Another slant on Liverpool's woe
by Steve Davis on Jan 6, 2011 10:59 AM EST
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Loyal and humbly named reader World Cup Expert had a slightly different take on my Liverpool post yesterday. He has an interesting thought on a perceived media-fan disconnect when it comes to storied clubs. See what you think ...
What Liverpool is going through reminds me a lot of what my NFL team – the Broncos – are also going through. A franchise with a lot of tradition, with a past full of glory, dealing with a present state of suck. The fans in Liverpool want Kenny Daglish to come do exactly what the fans in Denver are hoping John Elway will do now that he has been appointed "front office saviour." But what is wrong with that? Isn’t that what being a fan of a team is all about? You follow your team, often the same team your dad and your grandfather rooted for, you lived through the past highs, you get mad at the lows and act all kinds of frustrated when things go south. And you instinctively yearn for "past" to come save the present. It’s a normal, human reaction, accentuated by deep feelings and emotions you have for your favorite team, which again, many times is part of your upbringing and family history.
Journalists often criticize fans for having illogical reactions concerning team matters. But do we really want the opposite? Fans who look at sport logically? Would they be "fans" at that point? Do we want fans to follow their teams with their heads instead of their hearts? It’s the media’s job to be objective. But when the media calls for fans to do the same, I say, be careful what you wish for. Because the second fans stop being "fans", I don’t know if the business of "sports" survives.In sports, history and tradition sometimes matters as much as the present reality. And if that influences the point of view of some fans, so be it. IMO, that is what being a fan is all about. After all, we call ourselves team "fans" or "afficionados," not team consultants or team accountants.
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When I read that comment
I thought that it was one of the most perceptive things I’d read in a while so I’m glad you highlighted it.
I think many people who work in sport forget that, for fans, sport is actually an escape rather than something to be analysed logically.
It’s not that fans don’t want to rationalise their behavior it’s just that they indulge in a kind of “willing suspension of disbelief” because it’s actually more fun.
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, and disregard of all the rules."- George Orwell
by Arizona via Slough on Jan 6, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions
LOL What a freaking joke
The Broncos are not going through a “present state of suck.” They went 8—8 in 2008-09, 9-7 in 2006, and made the playoffs in 03-05. In their recent history they are generally an average / mid-table club. That is not “Suck.” One bad season in 2010 does not make them suck. If they want suck then they can go look at the Pittsburgh Pirates or San Francisco 49ers. Now those teams have a solid span of sucking over a long period of time, and those fans have something to complain about.
Win or lose, we will always be here for you.
Yea but Liverpool hasnt been awful in recent years either...
that’s why it’s a relevant comparison.
Yeah have to agree about the Broncos
I mean they’ve had a bad couple seasons, hardly a Lions like terribleness.
by I need more Esteban on Jan 9, 2011 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
Logic should be in there somewhere
Sure, if all you’re being is logical, it seems there’s little point in being a fan. But it should be in the back of your mind, if only to keep you from jumping off a bridge.
Liverpool fans had to know with all the ownership chaos that there was approximately no way they were going to contend for, say, the Champions League this year. They knew this was in all likelihood a rebuilding year.
You should have a set of hopes, which need not be entirely rational, and a set of expectations, which should be fairly so, just to temper disappointment. While a Liverpool fan might have hoped for a European place, he or she should have had it in the back of their mind that this was an unlikely prospect.
A fair expectation might have been about 7th or 8th, and the borderline of a Europa League slot. They are underperforming that still, but by only around 3 or 4 points, which puts a whole lot more perspective on things.
Ideally, a club would like to have the freedom to keep a guy like Hodgson around until the end of the year, to at least give him a real shot to turn things around (because really, 20 games doesn’t you much about whether a guy is good enough, sometimes a manager has to find his feet at a club, get a certain number of his guys in, etc)—or just because you don’t want to waste money paying a guy who’s not coaching you any more . . .
[and this is probably one of the biggest misunderstandings in sports fandom. Most fans either don’t think, or at least don’t ever think about, that you usually still have to pay a guy when you’ve fired him. Most coaching contracts are basically guaranteed.]
. . .especially when you can have no rational expectation that the new guy is going to dramatically enhance your fortunes this year. If finishing 4th was a bit over-optimistic to begin with, it’s borderline crazy now. And, you’d like to avoid a reputation for being a club that cans the coach at the drop of a hat, because that’s not good for your applicant pool next time around (just ask DC Untied).
'Gentlemen' he said,
'I don't need your organization,
I've shined your shoes,
moved your mountains and marked your cards,
but Eden is burning.
Either get ready for elimination,
or else your heart must have the courage,
for the changing of the guards.'
