ConnO'var wrote:I fully understand your concern mate. It has been a couple of years since I was back at Anfield to watch us play. Even this last Christmas, when I had taken the whole family home, I couldn't make it for the boxing day victory against Wolves. I did however make it to the Madjeski for the Reading game and despite the draw, our fans were as vociferous and united as ever. It was a joy to behold and I hadn't realised how much I'd missed it.
The fans, IMO, will never turn on the manager publicly in such a short time. Sure, many of our fellow fans were expressing bewilderment and a little frustration with how we were set-up and how we were playing, amongst themselves, but the support itself was superb.
I did not hear a single derogatary statement against Rafa. Frustration? Yes. Disappointment? Yes. Insults? No.
IMO, an overwhelming majority of our fans will never behave in such a crass manner as to openly insult the players and manager. But as with all things, it's the few, that get the highest attention from the press. It's much more interesting for the tabloids, newspapers and radio stations to give air time to the idiots.
Seeing as I'm so far away from home most of the time, I've met many overseas reds and by and large they behave in a manner most becoming as reds. Sure, more and more of the fans are becoming disillusioned with Rafa's tenure but overwhelmingly, they don't insult the man. On this forum, I agree strongly that some of the terms used by a fair few posters, to describe him of late are nothing short of disgusting but I would not use that as a yardstick to measure the majority of the fans.
Plus.... you and I both suspect and feel that the voices and opinions of these sort of fans will not mean much to the great man. He'll handle it fine.
The press on the other hand, will have a field day should things go tits up... That fact, I will agree with you.
I'll still have back tomorrow though.... such is my regard for the man and my disillusionment with Rafa.
Once more mate a superbly worded response ,but its not the away support I made reference to ,the away fans of whom I personally feel are the life's blood of this Great club and in testament to them the foundations we have built this esteemed Football club upon ,no sadly its the fans at Anfield ,and I say this almost despondently at an acceptance of the traits of the modern fan ,the most predominant obviously being their complete lack of patience ,their penchant for throwing personal abuse and the smell of fear they exude ,and this ridiculous notion that to sing would cause them personal embarrassment
I accept the last trait people will have trouble associating themselves with, unless they have stood or sat in the Kop at any given time through our illustrious history and roared till their lungs were spent and their vocal cords raw ,but this is what makes Anfield so special ,it is this essential ingredient which inspired me to follow them all these years
I travelled to a good few away games last season ,and attended the majority of home games ,but not once did I hear a solitary voice of dissent at the away games ,but home mate at Anfield in describing the term support I would do so loosely ...........
I think Dalglish would be a brilliant manager mate ,but knowing his character I really could not envisage him suffering the disinterest of the owners for any period of time ,be it short or long
