Fickle fans ?

[hoody]

Ran into yet another fellow Cat fan tonight who wanted to tell me how well the Cats are travelling. Trouble is the same guy told me a fortnight ago that Bomber just had to be sacked and that Lingy should give it away.
My question is:
Do we at Catland have this perverse fickleness to ourselves or is it much the same at all clubs?
I suspect that there is a wide sweeping spread of the disease but us Catters have mastered the art. :)

[Prismall32]

I think we are far LESS fickle than many others. We have every right to be critical of Bomber - particularly last year with pathetic, off-hand excuses - and of particular players from time to time but that does not undermine our basic loyalty. Richmond are self-destructive by comparison.

[dtrainium]

For what it's worth I've never disliked Bomber or Ling, only Charlie Gardner. :)

[tin can sam]

Bomber should still go, Ling should never have gone because he's been fantastic this year.

[chapmanmagic35]

We are far from fickle. In fact, we are one of the most loyal. Robert Walls commented on this last year and I agree.

[cat in sydney]

Bomber should still go, Ling should never have gone because he's been fantastic this year.

We say that about Ling now because he is proving his doubters wrong.
Maybe Bomber is beginning to do the same? You can't fault his past couple of weeks at least.

[Hood007]

I think most clubs would be the same. I don't know why any one club would be different.
I got no problem with fans who want to make blunt and honest assesments but some people are just far too pessimistic and negative...

[Cattery]

We say that about Ling now because he is proving his doubters wrong.


Don't know why he had doubters to begin with, been one of our most consistent players for many years; had one slightly down year last year, as did most of the team actually, and suddenly everybody was calling for his head

[Mooney_d'King]

We're emotional - we swing downwards very quickly because (mostly) of recent history and because we think the boys should be up there. Now they're starting to play the way we want and we feel encouraged. I guess we should remember those 2 extremes when things aren't going well and not want the blood of players and the head of the coach when it can only be a matter of two weeks to turn it around.

No offence to Richmond supporters, but imagine barracking for the Tiges at the moment - THAT would be hard.

PS. I admit to being guilty of the above at times.

[someday-somehow]

Don't know why he had doubters to begin with, been one of our most consistent players for many years; had one slightly down year last year, as did most of the team actually, and suddenly everybody was calling for his head

No I think most sensible people were calling for him to play the role that he excells at; -tagging. Not being a run-receive player because he is just not creative enough.

[sarah.13]

Fickle fans are the ones the ride the waves and duck the falls, there would be very few of those amongst us.We just get disappointed,angry,disheartened,heartbroken..etc,when the team does not do well.When this happens we all have our opinions as to why. Mine is Bomber Thompson!!

[Cattery]

No I think most sensible people were calling for him to play the role that he excells at; -tagging. Not being a run-receive player because he is just not creative enough.

That's true in some instances, but there were also quite a few calling for him to be shown the door; to slow, the game has passed him bye, holds play up to much etc, etc, just a few of the comments directed at him.

Just think people are to quick to pass judgement at times, the same thing happened with Wojcinski, just returning from a knee reconstruction last year yet he was bagged by quite a few as well.

[Cattery]

Fickle fans are the ones the ride the waves and duck the falls, there would be very few of those amongst us.We just get disappointed,angry,disheartened,heartbroken..etc,when the team does not do well.When this happens we all have our opinions as to why. Mine is Bomber Thompson!!

Guess if any team is going to get it's fans like that it would be the Cats, if you don't really expect your team to perform, or realise that they're not quite good enough for one reason or another it's not so hard to take [ I guess ] but when you know your teams capable of so much better, as most of us do, it's get's pretty damn annoying seeing then perform below their capabilities.

And leave Bomber alone, he's on a roll now, the first seven years he was just finding his feet. ;)

[conanthelibrarian]

This is usually my mindset during the week after Geelong loses:

Immediately after the game and the next few days: Bomber's a dud, and players X,Y and Z are duds and should be dropped and never seen again.

Midweek: Well, players A,B and C did well so there are some positives there. We also played crap, the other team didn't and we got within *insert margin* of them, so it's not all doom and gloom

Thursday night (usually): Wow, our team looks good this week, we're in with a chance on the weekend

Friday: Can't wait for the weekend, we're gonna smash them!

After a win it's usually a lot more of Friday's mindset and a lot less of the negative stuff! :D

[sarah.13]

And leave Bomber alone, he's on a roll now, the first seven years he was just finding his feet. ;)[/quote]

Seven years to find out he has two left feet!! :D:D

[darren forssman]

dont know if fickle is the word but two weeks ago before the richmond game this upcoming game against freo looked like a danger game.

now everyone thinks we will smash freo this week, but if we had lost the last two games everyone would be calling for thompsons head and doubting if we could beat freo.

the ebbs flows back and forth.

[Hood007]

Seven years to find out he has two left feet!! :D:D

I don't think Bomber has been all that bad to be honest.
His only bad year was last year.
'02/'03: Bit up and down, more about the youngsters there. Hardly his fault. He had them playing some good footy in patches.
'04: Was great, unlucky not to play in the GF.
'05: We got shafted by injuries and still managed to get within 3 points of the eventual premiers (even if we did choke a little...)
Not sure why he gets so much crap. I suppose people need someone to blame when we lose though...

[hbk_aus]

I think every team has its own fickle supporters. I think Geelong supporters seem more "fickle" as we are frustrated about a 43 year drought that really shouldve been broken by now.

[CatmanForever]

Bomber is an average Coach and I hope he goes this year. Ling has the knack of getting the ball but his disposal has been terrible especially last year. Ling has found a spot in the side as a tagger which suits him and well done. But he is not a midfeilders asshole anymore because he is too one paced and often coughs it up in an error.

[Hood007]

Bomber is an average Coach and I hope he goes this year. Ling has the knack of getting the ball but his disposal has been terrible especially last year. Ling has found a spot in the side as a tagger which suits him and well done. But he is not a midfeilders asshole anymore because he is too one paced and often coughs it up in an error.

If, and note I said if, we win the flag this year, would that change your opinion of Bomber?

[CatmanForever]

If, and note I said if, we win the flag this year, would that change your opinion of Bomber?

No, he has good points and bad points as a Coach. He is simply just an average Coach, not a great one.

[DanA]

Bomber drives me crazy sometimes.

On the one hand he has built an exceptional list, is good at developing our young players and has got us playing an attractive style of footy.

People really don't talk enough about how the kick in rule effected us last year. I think it is probably 75% of the reason we dropped of the pace last year.

On the other hand he makes some shocking tactical decisions:
Ling on Wells? WTF was that.
Leaving Luke Hodge loose in our forwardline
Playing Corey in the back pocket

The list is endless. I would be happy for him to stay coach if he could fix his gameday coaching.

[Hood007]

No, he has good points and bad points as a Coach. He is simply just an average Coach, not a great one.

What do you think his bad points are? Not so I can argue, just curious...

[DanA]

What do you think his bad points are? Not so I can argue, just curious...

I think he is very good strategically and poor tactically. That is he develops a good game plan, good at list management etc. Always seems to stuff up a matchups and is slow to react, does not deal with the unexpected well.

[cat in sydney]

I think he is very good strategically and poor tactically. That is he develops a good game plan, good at list management etc. Always seems to stuff up a matchups and is slow to react, does not deal with the unexpected well.

I'd have to agree. He always seems slow to react to issues on the ground on game day as they happen.
Maybe this year however, he is improving even on this, and maybe being freed up from all the other stuff he had on his plate last year (that Balmey etc have taken over), so he can concentrate on coaching only, is reaping some rewards.
I guess we need to wait and see.

[darren forssman]

bomber does for instance lack the creativity of say malcolm blight in changing things up and trying players in different positions.

but do bombers assistants have to take any blame for this or does everyone sit mute in the coaching box when things go a bit pear shape?

[CatmanForever]

I think he is very good strategically and poor tactically. That is he develops a good game plan, good at list management etc. Always seems to stuff up a matchups and is slow to react, does not deal with the unexpected well.

I'd have to agree. He always seems slow to react to issues on the ground on game day as they happen.
Maybe this year however, he is improving even on this, and maybe being freed up from all the other stuff he had on his plate last year (that Balmey etc have taken over), so he can concentrate on coaching only, is reaping some rewards.
I guess we need to wait and see.


what they said.

I would also add that what he says to the press at times makes me cringe. But like what my friends have said his match day coaching is extremely poor sometimes.

[Shell]

Ran into yet another fellow Cat fan tonight who wanted to tell me how well the Cats are travelling. Trouble is the same guy told me a fortnight ago that Bomber just had to be sacked and that Lingy should give it away.
My question is:
Do we at Catland have this perverse fickleness to ourselves or is it much the same at all clubs?
I suspect that there is a wide sweeping spread of the disease but us Catters have mastered the art. :)

I don't think we're that fickle, guess it depends on your definition of fickle. Everyone has a right to criticize and have opinions about their team (especially if they're a member ;) ), but I honestly think Geelong supporters.. dare I say it... at the end of the day stick with em.

And anyway, Bitchmond supporters would be the most fickle, imo. :D

[Hood007]

There are a lot of older people who criticize a bit too much. Impatient I spose. I hate poeple who go "Typical Geelong". What is that? Typical what? We lose? Everyone loses. But then they love us when we win. That's not supporting to me. Gotta be there through the ups and downs...

[a.f.k.a.y.o.p.]

For what it's worth I've never disliked Bomber or Ling, only Charlie Gardner. :)

Me - cant stand them, though Lingy is winning me over. Remember, ITS JUST A JOB.....

[Solstice Raver]

It would be fickle to think that after beating Richmond and West Coast that we would let Bomber and some players off the hook.

I honestly believe that unless we get into a Prelim this year Bomber is in trouble [or should be]. 8 Years is pleanty of time to "find his feet" particulary with the success we have had in previous years.

Lingyis only a product of where the coach puts him in. Everyone knows he kills it when he is tagging. Keep him there FFS. Needs to improve his disposable no doubt and kick the ball FORWARD.

It seems that the boys have lifted since the hot iron has been applied. Seems this is exactly what they need throughout the year so as long as there are hard questions that continue to be asked we should be good.

[TheTimeCometh]

one win over 50%

1 win over a quality team, albeit @ home. the others against sub-par opp.

bombers 8th(?) year.


that's not pessimism -- that's reality.

[Hood007]

one win over 50%
1 win over a quality team, albeit @ home. the others against sub-par opp.
bombers 8th(?) year.
that's not pessimism -- that's reality.

Agreed. It's reality.
It's the pessimism of some people on our prospects for the rest of the season that disappoints me.

[WE Are Geelong]

Ran into yet another fellow Cat fan tonight who wanted to tell me how well the Cats are travelling. Trouble is the same guy told me a fortnight ago that Bomber just had to be sacked and that Lingy should give it away.
My question is:
Do we at Catland have this perverse fickleness to ourselves or is it much the same at all clubs?
I suspect that there is a wide sweeping spread of the disease but us Catters have mastered the art. :)

Fair call. I think the review found that the players suffered from a roller coaster type ride of emotions after each game. They have come back this year trying to keep a more even keel regardless of what happened the week previous.

I think criticism can be positive or negative depends on who is giving it. If you have people on here or anywhere else consistently talking the side down then I cant see how that helps. I think we have made a reasonably good start to the season but I am not jumping through any hoops over it. I'm happy to be fourth after 7 rounds.

What will frustrate me is people saying we are gone if we lose to Freo this week and thats just rubbish. They are a potential top four outfit again this season and shouldnt be taken for granted. Also it was a very solid hit out last week against the Eagles so I think given it might be a bit wet it could be a real slog. We need to win it but dont throw the bath/baby out with the water if we dont.

[Cattery]

What will frustrate me is people saying we are gone if we lose to Freo this week and thats just rubbish. They are a potential top four outfit again this season and shouldnt be taken for granted.

Wouldn't say we're "gone" if we lose this week, but it would appear nothing much has changed from last year if we do.

At home, coming off an excellent win, near full strength and against an opposition that, despite expectations preseason, is struggling. This is exactly the type of match we have to, and should win if we really have aspirations of being a top side, otherwise it would appear to be the same old story, capable of beating anyone when we're switched on, only to fall over when we're not.

Really good sides do not drop games such as this.

[Copernicus]

I wouldn't say that the fans are fickle - though every club has its bandwagon element - but Geelong is such a club of contrasts that it's no wonder that people question where we are at on a regular basis. World beaters one day, minnows the next - that's the GFC for you. Fans can be forgiven for getting confused or simply hyperbolic about the team because they're never sure what the team is going to do.

[WE Are Geelong]

Wouldn't say we're "gone" if we lose this week, but it would appear nothing much has changed from last year if we do.

At home, coming off an excellent win, near full strength and against an opposition that, despite expectations preseason, is struggling. This is exactly the type of match we have to, and should win if we really have aspirations of being a top side, otherwise it would appear to be the same old story, capable of beating anyone when we're switched on, only to fall over when we're not.

Really good sides do not drop games such as this.

I dont disagree with the premise of your comment at all but we have to bear in mind Geelong isnt a really good side just yet. Yes winning Saturday will certainly help the perception we are getting there and the self esteem of the club will start to improve but these things dont happen overnight.

This isnt so much about your comment 'Cattery' but you dont become a top four side in two weeks and we certainly werent a top four side 2 weeks ago and its been 2 years at least since we were so lets keep things in perspective. We are actually playing a top four side from last year and if we dont pay them the respect they deserve we will make a botch of the whole thing and underestimate them and overestimate ourselves.

To me its how we rate ourselves the club and supporters included that often gets us into trouble in the first place. We need to change this culture the sooner the better.

[hoody]

Ran into yet another fellow Cat fan tonight who wanted to tell me how well the Cats are travelling. Trouble is the same guy told me a fortnight ago that Bomber just had to be sacked and that Lingy should give it away.
My question is:
Do we at Catland have this perverse fickleness to ourselves or is it much the same at all clubs?
I suspect that there is a wide sweeping spread of the disease but us Catters have mastered the art. :)
Looked up the dictionary for the sake of it.
Fickle: Characterized by erratic changeableness
or instability.
That seemed pretty much like our boys to me. Just hope my use of past tense is justified.
Some good reading on this thread, but there was considerable evidence of fickleness in more than a few of the posts.

[Cattery]

I dont disagree with the premise of your comment at all but we have to bear in mind Geelong isnt a really good side just yet. Yes winning Saturday will certainly help the perception we are getting there and the self esteem of the club will start to improve but these things dont happen overnight.

This isnt so much about your comment 'Cattery' but you dont become a top four side in two weeks and we certainly werent a top four side 2 weeks ago and its been 2 years at least since we were so lets keep things in perspective. We are actually playing a top four side from last year and if we dont pay them the respect they deserve we will make a botch of the whole thing and underestimate them and overestimate ourselves.

To me its how we rate ourselves the club and supporters included that often gets us into trouble in the first place. We need to change this culture the sooner the better.

Agreed, but that's the whole point though surely; why would we possibly not pay them respect; with the top sides, and I'm talking about West Coast and Sydney as the best of the last two years, there would be absolutely no question of them approaching this, or any, game with such an attitude, which is why they win nearly all the games they're expected to win.

I've said it before and still believe it, that man for man we're the equal of Sydney and possibly West Coast as well, which means it's "mainly" attitude that stops us from being the "really good" side that you mention, so as I see it it's only our mental application that would cause us to lose on Saturday, and if this happens then we're really no further advanced on last year.

Call it culture, getting ahead of ourselves or whatever one likes, we've proven time and again we have the capabilities to match it with, and beat, the very best, so going by all the yardsticks, form, home ground etc, etc. we should not only win on Saturday but win comfortably, anything less and it's just the same old story, one step forward and two steps back.

[Hood007]

we should not only win on Saturday but win comfortably, anything less and it's just the same old story, one step forward and two steps back.

Your right, we should win. Don't know about comfortably though, Fremantle were a top 4 side last year. By saying we should win comfortably aren't you doing what we're saying Geelong shouldn't which is underestimate them...

[cat in sydney]

Wouldn't say we're "gone" if we lose this week, but it would appear nothing much has changed from last year if we do.

At home, coming off an excellent win, near full strength and against an opposition that, despite expectations preseason, is struggling. This is exactly the type of match we have to, and should win if we really have aspirations of being a top side, otherwise it would appear to be the same old story, capable of beating anyone when we're switched on, only to fall over when we're not.

Really good sides do not drop games such as this.

I understand where you're coming from, but this comment is not quite true. I'm sure some of the West Coast fans were thinking during the middle of last week when they were about to play us, "really good sides do not drop games such as this."
And quite possibly the Sydney fans were thinking in the week leading up to Rd20 (I think?) last year, "really good sides do not drop games such as this."
And yet both of them have been there on the last day of September for the past two years.
It's not about not dropping any of these games... even WCE and Sydney lose them occasionally as we've seen.
It's about winning them more often than not.
Perhaps you could reword it to, "Really good sides should not drop games like this."

[TheTimeCometh]

it will be interesting what and how people think about the upcoming visits to AAMI then. That is, if WCE thought the KP game was one they should win and they are proven performers then it must follow that the Cat's should approach AAMI the same.

i get the feeling that a couple of 'honourable' losses from those games will go down with the fickles.

[cat in sydney]

it will be interesting what and how people think about the upcoming visits to AAMI then. That is, if WCE thought the KP game was one they should win and they are proven performers then it must follow that the Cat's should approach AAMI the same.

i get the feeling that a couple of 'honourable' losses from those games will go down with the fickles.

You wouldn't be suggesting that some may 'accept mediocrity'? :eek: ;)

[darren forssman]

You wouldn't be suggesting that some may 'accept mediocrity'? :eek: ;)

i think TTC is suggesting that the "sack bomber" threads will get a severe bumping.

[Cattery]

Your right, we should win. Don't know about comfortably though, Fremantle were a top 4 side last year. By saying we should win comfortably aren't you doing what we're saying Geelong shouldn't which is underestimate them...

Were a top four side "last year" which are the pertinent words, but they're really struggling so far this year, so given the circumstances, home ground, probably weather conditions and such, I do believe we should win comfortably.

I don't underestimate Freo, or any side for that matter, just saying that all being equal we should win and win well, plus the fans underestimating the opposition is not a problem as I see it, it only becomes a problem when the players start doing it.

[Cattery]

I understand where you're coming from, but this comment is not quite true. I'm sure some of the West Coast fans were thinking during the middle of last week when they were about to play us, "really good sides do not drop games such as this."
And quite possibly the Sydney fans were thinking in the week leading up to Rd20 (I think?) last year, "really good sides do not drop games such as this."
And yet both of them have been there on the last day of September for the past two years.
It's not about not dropping any of these games... even WCE and Sydney lose them occasionally as we've seen.
It's about winning them more often than not.
Perhaps you could reword it to, "Really good sides should not drop games like this."

True, but as I said in my reply to Hood007, it doesn't matter what the supporters think but the players, and I very much doubt Sydney or west Coast lost those games to us because of a poor mental attitude, or underestimating us, rather they met a Cats side that played up to it's capabilities.

I did point out in one of my replies that they [ WC and Sydney ] win "nearly all" the games they're expected to win, still you're right though, that comment is to categorical, probably should have said really good sides "very seldom" drop games like this, and until we see this from the Cats, and tomorrow is a perfect example, they we're really not showing improvement from last year; the only thing that would see Geelong lose tomorrow is the wrong attitude in my opinion.