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Fed up

Fed up

shabbagaz said:
I very rarely start threads on here but after tonight I just want to air some of my views in general. I know some won't agree with me, some may think 'what the fuck' and I expect some to lambast me, but fuck it.

For me, tonight was a huge, huge low point. Yes, I know we've had it worse - Westley's tenure, well what do you say about that?! But I think tonight was the lowest I have felt for a long time. I've seen some truly disgusting performances in my time - Luton was bad enough but I thought tonight was even worse.
I can expect a poor performance here and there - hell you don't always get your own way in football but the least I expect is some honesty, effort and desire - we had none of that tonight and I was truly ashamed by the attitude of most of those players just strolling around like their holidays were round the corner and playing as if they had flip flops on.

Now, I've not been supporting North End for as long as many others on here. 1992 was roundabout the time I first properly got into it, aged 8, although I had been going on from a young age.
I remember those early days fondly even though we weren't particularly great. I didn't attend every home game but luckily in those days you could get on for free for the last 20 mins or so which I took advantage of. The Kop was often my place to go - I thought it was fantastic, a great sweeping terrace, ticker tape, 'confetti' made from cut up copies of the Loot newspaper, balloons, barmy army, the lot. I loved it and miss those days.
Another fond memory is getting autographs from the players - one distinct memory is of getting Paul Raynor's and Tony Ellis' autographs in the old club shop on Lowthorpe Road.

'Them were the days' - we may have been slugging it out in the bottom division but at least we were watching players who gave their all. What they lacked in talent (albeit tbf some were talented) they more than made up for it guts, determination and effort.

We of course had the Baxi takeover and a huge upturn in fortune rising to the Championship (then Div 1). We were certainly privileged to see some brilliant, talented players pass through our doors who were an absolute joy to watch - Macken, Fuller, Claude Davis, Mawene, Appleton, Gregan - that's just naming a few but I'd be here all night otherwise! It was just the talent though - again they were players who gave their all for the club and I'm proud to say I saw them play.

It's just a shame we came up short a few times - a recurring theme with this club. All the ifs, buts and maybes - we just needed that little bit more but sadly we just didn't have that bit more extra backing to push us over the line.

Back to the present day - yes there have been bad times like the relegation to League 1 and the bizarre tenure of Westley but I walked away tonight feeling thoroughly fed up. A truly crap performance and walking away thinking 'will it ever be our time'? We've seen all our local neighbours stroll past us and had their time in the limelight whist we have stood by, treading water and just grateful to survive. Is that all we've got to accept and hope for? It's a pretty dismal thing to accept.
I'm thoroughly pissed off and numerous things were going round my mind - one thing I was doing was comparing all today's players to those in the past and I thought "My God, these players aren't fit to lace their boots" - it's a strong opinion admittedly but one I think is justified after tonight and several other dreadful performances.
I also freely admit to singling out one player - Alan Browne, but most specifically his tenure as captain. I compared his leadership qualities to the likes of Bryson, Gregan, Alexander, Lucketti to name a few. He possesses not one of the all the qualities these players had and I just think he doesn't possess any leadership skills - the mess of that midfield tonight was a good example.
His form in general - I just think he has massively regressed and is nowhere near the player he was when he won POTY. It's a crying shame and I had hoped he would re-find that form but he hasn't come anywhere close.
Another thing, he and Lowe can waffle on about how bad things were, again, but all this talk and no action has become rather tiresome.

To save me from singling just one player out, I'll pick more. DJ - he frustrates the crap out of me. On his day, he's a class act but yet again he, like Browne, seems to have regressed and his laid-back attitude tonight, shite passing and half-assed challenges were completely unacceptable - buck the fuck up DJ. As for the defence - sadly Bauer just doesn't seem up for it anymore which is incredibly sad to see. Without doubt his worst performance in a white shirt and should be thoroughly ashamed of himself tonight, as should everyone else.

Anyway, I admit I feel thoroughly fed up - I'll probably be better tomorrow but I stand by my views. I've often been a vocal critic on here of the club and some of my reasons admittedly are personal. I've often hinted at why but never told the full story - I won't here as I don't think it will be well received but maybe at some point in the future I will.

Apologies for waffling on - I'm just tired of the constant mediocrity around the club. We've been 'nearly men' in the past but now we don't even get that. All we get is a stream of barely average signings (with some odd exceptions) and I'm tired of the attitude of just surviving and treading water - that's nothing to get excited about. Hell, Luton Town ended up in non-league and now look where they are - in the Championship play-off places and they've barely spent a fraction of what others have.
Tonight wasn't good enough (huge understatement) and the club needs a big shake up. The season ticket announcement was a big positive (typical of North End to spoil it though!!) but it's going to take much more than that.
It was painfully obvious that a lot of these players simply aren't fit to wear the shirt - I know it's easy to say we need a squad overhaul but that is exactly what we need.

I was hoping for a takeover and fresh ideas etc brought into the club but obviously that's not going to happen.

It's time for positive action - for once, just give us something to shout and get excited about won't you North End?

Thanks for reading and once again, apologies for the long waffle!!
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That’s a great post and sums up how many of us feel. I was concerned last night that we couldn’t seem to affect the game. All I saw was players bollocking each other rather than anyone talking about how to change things.
 
shabbagaz said:
I very rarely start threads on here but after tonight I just want to air some of my views in general. I know some won't agree with me, some may think 'what the fuck' and I expect some to lambast me, but fuck it.

For me, tonight was a huge, huge low point. Yes, I know we've had it worse - Westley's tenure, well what do you say about that?! But I think tonight was the lowest I have felt for a long time. I've seen some truly disgusting performances in my time - Luton was bad enough but I thought tonight was even worse.
I can expect a poor performance here and there - hell you don't always get your own way in football but the least I expect is some honesty, effort and desire - we had none of that tonight and I was truly ashamed by the attitude of most of those players just strolling around like their holidays were round the corner and playing as if they had flip flops on.

Now, I've not been supporting North End for as long as many others on here. 1992 was roundabout the time I first properly got into it, aged 8, although I had been going on from a young age.
I remember those early days fondly even though we weren't particularly great. I didn't attend every home game but luckily in those days you could get on for free for the last 20 mins or so which I took advantage of. The Kop was often my place to go - I thought it was fantastic, a great sweeping terrace, ticker tape, 'confetti' made from cut up copies of the Loot newspaper, balloons, barmy army, the lot. I loved it and miss those days.
Another fond memory is getting autographs from the players - one distinct memory is of getting Paul Raynor's and Tony Ellis' autographs in the old club shop on Lowthorpe Road.

'Them were the days' - we may have been slugging it out in the bottom division but at least we were watching players who gave their all. What they lacked in talent (albeit tbf some were talented) they more than made up for it guts, determination and effort.

We of course had the Baxi takeover and a huge upturn in fortune rising to the Championship (then Div 1). We were certainly privileged to see some brilliant, talented players pass through our doors who were an absolute joy to watch - Macken, Fuller, Claude Davis, Mawene, Appleton, Gregan - that's just naming a few but I'd be here all night otherwise! It was just the talent though - again they were players who gave their all for the club and I'm proud to say I saw them play.

It's just a shame we came up short a few times - a recurring theme with this club. All the ifs, buts and maybes - we just needed that little bit more but sadly we just didn't have that bit more extra backing to push us over the line.

Back to the present day - yes there have been bad times like the relegation to League 1 and the bizarre tenure of Westley but I walked away tonight feeling thoroughly fed up. A truly crap performance and walking away thinking 'will it ever be our time'? We've seen all our local neighbours stroll past us and had their time in the limelight whist we have stood by, treading water and just grateful to survive. Is that all we've got to accept and hope for? It's a pretty dismal thing to accept.
I'm thoroughly pissed off and numerous things were going round my mind - one thing I was doing was comparing all today's players to those in the past and I thought "My God, these players aren't fit to lace their boots" - it's a strong opinion admittedly but one I think is justified after tonight and several other dreadful performances.
I also freely admit to singling out one player - Alan Browne, but most specifically his tenure as captain. I compared his leadership qualities to the likes of Bryson, Gregan, Alexander, Lucketti to name a few. He possesses not one of the all the qualities these players had and I just think he doesn't possess any leadership skills - the mess of that midfield tonight was a good example.
His form in general - I just think he has massively regressed and is nowhere near the player he was when he won POTY. It's a crying shame and I had hoped he would re-find that form but he hasn't come anywhere close.
Another thing, he and Lowe can waffle on about how bad things were, again, but all this talk and no action has become rather tiresome.

To save me from singling just one player out, I'll pick more. DJ - he frustrates the crap out of me. On his day, he's a class act but yet again he, like Browne, seems to have regressed and his laid-back attitude tonight, shite passing and half-assed challenges were completely unacceptable - buck the fuck up DJ. As for the defence - sadly Bauer just doesn't seem up for it anymore which is incredibly sad to see. Without doubt his worst performance in a white shirt and should be thoroughly ashamed of himself tonight, as should everyone else.

Anyway, I admit I feel thoroughly fed up - I'll probably be better tomorrow but I stand by my views. I've often been a vocal critic on here of the club and some of my reasons admittedly are personal. I've often hinted at why but never told the full story - I won't here as I don't think it will be well received but maybe at some point in the future I will.

Apologies for waffling on - I'm just tired of the constant mediocrity around the club. We've been 'nearly men' in the past but now we don't even get that. All we get is a stream of barely average signings (with some odd exceptions) and I'm tired of the attitude of just surviving and treading water - that's nothing to get excited about. Hell, Luton Town ended up in non-league and now look where they are - in the Championship play-off places and they've barely spent a fraction of what others have.
Tonight wasn't good enough (huge understatement) and the club needs a big shake up. The season ticket announcement was a big positive (typical of North End to spoil it though!!) but it's going to take much more than that.
It was painfully obvious that a lot of these players simply aren't fit to wear the shirt - I know it's easy to say we need a squad overhaul but that is exactly what we need.

I was hoping for a takeover and fresh ideas etc brought into the club but obviously that's not going to happen.

It's time for positive action - for once, just give us something to shout and get excited about won't you North End?

Thanks for reading and once again, apologies for the long waffle!!
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Maybe it's a bit of an age thing, you're only a young guy, and at your age I'd have been exactly the same. At 62 though and rarely going to games these day's (I mostly thank Oyston for that🙄😂) results and performances just don't bother me the same! 🤷‍♂️. Take the defeat at your place a few weeks back. A decade ago I'd have been raging about that, making myself and family thoroughly miserable, and looking for all the excuses under the sun to somehow 'justify' it. Within 10 minutes of the game finishing though I'd fully got over it! I looked at my lad and the maturity he showed that night. He's 29,a high school teacher and attends about 50% of home games. He was laughing, joking and saying 'we're playing shyte, Preston deserve to beat us!'... 20 minutes from the end. I looked at him and marvelled, because at his age there's NO WAY I'd have been the same! Some people of course won't be like that, they'll continue to take defeat or performances really badly though...all their lives...everyone's different! 🤷‍♂️
I was laughing reading online and watching vids the reaction of Man U fans to getting tubbed by the Scousers and possibly not finishing in a CL place...feckin hell the sense of entitlement was palpable! 🙄😂. Yeh getting beat 9-0 by the Scousers over 2 game's would be INCREDIBLY hard to take, but it sounded like the end of the feckin world the way they were banging on! I guess most don't remember 1973 or they'd have committed suicide. I realised then that they they'd no grip on reality, and neither do fans at many clubs in that division. So in some ways our divisions and below are the best divisions(the odd tilt in the Prem is nice though! 😉) as we experience all the emotions...mainly down one's, but that makes the highs even better! See you next season! 😀Lol!
 
SlaminSam said:
Fair points pal. The issue is at the top/on the inside. We need more than a squad overhaul. It won't change until that's changed regardless..
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Oh I agree. I've banged on about that for a long time, it's going to have to take a whole change of mentality and attitude at the club - the problems we have/had are much deep rooted than the squad.

We've seen some signs of change though - the season ticket deal is fantastic but it's going to take a lot more than that.
 
I agree with everything the OP said but am I allowed to add that I'm just beginning to have doubts about our manager. Obviously he deserves the chance to re-model the squad over a couple of windows but at the same time he needs to work with what's in front of him and I think at times he does that inadequately.
 
I completely empathise. The leadership and strategy from the top of the club is badly lacking, we have a huge number of players who can charitably be described as average at this level, and the manager has shown a little promise but not really much more than that. As ever, we are limping towards the season’s end and just hoping that the summer will signal a major refresh. How many times have we hoped that before? In the wake of last night’s horrible defeat, I truly admire anyone who’s still able to summon up any optimism about the period ahead.
 
Hitman31 said:
I completely empathise. The leadership and strategy from the top of the club is badly lacking, we have a huge number of players who can charitably be described as average at this level, and the manager has shown a little promise but not really much more than that. As ever, we are limping towards the season’s end and just hoping that the summer will signal a major refresh. How many times have we hoped that before? In the wake of last night’s horrible defeat, I truly admire anyone who’s still able to summon up any optimism about the period ahead.
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I shall renew my season ticket , it's what I do.
I was going to use the phrase. "More in hope than expectation", but in truth I have very little hope and my expectations are for more of the same. 🙁
 
I looked at the prices for the season tickets next year. Even noticed my old seat was still available and thought maybe I'll come back. 24 hours later and back to earth with a bang.

So many players who don't care (maybe they do but I didn't see that last night). Money staying in my pocket until I see who from the dross are released and who we bring in.

Felt sorry for my brother-in-law as he would have watched the match at home but got given a ticket from his sister having to attend that. At least at the final whistle I could turn over and try and forget the game.

Wake up PNE. This close season is a watershed for a lot of supporters.
 
Normally I’d be well pissed off and think fuck em but I think they need backing (the club and manager) now more than ever, they are trying to change things. They’ve brought in a young exciting manager (don’t judge him under these players), they’ve reduced season ticket prices a LOT, they’ve built fanzones, talk of looking round Europe for players… and not to forget a lot of the shit we have gathered over the years won’t be here next season.

Stick with them, the club deserve it at the moment despite last night.
 
Guinness said:
Normally I’d be well pissed off and think fuck em but I think they need backing (the club and manager) now more than ever, they are trying to change things. They’ve brought in a young exciting manager (don’t judge him under these players), they’ve reduced season ticket prices a LOT, they’ve built fanzones, talk of looking round Europe for players… and not to forget a lot of the shit we have gathered over the years won’t be here next season.

Stick with them, the club deserve it at the moment despite last night.
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This is exactly what I think in the cold light of day. We need a new thread, perhaps your’s Guinness. If the amateurs in shorts at Deepdale can’t or won’t sell the season tickets we need to sell them to ourselves. I think we need to see what a different regime and new manager look like and give them a fair chance.
 
Agree with much of what has been said.

Realistically though this is as good as it's ever going to get.🙁
 
shabbagaz said:
Don't think I could've expanded any further! Unless you're being sarcastic, which I'm in no real mood for.
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Sorry mate. I was taking the piss out of myself really.

Black humour on my part. That match is more important than the Blackpoo derby to me. And the repeated false dawns we’ve had this season are becoming very wearing. So I absolutely understand “mood” today!
 
One of the best opening posts I have seen. Absolutely spot on. I have been a fan since 1978 under Nobby Stiles so have been through some lows over the years, but have never felt as fed up with the club as I do now. Losing a local derby always hurts but its clear the club is in need of a massive shake up. A large number of players who are clearly not good enough are out of contract in the summer and this is a chance for a refresh. Please Craig, back our manager this time and lets get the club moving forward or disaster is ahead. The fanbase are sick of it and will vote with their feet, no matter how cheap season tickets are.
 
Joanpne said:
Just listen to Ryan Lowe on the EFL app. He sounds as cheesed off as the rest of us, he obviously sees exactly how this club has been run over the years in terms of players and the end of season being 50 points and not 46 games, and I’m sure he will change that.
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I really hope you are correct Joan however, I do not have the faith of those incharge giving him the backing required. It makes me wonder whether PR and CH are that enthusiastic or have the hunger and passion to get the club moving forward and back the manager.

Since the days of Bryan Gray we have slowly gone backwards, he brought new life, belief and pride back in to the club. But since he left whenever have we really been within touching distance of Premier League footbal? Not one of those in charge i.e. Shaw and T Hemmings have backed the manager by bringing in the players that were requested. I'm sure that if Shaw had backed Billy in the January transfer window when asked we would have reached the Prem. Had Hemmings backed Alex Neil in his firt season in charge when asked, we would have reached the play-offs at least.

The questiog now is, will Lowe be backed by the son of Hemmings or will he follow his father's path and see us just stagnate further?
 
Comment on Norfolks post, it's obvious Craig Hemmings wants to sell the club and to me its also obvious that Risdale wants to feather his own nest by getting himself well ensconced with nice little paying number at the club.
Best thing for the club is for a new owner who does NOT want the leech that is Risdale !!!!!!
 
norfolk white said:
I really hope you are correct Joan however, I do not have the faith of those incharge giving him the backing required. It makes me wonder whether PR and CH are that enthusiastic or have the hunger and passion to get the club moving forward and back the manager.

Since the days of Bryan Gray we have slowly gone backwards, he brought new life, belief and pride back in to the club. But since he left whenever have we really been within touching distance of Premier League footbal? Not one of those in charge i.e. Shaw and T Hemmings have backed the manager by bringing in the players that were requested. I'm sure that if Shaw had backed Billy in the January transfer window when asked we would have reached the Prem. Had Hemmings backed Alex Neil in his firt season in charge when asked, we would have reached the play-offs at least.

The questiog now is, will Lowe be backed by the son of Hemmings or will he follow his father's path and see us just stagnate further?
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I agree but we have to give RL the benefit of the doubt. I’m not expecting wonders but I am expecting better, then again judging from last night even I could achieve that! It’s a new era, owner and manager wise, I think give it a fair chance, I think it’s a huge job though and will take 2-3 seasons to change the mindset of the club some of its fans included!
 
Joanpne said:
I agree but we have to give RL the benefit of the doubt. I’m not expecting wonders but I am expecting better, then again judging from last night even I could achieve that! It’s a new era, owner and manager wise, I think give it a fair chance, I think it’s a huge job though and will take 2-3 seasons to change the mindset of the club some of its fans included!
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I don't mind it taking 2 to 3 seasons but I need to see some improvement and a lot more intent fairly quickly.
 
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