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?
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?
