Finally a thread not moaning about the result or a rush of panic or whatever.
As United fans, we start every season with the utter belief that we are going to be either lifting the trophy come May, or else coming 2 nd and at the very worst 3rd. Why? Why should we, and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool too for that matter, think they have the divine right to win it or finish so high. I hate to see what would happen to some fans on here if we finished 4th! Its all down to the incredible success we've had here down through the years, and the lesser success of those clubs around us. We're the icon of English football to most fans around the world and the only reason is because of the success. I gaurentee you that if you asked what team United beat in the '68 Cup Final to some fans, they'd look at you and say Liverpool or something.
Theres 20 teams who start the Barclays Premier League season and before a ball is kicked, EVERY club has a chance of winning it. Aston Villa are a testament to the League. How long ago was it when they were finishing in the bottom half and now they're puching very well for a 4th place spot and their fans are loving it. Imagine us in their position!
How many games do we loose a season, not a whole lot to be fair, and that has become a regular scene. That simply can't stay the case forever. We will have bad years, bad days, bad results and the likes, but the highs will come too. By the looks of it, we will go on and win the League this season, but thats not seasled yet by any means, but should we go on and lift the trophy in May, to some it'll just be another figure in the list so its longer then other teams lists. I'm of the belief I'll see a United team someday who won't be winning it every yaer or two, and one which will weed out the "fans" who are simply glory hunters, who will slowly slip off to support who is winning it all.
Does no one remember the feelings of winning the title 2 years ago, getting it back from Mourinho, then even more, winning in Moscow only LAST YEAR! Now its all doom and gloom. If its doom and gloom for us, what the hell is it for Liverpool? So many people on here don't realise how close United were to loosing Fergie. Sir Alex went 7 years here without a trophy, and although it was probably very tough for fans back then, I would love to experience it now. That sort of feeling where you go along to games being the under dog and then winning and moving up, and if you got beat the week after, it was all ok if the team gave it their all. Thats not the case nowadays.
European competition is another luxury we have. Every single season we're there in the bowl for the group draw, and every single year we expect to qualify. Remember those paper headlines after Benfica finished us off in Portugal only a few seasons ago? Time for Fergie to go, United have blown it, not the team they were, massive changes needed etc etc... That was a dip, but we we went up again, and we will go down again and the biggest thing is how we can respond. At Old Trafford, you don't get that incredible atmosphere as much any more and fans seem to be leaving earlier then usual. "Oh, we're 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go. We can't loose this. I'll nip off..." Does it kill to stay to the end and applaud the team off the pitch? If you want to moan when you feel they've done badly, then at least have the respect to praise them when doing well.
The talk of 5 trophies this season is incredible. It would be amazing, I'd love it of course, but you simply have to wonder where the hunger for next season will come with all those titles on you back. It probably sounds so stupid, but it makes sense in my head, that we should go a season where we don't win the league, or a cup. Someone else will get their names on it and then the hunger can be instilled for the season after to go and get it back. The attitude is woeful at times. Teams are in battles to just stay in the League and you'd think we'd be pushing on to do the best we can. There are teams that will never win the Champions League, win the Premier League, win the FA Cup, play at the Nou Camp, Bernabau, Old Trafford, Celtic Park, the San Siro etc.. on a Champions League night in front of thousands. We take it for granted.
I'm intrigued to see what happens when Ferguson calls time on his stay at the Theatre Of Dreams. Will fans all be expecting instant success? I certinaly hope not. I can see all the threadds being started;
Ferguson Would Have Started Him
Would Fergie Make That Switch?
Sir Alex Did That So Much Better
etc... The next manager will be a new man completly with a new playing style, and new tactical frame of mind with a new mindset for success. I'm guessing most will be going mad after a few games, and won't give him time. Again, we take it for granted that all it takes is a man with a credible track record to make a few astute signings, select a team and watch from the dugout and that the success should continue to roll on.
A few things I think should be considered by fans would be;
Would you support United if they weren;t in European competition?
Would you support United if they were classed as a mid table team?
Would you support United if they dropped a division?
Anyone can hit reply and say "Yes, Yes, Yes" but they can't post honesty and their true feelings all the time and theres a portion of fans here and all around the world who I think would decide to go elsewhere and forget about United.
Poeple say every game for us is a must win for us, just look at the bottom of the table when they're fighting for survival! Personally I think being in a teams shoes who are in that position would be somewhat more exciting. Every week your looking at about 5/6 other teams results, the next set of fixtures, if you could spring a surprise result against one of the big boys etc... And yet we're up the top, 4 points clear, possible 7 in we win a game in hand and results go our way but no matter what, we have it it in our hands and its ours to loose. Yet that isn't enough for some! Would you rather be in Chelseas position? Liverpools? No, because they aren't top, they are banking on a United slip up.
I think next season will test a lot of fans nerves and true support. Time will tell...time will tell...and sure isn't that what its all about?
Football the beautiful game!
rolleyes
