Help! My enthusiasm is waning.

[Seagull on the wing]

Agree with Brovion...If we were in Southamptons position now there is no way the OP would have started this thread!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I'm with you on this [MENTION=144]goldstone[/MENTION] (that's a first) partially.

My interest in football has been on the wane for quite some time, despite our upturn in fortunes and Gus arriving. Nothing to do with recent results. The initial excitement of Gus arriving, the new ground and so on has died down for me.

I enjoy myself more watching rugby for a tenner, drinking beer on the terrace with friends and congregating in a bar after the game with the players, fans and friends.

I used to watch football on TV, but I reckon I have only seen (at most) half a match this season (apart from Brighton).

The top flight is pretty dull. Maybe a new team will win it this year, but at what cost? The FA Cup loses it's value after the third/fourth/fifth round.

I don't like many/any of our international stars.

It is sickening that some run of the mill player in the Championship or League One can earn more than our Prime Minister (whether you think he does a decent job or not).

 

[El Presidente]

Is it a classic case of being better to travel than to arrive?

It was the same when we reached the top flight in 1979. Within just over 3 years crowds of 28,000+ had dwindled to sub 10,000.

Personally I love going to the Amex, have seen as many home matches this season already as in the previous four seasons. But it is different travelling from Manchester, the idea of a five hour journey home soaking wet and freezing after a couple of hours at Withdean was never appealing.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Sounds like nothing a transfer to the North Stand couldn't cure. Worth a try shirley?

You're also probably like most of us and suffering from a f***ing stupid lack of Saturday afternoon games. Honestly, this season is so weirdly disjointed it doesn't even feel like a football season anymore. Little wonder people are experiencing a feeling of DISCONNECTION.

Not missing the Tap, are we Tom? I agree with you about the North - much better in our little cabal, aren't we? Must admit I wouldn't want to watch a game from higher than the top deck of a 747 each time. And yes, all these night games and altered ones are a right pain for me, especially as I have to get down from London for midweek games.

From my point of view, and this might sound daft, I would almost rather have stayed in League One and had a promotion push in our first season than having to battle in the Championship. Yes, we love having rollercoaster seasons following the Albion, but I do wonder if facing a division which is far tougher than we faced the previous season, while moving to a new home, is the best thing. Prepared to be knocked down, but just my opinion.

My interest in football has been on the wane for quite some time.

I'm with you there. While I'm still as enthusiastic about the Albion as ever, I can't remember the last time I watched a live Premiership game from beginning to end. At one time, I would settle down nearly every Sunday pm to watch. Now, I will watch a game while having my supper, but I won't knock out a whole block of time.

 

[MACROBLUE]

For the first time ever I am just not feeling the same enthusiasm for my beloved Brighton and Hove Albion as I have in the past.

Not sure that I can exactly put my finger on the reason why. It's probably a combination of a number of factors:
- It was always special to be supporting the underdog. The little team that could. The hard-done-by team with the crappy stadium. Now suddenly we're a big club with a big stadium and a Chairman with money.
- I certainly felt more connection with the team when sitting out in the elements at Withdean (and prior to that at the Goldstone) than I do in the upper reaches of the West Stand. Great stadium, great view of the game, but just not as close to the action.
- I really don't like the attempt to drum up an atmosphere before the games at the Amex by that guy with the microphone. All very plastic. Much preferred the guys we had on the PA at Withdean. They really seemed to be part of us the supporters. The new guy is more like a paid outsider.
- I am having trouble relating to the players this season. Maybe because I'm sitting too far away from the action. Maybe because we don't have a settled team and some of the new faces have hardly started a game even though we're more than a third of the way through the season.
- We don't seem to have the same characters in the team as in the past. Craig Noone is probably the only one who fits the bill. No players in the mold of Harty, FDM, Charlie, Chippie.
- And of course I'm frustrated with the recent string of results. I don't mind us losing when we've put in 100% effort as a team, but that just doesn't appear to be happening this season. We don't have the required level of passion on the pitch IMHO.
- Plus the lack of shots on goal is driving me mad. How can we go a whole game (on more than one occasion) with no shots on target? How can we possibly expect to win any games if we play like that?
- And finally I'm really really pissed off about us letting Murray go. I thought at the time it was a bad decision. Now I know it was a very very bad decision.

I'm sure my enthusiasm will return to its previous levels in due course. Maybe it's a transition thing.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

Perhaps you could ask the club to put a personal welcome on the big screen for you that would make you feel more at home.

 

[Shooting Star]

It is, without a doubt, a fantastic time to be a Brighton supporter. I'm one of the younger generation of supporters, but I understand how our new, shiny stadium is a massive contrast to traditional football. I personally love it, but I can understand why some people may not.

One thing I whole-heartedly agree with you about; WSU. I don't have a ST so I get matchday tickets in WSL I Block usually and the view there is brilliant. You feel like you're part of the action. When I had tickets in WSU for the Gills game, I really hated being that far from the action. For a cup game, try and get a ticket in WSL or the North Stand, and see if you feel differently. It's a different (and in my opinion, better) experience, without a doubt.

 

[Questions]

You'll be at liberty to attend will you?

self defence Catty, self defence..............................................

 

[patcham lad]

wish we had more players like tanno - ready & willing to turn out every week & give their all - not like the current load of sick notes who even injure themselves in the pre match warm up - the club have spent good money for no gain.

 

[chrissyboy01]

For the first time ever I am just not feeling the same enthusiasm for my beloved Brighton and Hove Albion as I have in the past.

Not sure that I can exactly put my finger on the reason why. It's probably a combination of a number of factors:
- It was always special to be supporting the underdog. The little team that could. The hard-done-by team with the crappy stadium. Now suddenly we're a big club with a big stadium and a Chairman with money.

Solution: Get a season ticket for Palace - that should sort out this part of your dilema ;0)

 

[marshy68]

For the first time ever I am just not feeling the same enthusiasm for my beloved Brighton and Hove Albion as I have in the past.

Not sure that I can exactly put my finger on the reason why. It's probably a combination of a number of factors:
- It was always special to be supporting the underdog. The little team that could. The hard-done-by team with the crappy stadium. Now suddenly we're a big club with a big stadium and a Chairman with money.
- I certainly felt more connection with the team when sitting out in the elements at Withdean (and prior to that at the Goldstone) than I do in the upper reaches of the West Stand. Great stadium, great view of the game, but just not as close to the action.
- I really don't like the attempt to drum up an atmosphere before the games at the Amex by that guy with the microphone. All very plastic. Much preferred the guys we had on the PA at Withdean. They really seemed to be part of us the supporters. The new guy is more like a paid outsider.
- I am having trouble relating to the players this season. Maybe because I'm sitting too far away from the action. Maybe because we don't have a settled team and some of the new faces have hardly started a game even though we're more than a third of the way through the season.
- We don't seem to have the same characters in the team as in the past. Craig Noone is probably the only one who fits the bill. No players in the mold of Harty, FDM, Charlie, Chippie.
- And of course I'm frustrated with the recent string of results. I don't mind us losing when we've put in 100% effort as a team, but that just doesn't appear to be happening this season. We don't have the required level of passion on the pitch IMHO.
- Plus the lack of shots on goal is driving me mad. How can we go a whole game (on more than one occasion) with no shots on target? How can we possibly expect to win any games if we play like that?
- And finally I'm really really pissed off about us letting Murray go. I thought at the time it was a bad decision. Now I know it was a very very bad decision.

I'm sure my enthusiasm will return to its previous levels in due course. Maybe it's a transition thing.

Anyone else feeling the same way?

dont worry i heard TB is introducing a complimentary blow job at half time - hopefully this will get your enthusiasm going again....

Amazed by OP.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I'm with you on this [MENTION=144]goldstone[/MENTION] (that's a first) partially.

My interest in football has been on the wane for quite some time, despite our upturn in fortunes and Gus arriving. Nothing to do with recent results. The initial excitement of Gus arriving, the new ground and so on has died down for me.

I enjoy myself more watching rugby for a tenner, drinking beer on the terrace with friends and congregating in a bar after the game with the players, fans and friends.

I used to watch football on TV, but I reckon I have only seen (at most) half a match this season (apart from Brighton).

The top flight is pretty dull. Maybe a new team will win it this year, but at what cost? The FA Cup loses it's value after the third/fourth/fifth round.

I don't like many/any of our international stars.

It is sickening that some run of the mill player in the Championship or League One can earn more than our Prime Minister (whether you think he does a decent job or not).

I do not agree with OP but I find much to agree with in this post. My enthusiasm for the game in general has waned considerably, and for many of the reasons above. I certainly have no interest in the national side or the premiership at the moment. However for me the Albion are a bright spark in amongst all this gloom. I absolutely love the Amex, my matchday is still something I very much look forward to and I cannot wait for saturday. I really appreciate the facilities we have now and the much improved atmosphere and that includes the video screen and PA build-up. I feel the Albion are providing an experience that is worth getting enthused about regardless of the quality of the team. Sometimes we are good, sometimes awful that's just the way it is in football, I'm certainly not going to lose sleep over a defeat.

For me it is the Albion that has preserved my sense of enthusiasm for the game.

 

[goldstone]

While I'm still as enthusiastic about the Albion as ever, I can't remember the last time I watched a live Premiership game from beginning to end. At one time, I would settle down nearly every Sunday pm to watch. Now, I will watch a game while having my supper, but I won't knock out a whole block of time.

You should have watched Spurs - Villa last night. Cracking game. Besr Premier League game I've seen for a very long time. Spurs are seriously good. And so refreshing to see a team challenging for the top apart from Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea ... and the money-men of Man C.

 

[Napper]

Precious posts in here from some. Unbelievable really. Can only think you didnt care so much in the first place and maybe jumped on board during the championship years so everything else is a disappointment. Passing interest or a bit of a hobby perhaps. Most Albion fans and football fans have it in their blood however and this division alone has most of us salivating at every game. . . . . and thats before we start on about the stadium / progression

 

[goldstone]

Precious posts in here from some. Unbelievable really. Can only think you didnt care so much in the first place and maybe jumped on board during the championship years so everything else is a disappointment. Passing interest or a bit of a hobby perhaps. Most Albion fans and football fans have it in their blood however and this division alone has most of us salivating at every game. . . . . and thats before we start on about the stadium / progression

As I mentioned in my original post, I have been a supporter since the late 50s, so much much longer than most posters on here.

The only period I missed was '72 thru '86 when I was overseas which included the old First Division glory days.

It's in my blood too, but I'm concerned that my enthusiasm is waning this season. However absolutely no danger of me going off to support anyone else.

 

[SICKASAGULL]

Whilst not unhappy with the sides current position in the league as it was expected I had hoped for a faster attacking game at home to make up for the total time spent in travelling from and to the stadium, also agree with those who want more 3pm Saturday starts, unless the match is on Sky.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I can relate to some of Goldstone's post. My love for BHAFC was waning some time before the Amex. I have supported them man and boy for 37 years but I do not have the blind passion I used to have. Maybe its an age thing. The Amex is lovely and magnificent but something is missing and I can't put my finger on it.

 

[moggy]

Something missing?
It's the atmosphere IMO
we need to generate the same sort of passion the saints fans showed saturday

 

[Seagull Steve]

Sounds like nothing a transfer to the North Stand couldn't cure. Worth a try shirley?

You're also probably like most of us and suffering from a f***ing stupid lack of Saturday afternoon games. Honestly, this season is so weirdly disjointed it doesn't even feel like a football season anymore. Little wonder people are experiencing a feeling of DISCONNECTION.

I think you have hit the nail on the head, I couldn't put my finger on why it felt strange. But you saying that, makes a lot of sense. I don't feel the same as the OP, there was just a little something that's all. Wonderful chairman, wonderful manager, wonderful stadium, wonderful support and a wonderful squad (albeit off form) what else could we want?