Where Has the Twelfth Man Gone
This lunchtime whilst reading the online edition of The Liverpool Echo, I came across some letters from fans about the lack of atmosphere in our last couple of games.
I must admit watching the Unirea game on television last week; it certainly did not seem like the European nights that I have attended at Anfield. There were times when you could not hear yourself think because of the shouting as well as the singing and it created the most wonderful atmosphere. Now I get the feeling that perhaps the supporters are fed up with the negative and boring football that we are playing at the moment. There is of course the disappointment of no longer being in the Champions League but that of course is something that as supporters we must accept. The cost of the tickets is also something that is being bought into question.
Going back over the points that I have just raised, the football that the club has been playing all season has been horrendous. Yes we have won some vital games but for some reason, the players do not seem to be able to keep up the momentum. I know we have had an horrendous season, where injuries are concerned, but if Rafa had bought the right players, then the replacements should have been able to just slot in without causing any upheaval to the remaining players.
I have been to Anfield myself several times this season and the difference in atmosphere at the games was strange - it certainly was not the Anfield that I know. The atmosphere at the Manchester United game was fantastic. The Hull and Bolton game were games where it could have been improved. I know I tried my hardest to get people to sing and shout but, for some people it all seemed to be too much of an effort. I am sure a lot of it is down to the fact that many supporters have lost faith in the team and the manager.
Each week we see the same old excuses being played out in front us - This is the start of our Season - although that particular one has disappeared now or the team played very well - it was a game that we could have won. I am sure that many supporters like me are completely fed up with it. We can see what is happening on the pitch and to be honest it is not good. The Liverpool of old has disappeared, the fighting spirit has gone and there appears to be no respect for the shirt any longer. We have a team of players who are just there to kick a ball about, not that they can do that properly at the moment - and there is no way you can blame any of our problems now on Alonso leaving because if there were any, they should have been dealt with at the beginning of the season.
Both the Unirea match and the Manchester City match should have been games where we walked away with a massive win, but it did not happen. The atmosphere at both the games reflected this, particularly last Sunday at Eastlands, when it became abundantly obvious very quickly that Rafa was playing for the draw. The supporters that had accompanied the team to Manchester obviously felt this also, because they were extremely quiet and it was only when Torres joined the game that any noise was heard. Unfortunately though, not even he could turn around a game that to be honest was boring from the start to the finish.
The price of the tickets is something that I understand there have been a lot of discussions about with Liverpool Football Club coming and saying that particularly for the Europa Cup games, they had been agreed by FIFA as right and proper for the type of game it was. That is okay I guess, if you are one of these people that only go every now and again, but when you have already parted with your £38 for the Saturday game and then asked to part with another £32.00 for a game in the week to watch an abysmal display, then your spirits are going to be down.
It would have been better if last Thursday's game had been priced perhaps around £20 and as it was half term, £5.00 for children. This would have ensured a full house, which although unlikely, improved the atmosphere. For our normal Premiership games, the ticket prices are amongst the cheapest in the league, so they are fine.
It is the cost of travel etc,that makes it an expensive couple of days away from home, which is why supporters such as myself cannot attend as many games as we would like. If the ticket sales could be perhaps 2-3 three weeks earlier than they are, rail tickets would be cheaper and many more of us would be able to attend more games than we do, hopefully adding to and helping the atmosphere along.
Of course, if the team began to play more positive and attacking football, along with scoring goals, then it is without doubt that the atmosphere would improve.
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I've been going to Anfield regularly for around 12 years and the crowd noise has gradually deteriorated throughout that time. It's the same at every Premier League ground around the country apart from the recently promoted clubs whose fans are still happy just to be in the Premier League, particularly evident at Old Toilet, the Emirates and the home of the Chavs.
That said, the pointless new membership scheme and the removal of the Priority Ticket Scheme this season, together with the cumulative higher ticket prices over the last few years have diluted the regulars and it's down to only a few places even in the Kop that sing for most of the game. I just stick to those places - not going to say where they are or else more non-regulars might invade it in the future and I'll struggle to get a ticket there.
I know it's not really practical but I'd love for there to be some sort of qualification requirements to sit on the Kop, to weed out people who don't even know the words to YNWA never mind any other song like the Irish day trippers in front of me for the Unirea game who spent more time texting their mates and taking photos than watching the game.
In my opinion, the utmost factor would be the quality of the display on the field.The more passionate the team plays, the more encouraging the respons from the crowd will be. Many fans have mentioned before that it is forgivable to see our team lose when they play with passion, not to mention if they play a flowing, attacking football.Others understandably are more pragmatic; they see the three points as the apex and it really doesn't matter if the horrible football gives them nightmares for the next few days.I always support our team and I don't want to see them losing any games, not even a meaningless friendly or a useful charity match but to tell the truth something has changed inside of me this season. Last year I herded many friends to any sport bar that showed Liverpool games or even welcomed these fellow barbarians to my cramped living room, knowing that I would spend 2 hours cleaning up the mess afterwards.I was just so proud to show off the team to the non-believers. Not so this season. The quality of our football is just so bad my head is hurting just watching them winning. I couldn't even describe my feelings when they played bad and lost.I'd rather share my embarassment with the ghosts.
Hi Dave
I will admit to only starting to go regularly again this season as up until then I used to look after my grand daughter at the weekends. I noticed the difference in atmosphere almost immediately though. It certainly was not like it used to be. I know quite a few Arsenal fans and although the atmosphere is okay they do complain about the ticket price. It is £63 for an adult to see the game which is why I have no complaint at parting with £38. I dont think the new membership scheme is working because it certainly seems a lot easier to get the tickets now - of course that could be due to certain supporters deserting the team because of the results.
I must admit when I do come up I always try to get a seat in the Kop, you can on most occasions guarantee the atmosphere and the singing there. I know what you mean about the people that just come to Anfield to say they have been - it annoys me also to see them just sit there and take photographs. As for the singing of You'll Never Walk Alone, people do not seem to know the words anymore. I was in the main stand for the Bolton game and several groups around me, looked absolutely astonished to see that I was singing my heart out.
Hi Fro
You are right in saying that the main factor is the 11 men on the pitch, if they play well then the supporters will of course respond. There is nothing worse than horrible football and that is certainly not the Liverpool Way. Up until recently the team has always played good attacking football and the passion has been there.
I have supported our team through thick and thin and will continue to do so. It is hurting badly though to see the standard of play at moment - it is to be honest, something that I thought I would never witness.
I have done something this season which I thought I would never do, I threw a book at my television - something that my dad used to do when we lost during the 50's to the day he died. I then slammed some doors (my poor neighbours), I was that disgusted at the way we had played. I honestly do not know what to say to people any more. I just grit my teeth and finish nearly every conversation about them with the words Maybe.
awful, disgusting brand of football is a massive reason. how can a crowd be expected tobe upbeat and excited about such horrific football. remember when that dirty get parry promised us edge of the seats football? well im still waiting. id go as far as to say ive never seen soon pitiful football at that ground.
plus too many birds and people not from the city are also major factors.
Hi Glenny
I totally agree with you, the way the team are playing at the moment is enough to put anyone off. Rick Parry unfortunately could not have foreseen what was going to happen - he tried to give us the hope that we would one day be great again. Circumstances have at this point in time put paid to that. I am a bird remember Glenny, but then I was bought up on Liverpool Football Club and what it meant to people. I could be classed as an outsider. I actually reside in Essex at the moment and make the journey up whenever I can, which as I have said is not as often as I would like. I had a Liverpudlian father which is why I have supported the team since 1965. I agree that due to the fan base overseas and the easy access to travel etc there are far too many people from outside the city that attend the ground. For a lot of them, it is not the football, it is a case of I have been to Anfield
I do take exception to your categorisation & classification of the 'it is not about football, it is a case of having been to Anfield' for the overseas fan base.
Like you, I inherited my loyalty to the club from my father, since he started following Liverpool since the 1950s.
I live in Sydney, Australia and it would be a dream for me to make it to Anfield for a game....not just for the atmosphere, but to watch the lads play. I love watching Liverpool play, something made more enjoyable when they play exceptionally well. I cannot recall having missed a game (good or bad) to date.....!
I hold a membership, but it has been rendered useless as I have been advised it is difficult to obtain tickets to class A games unless I've the proven credentials of having attended class b games.....something ridiculous in itself !
That being said, I see nothing wrong in the actions of the fans who have travelled from afar, to come to the 'Holy Grail' of football to support the team they love and cherish. We do not have the luxury of being able to catch a train or bus or being able to drive down to Anfield to book our tickets for the next game !
And it certainly makes us no less a LFC supporter than you or anyone living within and around Liverpool.
Mitchell - mate i think he was refering to ppl who turn up to anfield, not because they support the club as such, but rather for a day out.
It doesnt matter where in the world you are from and travel to anfield as long as your there to support our team.
I support my team regardless of how good or bad we are playing....
And so should all who can make it to the ground!
Iv been to many games at anfield though im from london...
But to be honest i prefer to watch us play on the box, by myself without any distractions from friends or fam, as im quite emotional when watching us play ;) :s :D
Hi Mitchell
I am sorry that you take exception to my catorgisation of our supporters but believe me it not nice to see people going into Anfield, clutching new scarves and shirts and staring at them as though they do not have a clue. It also hurts when the people around you do not know the songs and are speaking in their native language . I guess you must be around my age Mitchell and we were bought up on the tradition of Anfield and the atmosphere that Bill Shankly created there. Believe me it is nothing like that now, The Kop sings, the main stand, the centinary and the anfield Road remain very quiet. For this reason alone I always try to get into the Kop - that is where the true fan belongs.
Mitchell I love watching our team play and have shed many a tear over our triumphs and disasters. I dont miss any games, if I cannot get to Anfield - I live in Essex - I watch them on the television or online. They come first in my life and thankfully my family understands this.
I am a member and to be honest tickets have been a lot easier to get hold this season, whatever the class of the game has been. Tickets are no longer available at the ground Mitchell, I spend hours on the phone trying to get them. My boss is very good, he knows that as soon I say the word Anfield I can be on the phone for at least an hour maybe more in a queing system.
Mitchell, I think you find that a true supporter if they do live outside, will ensure that they know the words to You'll Never Walk Alone at least.
A lot of people though Mitchell are offered a visit to Anfield as part of a package holiday from abroad and obviously accept it whether they are a fan or not.
Hi Lfc4life I am sorry to disappoint you but I am in fact a woman. They are the sort of people I am referring too, and believe me at the last couple of matches I have seen too many of them. I would travel the earth to watch Liverpool, but then they are values that my dad instilled in me.
I have always supported the team through thick and thin and will continue to do so. I travel up from Essex so a little further than yourself - but I do it over a couple of days. I have many relatives in Liverpool and visit them if I can and of course there are the wonderful shops and many other parts of Liverpool that I have yet to see, so make a point of doing some sightseeing as well
I get very emotional as well when I watch them play, but if at home my family are used it - if around they all go out when Liverpool are on - there is always a box of tissue at the ready as well. My neighbours know when there is a match on - so stay clear particularly if we loose. I personally prefer to be at the ground - tv is great but there is nothing better than being amongst fellow supporters on the Kop