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Right i'm gonna say it and will get shot down, but....
Take a breath when we lose FFS, we don't need to over react all the time. Take some time to think about it. I've read - Board Out, Darrell Out, Boycotts, Revolution etc, etc
It's not that simple. And it never will be.
The result on Saturday was terrible end of story - Unacceptable. But, lets be honest, this was coming, preparation has been slow and we were never gonna hit the ground running (even though that was the soundbite used by DC in his passionate interviews) , we're playing teams we all THINK we should beat every week, get real - the secret to carry out that task will not come overnight. What strikes me is how slow people were in the summer to affect change, losing two games now is nothing compared to the lowest point in our history - RELEGATION FROM LEAGUE FOOTBALL!!! The Nick Higgs Q & A attendance didn't even fill the 120 places available! This weekend literally thousands have taken to social media sites expressing this that and the other, as they did back in May, all with harsh opinions, excellent thoughts and some good ideas....But, given the chance to air those views to the people that matter and LESS THAN 100 TURN UP!
In my experience the club do respond to Pressure (for want of a better word) and believe it or not they will listen to you. You may not get get all your concerns aired and you certainly may not get the answers you want, but if you keep up the asking at least your trying and if even one suggestion works then you've made a difference.
Things will not get better with knee jerk reactions, sack this, sack that! It's got to be constructive, proactive. In my opinion this club does not need revolution, it needs "REFORM" with people stepping up to the plate with thoughts and ideas. The club is Stale in my opinion it's become a millstone for even those who love the club and to some degree that even includes us. It's certainly no fun following Rovers the last decade, god knows what it must be like to sink your money in and do (what you consider) your best and watch the dire results continue.
For what it's worth, i think Nick Higgs is Gas through and through and is actually trying his best. I have met most of the directors, i have also criticised them (much to their annoyance) and challenged them. They are struggling of that there's no doubt, and yes being brutal - they're failing! But, FFS, tell 'em something they don't know!
What can we do? Well, we need a stronger voice for sure, i've seen BRISA's mandate etc, seems good, but one thing is missing - A Leader. You've got to have something to get behind and it needs to be strong and able to be criticised itself. Just look across the Forums and you'll see so many different opinions. How the hell do you get to decide what you even want, let alone expect others to do it!
Personally, i think DC is the wrong man, i'll support him and good god i hope he proves me wrong, but i have had doubts since he took over in March. I won't go into details or it'll be a 5 pager ha ha.
Our biggest problem immediately is it looks like we're in massive trouble (again). But, think about it.
Sack The Board - well you can't for a start, but even if you could who will come in, and WILL they do better (there's no guarantees)
Sack The Manager - Just too early tbh. But, yes i think he will be gone rather quickly if things don't get better soon.
Change all the players (again) - A few maybe, but build a squad again?, can't happen during a season.
As i said earlier, the time for voicing concerns etc was during close season, when you prepare for the new one. Personally, i'll continue to voice my concerns to the board to encourage "Reform" and yes i'm prepared to stick my neck out to be heard. I like everyone else want that magic wand to put everything right, but sorry to disappoint every Gashead in the world but it don't exist!
One thing i would encourage everyone to do is attend Q & A's, Join the Supporters Club to make it stronger in numbers and power, Develop and volunteer your help to Supporters Groups, ask the club questions (in a dignified respectful way). Football in the modern world is full of factions, that's life i'm afraid, so although i'd love to say "Pull Together" it aint happening cause we all have such diverse opinions and answers to our problems. It's gone in todays society we don't stand united, if 50 hold a protest at The Mem 50 others will shout "move on you idiots, get behind em" and of course vice-versa. That's why atmospheres are crap nowadays,fans sing not together but in pockets/groups. There's only one thing in football that "Pulls everyone together" - Goals and Victories! We're united in victory but divided in defeat.
One thing i'll add before finally stopping rambling is...Have your say, express your concerns, and never give up your right to say what you think etc. But some of these lads are only just realising what its like to play in front of 5,000+ crowds. it will spur them on (as against Grimsby second half) but it will destroy them if its venomous and will act like a 12th man for the opposition.
Thanks for reading. UTG