Atmosphere at Anfield (cut from R.Madrid post-match thread)

[Shaggy]

Maybe I'm deluded but I honestly believe the fans are partially responsible for our wank, limp performances at Anfield against crap teams in the league. To an extent it is reciprocal, but IMO the greater onus is on the supporters. The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and if it was like that against the likes of Stoke, Fulham and the rest, I honestly believe there'd be no stopping us. It makes the players roar and the opposition shrink. Our harrying, pressing and winning back of the ball tonight - especially in that first quarter of an hour - was unbelievably good. We really were The Crushing Machine, and when roared on by our 12th man NO-ONE can live with us IMO.

[Joe King]

Maybe I'm deluded but I honestly believe the fans are partially responsible for our wank, limp performances at Anfield against crap teams in the league. To an extent it is reciprocal, but IMO the greater onus is on the supporters. The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and if it was like that against the likes of Stoke, Fulham and the rest, I honestly believe there'd be no stopping us. It makes the players roar and the opposition shrink. Our harrying, pressing and winning back of the ball tonight - especially in that first quarter of an hour - was unbelievably good. We really were The Crushing Machine, and when roared on by our 12th man NO-ONE can live with us IMO.

I get what you are trying to say but its a bit of both. Quick starts from the team will always encourage the crowd, pumping direct balls and winning second balls and forcing set pieces will not only scare the opposition about the pace of the side but also get the team and the crowd to believe that they can score and win the game.

[Craig_H]

Because it's nearly impossible to play like that all the time. Even Man. Utd can't reach those heights in full swing. I haven't seen a team play with as much tempo as we did last night. It was incredibly fast, direct and any team in the world would have succumbed last night.

If those so called magnificent supporters could turn up when we play Stoke, that would help a lot also.

It's certainly possible to play with that same kind of drive and purpose on a regular basis.

If you play with a high tempo, 'park the bus' teams will struggle to keep their organisation as you move the ball quickly and stretch them. Less of the pedestrian 'knock it slowly across your own box' stuff and more tempo is the answer

[Guest]

It's certainly possible to play with that same kind of drive and purpose on a regular basis.

If you play with a high tempo, 'park the bus' teams will struggle to keep their organisation as you move the ball quickly and stretch them. Less of the pedestrian 'knock it slowly across your own box' stuff and more tempo is the answer

Well a subdued (which on average is the case) Anfield atmosphere doesn't help with playing with a high tempo.

You've just stated the obvious (that playing with a high tempo will break teams coming to park) but you aren't tackling the root cause of why it doesn't happen often. As I've said, I blame the Anfield crown for being rash and 'impatient' in our home league matches, which is a total contrast to what they're capable of in European ties.

And playing at this high tempo requires incredible effort and it's not possible each and every time to play like that.

Patience is the key and taking our chances, which we haven't been able to do this season in some games, where we completely dominated games.

[FatTony]

Maybe I'm deluded but I honestly believe the fans are partially responsible for our wank, limp performances at Anfield against crap teams in the league. To an extent it is reciprocal, but IMO the greater onus is on the supporters. The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and if it was like that against the likes of Stoke, Fulham and the rest, I honestly believe there'd be no stopping us. It makes the players roar and the opposition shrink. Our harrying, pressing and winning back of the ball tonight - especially in that first quarter of an hour - was unbelievably good. We really were The Crushing Machine, and when roared on by our 12th man NO-ONE can live with us IMO.

Its not realistic to expect the crowd to generate that sort of atmosphere for every game, and anyway, even if we could the team would get used to it and it would end up becoming almost ineffective.

[Shaggy]

Its not realistic to expect the crowd to generate that sort of atmosphere for every game, and anyway, even if we could the team would get used to it and it would end up becoming almost ineffective.

I know it’s not.

By the same token nor is it realistic to expect the team to play like that every week in the league, against Stoke et al.

[FatTony]

By the same token nor is it realistic to expect the team to play like that every week in the league, against Stoke et al.

completely agree

[Craig_H]

Well a subdued (which on average is the case) Anfield atmosphere doesn't help with playing with a high tempo.

You've just stated the obvious (that playing with a high tempo will break teams coming to park) but you aren't tackling the root cause of why it doesn't happen often. As I've said, I blame the Anfield crown for being rash and 'impatient' in our home league matches, which is a total contrast to what they're capable of in European ties.

And playing at this high tempo requires incredible effort and it's not possible each and every time to play like that.

Patience is the key and taking our chances, which we haven't been able to do this season in some games, where we completely dominated games.

Works both ways fredo, the team have to give the fans something to work with. It's not the fans who are paid millions to perform, the players have to shoulder the responsibility - noise or no noise, they should be committed to the task at hand.

I'm not suggesting we play with a high tempo for 90 minutes every game, but fast starts like that will often result in a game being won by half time and we could do with that against some of the less-ambitious sides that come to Anfield (in other words, 14 out of 19 visiting sides in the league).

[Neil Young]

Maybe I'm deluded but I honestly believe the fans are partially responsible for our wank, limp performances at Anfield against crap teams in the league. To an extent it is reciprocal, but IMO the greater onus is on the supporters. The atmosphere was unbelievable tonight and if it was like that against the likes of Stoke, Fulham and the rest, I honestly believe there'd be no stopping us. It makes the players roar and the opposition shrink. Our harrying, pressing and winning back of the ball tonight - especially in that first quarter of an hour - was unbelievably good. We really were The Crushing Machine, and when roared on by our 12th man NO-ONE can live with us IMO.

Supporters who blame the players or the manager are missing the point. If the team's not performing then the supporters can lift them.

Too many of our supporters treat going to matches as entertainment and act like dissatisfied customers when "the product" is not as entertaining as whatever ****e - X-Factor, Big Brother, Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, World of Warcraft, Neil Young, Old Shakey, etc. - they happen to class as entertainment.

[rudedog]

Supporters who blame the players or the manager are missing the point. If the team's not performing then the supporters can lift them.

Too many of our supporters treat going to matches as entertainment and act like dissatisfied customers when "the product" is not as entertaining as whatever ****e - X-Factor, Big Brother, Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, World of Warcraft, Neil Young, Old Shakey, etc. - they happen to class as entertainment.

I aggree but unfortunately, through a combination of ticket price hikes and the growing 'want it all now mentality', this is the way football seems to be going

[Craig_H]

Now i've heard it all - when the team plays ****, it's the fans fault

[Pacman]

Now i've heard it all - when the team plays ****, it's the fans fault

Do you not think that the crowd help the team?

I mean a few games this season at Anfield we the fans have been desperate it's like a morgue sometimes.

Granted if we play badly it's not our fault but we don't help the situation by sitting on our arses and drinking our tea and then when players come on we boo them.

[Craig_H]

Do you not think that the crowd help the team?

I mean a few games this season at Anfield we the fans have been desperate it's like a morgue sometimes.

Granted if we play badly it's not our fault but we don't help the situation by sitting on our arses and drinking our tea and then when players come on we boo them.

Yes, of course i do. But some are getting to the point where they're blaming the fans for ****e performances - which is a joke really.

Even if the game's being played behind closed doors, the players are obligated to be 'up for it' and motivated.

The booing thing is beyond debate, idiots like that shouldnt get in the ground.

[rudedog]

Now i've heard it all - when the team plays ****, it's the fans fault

[Tee]

Yes, of course i do. But some are getting to the point where they're blaming the fans for ****e performances - which is a joke really.

Even if the game's being played behind closed doors, the players are obligated to be 'up for it' and motivated.

The booing thing is beyond debate, idiots like that shouldnt get in the ground.

I think the point being made is that when the fans really get behind the team it can get more out of the players, and also pressure the opposition.