After seeing some of the response on the internet to Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Blackpool I think we need to calm down and actually get to grips with where we are as a club.
We had a fantastic but also somewhat lucky season in 2009 where we reached the Premier League, much of the money from that season paid off debts and parachute payments have been used to cover costs of being relegated, on the wages for players like Andre Bikey and bigger contracts for the likes of Jay Rodriguez. Brian Laws was a mistake and Eddie Howe has had a bigger rebuilding job – I’d like to think we can agree on that.
As for now, we have a big problem with our supporters. The away fans this season as always have been fantastic and remained behind the team. However our home support (which has significantly dwindled since the Premier League) I can only describe as embarrassing. Often the atmosphere has felt flat and with a team trying to develop a new playing style, that is incredibly frustrating for those of us who do get behind the team!
After the Blackpool game I had a brief look on Twitter and regret doing so. Some of the idiotic comments on the #twitterclarets hashtag were just pointless. As as for our messageboards this season, well lord give me strength.
Let’s see where we are at for next season. We’ve got a pretty strong base in our team with good young and hungry players that are getting close to adapting a style similar to the likes of Wigan and Swansea who have won rave reviews this season at times in the top flight. I’ve been pretty pleased with the Austin/Ings partnership and with the extra forwards such as Paterson we have at our disposal I’m not totally worried about the loss of Jay Rodriguez.
The defence (with the exception of Saturday) has been looking fairly strong of late and that is a sign for a better start to next season than this. With a couple of sensible additions then I think we can make this even better, I for one am very happy with the initial signs of Danny Lafferty. The supporters baiting and criticism has helped to ruin the Burnley career of Brian Easton who I wish the best of luck with another club.
With some strong youngsters coming through the ranks, whom I hope to break through to the first team squad, I think we have the potential for an excellent season. Our finest moments have come with the backing of the fans, 10 away wins this season is testament to our away support, so let’s get behind the boys and help them to a prosperous 2012/13.
To start this transformation I suggest fans get out in force for the final home game of the season vs. Bristol City to not only start getting behind the boys but also pay tribute to two of our major forces in the boardroom. Barry Kilby and Paul Fletcher, who have offered a great deal to this club over the years, let’s pay tribute to them!
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