Wow, up until your hodge appreciation started and pre brendan bits of your post....everything u had written resonated with me .. It's how I had felt at each of those specific times in our history ... Well done on a well written post and I am no coach !
I would like to counter some of the points in this post, in the interest of debate based on the premise of the good old days sitting in a pub with a few lads vs the other extreme, unadulterated Internet whoppers or wums.
From my perspective, what has opened my eyes over the years is give people choice and the ability to choose freely without any duress, that's when you really get to know people. Even 30 years ago we had limited choice, limited access to information, how many people knew about or believed in the reality of sexual abuse outside of those being treated for it? Or had the choice and desire to move anywhere and get a job?
As an example, Family and staying close used to mean more back in the day but now I think that's changed and that's due to choices and options being available and people being more honest about taking them...
This same point applies to us as a football club. Sitting in a group of 5 with a vocal lead, an antagoniser and 3 moderators supported by some old sod ... Who would clip u around the ear if u went too far... For me now is more about controlled conversation.... I've sat in many a pub where if a conversation reached a difficult, polarising or complex subject... Inevitably you were publicly mocked, or violent or threatening behaviour would occur because people don't want to talk about it... A level of control on what is discussed or not is always there....and what that control does is support the clichés IMO ... Limits how far you can test or push a subject which again IMO is where u learn more... It's scary how many people just drift... No opinions of their own... Full of cliche and parts of someone else's arguments stored away for regurgitation....
I don't know out of that group of 5, at the end of the night, whether when they are walking back home one of em is thinking that was bollox what Roy said... But can't be arsed tellin him that .... All down to not being called out, not being confident, not caring enough to make a counter point because who wants to be laughed at? This situation could cover racist remarks, stereotype remarks, cheating, treating women like second class citizens, adultery.... And football managers, styles and rafa.
Sometimes I think people forget that with choice comes responsibility, that just because u can do something doesn't mean you have to do it...
So what's my point..
My point is that as much as I believe in some posters assertions our fan base has changed in some ways... On reflection I actually believe you are just hearing and seeing what has always been there ... Apart from the extremes of wums and antagonists....
Fatscouser puts it more eloquently than I can, but rafa leaving and the vitirole just within our club nevermind the external world broke me... along with similar stuff happening in my own life....around a manager who gave me everything I had felt when kenny was in first in charge... Total and utter belief that he knew what he was doing backed up by trophies, great games and memories..... To have to sit and listen to people, friends, family and posters who as far as I was concerned were saying get rafa out anyone else can do better... Effectively IMO were saying burn down anfield, our club and our legacy....and this was coming for people who apparently loved the club as much as me.... that really opened my eyes to what actually does exist, what is real...
As a human race, we haven't changed much to be honest... There are never enough true leaders, there are too many people who just don't think, there are too many people who just want to follow, there are not enough people wanting to do the right thing, there are not enough people who think of consequences... And there are too many people stuck hurting others and themselves....
There really are people who just want to burn down the world....open your eyes and see them for what they are .... Sooner rather than later! The Internet and information overload can be full of bile but it also helps you see what's really out there in terms of opinion and sentiment....as weird / wonderful and scary as that can be ....
I don't feel for Liverpool what i once felt... I put it down to being emotionally scarred... but IMO Brendan still has question marks... We play like a mid table team... Same levels of inconsistency as any other side around us at the moment.... The question is with the squad we have is that where we should be? IMO I made the same point about the hodge, our 1st 11 is not a mid table team... I hated the hodge for suggesting we couldn't compete for 4th.... And though Brendan is nowhere near da hodge as a man, I don't think he's getting the best out of the players he has available... Should we show paitence? Of course... Do I think this is the best football I've seen as other posters have suggested? No, I personally think we have a system and set up akin to a boxer who has a weak chin but can't find any other way to box ... He's best when he's on the attack, he has to stay open and the chance is always there for a knock out.... Which inevitably means inconsistency ... And if nothing else any lomg term winner in any sport has to be able to provide consistent winning performances...
Apologies for this rambling post! And again appreciated the op.
