The General C. Krulak Thread XIV

[YamPie]

Football supporting, unless you are lucky enough to support a team that almost always wins, is nearly all about blind faith surely?

Football supporters, by and large, don't give up just because their club is shite.

Couldn't agree more. It seems to me that its not just the next generation who expect success, its also a portion older established supporters who now seem to be living in this world of 'if we arent winning trophies, i'm no longer going' oddness

You support your team whether on top of the league or bottom of the pile exactly the same surely ?

Something weird has changed since Randy took over, and its effected supporters in very different ways.

[Risso]

Whilst recognising that our tickets are amongst the cheapest in the Premier League, perhaps lots of people have reached their tipping point where they just can't justify the expense any more.

[Fuse]

That slght drop might be explained away by having more night games this season.

It might get worse next season as we will be playing on Sundays most of the time due to the Europa League. Saturday games at 3pm next season will be like rocking horse shite.

[dave.woodhall]

Something weird has changed since Randy took over, and its effected supporters in very different ways.

Too right. The amount of them who tell us we should shut up and be grateful is reaching epidemic proportions.

[YamPie]

Something weird has changed since Randy took over, and its effected supporters in very different ways.

Too right. The amount of them who tell us we should shut up and be grateful is reaching epidemic proportions.

I'd say they're outnumbered by those claiming we're too big a club to be satisfied with top 6 stability and a point improvement year in year out.

A consistency we haven't had in my adult lifetime I don't think.

Actually i'll have to check on that in case the old brains muddled

[lennythekad]

This is what im getting at, I must be stupid because I can't see why people aren't angry and voting with their feet. It must be blind faith in the Villa to want to pay all that money to watch such utter shite week in week out.

I don't think people are voting with their feet, but:

Ave attendance 07/08: 40.029 (5 sellouts)
Ave attendance 08/09: 39,812 (4 sellouts)
Ave attendance 08/09: 38,573 (3 sellouts)

The small 239 drop in average is probably down to several visiting teams bringing smaller numbers than in the past, or promoted clubs not bringing too many.

[pauliewalnuts]

What about the other 1000?

*wink*

[SoccerHQ]

Matchday prices are too expensive imo.

[Toronto Villa]

How about that unless you're winning consistently, people don't care as much about football as they used to, or at least we do? It's one thing having the passion to come on a forum such as this and rant on like we do, but lots of people (or most) don't. A lot of people have to make a responsible choice on how to spend their limited disposable income. There's also more things to do nowadays away from football, aside from the fact that the whole experience of going to a game can be quite expensive especially if you have kids.

I think the club have a superb job keeping prices where they are, but it still won't be enough for everyone. We're not fashionable or successful enough yet to attract the stray fans, or tourists that bump the matchday attendance. The hardcore fans, while still loyal, can't or won't always go to the games. Especially with the amount of games we now play.

[OldUser]

This is what im getting at, I must be stupid because I can't see why people aren't angry and voting with their feet. It must be blind faith in the Villa to want to pay all that money to watch such utter shite week in week out.

I don't think people are voting with their feet, but:

Ave attendance 07/08: 40.029 (5 sellouts)
Ave attendance 08/09: 39,812 (4 sellouts)
Ave attendance 08/09: 38,573 (3 sellouts)

Recession anyone? Half the country's perma-skint and has been for twelve months.

[dave.woodhall]

Something weird has changed since Randy took over, and its effected supporters in very different ways.

Too right. The amount of them who tell us we should shut up and be grateful is reaching epidemic proportions.

I'd say they're outnumbered by those claiming we're too big a club to be satisfied with top 6 stability and a point improvement year in year out.

A consistency we haven't had in my adult lifetime I don't think.

Actually i'll have to check on that in case the old brains muddled

.                                My point proved.

[sfx412]

That slght drop might be explained away by having more night games this season.

It might get worse next season as we will be playing on Sundays most of the time due to the Europa League. Saturday games at 3pm next season will be like rocking horse shite.

on the past 2 seasons qualification, it win't be for long surely

[ckrulak]

General Krulak here:

1.  sfx412:  Answers to your questions:  1)  We pay the wages to get the players...it is supply and demand in action.  If we want to get players, you have to pay the priced...you negotiate as best you can but in the end, you end up paying or someone else will.  The economic model is as old as time.  2)  The Club does not dictate where a player must live.  3) Obviously the Club wants to be as successful as possible.

2.  Risso:  I am not sure what can be done to improve our home showing.  I do NOT think the home form can be laid strictly at the feet of our Manager.  It may be easy to do so and may make folks feel better but I think it is an easy way out.

3.  Dazvillan:  Randy did have to fly back to the US....with the volcano erupting again and a couple of important meeting he had to attend, he couldn't take the chance of being stuck.  He will be over later on this week.

4.  Yampie:  "Something weird has changed since Randy took over."  Not sure what you meant here so I have trouble making a comment.

5.  For those fans who are not renewing their season tickets:  I am truly sorry that the Club has disappointed you to the extent you are not renewing.  There is not much more I can say.

[dave.woodhall]

5.  For those fans who are not renewing their season tickets:  I am truly sorry that the Club has disappointed you to the extent you are not renewing.  There is not much more I can say.

I don't think in a lot of cases it's the club that's changed so much as football in general.

[YamPie]

4.  Yampie:  "Something weird has changed since Randy took over."  Not sure what you meant here so I have trouble making a comment.

Don't worry General, it wasnt a slight on Randy or the board just in relation to another conversation going on.

I just feel when Ellis left and Randy came in, its effected some peoples expectations and their memory differently than others.

Some are now thinking we're doing very well as a club (i'm in that camp), some think we're not doing well enough.

It takes all sorts.