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

[Rigadon]

I think its pretty impossible to expect the crowd to be like that for every game anyway, local derbies, games against huge rivals or massive European clubs etc will inevitably see a greater atmosphere than in some other games. The crowd can certainly help fire up the team, but it shouldn't be a pre-requisite for them to perform, especially considering 50% of games in a season are played away from home, and I really don't think it is either.

Old Toilet can be like a morgue at times but that doesn't stop ManYoo from dominating most of the weaker sides there.

Ultimately, the reasons behind us failing to beat some poor sides at Anfield this season are far more to do with a lack of urgency in our play at times, a lack of consistent creative ideas, a lack of goals from our midfield, and a lack of genuine quality back-up options when our best players, ie. Torres and Gerrard, are either injured or out of form. The atmosphere at Anfield may have played a role too, but if so its a minor one compared to on-pitch issues, and is really a chicken & egg argument anyway - the crowd get nervous because they can see with their own eyes the team struggling to break a packed defence down, then that nervousness probably does transmit itself to the players on the pitch, which in turn makes the crowd more nervous still.

Certainly a section of our match-goers, especially the ones who do things like boo our own players, need to take a long hard look at themselves, but the whole "12th man thing" can be as easily overstated as underestimated.

The voice of reason

[Rigadon]

Professional football is a tough job, so we can't expect the team to perform as well week in week out. Humans aren't mechanical devices and we can expect a fall below their usual high standards from time to time. As opposed to that, it doesn't ask much of a supporter to be vociferous and to get behind their team on match days, especially if it's at Anfield.

That is why, I think, that we should be more 'progressive' with our view that it's only a 'teams' duty' to perform on a match day, just to 'get the fans going'. It's part and parcel of being in it together. I have noticed that our away support is outstanding most of the time, when subconsciously (or not), fans tend to be naturally inclined to give more backing to the team on these occasions, maybe because of the obvious fact that we are at a 'disadvantage' when playing away.

It should come naturally to us that it's our duty to try to remain positive and to be patient during a match, so that our nervousness doesn't translate to the players, which should give them a platform to express themselves better in order to wear teams down.
Of course, if players aren't giving their all and are just being passengers, those same supporters are entitled to let their feelings known. There's a fine line between giving 100% and being affected by events occurring outside their control. Old Trafford expect their team to win these days, that's the difference with us. We're 19 years and still counting and there's much more pressure. This is at our disadvantage, something which we often overlook when analyzing such things.

The platform should be there for each and every LFC player to perform to the best of their abilities. Yes there's pressure, but we are not dealing with robots here.

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

[Kenneth]

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

[Craig_H]

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

[dww]

Certainly a section of our match-goers, especially the ones who do things like boo our own players, need to take a long hard look at themselves, but the whole "12th man thing" can be as easily overstated as underestimated.

The important thing is that whichever you do you state your point of view repeatedly.

[Joe King]

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

[Guest]

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

Blah blah blah. Read my posts properly FFS.

[1 True Red]

Look everyone, its a bunny with a pancake on its head.....

In the image of the Rabbit, can you see (if you look carefully) an image of a white man in a black suit top!!

If you look closely enough! into the patch over the Rabbits eye, maybe you ca see it as well! on the other hand, i cud be loseing it eh

[MrMichael]

Think I'll split this thread up......

The voice of reason

Elvoz will be angry

The important thing is that whichever you do you state your point of view repeatedly.

Good point, well made.

Where the hell did you find that?

Its a classic internets piccy, usually with the text attached as below

[MrMichael]

I'll see your pancake bunny and raise you one cat with carved lime on its head

****, impressive raise

Well I've got no choice really but to go all in with this...

[Guest]

Quote from Carra.

If most English sides had to endure the Anfield European atmosphere we'd probably blow them away and we must all take responsibility for that. It is up to us players to get the crowd going as much as it's up to the Kop to perform every week. There seems to be a different mindset on and off the pitch. The Kop has had 20 years heading to league games with a feeling of trepidation, having seen us struggle so often, yet the same fans have supreme confidence and self-belief whenever they watch us in Europe based largely on Rafa's recent success. We also benefit from our knowledge of the European game.

[Guest]

Fredo – you will not accept that Rafa is to blame (at fault) for our poor results but you’re insisting that the Anfield crowd (by the way, how many times have you actually been to Anfield?) is to blame (at fault).

With all due respect, you’re out of your depth. Reading your posts about football is like listening to George Osbourne talk about the economy. It’s embarrassing.

Cretin

[Guest]

Cretin

[dom9]

Interesting bump Fredo.

[DannyMan2006]

It is. I wasn't particularly impressed with the atmosphere v Villa. At 1-0 it was very limp.

When the team is struggling we should shown the opposition the meaning of you'll never walk alone and crank up the volume.