Burnley FC blog: Fans must also raise their game (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Burnley FC blog: Fans must also raise their game
2:50pm Thursday 15th September 2011 in Suzanne Geldard's Burnley FC blog
By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter
THE winter coat has peaked far too early, so have the thermals as winds blow and temperatures drop just a month into the new season.
But what really left me cold on Saturday was the atmosphere at Turf Moor.
Burnley supporters were on the edge of their seats in the first minute as the Clarets attacked Middlesbrough straight from the kick-off.
But once Nicky Bailey gave the visitors a 10th minute lead, it was as if someone had hit the mute button in the home stands.
“You’re so quiet, we’ll sing on our own!” mocked the travelling Boro pack, breaking up a virtual silence at Turf Moor.
The only time Burnley voices could be heard was to have a go at the referee or moan about a mis-placed pass.
Such was the regularity of both the waves of jeers made it feel like we’d gatecrashed Prime Minister’s questions.
Granted, there was little to inspire the crowd, but a player is hardly expected to feel good about themselves amid those reactions.
Pondering what triggers a football ground atmosphere is like trying to decide whether the chicken or the egg came first.
Good play whips up the fans, similarly players often respond to vocal backing.
The James Hargreaves Stand rocking against Reading and Manchester United – aside from slightly terrifying in our lofty position – made for some of the finest atmospheres I’ve experienced in football. Since relegation, though, the comedown has been significant.
Success at Wembley in May 2009 raised expectations beyond what now seem like unmanageable levels.
The aim of everyone at the club, still, is to return to the top flight.
If Burnley have a hope of achieving that, YES, things have to improve on the pitch, but supporters must play their part off it too.
If there is so much apathy among pockets of fans, ill-feeling among others, even at this early stage of the season, how can the club possibly move forward?
Read the Burnley FC jury only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (4)
4:06pm Thu 15 Sep 11
vintageclaret says...
Your headling with "Fans need to raise their game". Fans are inspired and motivated or unmoved by what they see on the pitch. Apart from the first 10 minutes as you say, there was nothing else inspirational to be seen from BFC. It may be as well Ms Geldard that us fans actually have to pay for our tickets unlike priviliged persons and were shocked at what we saw
At least BFC fans are not over reactively hysterical like BRFC fans squawking about the owners who at the start they welcomed with open arms and then praised them when they sacked BFS. Now look at them starting protest marches hee! hee! hee! It's be a Wallace & Grommitt Chicken Run.
9:18pm Thu 15 Sep 11
tim83 says...
7:09am Sat 17 Sep 11
gudari says...
I admit that we had a bad day last Saturday but that was all it was. Who are these "best players" that we have supposedly sold? Carlisle?Cort?Alexan
der? I don't think so. Eagles and Mears? Eagles was never good enough for the premiership as he's proving again at Horwich. Mears was forgotten after seeing Trippier for one game. Iwelumo? Enough said. Elliott? Wade had more bad days than good in the past season and a half. It's time to get behind the Clarets or get down to deadwood sunbeam!
UTC!!!
7:48am Sat 17 Sep 11
gudari says...
You need to get behind the team and embrace what the manager is doing. We have a young, exciting squad instead of a squad of ageing has-beens. This comment of yours abot the board selling our "best players" intrigues me. Alexander, Cort, Carlisle, Iwelumo? I doubt it. Mears and Eagles. Mear was forgotten after Trippier's first game and Eagles is proving once again that he's nowhere near good enough for the premiership. Elliott had more bad days than good in the last 18 months. We have a young , exciting squad and a manager who knows what he is doing. It's ime to get behind the Clarets or get down to deadwood. You sound like one of these idiot wovers fans.
UTC!!