Cyber Fans

In a response to Crete Wolf`s poll on the performance of our manager, johnwolf complained that those fans who only watched our team on T.V. had no right to criticize MM. After last night`s defeat, Mick will no doubt receive more flak, some of which will come from the long-distance supporters. I posted my own comment on the subject yesterday but, mulling the issue over in my mind later, thought that the subject warranted further discussion.

I supported the Wolves as a boy in the 1950s because it was my local club not because it was the best side in the country at the time. I`ve followed them ever since (including the bad times) and have never considered switching my allegiance to a more fashionable or successful team ... and there are one or two of them near my home in Surrey. I could support Chelsea - it would certainly be less stressful- but my heart would not be in it and I would not really care about the result.

Of course, I could and should have visited Molineux over the years. If only I had found a decent job in the Wolverhampton area, I could have attended home matches easily and inexpensively, saving on travelling time and costs. I would also have benefited from the town`s central position to travel to away games. Unfortunately, I had to move to London for work. The job was stressful and time-consuming and encroached upon my weekends. For relaxation, I competed in a variety of sports (and still do). As I had a family, it seemed unfair to abandon them completely by buggering off to watch the Wolves every other week.

The point I am making is that I, and people like me (Crete Wolves, for example) do not attend games more regularly not because we do not want to but because it is difficult for us to do so. I have started going to matches, now that I am semi-retired, but I still have family and occupational commitments. Clearly, Crete Wolf cannot visit Molineux that often but he is a canny interpreter of the game.

We have proved our loyalty and keep in contact with the team as best we can. Thank goodness for the internet, which offers us a much better service than the one available to us in the past (a posted copy of the pink, for instance). We can hear the commentaries, watch many of the matches and view extended highlights (I managed to access last night`s game via a murky freeview link). Naturally, we would prefer to be at the game but we can see enough of it to give us a good indication of what is happening on the pitch. Indeed, we are in a better position to do so. As Ad Mant points out, 'armchair fans` can watch the replays and get a better view of the game.

It is therefore ridiculous for johnwolf to complain about comments we might make about our manager or any of the players. Like him, we are entitled to voice our opinion and we know enough accurately to judge the situation. Indeed, we probably give the issues more thought than he does. We are right to be worried, too, given the club`s current position in the league. We are playing well but are letting in too many goals at one end and not scoring enough of them at the other. The manager has to bear some responsibility for that state of affairs and, as fans, we should voice our concerns. I could discuss specifics but we all know what they are and this, in itself, is an indication that something is amiss. And, Saturday is crunch-time. Right?

Southbank60

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