Fans are right to boo own players, claim Middlesbrough Supporters' Club
By Mirror Sport 18/03/2009
Liverpool star Lucas has spoken out over his pain at being booed by the Liverpool faithful. Here Boro fans stand up for the terrace abusers.
Booing players who live in “ivory towers” is the only way fans can show their feelings, the Middlesbrough Official Supporters’ Club chairman said last night.
Sue Gardener was at the Riverside on Saturday as home supporters slaughtered Gareth Southgate’s strugglers.
Gardener insisted: “Booing is the only ways fans can vent their frustration with their team on the pitch if they are not performing as they should be. And a lot of people believe Middlesbrough are not performing as they should be.
“They have paid good money to go to a game and the team did not play well. The majority of fans are feeling frustrated and footballers are not around in the community like they used to be. You can’t tell a player what you think when you see him on the bus or in the pub any more. They live in ivory towers. How else, apart from booing on a Saturday afternoon, can you let them know you are not happy?"
“It is equally true when we chant a player’s name. You are then saying we appreciate what you are doing. Booing is the other side of the coin. And I hope it works. I hope it gives the team a kick up the backside and helps us stay up.”
Why fans are wrong to boo their own players, by Mark Lawrenson
By Mark Lawrenson 18/03/2009
Liverpool star Lucas has spoken out over his pain at being booed by the Liverpool faithful. Former Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson agrees it's time to cut out the boos.
You only have to look at Stoke City’s home record to realise the importance of fans getting behind their team.
Stoke fans are passionate, committed and 100 per cent behind their players and it is their excellent home form which gives them hope of staying in the Premier League.
Their fans deserve nothing but respect whereas some Aston Villa fans seem to have short memories.
Gabby Agbonlahor was treated like a god a few months ago when he was helping Villa get into the top four.
Now he’s going through a difficult spell, fans are giving him stick. I hear all the arguments about how much they earn and that they should be able to take abuse.
But I don’t care how much you earn. if someone is telling you that you’re useless all the time, imagine how it would affect your confidence. It’s the same in any walk of life.
Middlesbrough fans have also been jeering their team. But opposition fans will seize on this, knowing the team are nervous at home because of the abuse and it will make things 10 times worse.
Which brings me back to Stoke. The club may not have a wealth of talent but they have committed players who draw on the fans’ passion.
By Mirror Sport 18/03/2009
Liverpool star Lucas has spoken out over his pain at being booed by the Liverpool faithful. Here Boro fans stand up for the terrace abusers.
Booing players who live in “ivory towers” is the only way fans can show their feelings, the Middlesbrough Official Supporters’ Club chairman said last night.
Sue Gardener was at the Riverside on Saturday as home supporters slaughtered Gareth Southgate’s strugglers.
Gardener insisted: “Booing is the only ways fans can vent their frustration with their team on the pitch if they are not performing as they should be. And a lot of people believe Middlesbrough are not performing as they should be.
“They have paid good money to go to a game and the team did not play well. The majority of fans are feeling frustrated and footballers are not around in the community like they used to be. You can’t tell a player what you think when you see him on the bus or in the pub any more. They live in ivory towers. How else, apart from booing on a Saturday afternoon, can you let them know you are not happy?"
“It is equally true when we chant a player’s name. You are then saying we appreciate what you are doing. Booing is the other side of the coin. And I hope it works. I hope it gives the team a kick up the backside and helps us stay up.”
Why fans are wrong to boo their own players, by Mark Lawrenson
By Mark Lawrenson 18/03/2009
Liverpool star Lucas has spoken out over his pain at being booed by the Liverpool faithful. Former Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson agrees it's time to cut out the boos.
You only have to look at Stoke City’s home record to realise the importance of fans getting behind their team.
Stoke fans are passionate, committed and 100 per cent behind their players and it is their excellent home form which gives them hope of staying in the Premier League.
Their fans deserve nothing but respect whereas some Aston Villa fans seem to have short memories.
Gabby Agbonlahor was treated like a god a few months ago when he was helping Villa get into the top four.
Now he’s going through a difficult spell, fans are giving him stick. I hear all the arguments about how much they earn and that they should be able to take abuse.
But I don’t care how much you earn. if someone is telling you that you’re useless all the time, imagine how it would affect your confidence. It’s the same in any walk of life.
Middlesbrough fans have also been jeering their team. But opposition fans will seize on this, knowing the team are nervous at home because of the abuse and it will make things 10 times worse.
Which brings me back to Stoke. The club may not have a wealth of talent but they have committed players who draw on the fans’ passion.
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