Normal Rob
Well-known member
This thread is a perfect example of how, in NSC, it is impossible to post a simple poll without it's base being torn to pieces.
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[Albion] What is more important to you as an Albion fan.
- Thread starter Icy Gull
- Start date
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
My thoughts exactly. There are games like Wolves, or in a previous season, West Ham, where we score 3 goals to get a draw, which are entertaining but losing the majority of games playing pretty football, is not entertaining in the slightest. It’s the hope that kills you,
I think football history has shown either winning or entertaining can be unsatisfying if not accompanied by the other. Teams consistently scraping dull 1-0 wins, or winning regularly enough to consistently finish mid-table get bored and want more entertainment (boring boring arsenal? Stoke and Charlton? West Ham fans wanting 'the west ham way'?). Entertaining and losing isn't sustainable. Not just on the getting relegated and losing money and top players, but no player get into the game because they want to entertain people. They get into it to win, so when they lose they get frustrated and friction creeps in and performances will drop.
Wanting consistent entertainment and wins is greedy for teams outside the top 6. But, if you want entertainment, you need enough wins to sustain that approach, even if it means forgoing entertainment for a few of matches.
Wanting consistent entertainment and wins is greedy for teams outside the top 6. But, if you want entertainment, you need enough wins to sustain that approach, even if it means forgoing entertainment for a few of matches.
portslade seagull
Well-known member
I would put two of them together. I would like to be entertained and also see the odd result along with it rather than hard luck stories
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It's not as simple as the survey suggests.
I follow the Albion and want us to do well. I hated watching us in the last half of our second season in the Prem and lost my mojo. Everyone wants to do well but I like to enjoy the football. And I love seeing my footy mates (most of whom I made at the football) and particularly away days.
Which box do I tick for that?
I follow the Albion and want us to do well. I hated watching us in the last half of our second season in the Prem and lost my mojo. Everyone wants to do well but I like to enjoy the football. And I love seeing my footy mates (most of whom I made at the football) and particularly away days.
Which box do I tick for that?
It's an over-simplified way of assessing a complex relationship. I replied with other for that reason.
Taybha
Whalewhine
Waving my fist up and down at the away fans 100 yards away , anything closer and I just wave .
'Other'
Which I did
Weststander
Well-known member
Results.
(I’m pro Potter btw)
Walking away from a stadium with three points, cheering a winning goal, is everything.
Some fans have been conditioned to 4 seasons of defeats and home draws, psychologically cheering themselves up with “So proud that we played well in spells against the billionaires” or “Living the dream, I feel honoured to have seen Eden Hazard play”.
Supporters didn’t used to talk in those terms, winning was everything, a defeat gutting, disdain for the visiting team.
(I’m pro Potter btw)
Walking away from a stadium with three points, cheering a winning goal, is everything.
Some fans have been conditioned to 4 seasons of defeats and home draws, psychologically cheering themselves up with “So proud that we played well in spells against the billionaires” or “Living the dream, I feel honoured to have seen Eden Hazard play”.
Supporters didn’t used to talk in those terms, winning was everything, a defeat gutting, disdain for the visiting team.
Moshe Gariani
Well-known member
- Mar 10, 2005
- 12,202
Question only makes sense in context.
In the lower divisions (where we have been for more than 90% of our existence) it is all about results. A winning season that ended with promotion would obviously be hugely enjoyed regardless of style of play. From the North Stand as teenagers we weren't too worried about nice passing sequences.
In the place that we currently inhabit - along with Palace - then quality of football and watchability becomes much more important. Where you end up between 38pts and 48pts at the end of the season doesn't make that much difference. So I'd rather have fewer points but a style of play that is consistently better to watch.
Us glass half full happy clappers get huge pleasure from watching the Albion under Graham Potter. Under GP's expert guidance - assisted by astute recruitment and TB's wallet - we are only a few goals away from being hailed as one of the most entertaining teams in the country.
In the lower divisions (where we have been for more than 90% of our existence) it is all about results. A winning season that ended with promotion would obviously be hugely enjoyed regardless of style of play. From the North Stand as teenagers we weren't too worried about nice passing sequences.
In the place that we currently inhabit - along with Palace - then quality of football and watchability becomes much more important. Where you end up between 38pts and 48pts at the end of the season doesn't make that much difference. So I'd rather have fewer points but a style of play that is consistently better to watch.
Us glass half full happy clappers get huge pleasure from watching the Albion under Graham Potter. Under GP's expert guidance - assisted by astute recruitment and TB's wallet - we are only a few goals away from being hailed as one of the most entertaining teams in the country.
Excellent post. I was struggling to articulate exactly what you’ve written.
Staying up is undoubtedly hugely important, BUT personally happier to JUST survive playing good football, than play like Palace and finish six points or two places higher.
That match last night, was horrific to watch.
Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,362
Reading what some fans say, you would think we are on a one way ride to entertainmentville.
I think they choose to forget the many lengthy passages of possession based football, played at too low a tempo, with the opposition grouped in front of us. Tedious, uninspiring, ineffective football. Little created, little gained.
So saying, there are also passages of really enjoyable play, free flowing and quite adventurous, when we look a totally different side. Upbeat and much more threatening. So its not about entertainment for me because there is too much frustration built around Potterball. Too much overplaying and too little accuracy. The most enjoyable football I watch is fast counter-attacking. Well organised and fairly solid at the back, ready to spring quickly into action. Some of the best goals to me are two/three touch moves, sweeping the length of the field, with a decisive finish.
I don't go to be entertained. I go to see my team win and if they can't win, I expect them to battle for a draw. I don't demand a particular style. The result is everything. Do you get low crowds when your team is winning a lot, even if it is fairly pragmatic stuff? Hughton's style has been castigated by many but being at the top of the Championship didn't keep too many away. If you are happy with entertaining, losing football, then thats your choice. It ain't mine.
I think they choose to forget the many lengthy passages of possession based football, played at too low a tempo, with the opposition grouped in front of us. Tedious, uninspiring, ineffective football. Little created, little gained.
So saying, there are also passages of really enjoyable play, free flowing and quite adventurous, when we look a totally different side. Upbeat and much more threatening. So its not about entertainment for me because there is too much frustration built around Potterball. Too much overplaying and too little accuracy. The most enjoyable football I watch is fast counter-attacking. Well organised and fairly solid at the back, ready to spring quickly into action. Some of the best goals to me are two/three touch moves, sweeping the length of the field, with a decisive finish.
I don't go to be entertained. I go to see my team win and if they can't win, I expect them to battle for a draw. I don't demand a particular style. The result is everything. Do you get low crowds when your team is winning a lot, even if it is fairly pragmatic stuff? Hughton's style has been castigated by many but being at the top of the Championship didn't keep too many away. If you are happy with entertaining, losing football, then thats your choice. It ain't mine.
DarrenFreemansPerm
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Barnet Seagull
Luxury Player
Existing. I'm just glad to have and hope to continue to have a football club.
I'm very much of the view that we need to play attractive football and develop technically capable players to do so to ensure our long term financial survival and (hopefully) growth. We've already managed 3 seasons more than I was expecting in the premier league and completely overhauled the squad in the process. All of this so far is success.
We now have a squad with some talented young players who due to the tactical approach we are taking are becoming more valuable footballers and are yet to reach their peak. This is exciting for me. (Wins would help though)
I'm very much of the view that we need to play attractive football and develop technically capable players to do so to ensure our long term financial survival and (hopefully) growth. We've already managed 3 seasons more than I was expecting in the premier league and completely overhauled the squad in the process. All of this so far is success.
We now have a squad with some talented young players who due to the tactical approach we are taking are becoming more valuable footballers and are yet to reach their peak. This is exciting for me. (Wins would help though)
Moshe Gariani
Well-known member
- Mar 10, 2005
- 12,202
You have explained your point of view very clearly. There clearly isn't "right" and "wrong" on this issue.
Apart from characterising the current Albion team as "tedious". That is wrong.
I can’t put it any better than this.
Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,362
It should still be that way, but you are right. We now expect to roll over and expose our soft underbelly.
I feel the views of a lot of fans have been slightly clouded by the seduction of a more expansive style. If CH was still in charge, playing a more pragmatic style of football and achieving the same results, there would be an overwhelming vote for him to go. Virtually every team rocks up at the Amex now and gets something. Its thoroughly disheartening but its always excused because our football is so much more enjoyable.
If we had played glorious attacking football, opening Amex day v Doncaster and lost, do you think fans would still remember it so vividly and fondly today. Or take a dull, rather nervous, shabby display, culminating in that fantastic winning goal in the 98th minute....I know which one I prefer.