20-10-2021, 07:06 PM
(20-10-2021, 06:43 PM)Lawrence Wrote:(20-10-2021, 05:03 PM)scumslayer Wrote: I take exception to "passed us by". Luton's ground is still pony, Coventry are homeless every few seasons and Peterborough are still shitty Peterborough, they just gambled on a big spend and it paid off (by contrast look how many times that hasn't worked out for Sunderland).
None of the examples given have actually passed us by. In the grand scheme of things, how have they developed their clubs?
Well they have because despite having delapitated stadiums like Kenilworth road with smaller capacities or no ground they have built squads that are now championship teams. Wycombe didn't even spend the money and went up. Luton will probably end up with a new stadium before even our pathetic Milton end redevelopment takes place.
I'm no advocating bankrupting ourselves but honestly what is the difference to us now and four years ago. Apart from some Austin mini headlights for floodlights and a bit of paint there is bigger all. No sign of an academy, no yoof coming through and still shopping with the bottom feeders. And some people think wilder would be interested!!
So what’s your point?
We should spend money? We shouldn’t spend money?
The formula for success in the lower leagues of football is difficult to define, quite a lot of teams achieve it while spending very little money. It’s usually about the team rather than the individual player (people like Merson aside).
We have a ground many teams in the lower leagues admire and which has impressed great players with its atmosphere. We now own our training ground within the city limits, we have an excellent (pissed off at the moment admittedly) fan base, we have a plan for improving the stadium.
It’s not all doom and gloom.
It only takes a string of good results and times like this are forgotten, fans are a fickle shower .
I prefer to see the glass half full and I still think the future is bright.
As a fan base we need to be a bit more realistic. It pays to go to places like Rochdale and Accrington and Rotherham and to talk to the locals. They have their feet on the ground, they enjoy any success that comes their way and they know they will never be big clubs. We, on the other hand, have the potential to be big, we should rejoice in that possibility.
I think we are very lucky that our team has achieved, and will achieve, success.
It’s all very well slagging off bad performances, lack of effort and all the rest, that is all part of it.
Slagging off the club itself is a step too far though. If you think the club is shite and the facilities don’t match your expectations, there are other options within easy reach.
Pompey are my club and always will be, I feel privileged to have followed such a great club.
God this Talisker is lovely .