We were all told the journey is better than the destination....

[covcity4life]

Sorry, but I really enjoyed visiting the Etihad and the Tottenham stadium recently, even in defeat and Im looking forward to the Hill Dickinson in a couple of weeks.

If its back to the Britannia and Bramall lane next season then so be it but its been a breath of fresh air visiting the PL stadiums

Also for me personally it's nice to have us mentioned on podcasts(journos not influencers) every week now rather than a quick snippet every few months.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

 

[Bugsy]

If we go down watch our team get stripped.
we will struggle in the champ that won't be fun.
Just enjoy it for what it is as we might not be here for another 20odd years.

 

[clint van damme]

Also for me personally it's nice to have us mentioned on podcasts(journos not influencers) every week now rather than a quick snippet every few months.

Been avoiding coverage apart from Forest and Newcastle!!

 

[itsvangool]

Sunderland set the benchmark? They were able to spend more than us and if you look at previous seasons, the vast majority of promoted teams go down, yet an anomaly is now the benchmark.

Bought well and experience in with Xhaka and had no loyalty to players who got them there. We’ve bought prospects and no experience. Perhaps benchmark was a bit strong but blueprint was probably a better description.

 

[RJASkyblue]

And so it seems to ring true

Im not talking the players on the pitch, that's been done to death. We're shite it is what it is

But the whole experience is just arse. Poor atmospheres home and away (bar Forest), sanitised corporate shite, VAR, the over analysis of anything and everything, the slow boring tippy tappy pep style build up everyone seems to deploy, pre game build up is a total yawnathon, barely any of the of the 'anyone can beat anyone' feel of the championship. Dont get me started on how we seem to have binned our badge and PUSB off for an AI elephant and COV COV COV

Just find it a bit soul destroying now we are here. 25 years we spent in the doldrums, trying to get back to the end of the rainbow, and whilst there is a pot of gold, you also seemingly have to sell your soul to be there. We've seen it all, the drop from the top to the bottom and back again. Aside from a cup win or Europe theres literally no more to see is there?


Said it on another thread, that game for us yesterday, in that weather in the championship, there would be tackles flying in, 30 yard strikes, red cards, goals, loud atmosphere, the lot. Am I wrong as a supporter for missing that? Anyone else feeling that way?

Don't look at the new stuff on the website then being sold at the COV store . Little elephants on clothing, even worse as in the same colour as the main clothing colour, gives no identity of being a Cov fan. It could be any item of clothing. We have lost our identity.
Also, who is going to spend £40 on a drinks bottle?

 

[baldy]

So some people want us to get relegated just to stay in the Championship forever just because there's more chance of winning & the atmosphere's better? Get a fucking grip

 

[Sick Boy]

If we go down watch our team get stripped.
we will struggle in the champ that won't be fun.
Just enjoy it for what it is as we might not be here for another 20odd years.

Why would the team be stripped?

 

[San Francisco]

Sunderland set the benchmark? They were able to spend more than us and if you look at previous seasons, the vast majority of promoted teams go down, yet an anomaly is now the benchmark.

Madness isn't it. As if not spending £200m+ was a choice rather than something we couldn't physically do alongside being completely financially irresponsible. Some on here are utterly clueless though that goes without saying.

 

[SkyblueBri]

Supported since the 1960's too ill to go now but we can still pull together if the team looks like it's giving their all. One of the best days out was our win at Spurs that keep us up that season what team spirit! That is currently what seems to be lacking.

 

[harvey098]

I don’t really think it’s the fault of The Premier League necessarily. I think we just had a few years of a unique alchemy which involved being successful for the first time in decades, return to the ground, momentum of growing crowds and it all felt exciting and new. That led to the atmosphere in the stands. And of course winning.

I think it’s more to do with the novelty of big attendances has worn off, even WLIDITT feels a bit blasé due to overload and everything feels a bit same-y… i think that would’ve happened whatever division we’re in.

But I’ll tell you this, I’ll be more excited waking up and realising we’re playing Liverpool, City or Utd than Cardiff, Bolton or Preston. Nothing wrong with the Premier League, we just have to be better.

 

[LarryGrayson]

Some people are never happy

 

[LarryGrayson]

Sunderland set the benchmark? They were able to spend more than us and if you look at previous seasons, the vast majority of promoted teams go down, yet an anomaly is now the benchmark.

And they look like they're in danger of doing a Sheffield Utd anyway

 

[Bugsy]

Why would the team be stripped?

Do you really think Thomas,. Rundoni etc will stay if we go down as I don't and they will have suiters

 

[SkyblueTexan]

Do you really think Thomas,. Rundoni etc will stay if we go down as I don't and they will have suiters

Unfortunately I think Thomas, Rudoni will be the first ones to get picked off by the vultures that will circle if we go down. Mfuni will go back to Man C. It’s not a certainty we will bounce straight back if we go down. So we have to try our best to stay in this league. Unfortunately, yesterday’s performance was far from our best.

 

[Cally Fedora]

If we go down watch our team get stripped.
we will struggle in the champ that won't be fun.
Just enjoy it for what it is as we might not be here for another 20odd years.

What a bizarre take. We’ll be picking up talent left right and centre if we go down or not. The squad value has rocketed as has our income.

 

[robin.starling]

What a bizarre take. We’ll be picking up talent left right and centre if we go down or not. The squad value has rocketed as has our income.

As have our outgoings.......

 

[ProfessorbyGrace]

And so it seems to ring true

Im not talking the players on the pitch, that's been done to death. We're shite it is what it is

But the whole experience is just arse. Poor atmospheres home and away (bar Forest), sanitised corporate shite, VAR, the over analysis of anything and everything, the slow boring tippy tappy pep style build up everyone seems to deploy, pre game build up is a total yawnathon, barely any of the of the 'anyone can beat anyone' feel of the championship. Dont get me started on how we seem to have binned our badge and PUSB off for an AI elephant and COV COV COV

Just find it a bit soul destroying now we are here. 25 years we spent in the doldrums, trying to get back to the end of the rainbow, and whilst there is a pot of gold, you also seemingly have to sell your soul to be there. We've seen it all, the drop from the top to the bottom and back again. Aside from a cup win or Europe theres literally no more to see is there?


Said it on another thread, that game for us yesterday, in that weather in the championship, there would be tackles flying in, 30 yard strikes, red cards, goals, loud atmosphere, the lot. Am I wrong as a supporter for missing that? Anyone else feeling that way?

I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way.

We made it back, great. It’s been a long and eventful journey from our darkest hour.

Now, it feels like the club’s integrity, and identity is being sacrificed for a place among the corporate monopoly of elite football.

Couldn’t care less if anyone disagrees, I’ll respect your opinion if there’s reason and logic there, but for those who blindly mock those who don’t tow the line, get f**ked. Have a nice day.

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

Sorry, but I really enjoyed visiting the Etihad and the Tottenham stadium recently, even in defeat and Im looking forward to the Hill Dickinson in a couple of weeks.

If its back to the Britannia and Bramall lane next season then so be it but its been a breath of fresh air visiting the PL stadiums

Totally agree, I was part of the "football tourism" at Spurs and have to admit I enjoyed every minute . I think we have to accept the likes of Tottenham have rightly or wrongly bought into the tourist corporate market . Let's just enjoy the ride while we're here. We lost to a team who finished 11th last year in arguably the best league in the world.

 

[Cally Fedora]

As have our outgoings.......

Yes, but King will have the checks and balances right.

 

[robin.starling]

Yes, but King will have the checks and balances right.

How? I think we doubled our wage bill, how is that corrected? Are players going to want to hang around when their wages get slashed?
5-6 of the players we signed only joined to play in the PL.

 

[Warwickhunt]

Unfortunately I think Thomas, Rudoni will be the first ones to get picked off by the vultures that will circle if we go down. Mfuni will go back to Man C. It’s not a certainty we will bounce straight back if we go down. So we have to try our best to stay in this league. Unfortunately, yesterday’s performance was far from our best.

well FL left it far too long to change things the Midfield was dog shite! Still not convinced by Yarenki and Grimes has lost his identity of his preferred playing style. Lot of money spent to leave on the Bench as well

 

[Matt smith]

Unfortunately I think Thomas, Rudoni will be the first ones to get picked off by the vultures that will circle if we go down. Mfuni will go back to Man C. It’s not a certainty we will bounce straight back if we go down. So we have to try our best to stay in this league. Unfortunately, yesterday’s performance was far from our best.

There’s no chance of us surviving.

 

[CovValleyBoy]

So some people want us to get relegated just to stay in the Championship forever just because there's more chance of winning & the atmosphere's better? Get a fucking grip

Totally agree. Whinging about things like pre match entertainment, we ain't Dallas Cowboys.
It's all about stopping up. We need at least 9 wins. We could already have 3 by next Saturday.
There is no other league to play in. Crikey I don't want to see another Championship ref for starters.

 

[speedie87]

the pre match build up montages we had last couple of years and songs in last ten mins were better than what we are having this season.

Tannoy is also a lot quieter where I sit

 

[SkyblueTexan]

well FL left it far too long to change things the Midfield was dog shite! Still not convinced by Yarenki and Grimes has lost his identity of his preferred playing style. Lot of money spent to leave on the Bench as well

Agree. At this point, use all the players you’ve bought, put egos aside and try something different. He tried Pinnock a few games ago and he’s proven to be reliable. Give the French lads a go. Let Torp play and have an extra playmaker in midfield. Have Simms ahead of Awonyi in the pecking order. Some of these things are not rocket science at all.

 

[SkyblueTexan]

There’s no chance of us surviving.

Looks bleak now, but changes in formation, tactics and mentality have to happen immediately to have any chance.

 

[Matt smith]

Looks bleak now, but changes in formation, tactics and mentality have to happen immediately to have any chance.

We all know he’s too stubborn

If we lose to Sunderland I think the November international break might be time for a change

 

[Skybluekyle]

Yesterday was probably the first time I've been properly concerned. The other defeats, there felt like mitigating circumstances;

Arsenal - blown away, but they're champions
Hull - sucker punched
Man City - they're Man City, perhaps even unlucky not to come away with something
Brighton - not great, but red card probably resulted in a much higher score line and they're a very good team, evidently
Florist- cracking away win
Newcastle - cracking home win
Spurs - good team under-performing

Yesterday just didn't feel great. However, as fans, we've obviously had it good. Our win percentage in the league over the last seven seasons prior to this one was roughly 43%, the past three seasons around 47%. We went into games with almost a 50/50 chance we'd win. Going from that long term trend of relative success to winning only a quarter is tough.

Lack of success just amplifies other aspects of the club that would probably be an inconvenience otherwise. Still very early days, and hopefully yesterday was just one of those games, I still think we have a good chance of staying up, maybe Lampard just doesn't quite know what our best line up is yet, and we can find the right system and players soon.

 

[Ashdown]

At least most of you have seen us score a goal live this season. Me and the Mrs haven’t seen the net bulge once. Hull, Brighton and Fulham so far….total cost including memberships £374

 

[Cally Fedora]

We all know he’s too stubborn

If we lose to Sunderland I think the November international break might be time for a change

Oh get a grip

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Do you really think Thomas,. Rundoni etc will stay if we go down as I don't and they will have suiters

Yes they’ll move on , if I’m honest I think Rudoni might go in January

 

[Saddlebrains]

So some people want us to get relegated just to stay in the Championship forever just because there's more chance of winning & the atmosphere's better? Get a fucking grip

We obviously need to be in the top league. But saying its more enjoyable in the lower leagues can still be true

As i said initially, what else is there to do now aside from a cup win? We've basically done it all.

 

[RJASkyblue]

the pre match build up montages we had last couple of years and songs in last ten mins were better than what we are having this season.

Tannoy is also a lot quieter where I sit

Totally agree. Let's get back in to the Sing along songs like "Country Roads", build up the atmosphere & noise.
Noticed yesterday there was even a PR statement about the pre match entertainment including loud bangs & pyrotechnics.
Corporate is not always better. Getting rid of the local entertainment guys has been a disaster.

 

[Hybridtheory]

If we go down watch our team get stripped.
we will struggle in the champ that won't be fun.
Just enjoy it for what it is as we might not be here for another 20odd years.

Most who come down make a good fist of coming back up immediately as you have two years of parachute payments if you come down immediately. Not sure who is getting stripped though