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GET BEHIND THE TEAM OR JUST DON'T BOTHER 18-10-07
Rob Dixon
I am what many would describe as a bad football fan.
Despite living around an hour and a half away from the banks of the River Tees where Middlesbrough's rather fine stadium stands, I don't come to games regularly.
This isn't out of choice of course. Financially ruined after my severe bout of alcoholism (or three years of university as many would call it), I just can't afford to come to games regularly. Travelling up, buying a ticket, eating, drinking, travelling back.it's out of my reach. Unless I give up the eating.
Anyway, Saturday's game against Chelsea may be the first time I've ever been able to go to consecutive home games, after I made the pilgrimage to watch the deeply entertaining but disappointing draw against Sunderland. It was there that I made a startling discovery about the modern, cynical football fan.
Sat in the East Stand upper, I had the chance to eavesdrop into a discussion that one middle-aged Boro fan was having with the person sat next to him. He was discussing how his love for the team began when he was just a wee nipper going down to Ayresome Park and how he has followed the side since those distinctly rose-tinted days thirty years ago.
He went on to discuss how he was always going to be a Middlesbrough fan, no matter how bad things became, and how he was devoted to the side's cause through thick and thin. So imagine my surprise when I realised this was the same lovely chap who had been shouting abuse at Boro players through the whole first half and then continued to do so throughout the second.
Schwarzer's a waste of space. Boateng's too slow and useless. Mido's a fat bastard. Arca's crap. Some of the above statements may well be true, but one has to worry when this is the kind of fan who is paying money week in week out to 'support his team'. Is sitting in a stand and shouting abuse at people who are representing your cause really helping anyone?
I imagine a lot of people have very strong views on this, ranging from 'well it's his money he's paid, he can do what he wants' to 'crucify him, crucify him'. However, I just think that common sense has got to rule at some point.
Cynicism is hugely ingrained in the personality of many who come from Teesside. However, this is no excuse to not at least to try and be positive for ninety minutes on a Saturday afternoon.
Of course football can be as depressing as it is euphoric, but given the team's current situation and the fact that several of Boro's newer players are yet to hit the back of the net or even bed-in, negativity just can't be on the agenda.
Southgate appears to have the side playing good football. In fact, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at half time against Everton considering the fine performance the majority of players had put in to little effect. If players come back fit sooner rather than later, we may be a tighter defensive unit and a stronger attacking proposition.
But for now, we have what we have, so we have to deal with it and give the side our full support. That means proper support and not idle, pathetic criticism.
Until next time!
Come on Boro!
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