[Albion] Pre-Match Huddle

[Dick Knights Mumm]

why on EARTH would anyone have strong feelings about this?

I am not going to lose any sleep over it - but it is a pretence. It suggests an esprit de corps that simply was not there last season. Who are they kidding.

Special occasions when the team are going to need more togetherness - fair enough.

 

[martin tyler]

As long as we win that is all that matters. If this love in helps then so be it

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Tinpot/silly/craptastic/embarrassing/cringyworthy...blah blah blah.

If the team spirit benefits then who gives a shit?

It doesn't though. Well it didn't last season (and probably never did make one bit of difference, ever). All last season, they did the huddle BS and still came out and played like vvank. Just makes them look like typical footballer wallies.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Some of last season's most laughably memorable cock-ups (aka goal conceded in the first 2 mins) followed yet another toe-curling demonstration of synchronised man-grappling.

But it must be working: without all the cuddling,we might have let in TWO!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Some of last season's most laughably memorable cock-ups (aka goal conceded in the first 2 mins) followed yet another toe-curling demonstration of synchronised cuddling.

But hold on: without all the cuddling,we might have let in TWO!

Good point, well made

 

[JBenno]

I felt the same as most on here, that it was a bit Shite and pointless.

However..... on Friday evening at the start of the second half I noticed we did it again, as well as a good deal of back slapping and geeing each other up. Whilst this was going on, I looked at the Forest players, who were all standing in their positions looking somewhat disconsolate, heads bowed and generally not really up for it.

We then proceeded to come out of the blocks at 100mph while Forest looked still in the dressing room (probably due to Dougie's half time dirge)
Two minutes later we get our goal.

#Huddlein

 

[Surf's Up]

why on EARTH would anyone have strong feelings about this?

Yup - agree

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Yes... while we all waved our imaginary scarves like lunatics to a belting refrain from Johnny Cash

Thing I miss most about the Withdean era was that you could time your run from the pub to the ground to perfection and arrive in your seat thirty seconds after kick-off having avoided ALL of the pre-match crud.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

The players probably don't like the fact that fans turn up late, go to get a beer before the half-time whistle, or leave before the end of the game, but it happens.

Not fussed what they do before the game, to be honest - all that matters is what happens after the whistle is blown. People probably don't like Stockdale's geeing up of all team, but if it works for him...

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

The players probably don't like the fact that fans turn up late, go to get a beer before the half-time whistle, or leave before the end of the game, but it happens.

If they start paying me I will definitely arrive on time.

 

[W.C.]

I am not going to lose any sleep over it - but it is a pretence. It suggests an esprit de corps that simply was not there last season. Who are they kidding.

Special occasions when the team are going to need more togetherness - fair enough.

so you're in amongst them to know that are you?

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Thing I miss most about the Withdean era was that you could time your run from the pub to the ground to perfection and arrive in your seat thirty seconds after kick-off having avoided ALL of the pre-match crud.

I don't think I ever saw you run from the pub to the ground. It was more of a leisurely amble.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

so you're in amongst them to know that are you?

No. But I have eyes, and can read the post-season comments by some of the players for confirmation.

 

[Phat Baz 68]

I missed it on Friday. Did we do that stupid huddle ?

Just out of interest what makes you think or and say it's stupid ?
Would like to here your reasoning behind your statement.

 

[Easy 10]

I put the huddle on a par with kissing the badge, meaningless bobbins which is mostly done just done for show. Harmless enough though I suppose. I'd LOVE to know whats being said though, and by who. Shame they're not miked up.

Greer: "Och aye the noo, lets tearrintae these shysters fra the aff, REET"
Kayal: "עברית ʿivrit ʔivˈʁit ʕivˈɾit"
Kazenga: "OK BOYYYZZZZ SUP SUP YO YO YO ITZ TIME FOR DA SUBLIME, KICK IT XBOX STYLEEEE DANTAN LOLOLOZZZ"

Baldock: "Sorry guys, err...what ?"

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Just out of interest what makes you think or and say it's stupid ?
Would like to hear your reasoning behind your statement.

As you ask Mr Bhaz .......

Because it's a pretence. As a one-off, for an important match, or a tough away fixture I can see a purpose. Pull everyone in and give them a special gee-up. Come on lads we are in this together - look into the eyes of your team mates and stand together type of message.

It was clear (and I might be wrong) that there was little team spirit last season. It is really difficult in a losing team, let alone a losing team packed with loanees. Team spirit is what you get from a team when they have all bought into the philosophy and the system and know and trust team mates. They trust each other. They socialise together. It means something. It contributes to a winning culture, and in part can come from winning - although it it comes solely from winning it can as quickly evaporate. Last season the players barely understood their own positions, let alone where their team mates should be, and who should be covering whom. How quickly did heads drop ? But we had a huddle.

So with little team spirit they started a huddle. We are all in this together ? It is just us. Against the home crowd ? They would have been better off going around the ground geeing up the home support.

It was false. It was routine - what's going to be said ? Oh same as last time, and the time before. It just looked so half-hearted.

So for me - bin the huddle as routine. Save it for when it will make an impact.

It looks like team spirit may be returning. Hughton knows what is needed. Leave the home huddle behind as a memory of last season.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

But on the other hand last season if in the huddle they said "Ignore all that bollocks from the management team - it really is just us" - then fair enough.

 

[8ace]

It's like a British version of the Haka. Both should be banned of left in the dressing room.

I enjoyed it when we faced off Reading's huddle at the Mad Stad a few years ago.

 

[Man of Harveys]

I totally agree - I think if you need a huddle, then something's not quite right either on the training ground or in the dressing room. Like drums in the crowd or reminders about how expensive signings are, they're basically a public admission of inadequacy.

 

[Landgull]

Hate the huddle. Always looks to me like they can't remember what was said in the dressing room five minutes ago

Same here.