I agree with most of Rhi's words. Some support is definitely more disappointing than ever at the moment at LFC, but I guess we have to ask ourselves why that is, because there will be answers to this problem - it is not a random phenomenon, it's the consequence of certain circumstances, some startling evident and others more underlying and complex and nothing to do with what is happening on the pitch. We're seeing more and more debates about these kind of issues, and at least we're discussing them now.
I think so much conflict on this forum and between fans in general is because so often we inevitably flee to extremes at the first hint of tension or crisis, which is perhaps a human trait. Various threads have been mentioning this conclusion of late, such as Sian's thread on old vs new, and it's refreshing to see it this kind of material on RAWK. In the face of challenge or problems, we stick to our guns and defend the corners which we are most comfortable with, relate to and value the most, whether this is the correct thing to do or not. We'll see endless confrontation between old fans and new fans, those from Liverpool and those from Abroad, those who know Liverpool Football Club inside-out and those who have a lot to learn (and should *not* be criticised simply for lacking knowledge), but regardless of all of this, each corner we defend, we are all Liverpool fans. We chose this club, and it is ours. However, as Rhi points out, that means we must respect the position we have adopted. This does not mean that we cannot or are not allowed to criticize aspects on and off the field. Nothing, *nothing*, should be allowed to run without criticism - no manager, no player, no owner and no fan - because criticism, *constructive* criticism, is healthy. Nevertheless, as fans we do have the power and privilege to hold a great influence over how the club is managed and how the players perform and, carefully avoiding a certain immortal Spiderman motto, this does mean we have a responsibility with our words and actions, out of respect to everything that makes this club what it is. So before you do offer your own criticism, ask yourself whether what you're really bringing to the table is what this club needs to hear, and if what you're saying is being said out of respect for the club you say you love.
Football IS changing, and this is causing ever more tension between fans within our own club let alone with rival support bases. But we have to remember why we are fans of this club, and we have to respect it and if you are forgetting what makes this club so special, it might be worth watching a video of You'll Never Walk Alone before a Champion's League match on youtube, listen to those lyrics and hear us do what we do best. Then, sifting through the swamp of shite responses you'll find on there, read some of those rare insightful replies from fans of other clubs, from all over the world, who respect and congratulate this club and it's fans for the atmosphere that has been built up at Liverpool Football Club. Then remember that you form a part of that and you have a responsibility to maintain what so many have built and given to this club across decades. Football may be changing, but this is a club where fans have ousted crippling owners only just over a year ago, where the sheer passion and voice of the fans has left rival teams and fans silenced, in awe, as we have stormed our way to European finals and Leagues as little as five years ago.
So if you've forgotten that, whatever type of fan you are or wherever you are, start remembering how to be a Liverpool Fan.
