It’s now official – the Reds are last in the queue.
For the first time in its six-year history, the club finds itself scraping the bottom, literally, of the barrel. I guess it was inevitable that it would happen at some stage and at least, unlike a Snowtown barrel, it’s possible to climb out fairly quickly. Whether or not that will happen is another question.
The responses this week from the coaches and players have been understandably contrite. Mark Rudan’s comments about on-field performances being “disgraceful” and that “we need men this Friday night” (as opposed to a childish mentality) is music to supporters’ ears.
Again though it might just as well be the sound of fingernails across a blackboard if it doesn’t equate to on-field actions.
The ‘crisis of position’ (a sophisticated name for being stone cold motherless last) that the club now faces has brought to mind another question this week – that of how should I respond. Where are the NZ Knights supporters when you need to draw on some experiential wisdom? There should be a helpline.
In truth it’s easy to sink the boots in when the club is down. From head coach Aurelio Vidmar through to property steward Jurgen Sanger (hey, lift your game Jurgen!), condescending scrutiny abounds. Some of it is warranted (there are certainly problems that need addressing), but the remainder is representative of a collective frustration seeking an outlet.
Over the last six years Adelaide United Football Club has given me a great footballing ride and I for one am not ready to bail. Any true supporter should feel the same way. It’s ok to express frustration but to no longer want to attend matches (as I’ve heard said this week) is pretty poor.
It’s a cliché to say it but the club now needs the support of its fans more than ever. Recently when Liverpool beat Man U at Anfield coach Rafa Benitez said “.. we had 12 men. The mentality was good, everyone was working together, plus the keeper to the last fan on the Kop”. It’s amazing what the collective willpower of a group of people can do sometimes.
Another great example of crowd influence was in New Zealand’s win over Bahrain, which secured them a World Cup place. Defender Ryan Nelson said: “The crowd was incredible and I don’t know if we could have won it without them. They were our 12th man today and they got us home”.
It’s time for the 12th man of Adelaide United to stand up.
For the first time in its six-year history, the club finds itself scraping the bottom, literally, of the barrel. I guess it was inevitable that it would happen at some stage and at least, unlike a Snowtown barrel, it’s possible to climb out fairly quickly. Whether or not that will happen is another question.
The responses this week from the coaches and players have been understandably contrite. Mark Rudan’s comments about on-field performances being “disgraceful” and that “we need men this Friday night” (as opposed to a childish mentality) is music to supporters’ ears.
Again though it might just as well be the sound of fingernails across a blackboard if it doesn’t equate to on-field actions.
The ‘crisis of position’ (a sophisticated name for being stone cold motherless last) that the club now faces has brought to mind another question this week – that of how should I respond. Where are the NZ Knights supporters when you need to draw on some experiential wisdom? There should be a helpline.
In truth it’s easy to sink the boots in when the club is down. From head coach Aurelio Vidmar through to property steward Jurgen Sanger (hey, lift your game Jurgen!), condescending scrutiny abounds. Some of it is warranted (there are certainly problems that need addressing), but the remainder is representative of a collective frustration seeking an outlet.
Over the last six years Adelaide United Football Club has given me a great footballing ride and I for one am not ready to bail. Any true supporter should feel the same way. It’s ok to express frustration but to no longer want to attend matches (as I’ve heard said this week) is pretty poor.
It’s a cliché to say it but the club now needs the support of its fans more than ever. Recently when Liverpool beat Man U at Anfield coach Rafa Benitez said “.. we had 12 men. The mentality was good, everyone was working together, plus the keeper to the last fan on the Kop”. It’s amazing what the collective willpower of a group of people can do sometimes.
Another great example of crowd influence was in New Zealand’s win over Bahrain, which secured them a World Cup place. Defender Ryan Nelson said: “The crowd was incredible and I don’t know if we could have won it without them. They were our 12th man today and they got us home”.
It’s time for the 12th man of Adelaide United to stand up.
