

[Matt]

I'd like to clarify one thing - I hope there's not two contrasting camps emerging here, one which is 100% in support of Metcalfe in the face of the criticism, and another which is critical of him and doesn't believe he merits a first team place.

 

I say this because I didn't intend to put myself in any particular 'group' with what I said. There's different aspects to consider. I agree that Mets has stepped up his game this season and has looked more consistent, and more of a prescence in the midfield.

 

But as much as I find some of the criticism of Metcalfe harsh (and I do, honestly), I just find that some of the praise used in counter-acting this is a little over the top. Name me a player that's never been criticised in his career? Christian is a decent player and is more than capable of keeping up his recent improved performances and proving the doubters wrong. Apart from the fact that the moaners are entitled to their opinion whether others agree with it or not, they will find something to moan at regardless, as Chris said. Christian can work through it and prove them wrong just as other Slough players have in the past, and I'll support him along with all the other players.

[Barry Scott]

I only 'worship' who the cool kids tell me to.

[Burnham Lad]

Quote:

Ian said:

Quote:

Anonymous said:
The clique behind the goal, as viewed from the sidelines, do not have a monopoly on acceptable views.

I don't think anyone would argue they do although I think they're right to stick up for Mets against preconceived bias from the whingers on the side. I've never understood how they think that helps the team they supposedly support. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I don't see where this generalisation about all the people in the stand being whingers comes from. Yes, there are some, but I think as much of the stuff on here being critical about Mets comes from people who stand behind the goal, so the stand doesn't have a stranglehold on criticising the players, justifiably or otherwise. We get a few laughs from Eddie and Westy as well at comments from the stand , such as the one after Josh Miller scored his first on Saturday and someone shouted to Westy, "We know you wouldn't have missed that one either, Westy".

We got a positive response from the players being substituted as well at the applause and positive remarks as they came off - so don't tar everybody with the same brush! What do you want, people in the stand not to come any more?

[Ian]

I was referring to the opposite of 'your' side actually, Andrew! That's where the group of Metcalfe abusers seem to congregate. As for not wanting them to come, yes, that would be good unless I've completely misunderstood what supporting a team is all about.

[Matt]

I can see where you're coming from Ian but there's a fine line.

 

Whilst we don't want to see malicious abuse towards individual players, there's the issue of us being a homeless club who struggle to pull 300 in through the turnstiles these days. If I'm right in saying that the 'moaners' are largely from the older generation, then they've probably been supporting the club for an awful lot longer than us - so why are they still paying their £7/£4 or £90 season ticket, plus programme money etc? Because they still support the club. I think it's dangerous to be suggesting that any fans should stay away! If it was a hooligan element, I'd understand.

[Ian]

Sorry, Matt, but it's probably the biggest single thing that p*sses me off about football supporters. Having a go at a player if he cocks up is fine although I think encouragement is probably better. Shouting at the team, collectively, I also have no problem with. I probably do that more than most people out of frustration.

 

It's the constant abuse of certain players because of who they are and irrespective of what they they do on the pitch that annoys me. Abuse that is already decided upon before the start of a game. I've seen it so many times I guess it shouldn't bother me anymore but it does. I've seen professional careers ruined because of it on more than one occasion and it was one of the factors that put me off watching professional football in the first place.

 

Personally, I'd rather narrow-minded people like that didn't go but maybe it's me who's got it wrong.

[Matt]

I don't think anyone's necessarily 'wrong' or 'right'. There are cases for both sides - it's a tricky debate.

[Martin]

I tend to agree with Ian but feel trying to explain to the "moaners" the opposite point of view is the best option. Unfortunately some people are so set in their ways that they are not open to reason.

 

Equally I think constant praise of the "favourites" can be a bit OTT. Ideally we would praise everyone equally for the good that they do and criticise constructively when something goes wrong. However, we do not live in a perfect world and supporting a football team is incredibly frustrating. And I am incredibly fickle so this is likely to go completely out of the window come tomorrow evening.

[Guest]

Martin is right about some moaners being set in their ways. There's 2 who stand near me who, from minute 1 to minute 90, don't stop. Even when we were beating Wealdstone 6-0 a few years ago they had something to moan about. And some of the things they come out with beggar belief and yes paraise can be OTT. But both sides of this is hard a line to draw down the middle. When I do Mats' match repaorts I try for every player to see it down the middle, but even then mates of mine who help me with it still say I've been harsh or to kind.

I think it's still the old saying of 'it's my opinion...' and and it's something that'll never change and really quite rightly whether you like it or not.

[brighton_rebel]

What were those two old blokes in the muppets called?

[GarySTFC]

Statler & Waldorf...

[Guest]

Gary & Radders ;-)

[GarySTFC]

Tsk.... I don't even stand near him anymore!! Lathey's good for a moan (as the video picks up from the Hampton game!!)

[Ian]

That's outrageous - I barely said anything throughout the entire second half except on one occasion when my frustration got the better of me and I kicked the floodlight pylon. You've probably edited it and put it on a loop so it sounds like me moaning for the entire 45 minutes.

[GarySTFC]

As if I'd do such a thing. Quite appropriate you were stood down the side line for that one!!

[PJ-STFC]

This issue is in danger of getting out of hand.

 

Thanks to the Forum, I was aware of the 'moaners' before the match on Saturday (although I didn't actually hear them at the ground).

 

During the match, the 'over praising' of Mets, and others, that was going on was amusing at first. But it occurs to me that it might become counter-productive. Many (most) of the shouts were made with a sarcastic tone to them, and although the words used were clearly positive, the overall effect to someone on the other side of the pitch might not be so positive. It would be most unfortunate if any player's performance was adversely affected through someone shouting praise that sounded like criticism.

 

I think the simple answer is to shout praise when praise is due, and (constructive) criticism where that is appropriate also.

 

The subject of encouraging the team is a recurring one on this forum - and we have seen improved results where the team is actively encouraged by the fans.

 

As for the moaners - perhaps the answer is to include an article in the matchday programme?

How about a question to the fans panel like:

"How do you think players react (in their playing) to what they hear shouted by the supporters?" (Needs some work, but you know what I mean!)

 

PJ <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chat.gif" alt="" />

[Barry Scott]

Quote:

PJ-STFC said:
"How do you think players react (in their playing) to what they hear shouted by the supporters?" (Needs some work, but you know what I mean!)

a) Throw a hissy fit ala DJ Zepeherin, Chuck Martini
Leave the club (it's not as if they'll miss the meagre wages)
c) Play better to shut up the moaners

[GarySTFC]

d) Laugh it off and join in (Robert Frankland (always get his name wrong) former Croydon A keeper, Russell Ling (now with Wealdstone) and Andy Carter (ex-Wealdstone) all seemed to enjoy a bit of banter.