- Apr 5, 2014
- 25,922
Forgive me for starting a thread about it, but I have worries of an emerging entitlement among some of our supporters. It seems to be creeping in, and it is a worry when you consider all we have been through to get to this point. The one thing I’ve rarely found among our supporters is ‘entitlement’. It’s something I expect, perhaps, to see among big six plastics. But not us. Then again, perhaps it is less entitlement and more unrealistic expectations. Or perhaps both.
Some say the squad does not have enough depth. This is a statement without context. By which standard are we measuring depth ? At present we are 8th in one of the top leagues in the world, but running one of the lowest budgets in that league. The depth of the squad should, in theory, reflect the budget. So by such a standard we are succeeding. But it would seem that the question of depth therefore defaults to comparison with the clubs above. All of those clubs have considerably more resources than us, Villa being the anomaly, perhaps, but they have spent hugely- something Albion are sensibly uninclined to do. Albion don’t do that because they look at the future as well as the present.
So some might then suggest a ceiling has been hit. In some senses it has. There are seven/eight clubs in this league that we will never match. A couple more that also have more muscle. But with clever planning and wise recruiting we may be able to do some damage. When Tony Bloom said the goal was to develop a top ten Premier League team he did so because he believed it was achievable. Even that might seem a bit fantastic as it meant outwitting teams such as Everton, Southampton, West Ham and Leicester City. Yet Albion have done it-again.
So not qualifying for Europe, IF that was an outcome (and we are still in a strong position there) would not mean the season ending in disaster. It would mean the season ending with some disappointment, perhaps. But what a thing to feel disappointment for.
Just 15 years ago we were fighting relegation to the fourth division, now we are nervous that we might miss out on Europe. It’s a wonderful time to be an Albion fan. All this, to be truly enjoyed, needs perspective. Right now Leeds United, Everton, Southampton and Leicester City are fighting relegation. 15 years ago we wouldn’t have seen that pitted against our current position.
My boss is a Leeds United fan, Yorkshire born and bred. we frequently talk football and they constantly wow over happenings at Brighton. It seems that sometimes it takes them to remind me how far Albion have come rather than some of my fellow fans.
So when we lose 3-1 after a jaded performance at a club who were once European giants and somehow spent twenty years in the wilderness, we should remember that they are fighting to hold a position we have already established and remind ourselves how we have ‘never had it so good’. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of disappointment, but everything that has happened to our club in the last 15 years, and what many of us fought for in the bad old days, has still come to fruition regardless. Think of that and any disappointment will soon be gone.
Perspective.
Some say the squad does not have enough depth. This is a statement without context. By which standard are we measuring depth ? At present we are 8th in one of the top leagues in the world, but running one of the lowest budgets in that league. The depth of the squad should, in theory, reflect the budget. So by such a standard we are succeeding. But it would seem that the question of depth therefore defaults to comparison with the clubs above. All of those clubs have considerably more resources than us, Villa being the anomaly, perhaps, but they have spent hugely- something Albion are sensibly uninclined to do. Albion don’t do that because they look at the future as well as the present.
So some might then suggest a ceiling has been hit. In some senses it has. There are seven/eight clubs in this league that we will never match. A couple more that also have more muscle. But with clever planning and wise recruiting we may be able to do some damage. When Tony Bloom said the goal was to develop a top ten Premier League team he did so because he believed it was achievable. Even that might seem a bit fantastic as it meant outwitting teams such as Everton, Southampton, West Ham and Leicester City. Yet Albion have done it-again.
So not qualifying for Europe, IF that was an outcome (and we are still in a strong position there) would not mean the season ending in disaster. It would mean the season ending with some disappointment, perhaps. But what a thing to feel disappointment for.
Just 15 years ago we were fighting relegation to the fourth division, now we are nervous that we might miss out on Europe. It’s a wonderful time to be an Albion fan. All this, to be truly enjoyed, needs perspective. Right now Leeds United, Everton, Southampton and Leicester City are fighting relegation. 15 years ago we wouldn’t have seen that pitted against our current position.
My boss is a Leeds United fan, Yorkshire born and bred. we frequently talk football and they constantly wow over happenings at Brighton. It seems that sometimes it takes them to remind me how far Albion have come rather than some of my fellow fans.
So when we lose 3-1 after a jaded performance at a club who were once European giants and somehow spent twenty years in the wilderness, we should remember that they are fighting to hold a position we have already established and remind ourselves how we have ‘never had it so good’. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of disappointment, but everything that has happened to our club in the last 15 years, and what many of us fought for in the bad old days, has still come to fruition regardless. Think of that and any disappointment will soon be gone.
Perspective.
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