Is this the most apathetic start to a season for ages?

[El Presidente]

Perhaps it's just me, but I woke up on Saturday and the magic was not quite there. Two years ago it was our first time in this division for a decade, and we had BZ as our goal hero and lots of new grounds to visit. Last season we were always in with a shout of promotion/play-offs to keep our peckers up.

However this year, when realistically we have a chance of our best position since the Wembley play-off year of 1990/91, there seems to be some sparkle missing. Perhaps it explains why we can't sell out Withdean. Have we been spoiled with success and excitement recently or do we have a huge bunch of glory seekers amongst the fan base?

 

[Ernest]

From 30000 at Cardiff to not being able to sell out our first home game since sums it all up.
No point bothering with a new ground if this is how it's going to be, why have a 22000 capacity when we can't sell 6000

 

[Trigger]

Quite agree with everything you've said El P...

I haven't got a season ticket this season for the first time in years, going back to before Gillingham... The reason has nothing to do with the football but it has everything to do with Withdean, i am just sick and tired of it, it bores me to tears now and i just don't enjoy watching football there anymore, i will still go to the odd game starting with Coventry on Saturday but i can't see me going to more than 5 home games this season...

 

[Safeway]

There's no doubt we've been spoilt for the last few years, and the Withdean factor doesn't help, but I was still buzzing all last week, especially with the new signings. After the game on Saturday I'm even more optimistic about this season. We actually look like we might do alright this time and won't be getting dicked every week.

Although they shouldn't be that much bigger than us, the thought of going to places like West Ham, Leeds and Sunderland is a mouth-watering one. Until we get a ground we'll always be a small club and the underdogs at this level but that's okay, it's all part of the great story that is following Brighton & Hove Albion. (My memory isn't long enough to remember those sort of clubs being genuine rivals for us, so maybe it's not as painful to see us in our current situation.)

To be honest we can't lose as supporters this season. If we're dragged into a relegation dog fight then, as shite as it is, it's still exciting. On the other hand, if we somehow manage to mantain a mid-table position that'll be a fantastic achievement, more so than last season's drama.

How many other sets of supporters do you know that would crave a mid-table finish?!

 

[Sergi Gotsmanov]

It's the time of year.

this is the busiest 2 weeks of the summer for foreign hols and the drifting support are looking forward to the olympics (especially the gymnastics!)

Give it 7/8 games and withdean will fill up again. (although i do agree watching at withdean does your f***ing head in.)

 

[saafend_seagull]

How many other sets of supporters do you know that would crave a mid-table finish?!

erm...palace, west brom, norwich are some names that spring to mind.

But im more excited about this season, than i was last season, simply because we have a more exciting team, better away days out. i dont go to many home games anymore, only 2-5 a season, due to the fact i live in southend, and going to university, but go to all away games. and before anyone says anything, i had a season ticket when we played at goldstone, and every season at gillingham, and for the first one at the withdean, and since then it has become harder to get to home games.

 

[Easy 10]

I'm sick to the back teeth of Withdean as well, but I still get a buzz at the start of every season, especially if we've just been promoted. We've got some MASSIVE fixtures to look forward to this season, and the knowledge that every single point we get this season is going to be so vital and precious, gives every game an extra edge for me.

Plus I get to meet up with my mates in the pub before and after each game, and have day trips all over the country to some awesome stadiums. And christ, if it wasn't for the Albion, what else would there be to talk about ?

Naah, I still love it and couldn't live without it. I LOVE August.

BRING IT ON

 

[Biscuit]

I logged onto this thread simply to try and find out what 'apathetic' means.


I still don't know.

 

[Easy 10]

I've been described as "apathetic waste of space" before. If thats any help.

 

[Trigger]

I logged onto this thread simply to try and find out what 'apathetic' means.


I still don't know.

Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent

 

[Biscuit]

To be honest we can't lose as supporters this season. If we're dragged into a relegation dog fight then, as shite as it is, it's still exciting. On the other hand, if we somehow manage to mantain a mid-table position that'll be a fantastic achievement, more so than last season's drama.

To f***ing right. I CANNOT WAIT for the season to progress! I can't wait for the Christmas time finish predictions, for the in's and out's, up's and down's and every twist and turn that this year will throw at us! Come on BRIGHTON! SEEEEEAAAGULLS!

 

[dougdeep]

Well said Biscuit.

 

[Biscuit]

Well said Biscuit.

danke.

Originally posted by Trigger
Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent

danke.

 

[Fran Hagarty]

As for me, I've had the same enthusiasm about this season as ever. Although I don't like Withdean at all, at the end of the day I go to watch the team I support, regardless of the surroundings. Also, to be quite honest, the fact that we're visiting "better" grounds and playing "bigger" teams isn't that relevant as I'd go wherever and whoever we are playing. Splendid as some of these stadia might be, I have happy memories of standing on the terraces in places like Barnet, Cheltenham etc. It may not be as grand or salubrious, but you feel more part of it than sitting in the gods at a huge stadium with a birds eye view (although, I appreciate the perspective is better.) It's just so remote and impersonal. Withdean is certainly not ideal, with it's lack of roof and consequent poor atmosphere. However, much as I don't like it, it won't prevent me from going and doesn't stop the enjoyment I get from watching the Albion. Maybe some people are suffering from burn-out.

 

[Beach Hut]

Sick of Falmer but glad football is back - looking forward to tomorrow night.

 

[Easy 10]

Well said Fran, and I agree with you, I've had some great times at some of the shittest grounds in the country.
But I'm a sucker for a stadium. I love visiting the big grounds with the big crowds (had one out of two on Saturday then). I like the extra media attention we get at this level. And the whole thing just feels more "big time" at this level.
God forbid, but if we ever went back down to the lower leagues, I'd still turn up like I always have, and I'd still enjoy my trips to Peterborough and Torquay. But there's no way I'd swap it for what we have this season, and hopefully the seasons to come.

I'm hoping for a visit to Goodison next year

 

[Incredigull]

Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent

I almost didn't read this ..........

 

[Safeway]

BRING IT ON

That was so nearly a very clever anagram of 'BRIGHTON'.

But then you probbaly knew that already.

 

[Easy 10]

That was so nearly a very clever anagram of 'BRIGHTON'.

But then you probbaly knew that already.

No, I had no idea how close to true GREATNESS that could have been. I am now desperately trying to work out how I could shoe-horn an "H" into it.

Damn all my neglected years of Countdown

 

[timseagull]

Well I'm excited if no one else is! Big grounds, great players. We always play better against the better sides (and struggle against the crappy ones) So i'm looking forward to some great performances this season!