Clegg, I agree that it isn't on for the Bolton fans to boo and chant disparaging remarks to players who have given 100%.
However, I would think and hope that they were a minority. I would think most fans felt the same as yourself. We can all have our thoughts but to boo the team that you support isn't going to help the cause.
I know that some fans will say that they pay their money and are entitled to show their feelings. Perhaps they are but again it doesn't help anyone to be booed.
A bad atmosphere is as detrimental as a good atmosphere can be positive. I agree with everything you said Clegg and also felt for Eagles after that (not for the first time) treatment from a lot of fans. Nobody can doubt his effort, and that is all you can ask of a player.
5* and I don't often rate an article.
Clegg. By disgrace you mean have a way of expressing their emotions and opinions in a way you don't approve of?
I didn't go on Saturday, but it was obvious that Eagles was having a nightmare and has been for a while now. How else are fans supposed to get their feelings across? On here? Tweet the club? The manger won't see that. I'm not saying for a second that the booing on Saturday will influence team selection for this weekend, but what else can people do?
Another argument is, how would you get on in your job if you were being booed. I'd be suspended then fired if I was consistently underperforming in my job. And if I was doing brilliantly, nobody would be paying to watch me or buying a replica of my work shirt from M&S and putting my name on the back of it.
So, I disagree with you 100%. I wasn't there to boo on Saturday and I may not have done even if I was. I have, though, booed players, mangers and the team in the past and reserve the right to do so again.
I've ALWAYS said that booing our own team DURING the game is stupid and wrong but I sometimes can sympathise with fans when it happens. However this was not one of those times.
Dougie made two substitutions that I didn't see a lot wrong with at the time to be honest and they clearly worked out fine.
I think we are still deluding ourselves into believing we're a prem quality team when it's blatantly obvious we aren't. We're in the bottom half of the championship because right now we deserve to be and against burnley we got three invaluable points but we're still closer to the bottom of the table than the top and based on what we've seen so far this season that won't change without radical changes in the playing staff and mindset of the club as a whole.
From the rubbish I've heard spouted from where I've sat this season some of our fans would not know patient passing football if it jumped up and bit them in the backside. Most would prefer it if we hoofed it long because it went forward quicker.
Don't get me started on some of them booing a 0-0 at half time.
It's ridiculous that fans boo. I appreciate that they are entitled to their feelings, but in theory, it completely negates the point of wanting to win. How is booing ever going to help anyone and actually her want you want out of them - a good performance. The whole cocept is totally devoid of logic.
Also, the good old comparison with a normal job. I would dam well expect my manager or anyone to tell me I wasn't performing in my job before I got fired. I'd expect a review and some confidence, maybe re-iterating the tools I have to do my job, which I fully imagine that Eagles has had with DF.
Lots of Bolton fans know bog all about football because they have been watching rubbish old tosh for the past 12 years. It beggars belief when fans boo when we go backwards but keep the ball, rather than go forwards and lose it.
I think the fans put too much pressure on the players and it's actually our own fans that make the players more nervous than opposition fans.
Clegg, let's get one thing straight here. As far as I was aware, nobody disagreed with the fact that Freedman was making changes. It was as clear as day that the team needed perking up, especially after Burnley took the lead.
The issue was that the glaringly obvious candidate to be hooked was left on the field. OK you can argue that De Ridder was tiring due to a lack of action, although it wasn't obvious. Will have to go with Freedman's better judgement on that. Sordell I felt sorry for because he was playing up top on his own and having naff all service to speak off.
Now let's cut to the chase. The one who should have been hooked, Mr Eagles. My opinion, for what it is worth, is that this guy hasn't put a performance in since Blackburn at the end of November. You can put a defence up that he is working hard (maybe maybe not) but he is not doing what he is there for and that is to primarily create and secondary to score goals. The fact that he is prepared to track back is a bonus. However I take issue with a guy who won't go for 70:30 balls in his favour (never mind 50:50) and his not performing his primary and secondary duties. Anyone can have an off game or two but this has been going on since the end of November.
It doesn't help when the guy is constantly bigged up by the manager. Both Freedman and Coyle are guilty as charged with this. They have both been made to look foolish when Eagles is performing as badly as this. You can't really blame Eagles for being selected (although it has been known in the past for players to ask for a game or two in the reserves to help rediscover their form). No, the onus lies with the manager and surely he can see the guy is struggling badly at the moment and yet insists on continually selecting him this leaving the player wide open to negativity.
So Clegg, how are we bad fans supposed to express our displeasure at Eagles' performances? Ring the club and ask to speak to the manager for a chat? Send him an e-mail? Write him a letter? Make an appointment to go and see him?
Ridiculous suggestions no doubt you will say. So the only way is vocal displeasure in the hope that the manager will get the message. Let's face it, football must be the only industry where a person under performs on a regular basis and gets support from all and sundry. In the real world it's usually an invite into the manager's office for a chat pointing out the error of your ways. Improve or else basically!! And we all know where no improvement will lead and it won't be a spell in the reserves.
So, to conclude, yes I booed. However I disagree that makes me a bad fan. You will obviously disagree with that but then it is my opinion and we are both entitled to that.
It may have already been said, however, Bolton fans are an absolute disgrace to the club.
-------------------------------------------------------------
What all Bolton fans are a disgrace? I suggest you edit your article Clegg and quick
Also, the good old comparison with a normal job. I would dam well expect my manager or anyone to tell me I wasn't performing in my job before I got fired. I'd expect a review and some confidence, maybe re-iterating the tools I have to do my job, which I fully imagine that Eagles has had with DF.
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That's exactly what I would expect the manger (and mine) to do. This article isn't about the manger it's about the fans. How would you like fans to express their opinion. Personally, I see booing as a better option to personal abuse on Twitter like I've seen Sordell get.
I don't understand booing when we keep the ball because that's the type of football I want us to play (and to be honest, I can't tell you the last time I actually booed), the one thing that riles me most is Bogdan constantly lumping it forward. If other people see fit to boo that though it's up to them.
As poo as people might think Eagles is. You can't blame the fella for being picked! What is he supposed to say? 'Nah Gaffa, the fans booed me I don't want to play'.
He's also our top goal scorer and leads in assists so I think he could be cut just a little slack, and I guess it's be said, but booing/ironically cheering is no way to help get his confidence back. The same goes for the ironic cheers when Bogdan catches a ball. It's embarassing.
Never boo'd at the White's and never will.
But if you must - then do it after the final whistle, when it can't affect player's confidences.
Oh wait, you won't be there at the final whistle eh?
http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/2013/2/11/3975686/bolton-wanderers-vs-burnley-five-things-we-learned
I think point 3 puts the arguement quite well.
^^^^^
Chris Manning is a w....r
I'm not a boo boy and never had been because you go to support your team rather than slate them. The first half display was shocking, probably one of the worst I have seen in 12 months. Everyone reacts differently to stress and frustration so I wasn't suprised at the volume of booing at half time. They responded well after going 1 nil down, Dougie made the right changes and we won. How many of the people booing after 45 minutes clapped the team off at the end? A lot. Football is a fickle old game.
ive been to bolton home games since 1978 and bolton fans have always booed/jeared/moaned during a game we are losing and not playing well particularly in a poor season which this is.if anyone thought saturday was bad it was nothing compared to the bad times in the80s.i thought the fans got behind the team on sat there was just an outburst of frustration by the fans at being 1-0 down and freedman not taking eagles off.
Chris Manning is a w....r
----
Any particular reason?
Lets take the flip side of the Eagles/ De Ridder situation.
Despite the fact he is not at full match fitness/ conditioning Freedman leaves De Ridder on and takes of Eagles whose form has been poor (and because it'll shut the infernal boo boys up). Five minutes later De Ridder is chasing a long ball in to space behind the full back when snap! he badly pulls his hamstring because he is not in peak condition, something Freedman knew. Our new loan signing is forced of injured and is out for several weeks.
Freedman still gets slated, only in this reality its because he left on a player who he knew wasn't in peak condition and who got injured.
In short, Freedman is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
So maybe it is time some of our less rational fans listened to that bit of advice everybody's grandma gives them when they are young:
"If you haven't got anything nice to say keep your damn mouth shut you ungrateful little brat!"
In short, Freedman and the rest of our coaching setup have forgotten more about the conditioning requirements of professional sportsmen than everyone on here or in the stadium has ever known.
Trust them.
Benny is spot on.
When you have 15-20 thousand people in a stadium you get a pretty good cross-section.
People who are positive and their glass is half full.
People who are negative (half empty)
Leaders
Followers
Apathetic people
In fact just like ja606!!!!!!
Freedman knows what he is doing!!! It is just taking him longer than people wanted. He inherited the last few ideas we had that we were too good for this league. The reality was we are awful and he has had that much to fix that it will not be done overnight.
Can I just mention how FABULOUS that picture of Eagles is just above point no. 4!
Thanks for all the advice and tips on how I should behave when supporting the team I've been going to watch since before I can remember.
If it's all the same though, I'll stick to behaving and reacting how I see fit.
Hello everyone. I've been a regular reader of this forum (and the original 606) for sometime, but rarely feel compelled so much as I do right now, to add my say.
I too was at the match and I completely agree with the OP. It was absolutely embarressing having to sit admist all the boo's. I ain't the voilent type or one to use abusive language, but at that moment I recall wishing that I WAS that type of person, if only to tell these so calls fans where to go.
This whole "I pay good money" doesn't float with me. I pay it too. Did I think that Eagles deserved to come off? Maybe I did, but its Dougie Freedman's call at the end of the day. And in the end, it turned out to be a great substitution. Good for Dougie. Does any fan reserve the right to have an oppinion? Of course they do. But booing will only make the players, management and other fans feel worse.
Ultimately, what I don't understand is this - if you don't like what you are seeing at Reebok, aren't enjoying yourself, and don't agree with decisions so much so that you the need to boo, then why bother coming? Seriously, stay at home. I'd much sooner sit with 5000 supportive fans.
If you're a booer you will obviously disagree with me. No doubt you will be sat at your office desk booing at your monitor. Diddums.
All the original article needed was the word 'some'.
Then it'd be spot on.
My season highlight so far was Eagle's free kick at Birmingham; from the away end the quality exceptional; yet everyone forgets the gaping hole his failure to track back caused for Brums first; likewise Hull away, scored again but conspired to give possession away for two of their goals.
So it's not Eagles fault that he's picked each week despite a string of poor performances; nor is it the fans fault in expressing their displeasure when the useless twonk remains on the field and others who show more desire get hauled off.
My hope, is that the trauma of Saturday, the lows and highs, combined with the influx of quality players(both returning like Holden or new like Davies and Gregus) means my club has reached rock bottom and that we can now build and grow. That within a highly competitive and positive environment every player who pulls on the shirt gives 100%, is there on merit and does not have to suffer the kind of spectator feedback exhibited on Saturday which I have to admit left a bitter taste.
I arrived for the Burnley game at 2.30, went to the ticket office, (Bolton central) to buy a pair of tickets for my brother in law & nephew, we joined the queue that was extremely long, managed to get tickets at 3.15, got into the stadium at 3.20, missed 20 mins due to the ticket office computers being down!!!!
First half was pants anyway, but what still amazes me is that had they not been able to get them up again we may not have been able to see the game? Why be so dependent on an automated system, seems special stupid to me, but then not a lot surprises me down there these days.
There are lots of fans frustrations around the club at the moment & the club does nothing at all to explain or improve things, the only way your voice can be heard is in the stadium.
Sign in if you want to comment
BWFC fans
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posted on 12/2/13
Clegg, I agree that it isn't on for the Bolton fans to boo and chant disparaging remarks to players who have given 100%.
However, I would think and hope that they were a minority. I would think most fans felt the same as yourself. We can all have our thoughts but to boo the team that you support isn't going to help the cause.
I know that some fans will say that they pay their money and are entitled to show their feelings. Perhaps they are but again it doesn't help anyone to be booed.
posted on 12/2/13
A bad atmosphere is as detrimental as a good atmosphere can be positive. I agree with everything you said Clegg and also felt for Eagles after that (not for the first time) treatment from a lot of fans. Nobody can doubt his effort, and that is all you can ask of a player.
5* and I don't often rate an article.
posted on 12/2/13
Clegg. By disgrace you mean have a way of expressing their emotions and opinions in a way you don't approve of?
I didn't go on Saturday, but it was obvious that Eagles was having a nightmare and has been for a while now. How else are fans supposed to get their feelings across? On here? Tweet the club? The manger won't see that. I'm not saying for a second that the booing on Saturday will influence team selection for this weekend, but what else can people do?
Another argument is, how would you get on in your job if you were being booed. I'd be suspended then fired if I was consistently underperforming in my job. And if I was doing brilliantly, nobody would be paying to watch me or buying a replica of my work shirt from M&S and putting my name on the back of it.
So, I disagree with you 100%. I wasn't there to boo on Saturday and I may not have done even if I was. I have, though, booed players, mangers and the team in the past and reserve the right to do so again.
posted on 12/2/13
I've ALWAYS said that booing our own team DURING the game is stupid and wrong but I sometimes can sympathise with fans when it happens. However this was not one of those times.
Dougie made two substitutions that I didn't see a lot wrong with at the time to be honest and they clearly worked out fine.
I think we are still deluding ourselves into believing we're a prem quality team when it's blatantly obvious we aren't. We're in the bottom half of the championship because right now we deserve to be and against burnley we got three invaluable points but we're still closer to the bottom of the table than the top and based on what we've seen so far this season that won't change without radical changes in the playing staff and mindset of the club as a whole.
posted on 12/2/13
From the rubbish I've heard spouted from where I've sat this season some of our fans would not know patient passing football if it jumped up and bit them in the backside. Most would prefer it if we hoofed it long because it went forward quicker.
Don't get me started on some of them booing a 0-0 at half time.
posted on 12/2/13
It's ridiculous that fans boo. I appreciate that they are entitled to their feelings, but in theory, it completely negates the point of wanting to win. How is booing ever going to help anyone and actually her want you want out of them - a good performance. The whole cocept is totally devoid of logic.
Also, the good old comparison with a normal job. I would dam well expect my manager or anyone to tell me I wasn't performing in my job before I got fired. I'd expect a review and some confidence, maybe re-iterating the tools I have to do my job, which I fully imagine that Eagles has had with DF.
Lots of Bolton fans know bog all about football because they have been watching rubbish old tosh for the past 12 years. It beggars belief when fans boo when we go backwards but keep the ball, rather than go forwards and lose it.
I think the fans put too much pressure on the players and it's actually our own fans that make the players more nervous than opposition fans.
posted on 12/2/13
Clegg, let's get one thing straight here. As far as I was aware, nobody disagreed with the fact that Freedman was making changes. It was as clear as day that the team needed perking up, especially after Burnley took the lead.
The issue was that the glaringly obvious candidate to be hooked was left on the field. OK you can argue that De Ridder was tiring due to a lack of action, although it wasn't obvious. Will have to go with Freedman's better judgement on that. Sordell I felt sorry for because he was playing up top on his own and having naff all service to speak off.
Now let's cut to the chase. The one who should have been hooked, Mr Eagles. My opinion, for what it is worth, is that this guy hasn't put a performance in since Blackburn at the end of November. You can put a defence up that he is working hard (maybe maybe not) but he is not doing what he is there for and that is to primarily create and secondary to score goals. The fact that he is prepared to track back is a bonus. However I take issue with a guy who won't go for 70:30 balls in his favour (never mind 50:50) and his not performing his primary and secondary duties. Anyone can have an off game or two but this has been going on since the end of November.
It doesn't help when the guy is constantly bigged up by the manager. Both Freedman and Coyle are guilty as charged with this. They have both been made to look foolish when Eagles is performing as badly as this. You can't really blame Eagles for being selected (although it has been known in the past for players to ask for a game or two in the reserves to help rediscover their form). No, the onus lies with the manager and surely he can see the guy is struggling badly at the moment and yet insists on continually selecting him this leaving the player wide open to negativity.
So Clegg, how are we bad fans supposed to express our displeasure at Eagles' performances? Ring the club and ask to speak to the manager for a chat? Send him an e-mail? Write him a letter? Make an appointment to go and see him?
Ridiculous suggestions no doubt you will say. So the only way is vocal displeasure in the hope that the manager will get the message. Let's face it, football must be the only industry where a person under performs on a regular basis and gets support from all and sundry. In the real world it's usually an invite into the manager's office for a chat pointing out the error of your ways. Improve or else basically!! And we all know where no improvement will lead and it won't be a spell in the reserves.
So, to conclude, yes I booed. However I disagree that makes me a bad fan. You will obviously disagree with that but then it is my opinion and we are both entitled to that.
posted on 12/2/13
It may have already been said, however, Bolton fans are an absolute disgrace to the club.
-------------------------------------------------------------
What all Bolton fans are a disgrace? I suggest you edit your article Clegg and quick
posted on 12/2/13
Also, the good old comparison with a normal job. I would dam well expect my manager or anyone to tell me I wasn't performing in my job before I got fired. I'd expect a review and some confidence, maybe re-iterating the tools I have to do my job, which I fully imagine that Eagles has had with DF.
-------------------------------------------------------------
That's exactly what I would expect the manger (and mine) to do. This article isn't about the manger it's about the fans. How would you like fans to express their opinion. Personally, I see booing as a better option to personal abuse on Twitter like I've seen Sordell get.
I don't understand booing when we keep the ball because that's the type of football I want us to play (and to be honest, I can't tell you the last time I actually booed), the one thing that riles me most is Bogdan constantly lumping it forward. If other people see fit to boo that though it's up to them.
posted on 12/2/13
As poo as people might think Eagles is. You can't blame the fella for being picked! What is he supposed to say? 'Nah Gaffa, the fans booed me I don't want to play'.
He's also our top goal scorer and leads in assists so I think he could be cut just a little slack, and I guess it's be said, but booing/ironically cheering is no way to help get his confidence back. The same goes for the ironic cheers when Bogdan catches a ball. It's embarassing.
posted on 12/2/13
Never boo'd at the White's and never will.
But if you must - then do it after the final whistle, when it can't affect player's confidences.
Oh wait, you won't be there at the final whistle eh?
posted on 12/2/13
http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/2013/2/11/3975686/bolton-wanderers-vs-burnley-five-things-we-learned
I think point 3 puts the arguement quite well.
posted on 12/2/13
^^^^^
Chris Manning is a w....r
posted on 12/2/13
I'm not a boo boy and never had been because you go to support your team rather than slate them. The first half display was shocking, probably one of the worst I have seen in 12 months. Everyone reacts differently to stress and frustration so I wasn't suprised at the volume of booing at half time. They responded well after going 1 nil down, Dougie made the right changes and we won. How many of the people booing after 45 minutes clapped the team off at the end? A lot. Football is a fickle old game.
posted on 12/2/13
ive been to bolton home games since 1978 and bolton fans have always booed/jeared/moaned during a game we are losing and not playing well particularly in a poor season which this is.if anyone thought saturday was bad it was nothing compared to the bad times in the80s.i thought the fans got behind the team on sat there was just an outburst of frustration by the fans at being 1-0 down and freedman not taking eagles off.
posted on 12/2/13
Chris Manning is a w....r
----
Any particular reason?
posted on 12/2/13
Lets take the flip side of the Eagles/ De Ridder situation.
Despite the fact he is not at full match fitness/ conditioning Freedman leaves De Ridder on and takes of Eagles whose form has been poor (and because it'll shut the infernal boo boys up). Five minutes later De Ridder is chasing a long ball in to space behind the full back when snap! he badly pulls his hamstring because he is not in peak condition, something Freedman knew. Our new loan signing is forced of injured and is out for several weeks.
Freedman still gets slated, only in this reality its because he left on a player who he knew wasn't in peak condition and who got injured.
In short, Freedman is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
So maybe it is time some of our less rational fans listened to that bit of advice everybody's grandma gives them when they are young:
"If you haven't got anything nice to say keep your damn mouth shut you ungrateful little brat!"
In short, Freedman and the rest of our coaching setup have forgotten more about the conditioning requirements of professional sportsmen than everyone on here or in the stadium has ever known.
Trust them.
posted on 12/2/13
Benny is spot on.
When you have 15-20 thousand people in a stadium you get a pretty good cross-section.
People who are positive and their glass is half full.
People who are negative (half empty)
Leaders
Followers
Apathetic people
In fact just like ja606!!!!!!
posted on 12/2/13
Freedman knows what he is doing!!! It is just taking him longer than people wanted. He inherited the last few ideas we had that we were too good for this league. The reality was we are awful and he has had that much to fix that it will not be done overnight.
posted on 13/2/13
Can I just mention how FABULOUS that picture of Eagles is just above point no. 4!
posted on 13/2/13
Thanks for all the advice and tips on how I should behave when supporting the team I've been going to watch since before I can remember.
If it's all the same though, I'll stick to behaving and reacting how I see fit.
posted on 13/2/13
Hello everyone. I've been a regular reader of this forum (and the original 606) for sometime, but rarely feel compelled so much as I do right now, to add my say.
I too was at the match and I completely agree with the OP. It was absolutely embarressing having to sit admist all the boo's. I ain't the voilent type or one to use abusive language, but at that moment I recall wishing that I WAS that type of person, if only to tell these so calls fans where to go.
This whole "I pay good money" doesn't float with me. I pay it too. Did I think that Eagles deserved to come off? Maybe I did, but its Dougie Freedman's call at the end of the day. And in the end, it turned out to be a great substitution. Good for Dougie. Does any fan reserve the right to have an oppinion? Of course they do. But booing will only make the players, management and other fans feel worse.
Ultimately, what I don't understand is this - if you don't like what you are seeing at Reebok, aren't enjoying yourself, and don't agree with decisions so much so that you the need to boo, then why bother coming? Seriously, stay at home. I'd much sooner sit with 5000 supportive fans.
If you're a booer you will obviously disagree with me. No doubt you will be sat at your office desk booing at your monitor. Diddums.
posted on 13/2/13
All the original article needed was the word 'some'.
Then it'd be spot on.
posted on 13/2/13
My season highlight so far was Eagle's free kick at Birmingham; from the away end the quality exceptional; yet everyone forgets the gaping hole his failure to track back caused for Brums first; likewise Hull away, scored again but conspired to give possession away for two of their goals.
So it's not Eagles fault that he's picked each week despite a string of poor performances; nor is it the fans fault in expressing their displeasure when the useless twonk remains on the field and others who show more desire get hauled off.
My hope, is that the trauma of Saturday, the lows and highs, combined with the influx of quality players(both returning like Holden or new like Davies and Gregus) means my club has reached rock bottom and that we can now build and grow. That within a highly competitive and positive environment every player who pulls on the shirt gives 100%, is there on merit and does not have to suffer the kind of spectator feedback exhibited on Saturday which I have to admit left a bitter taste.
posted on 13/2/13
I arrived for the Burnley game at 2.30, went to the ticket office, (Bolton central) to buy a pair of tickets for my brother in law & nephew, we joined the queue that was extremely long, managed to get tickets at 3.15, got into the stadium at 3.20, missed 20 mins due to the ticket office computers being down!!!!
First half was pants anyway, but what still amazes me is that had they not been able to get them up again we may not have been able to see the game? Why be so dependent on an automated system, seems special stupid to me, but then not a lot surprises me down there these days.
There are lots of fans frustrations around the club at the moment & the club does nothing at all to explain or improve things, the only way your voice can be heard is in the stadium.
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