Post by GeoFox on Dec 8, 2007 11:13:51 GMT -1
Captain's comments from Stephen Clemence:
Hello everyone,
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't seen or heard some of your opinions within our local media following last Saturday's disappointing home defeat to Southampton at the Walkers.
Ollie and I made our feelings perfectly clear post match and this obviously went down like a lead balloon in certain quarters.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and should be respected for that but at this important stage of the season, with Christmas just around the corner, it is imperative that we remain united and pull in the same direction.
It is never nice to hear one of your team-mates being booed off the pitch and nobody deserves that treatment - that reaction doesn't help anybody and creates more harm than good.
Of course, every footballer has their bad days, myself included, but it's certainly not through a lack of trying.
I can assure you that every player on this team always gives 100 per cent when they are involved.
Believe you me we are just as frustrated as you guys are at the moment.
You are the paying customers and deserved to be entertained - in return I'd just ask for your patience and full backing.
As footballers we must do better but there is a degree of nervousness around this place at present and I think that came to a head last weekend.
As an experienced professional and club captain it is my job, along with the other senior pros in the squad, to make more of an impact on games and help settle things down after such a turbulent start to the campaign.
I know for one that I have to do better.
But as a squad, I firmly believe that we are showing early signs of progress under the new management team.
Of course, Ollie's got his hands tied somewhat until the January transfer window opens, but he is giving everyone a fair crack of the whip, and we are attempting to play more attacking football, play with more fluency and get more bodies in the box for crosses.
We are showing signs of development and improvement but it's going to take time and won't happen overnight. Hopefully you can see and appreciate what Ollie is trying to achieve here.
Following Tuesday night's hard-earned 1-1 draw at Burnley, we've got six games remaining this year - that's 18 points to play for and, with your help, I don't see why we can't progress up the table and be in the shake-up come the New Year.
Our home form is key to that and I'd ask you, whether you agree or disagree with what has been said this week, to really make some noise on Saturday afternoon and support us to the hilt.
West Brom are flying under Tony Mowbray and are certain to be backed by a large travelling contingent ion Saturday.
The Baggies play a good style of passing football - their manager demands that. And we all know that we'll have to be at the very top of our game if we want to get anything out of the contest.
So please make some noise and play your part. We really do need to make this place a fortress.
Meanwhile, it was quite ironic that we were drawn out of the FA Cup hat against Southampton again only a day after playing them.
We'll travel to St Mary's on January 5 for the third round tie and it would be nice to go down there and put the record straight.
It's not a bad draw for us and I believe we can defeat them. We are looking forward to it.
Finally this is our last home game before Christmas so on behalf of the players I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
Hopefully we'll be in the ascendancy come our next home match against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day and will be able to look forward to a prosperous New Year both on and off the pitch.
Clem
_ _ _ _ _ _
Some valid points but Jeez give it a rest. Things were said last week, some of them needed to be said, but that was then, this is now. You don't rally the fans before a game by filling a column with negativity. Any enthusiasm and exctitement from the fans has been sapped completely over the last 4 years of abject performances and all that is left is apathy, boredom, frustration and for some people anger. Clemence, you are just the latest in a long line of serially underperforming players. Be bloody positive if you want to rally the fans. I shall not be buying a programme later.
1. The fans are behind the team at the beginning of every game....but when all we get is hospital football dished up, time and time again....its boring and difficult to motivate to do anything. Responsibility players - play with a bit of passion and enthusiasm and you'll get the crowd behind you a la Cardiff. Unfortunately, after an hour of clueless rubbish, some people get restless and then it starts to get a bit nasty and detrimental. Clem and Ollie have to realise that Saturday was far from a 1 off, we have lost so many games at the Walkers in the last 4 years, down to performances like that.
2. Don't bloody contradict yourself Clem. For me 100% effort is more than feeling a bit tired after a game. Its about being first to loose balls, playing the system properly and even trying to apply what you've been doing in training, amongst other things. Clem you have veen awful over the last few weeks. You can offer a lot more than that. I think people can always put in more effort and produce more, its how you motivate yourself to succeed. If thats the best the players can give, I don't know why I'm going today.
3. Didn't exactly play with all the freedom and expression away from home Tuesday did you!?
4. Stop making excuses and shifting blame for constant poor performances away form yourselves, the senior pros. The youngsters look like they give a damn at least for all their technical flaws.
I can only see our home form of W2 D2 L4 this season turning to W2 D2 L5 today but win, lose or draw, if the players turn up and play with a bit of passion, commitment, drive and at least try to play football then I will be satisified!
BLUE ARMY!
Hello everyone,
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't seen or heard some of your opinions within our local media following last Saturday's disappointing home defeat to Southampton at the Walkers.
Ollie and I made our feelings perfectly clear post match and this obviously went down like a lead balloon in certain quarters.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and should be respected for that but at this important stage of the season, with Christmas just around the corner, it is imperative that we remain united and pull in the same direction.
It is never nice to hear one of your team-mates being booed off the pitch and nobody deserves that treatment - that reaction doesn't help anybody and creates more harm than good.
Of course, every footballer has their bad days, myself included, but it's certainly not through a lack of trying.
I can assure you that every player on this team always gives 100 per cent when they are involved.
Believe you me we are just as frustrated as you guys are at the moment.
You are the paying customers and deserved to be entertained - in return I'd just ask for your patience and full backing.
As footballers we must do better but there is a degree of nervousness around this place at present and I think that came to a head last weekend.
As an experienced professional and club captain it is my job, along with the other senior pros in the squad, to make more of an impact on games and help settle things down after such a turbulent start to the campaign.
I know for one that I have to do better.
But as a squad, I firmly believe that we are showing early signs of progress under the new management team.
Of course, Ollie's got his hands tied somewhat until the January transfer window opens, but he is giving everyone a fair crack of the whip, and we are attempting to play more attacking football, play with more fluency and get more bodies in the box for crosses.
We are showing signs of development and improvement but it's going to take time and won't happen overnight. Hopefully you can see and appreciate what Ollie is trying to achieve here.
Following Tuesday night's hard-earned 1-1 draw at Burnley, we've got six games remaining this year - that's 18 points to play for and, with your help, I don't see why we can't progress up the table and be in the shake-up come the New Year.
Our home form is key to that and I'd ask you, whether you agree or disagree with what has been said this week, to really make some noise on Saturday afternoon and support us to the hilt.
West Brom are flying under Tony Mowbray and are certain to be backed by a large travelling contingent ion Saturday.
The Baggies play a good style of passing football - their manager demands that. And we all know that we'll have to be at the very top of our game if we want to get anything out of the contest.
So please make some noise and play your part. We really do need to make this place a fortress.
Meanwhile, it was quite ironic that we were drawn out of the FA Cup hat against Southampton again only a day after playing them.
We'll travel to St Mary's on January 5 for the third round tie and it would be nice to go down there and put the record straight.
It's not a bad draw for us and I believe we can defeat them. We are looking forward to it.
Finally this is our last home game before Christmas so on behalf of the players I'd like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
Hopefully we'll be in the ascendancy come our next home match against Ipswich Town on Boxing Day and will be able to look forward to a prosperous New Year both on and off the pitch.
Clem
_ _ _ _ _ _
Some valid points but Jeez give it a rest. Things were said last week, some of them needed to be said, but that was then, this is now. You don't rally the fans before a game by filling a column with negativity. Any enthusiasm and exctitement from the fans has been sapped completely over the last 4 years of abject performances and all that is left is apathy, boredom, frustration and for some people anger. Clemence, you are just the latest in a long line of serially underperforming players. Be bloody positive if you want to rally the fans. I shall not be buying a programme later.
1. The fans are behind the team at the beginning of every game....but when all we get is hospital football dished up, time and time again....its boring and difficult to motivate to do anything. Responsibility players - play with a bit of passion and enthusiasm and you'll get the crowd behind you a la Cardiff. Unfortunately, after an hour of clueless rubbish, some people get restless and then it starts to get a bit nasty and detrimental. Clem and Ollie have to realise that Saturday was far from a 1 off, we have lost so many games at the Walkers in the last 4 years, down to performances like that.
2. Don't bloody contradict yourself Clem. For me 100% effort is more than feeling a bit tired after a game. Its about being first to loose balls, playing the system properly and even trying to apply what you've been doing in training, amongst other things. Clem you have veen awful over the last few weeks. You can offer a lot more than that. I think people can always put in more effort and produce more, its how you motivate yourself to succeed. If thats the best the players can give, I don't know why I'm going today.
3. Didn't exactly play with all the freedom and expression away from home Tuesday did you!?
4. Stop making excuses and shifting blame for constant poor performances away form yourselves, the senior pros. The youngsters look like they give a damn at least for all their technical flaws.
I can only see our home form of W2 D2 L4 this season turning to W2 D2 L5 today but win, lose or draw, if the players turn up and play with a bit of passion, commitment, drive and at least try to play football then I will be satisified!
BLUE ARMY!
