The Crowd Effect.

[olaftab]

Teams are definitely performing better away from home including us due to lack of home fans. So it's better results away and mixed at home. We are a candidate example of that.

[olaftab]

The more worrying thing for me is that everyone is getting comfortable with playing in empty stadiums. Players, officials and staff have adopted to the new normal. Television money is coming in and most neutral fans in UK and around the world will pay and watch a game on TV and not be bothered about lack of fans in the stadia. If we are not careful football could go the way of cricket which has been played  mostly in empty stadia around the world and has become totally dependant on TV revenue.

[Hockley Lion]

I'd thought of broaching this subject a while back but was put off by the thought of the possible hostile reception it might receive from some more regular contributors.

My own opinion is that the crowd free games at the end of last season may well have been instrumental in us staying up! It provided a less pressured workplace for some players to do their job, and probably gave them the confidence to play with more freedom rather than opting for the "safe" ball that gets less criticism from some of the crowd.

Put yourself in their position. Imagine yourself at work being told you're a waste of space, useless, and not fit to wear the shirt by a ranting stranger on the sidelines.

One of the things that used to anoy me at matches in the 90's was the number of "fans" who within minutes of kickoff started to vocalise their disapproval of their own personal "hated" Villa player. Anxiously waiting for his first mistake so they could release the torrent of anger and abuse within them for the rest of the game. It made me wonder how some players could even function, their confidence must have been non existent.

Confidence is everything. It really is. Look at us currently. We have many of the same players this season playing I expect with freedom and confidence, having good or even great games when last season they were apparently shit and useless according to some. Perhaps they're playing better now because they're not being told they're shit and useless by some of their own supporters. Opposition supporters abuse they can shrug it off, it'd probably inspire them! But your own supporters, hell no, I don't think so.

Spectators do make a difference. It can be positive or negative to our team. Why do we slag off opposition players on the field? Because we hope it puts them off their game I suppose. If so, doesn't that beg the question why do some Villa fans do it to our players?

When we can finally go back to Villa Park I say this. Be positive, not negative to our players. Lift them up and inspire them, don't drag them down and make them fear getting the ball. Don't be anti-Villa, and tell those who are to give it a rest. That way Villa Park will become a fortress.

Utv.

[Baldy]

I'd thought of broaching this subject a while back but was put off by the thought of the possible hostile reception it might receive from some more regular contributors.

My own opinion is that the crowd free games at the end of last season may well have been instrumental in us staying up! It provided a less pressured workplace for some players to do their job, and probably gave them the confidence to play with more freedom rather than opting for the "safe" ball that gets less criticism from some of the crowd.

Put yourself in their position. Imagine yourself at work being told you're a waste of space, useless, and not fit to wear the shirt by a ranting stranger on the sidelines.

One of the things that used to anoy me at matches in the 90's was the number of "fans" who within minutes of kickoff started to vocalise their disapproval of their own personal "hated" Villa player. Anxiously waiting for his first mistake so they could release the torrent of anger and abuse within them for the rest of the game. It made me wonder how some players could even function, their confidence must have been non existent.

Confidence is everything. It really is. Look at us currently. We have many of the same players this season playing I expect with freedom and confidence, having good or even great games when last season they were apparently shit and useless according to some. Perhaps they're playing better now because they're not being told they're shit and useless by some of their own supporters. Opposition supporters abuse they can shrug it off, it'd probably inspire them! But your own supporters, hell no, I don't think so.

Spectators do make a difference. It can be positive or negative to our team. Why do we slag off opposition players on the field? Because we hope it puts them off their game I suppose. If so, doesn't that beg the question why do some Villa fans do it to our players?

When we can finally go back to Villa Park I say this. Be positive, not negative to our players. Lift them up and inspire them, don't drag them down and make them fear getting the ball. Don't be anti-Villa, and tell those who are to give it a rest. That way Villa Park will become a fortress.

Utv.

Agreed 100% Mr Lion. Confidence is everything and players do have ears. A few fans might need to be muzzled. 

[Risso]

The simple fact is we've got a much better team now, allied with a year's experience in the Premier League.  I don't imagine there's a single professional player out there who prefers playing in an empty stadium. 

[Hockley Lion]

I don't disagree that we've more experience now and have some better players, but several in the current first team were given an incredible amount of stick last season, some of it personal. I seriously doubt that THEY are missing the criticism and abuse they got last season. They'll miss the atmosphere of course but that's a different thing entirely. The lads need encouragement from supporters to win their personal battle not criticism virtually from the whistle. All I'm saying is that if a fan doesn't support the individual lads that make up the team during a game they're not really supporting the team are they?  I'm not singling anyone out here, I'm just saying there's an opportunity here to change an attitude when supporters go back. A discussion to be had about what support really is. I'm confident the lads would reward the unbridled support.

Utv.

[Godfrey Brian]

Empty grounds also means that the players can hear each other and instructions from coaches etc. That has to help communication and organisation during matches.

[robbo1874]

I’ve got no doubt that the lack of crowds are helping us and hindering the likes of Utd, City and Arsenal. I think our players just look more relaxed and the ‘big’ clubs are getting less of the marginal decisions which the officials are expected to give them most weeks. That’s just my perception from what I’ve seen. I’m in no way having a pop at our fans. We’ve all seen it though, a few setbacks, misplaced pass here and there and you get the ‘ohhhhhs’ and the nervousness of the fans translates to the players at VP. Well it used to anyway. On the other hand, someone else made the point that we’ve made some good signings and look a lot better side this year and that’s also probably, definitely a factor too. Probably a bit of both things. Whatever, we’re flying this season and long may it go on!

[algy]

Empty grounds also means that the players can hear each other and instructions from coaches etc. That has to help communication and organisation during matches.

Yeah, agree with this totally. Being able to hear eachother/the coaching team will have a huge effect, particularly for clubs whose players haven't played together for as long since the need for near-telepathic communication evaporates.

Also suspect there's maybe a little less pressure on players, which would be a big boost for players low on confidence.

Finally, we've had a squad that's been together for alnost 18 months now, rather than having been cobbled together (through necessity) that summer.

Obviously I'd rather we didn't have a global pandemic, but a very small silver lining is that it's suited us (Villa), and we've taken advantage of that very effectively.

[Drummond]

I’ve got no doubt that the lack of crowds are helping us and hindering the likes of Utd, City and Arsenal. I think our players just look more relaxed and the ‘big’ clubs are getting less of the marginal decisions which the officials are expected to give them most weeks. That’s just my perception from what I’ve seen.

I agree, whilst VAR may not be perfect in trying to make it perfect, it also contributes to the removal of the element of home advantage that a baying crowd gives.

[Holte132]

The thing is, if we do continue our great form and finish in a high position in the league, there are those who will say that we only managed it because there were no crowds at the games. Same as when we won the league in 1981 so many people said it was only because Ipswich lost on the last day of the season.

[Ian.]

I don’t buy into this empty ground is helping us. Don’t we all dream of pulling on the shirt and running onto the pitch with the atmosphere from the crowd? I actually feel sorry for the new signings and not witness the joy of a packed Villa Park. Aren’t we just better now?

[Risso]

I don’t buy into this empty ground is helping us. Don’t we all dream of pulling on the shirt and running onto the pitch with the atmosphere from the crowd? I actually feel sorry for the new signings and not witness the joy of a packed Villa Park. Aren’t we just better now?

Yep.  Load of bollocks to blame the fans.

[PGW]

The thing is, if we do continue our great form and finish in a high position in the league, there are those who will say that we only managed it because there were no crowds at the games. Same as when we won the league in 1981 so many people said it was only because Ipswich lost on the last day of the season.

You can go back for ever...should we have won 1957 FA Cup without Ray Wood getting injured by THAT shoulder charge.
Would we have won 66 World Cup if it weren't for that Russian linesman.
Fcuk em all!!!

[Drummond]

I don’t buy into this empty ground is helping us. Don’t we all dream of pulling on the shirt and running onto the pitch with the atmosphere from the crowd? I actually feel sorry for the new signings and not witness the joy of a packed Villa Park. Aren’t we just better now?

Yep.  Load of bollocks to blame the fans.

So you're suggesting that fans don't make a difference at games?