As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Brian - I really like your articles normally but I can't believe the points you've made about Bendtner / negative supporters.
Yes, Arsenal do have many negative fans - I occasionally used to sit in the West Upper and some of them did nothing but moan - but what you're saying is that we have to cheer even the most untalented player to the rafters. I have always done my best to make some noise when watching the Gooners but I have found it hard this season.
I always come back to the unavoidable fact that Bendtner (and Ebooooue, Song and Adebayor) are paid millions per year yet they lack either the technique, temperament or desire to turn 4th place into 1st place.
Arsenal FC have unfortunately brought this situation about themselves. They wanted a stadium full of high paying consumers and those people aren't going to sit in silence whilst watching "super nic" blazing chance after chance high, wide and anything but handsome.
Yes, Arsenal do have many negative fans -etc etc - but what you're saying is that we have to cheer even the most untalented player to the rafters.
I can't see anywhere that Brian said "we have to cheer even the most untalented players to the rafters". What he did say was that it would be a bloody good idea to stop the negative fans getting on the backs of the team. As I recall even Henry would miss a couple of sitters and then look very down in the dumps. Especially in his early days with us. The crowd twigged this, sang his name, lifted his spirit and the result is now history. What if they'd just booed Henry every game? No one is saying Nick will ever be a megastar, but how will we find out if we get on his back every game?
The negative effect the fans can have on a team is massive. How often were the team told under George Graham to first shut the crowd up and then the home fans will get on the backs of the players - usually in an away European tie. Don't applaud Nick if you don't feel he deserves it - but FFS don't get on his back. It is so obvious that it has a negative effect.
Supporting your team is a complex matter. Do you support them unconditionally, do you support them when time are good, do you support them when times are bad?
I support arsenal without reservation, however i believe that when arsenal do some thing wrong they should be made aware of it. If they raise price's in a recession they should be made aware of their action's and the consequences.
The same goes for the player's. If they perform badly they should be told. If a goal scorer cant score goals then he is failing at his job. I'm not saying they should be hounded off the pitch a la eboue, but they should be made aware that their failure to score affect's much more than them selves.
Everyone reacts to critisisim diffrently, some with wilt and die some with overcome it and try to prove the doubters wrong, and these are the people i want in a arsenal shirt. The ones who will pick them selves up and try harder. Supporting your team is a complex matter and if a player reacts well to critisim, is it such a bad thing?
sloth wrote:Here's a fact for all those who persist in knocking Bendtner:
Fernando Torres (you know, that bloke that everyone says is one of the best strikers in the world) has scored 11 goals this season (all competitions).
Nicklas Bendtner (you know, the one that Arsenal fans boo) has scored 12 goals this season.
Before you ask, Bendtner has started just 2 more games than Torres.
Angelo
Sorry mate, but what your saying dont mean fuck all. Bendtner started 2 games more then him, but how many more appearances has bendtener made then torres this season? Bendtner-39 appearances Torres 28.
Granted, he has been playing alot better the past month then he has been all season, and all of us that were saying he has been shit (which he has been for most of the season) have given him the credit he deserves! At Newcastle, apart from Clichy who was an absolute beast that day, he was the best player on the pitch!
Fair point - stats are never going to tell the whole story.
The point I was trying to make was about the lazy thinking that dictates, once someone is labelled (Torres = genius, Bendtner = rubbish), people tend to stick with those labels whatever happens.
I would never say that Bendtner is as good as Torres, but I do think he's going to be a terrific player.
People forget that, at best, he is our fourth-choice striker and is only 21. Given that, I think he's had a good season and deserves better support than he gets from most of our fans.
