I know we are only a couple of games in but it has dawned on me today how much more I'm invested in this squad than last year. This squad already really seem to care and the effort on the pitch is clear to see ( for me anyway )
Anyone else thinking this ? And why is it do you think ?
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Many of them are the same players.
It's more that some fans like to think that when players are doing well and winning they "care" more and are so more relatable.
In reality, it's just that the team is doing well so fans look on them more kindly.
PS I think it's building into a good squad with a good manager who's been able to pick his own signings.
I'm positive about the season.
I think we’ll do well, when Garner talks of over achieving on the budget, i think he means automatics, which is a good thing to hear
I think the class of 20/21 is, in general massively underrated, or the wrong people are rated. I honestly still don't think people appreciate how good some of those players were.
Covid has massively increased the number of people that actually watch some of the games. Especially the away games. In 18/19 I suspect you would struggle to find any meaningful number of people to comment on some of the games.
As for connection to the players? Do I personally have more connection to, say McGrandles than I did Ben Watson? No absolutely not. Our longest serving pro is getting the "jog on" treatment as I type. It works both ways.
One thing that has become "a thing" over the last 2 years or so is the vilification of players, both passed and present. I honestly don't think it was a thing, certainly not at this level, pre covid.
I mean we have had some shit players for ever and as forums, for me especially, have replaced the pub chat, I honestly can't remember the conversations about x should retire, y should be paid off and z should be "jogged on".
The glee that some take from so and so was subbed after 57 minutes as they got beat 2-1 by Harrogate, really grates me.
If you had told me our worst players would be Stockley, JFC and Gilbey 6 months ago I would have done my house on us going up. I still would because they aren't.
All we have done so far is undo the damage of last summer. And I still stand by my predictions that Wollacott and O'Connell will feature in the the POTY and Payne will be the most "exciting".
I mean I am the biggest defender of some of our players that I think are/where better than some/a lot of people didn't like/rate.
But I really struggle to think of players that were universally seen as good and people didn't like, at the time.
The inverse is also true. I cant remember the last time I saw comments that so and so is awful, but I hope he starts on Saturday.
We have also had a number of players who were turgid footballers, which made them hard to love. We've had some players who hid when times were rough, 'pretended' they cared, when it was obvious they didn't. As Steve Brown said umpteen times, we have had a lack of character in the squad over the past few seasons.
I already feel like there are more players now that I can identify with and mostly only the good ones left from a bad bunch. We've had a clear out and the new ones already feel much more likeable. Plus we've got a Leaburn!
Just out of interest anyone on here tried viagara, asking for a friend…
( It's been a while !)
if we don't no
history will be made if we aren't promoted , it will be our longest run in the third tier since we first escaped it in 1929
6 times we have been relegated to the third tier
taking
2-3-1-3-3-? seasons to get promoted out of it
We've made a promising start and Garner seems both intelligent and eloquent but when we lose (and we WILL lose at some point) is when we'll see just how much real faith there is rather than a "bounce" of morale based on a good run.
There is cause for optimism
I know there will be bumps along the way and we might not even get where we want this year, but I am ok with that as long as we stick with the plan.