The smirk is not confidence, quite the opposite. It's insecurity. None of us expect her to shout or cry, but it is clear the smirk is a default defensive fallback. The staring out people is new (possibly PR advised) but doomed to failure when confronted with large numbers of people who regard you with near contempt.
Do not underestimate the impact days like yesterday have on her. She is, after all, only human and would be a remarkable person were she able to brush it off.
I sit two rows in front of the exec area and caught Sue Parkes eye as I turned round to chant in that direction. Immediately started gesticulating and blurting something out at me. Would be quite interested to have heard what she said.
Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
I think it's more of a grimace than a smirk really - a defensive reaction to an unpleasant situation. She didn't look at all comfortable to me. She had the look of someone that was close to tears and I honestly feel she is close to cracking. The fans were great, one bloke behind in particular was suburb and never let her rest all game. At one point someone challenged her about the smirk and all she could do was look away. I do think that's the way to go. She is the weakest link and if she's targeted she'll be saying goodbye sooner or later. As @cantersaddick pointed out to us, she didn't even stand up to applaud when we scored. Now, what on earth is the point of having a job like football club CEO and feeling so bad because of the shitty relationship you've cultivated with the fans that you can't even celebrate goals? She must be absolutely hating this.
I thought Meire looked really uncomfortable more than I have seen her before. She can't be enjoying it.
I sit two rows in front of the exec area and caught Sue Parkes eye as I turned round to chant in that direction. Immediately started gesticulating and blurting something out at me. Would be quite interested to have heard what she said.
Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
She was applauding the protestors for our role in the win.
I commented to someone yesterday while all the pigs were flying and she just glared straight ahead, why on earth is she still putting herself through this? What sort of life must she have right now? Can't be for money, and her reputation gets more permanently tarnished with every week... Just very very weird.
Is her reputation getting tarnished? She is building up plenty of experience on her CV.
She is treated well by plenty of people who have their own personal agendas. I.E meeting diversity quota's for various boards.
I sit two rows in front of the exec area and caught Sue Parkes eye as I turned round to chant in that direction. Immediately started gesticulating and blurting something out at me. Would be quite interested to have heard what she said. Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
Suspect you know the kind of thing she would have said and almost certainly it would have been patronising and not remotely interesting. As for the clapping, a not unreasonable reaction to a (rare) home win, but also a clear sign of defiance that despite protests, on the pitch things are (in her mind) going in the right direction.
I'll have to take my binoculars (concealed about my person) Tuesday at Port Vale to see if I can pick her out in their Directors box because I doubt very much if Latrine will bother to make the trip.
She's certainly not smirking because she's finding it funny that's for sure. It's nervous laughter.
As mogodon said above, it's basically her defence mechanism to tell herself that what she's seeing is not as threatening as it appears. But let's be honest, this has to be getting to her, and Sue as well!
Yes. Ended up with direct line of sight to KM which was more than I expected. But I was riled up enough to make the most of it after the flag incident. Yes I think I do have my ticket.
Canters, you clearly got to sit very close to the directors box - was that by design? Do you still have your ticket ?
I was sitting one seat behind Canters and that was pure fluke. My wife phoned for our tickets as the club had sent her a £10 ticket offer because her birthday is in October. When she phoned, she was told that that particular offer only applies to the west lower in the block behind the dugouts. They obviously thought they were packing the area out with benign happy clappy birthday celebrators. Little did they know...
Sitting further forward in the Directors Box were Chris and Sue Parkes.
He looked grim faced during the various protests whilst Sue kept flapping her arms up and down for people to sit down during the numerous 'Stand up if you want them out chants' but looking for all the world like some ludicrous early experiment in the attempt to achieve powered flight,
Sue got a bit left behind in the half-time scramble for the vol-au-vents which of course had already been out and waiting on the table for the extra 7 minutes. Then she was waylaid in the aisle by Paul Elliot who gave her a continental double kiss on each cheek............................
Lets hope she was able to grab a doggy bag at the end so her day wasn't completely spoiled by the perhaps 75% or more of the crowd who protested at the regime and therefore by her definition cannot be real fans Never mind Sue just roll on to the next free dinner at Port Vale.
So we were right next to the directors box. A bit in front of KM. Myself and a few others were regularly turning round holding flags/signs and chanting directly at her. Now not sure how I'd react in that situation(probably resign if I'd fucked up that badly). But Katriens choice was to stare people down. I had eye contact with her on more than one occasion. But one particular occasion, while we were singing '2-nil and we want them out' she looked at me and smirked/grinned/laughed.
It just made my skin curl. I have never been so angry. I am still on a bit of an adrenaline high from that moment. Shaking with anger I was. I can still see it now. Every time I close my eyes, that horrible smirk. Urgh just makes my teeth itch.
Sitting further forward in the Directors Box were Chris and Sue Parkes.
He looked grim faced during the various protests whilst Sue kept flapping her arms up and down for people to sit down during the numerous 'Stand up if you want them out chants' but looking for all the world like some ludicrous early experiment in the attempt to achieve powered flight,
Sue got a bit left behind in the half-time scramble for the vol-au-vents which of course had already been out and waiting on the table for the extra 7 minutes. Then she was waylaid in the aisle by Paul Elliot who gave her a continental double kiss on each cheek............................
Lets hope she was able to grab a doggy bag at the end so her day wasn't completely spoiled by the perhaps 75% or more of the crowd who protested at the regime and therefore by her definition cannot be real fans Never mind Sue just roll on to the next free dinner at Port Vale.
Could see Parkes (sue) flapping her arms about and getting stressed from my seat when the pigs started flying. She's an absolute embarrassment.
I know for a fact that other members of her family are ashamed of the way she conducts herself and don't attend games anymore.
So we were right next to the directors box. A bit in front of KM. Myself and a few others were regularly turning round holding flags/signs and chanting directly at her. Now not sure how I'd react in that situation(probably resign if I'd fucked up that badly). But Katriens choice was to stare people down. I had eye contact with her on more than one occasion. But one particular occasion, while we were singing '2-nil and we want them out' she looked at me and smirked/grinned/laughed.
It just made my skin curl. I have never been so angry. I am still on a bit of an adrenaline high from that moment. Shaking with anger I was. I can still see it now. Every time I close my eyes, that horrible smirk. Urgh just makes my teeth itch.
#MiereOut
Did you swipe left or right though?
I want to be sick. Hate her so much I can't even see her as a woman...
I sit two rows in front of the exec area and caught Sue Parkes eye as I turned round to chant in that direction. Immediately started gesticulating and blurting something out at me. Would be quite interested to have heard what she said.
Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
Yes, I noticed that, Meire was up and out quickly but the Perks were giving it large with the visibly demonstrative hand clapping. Chris Parkes looked stricken during the protests and it is impossible perhaps not to feel some sympathy for him - not of course for his unwavering support for Meire and the regime - but for his fortitude in having to sit next his increasingly embarrassing harridan of a wife. God help him when he got home if, as others have suggested was the case, he was trying to get her to calm down during the numerous and varied protests. The woman appeared out of control and must have over-dosed on the vol-au-vents or sugary iced doughnuts both before the game and at half-time such was her demeanour!
I think yesterday was a shock to them. They probably thought they had ridden it out after a low profile start to the season, then bang, the best protest yet and full publicity across all forms of the media. To top it all, their personal security has scored a massive own goal. PR your way out of that one.
Now they are on the back-foot again and wondering where the next protest is coming from. Keep the pressure on.
Listen chaps, I am not a regular match goer, have not been for reasons for many years. I have nothing but admiration for you lot that get active, just wish I had it in me, sadly I do not...
but, I think a big away protest maybe in order, one local where a big turn out is expected, Jills or the Spanners (although that provides further complications). Keep up the home stuff, it is innovative, eye catching and just what the media love, but I believe we should embarrass these cnuts outside of the safety of their lounges...
Listen chaps, I am not a regular match goer, have not been for reasons for many years. I have nothing but admiration for you lot that get active, just wish I had it in me, sadly I do not...
but, I think a big away protest maybe in order, one local where a big turn out is expected, Jills or the Spanners (although that provides further complications). Keep up the home stuff, it is innovative, eye catching and just what the media love, but I believe we should embarrass these cnuts outside of the safety of their lounges...
I think yesterday was a shock to them. They probably thought they had ridden it out after a low profile start to the season, then bang, the best protest yet and full publicity across all forms of the media. To top it all, their personal security has scored a massive own goal. PR your way out of that one.
Now they are on the back-foot again and wondering where the next protest is coming from. Keep the pressure on.
I think you have touched on something in terms of them thinking it's all over.
They had this mindset from the start of the protests that a couple of wins and it all dies down.
To quote Henry Irving of this parish, they bought the wrong club, because their attitude which includes counter propaganda, fun days, curry evenings, patronising meetings with fan groups, creating an in house fan group in target20k, planting acolytes on message boards, cleaning up the internet...it is ill judged, patronising and none of it is going to work, none of it.
There will be more, because from the outset those like me who support the protests have seen it as a long slow war of attrition and yesterday was simply the opening salvo of this seasons sustained campaign of protests.
In addition the protests will become harder to predict as we learn from what we do. It was interesting that yesterday (and I am surprised it has not received comment yet) we had more traffic disruption similar to the sit down in the car park disruption, and it seemed to certainly have an impact. This is a good example of an area of disruption and protests that hits home.
The protestors (and I am not in the planning group of CARD, very much like other ordinary fans who simply support the initiatives) will learn to abandon action that gives less bangs for the buck, and repeat ones that give more. Of course old favourites like marches, banners, and early game disruption will continue, but I suspect that there will be more surprises coming up that Tony Cojones and others will not anticipate.
The protestors have the advantage of being free to be as creative and original as they can be, I for one would never have thought up resigngate, but as an example of a bang for buck exercise it was a huge success, there will be a lot more.
It is desirable to always stay within the law, but to test the edges of the laws when possible. There simply is no need for any direct violent, physically damaging or threatening action to be taken by the protestors (that's what Tony Cojones and the club are good at) but to continue to think up more original ways to protest.
If this war gets really nasty the club ought to reflect on the fact that so far (Roger Johnson apart) the protests have not targeted the football side, but we see in places like Spain and Italy that disgruntled supporters are not above bringing their angst to training grounds and impacting on the football side of the business. We are a distance from that clearly, but it remains a possibility nevertheless.
I sit two rows in front of the exec area and caught Sue Parkes eye as I turned round to chant in that direction. Immediately started gesticulating and blurting something out at me. Would be quite interested to have heard what she said.
Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
I think yesterday was a shock to them. They probably thought they had ridden it out after a low profile start to the season, then bang, the best protest yet and full publicity across all forms of the media. To top it all, their personal security has scored a massive own goal. PR your way out of that one.
Now they are on the back-foot again and wondering where the next protest is coming from. Keep the pressure on.
I think you have touched on something in terms of them thinking it's all over.
They had this mindset from the start of the protests that a couple of wins and it all dies down.
To quote Henry Irving of this parish, they bought the wrong club, because their attitude which includes counter propaganda, fun days, curry evenings, patronising meetings with fan groups, creating an in house fan group in target20k, planting acolytes on message boards, cleaning up the internet...it is ill judged, patronising and none of it is going to work, none of it.
There will be more, because from the outset those like me who support the protests have seen it as a long slow war of attrition and yesterday was simply the opening salvo of this seasons sustained campaign of protests.
In addition the protests will become harder to predict as we learn from what we do. It was interesting that yesterday (and I am surprised it has not received comment yet) we had more traffic disruption similar to the sit down in the car park disruption, and it seemed to certainly have an impact. This is a good example of an area of disruption and protests that hits home.
The protestors (and I am not in the planning group of CARD, very much like other ordinary fans who simply support the initiatives) will learn to abandon action that gives less bangs for the buck, and repeat ones that give more. Of course old favourites like marches, banners, and early game disruption will continue, but I suspect that there will be more surprises coming up that Tony Cojones and others will not anticipate.
The protestors have the advantage of being free to be as creative and original as they can be, I for one would never have thought up resigngate, but as an example of a bang for buck exercise it was a huge success, there will be a lot more.
It is desirable to always stay within the law, but to test the edges of the laws when possible. There simply is no need for any direct violent, physically damaging or threatening action to be taken by the protestors (that's what Tony Cojones and the club are good at) but to continue to think up more original ways to protest.
If this war gets really nasty the club ought to reflect on the fact that so far (Roger Johnson apart) the protests have not targeted the football side, but we see in places like Spain and Italy that disgruntled supporters are not above bringing their angst to training grounds and impacting on the football side of the business. We are a distance from that clearly, but it remains a possibility nevertheless.
The lack of bag checks at the turnstiles surprised me. I've had a steward take the tops off coke bottles at the past two games, but there were no stewards yesterday. I Also noticed there weren't many stewards on the side of the pitch. A pitch invasion would have been easy yesterday.
I think Brussell got a big shock as well. He is now aware that the majority of fans are against the owner and CEO, whom he keeps praising up. He will realise he will lose the support of the fans, if he hasn't already done so, if he is seen as a part of the regime. He is on a hiding to nothing.
Comments
Do not underestimate the impact days like yesterday have on her. She is, after all, only human and would be a remarkable person were she able to brush it off.
Also found it odd that at the end she was standing applauding for ages after the game had finished. Was this over-performance done in an effort to convince herself that she is right and that the regime are doing a good job?
She is building up plenty of experience on her CV.
She is treated well by plenty of people who have their own personal agendas. I.E meeting diversity quota's for various boards.
As mogodon said above, it's basically her defence mechanism to tell herself that what she's seeing is not as threatening as it appears. But let's be honest, this has to be getting to her, and Sue as well!
Do you still have your ticket ?
Yes. Ended up with direct line of sight to KM which was more than I expected. But I was riled up enough to make the most of it after the flag incident. Yes I think I do have my ticket.
I know for a fact that other members of her family are ashamed of the way she conducts herself and don't attend games anymore.
Chris Parkes looked stricken during the protests and it is impossible perhaps not to feel some sympathy for him - not of course for his unwavering support for Meire and the regime - but for his fortitude in having to sit next his increasingly embarrassing harridan of a wife.
God help him when he got home if, as others have suggested was the case, he was trying to get her to calm down during the numerous and varied protests. The woman appeared out of control and must have over-dosed on the vol-au-vents or sugary iced doughnuts both before the game and at half-time such was her demeanour!
Big nose is not going anywhere unfortunately.
Now they are on the back-foot again and wondering where the next protest is coming from. Keep the pressure on.
but, I think a big away protest maybe in order, one local where a big turn out is expected, Jills or the Spanners (although that provides further complications). Keep up the home stuff, it is innovative, eye catching and just what the media love, but I believe we should embarrass these cnuts outside of the safety of their lounges...
They had this mindset from the start of the protests that a couple of wins and it all dies down.
To quote Henry Irving of this parish, they bought the wrong club, because their attitude which includes counter propaganda, fun days, curry evenings, patronising meetings with fan groups, creating an in house fan group in target20k, planting acolytes on message boards, cleaning up the internet...it is ill judged, patronising and none of it is going to work, none of it.
There will be more, because from the outset those like me who support the protests have seen it as a long slow war of attrition and yesterday was simply the opening salvo of this seasons sustained campaign of protests.
In addition the protests will become harder to predict as we learn from what we do. It was interesting that yesterday (and I am surprised it has not received comment yet) we had more traffic disruption similar to the sit down in the car park disruption, and it seemed to certainly have an impact. This is a good example of an area of disruption and protests that hits home.
The protestors (and I am not in the planning group of CARD, very much like other ordinary fans who simply support the initiatives) will learn to abandon action that gives less bangs for the buck, and repeat ones that give more. Of course old favourites like marches, banners, and early game disruption will continue, but I suspect that there will be more surprises coming up that Tony Cojones and others will not anticipate.
The protestors have the advantage of being free to be as creative and original as they can be, I for one would never have thought up resigngate, but as an example of a bang for buck exercise it was a huge success, there will be a lot more.
It is desirable to always stay within the law, but to test the edges of the laws when possible. There simply is no need for any direct violent, physically damaging or threatening action to be taken by the protestors (that's what Tony Cojones and the club are good at) but to continue to think up more original ways to protest.
If this war gets really nasty the club ought to reflect on the fact that so far (Roger Johnson apart) the protests have not targeted the football side, but we see in places like Spain and Italy that disgruntled supporters are not above bringing their angst to training grounds and impacting on the football side of the business. We are a distance from that clearly, but it remains a possibility nevertheless.
I think Brussell got a big shock as well. He is now aware that the majority of fans are against the owner and CEO, whom he keeps praising up. He will realise he will lose the support of the fans, if he hasn't already done so, if he is seen as a part of the regime. He is on a hiding to nothing.