News Managing supporter expectations

[Macca18]

President David Evans yesterday echoed the thoughts of new coach James Hird in arguing that the regular season was the priority for the club, despite the hype surrounding the Bombers on the eve of a NAB Cup grand final appearance against Collingwood.

Essendon is in an awkward position in some ways; membership sales are booming with the return of favourite son Hird and the change in game style that has resulted in some early wins, but the reality of a tough season may still be coming.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...gainst-great-expectations-20110306-1bjlf.html

I'm glad Evans has come out and is beginning to hose down some of the unrealistic expectations set by some for this season. It's great we've made the NAB Cup Grand Final but the bigger picture is more important at the moment. It's all about improvement in 2011, nobody should already be considering finals and the rest of it at this stage at all.

 

[Kong]

They've been preaching this all pre-season, but this comes at an important time.

God help some supporters if we actually win on friday.

 

[Pweter]

If the club were getting as far ahead of themselves as some supporters I'd be concerned. If Jim is hosing down expectations when talking to the media, you can guarantee it will be done behind closed doors.

Supporters are supporters. They come in all forms. Right now bandwagoners are jumping back on board, others see plenty of hope and are talking the talk accordingly, other still see plenty of hope but are playing things down. I wish we had more of the latter at present.

 

[Frothies Mcveigh]

They've been preaching this all pre-season, but this comes at an important time.

God help some supporters if we actually win on friday.

I can only imagine Vass and Red and Black Prides reactions.

 

[daffo]

It will end up like the LA riots.

 

[84859300]

Please people.

Context. Context. Context.

 

[CousinOfModra]

Seems a bit soft from the club.

They begged everyone to get on board, we do, now they tell us to calm down.

Essendon fans should enjoy the moment. It's not the real thing, but c'mon I think we have all lived through at least one flag and know this to be the case, so stop treating us like Bulldogs fans. We know we are a long way off, but I am going to enjoy this for what it is.

Sure some will be dissapointed if we don't win 22 h&a games and the grand final on the back of our NAB form, but regardless of what they say or write fact is Essendon will keep being Essendon.

Have a bit of fun this week, nothing to loose and a lot of experience to gain.

 

[eth-dog]

I agree. Let's look at this from another supporters perspective- what exactly have we done? Beat a brisbane side without brown, black, rich, power and fev. Big deal, I'd be surprised if WC didn't do that. Drew with St. Kilda with half their team out. Big deal. Beat a decent Melbourne outfit. And beat a side who haven't beaten us in 5 games. If we win this week, that's a different matter. A strong pies is a big deal.

 

[Godzke]

It's this sort of management that distinguishes us from Carlton. They amped up the expectation of supporters by saying "they know we're coming" and "can you smell what we're cooking". In the two years they've done that, Carlton have finished roughly where they should've in the lower half of the top 8... however the majority of fans would be disappointed because they kept expecting a top 4 finish.

Good work Evans. Let's continue to keep a lid on it.

 

[Red n Black Pride]

I completely agree that the club should be keeping a lid on it and just focusing on improvement etc. But I don't understand what is wrong with supporters getting excited about the season, surely it's not our job to keep a lid on it. How does the fact that people are getting excited affect the team's performance one bit?

 

[Bomber32]

Good on Evans for giving some of our supporter base a reality check. We have achieved absolutely nothing so far and it's about time some of our fans woke up to the fact we are nowhere near as good as what they are claiming.

 

[Yoda_]

Good on Evans for giving some of our supporter base a reality check. We have achieved absolutely nothing so far and it's about time some of our fans woke up to the fact we are nowhere near as good as what they are claiming.

The reality check will come Friday night, wheter we win or lose, see how far we have really come on

 

[Macca18]

Good on Evans for giving some of our supporter base a reality check. We have achieved absolutely nothing so far and it's about time some of our fans woke up to the fact we are nowhere near as good as what they are claiming.

Beautifully said. We have achieved nothing.

Two or three threads on here in the last few days have been nothing but cringeworthy.

 

[Bomberman86]

Seems a bit soft from the club.

They begged everyone to get on board, we do, now they tell us to calm down.

Essendon fans should enjoy the moment. It's not the real thing, but c'mon I think we have all lived through at least one flag and know this to be the case, so stop treating us like Bulldogs fans. We know we are a long way off, but I am going to enjoy this for what it is.

Sure some will be dissapointed if we don't win 22 h&a games and the grand final on the back of our NAB form, but regardless of what they say or write fact is Essendon will keep being Essendon.

Have a bit of fun this week, nothing to loose and a lot of experience to gain.

Its not about enjoying the moment, the point is there is no "moment" to enjoy, this is just the NAB cup, and whilst its been promising there is absolutely no reason to get excited at this stage. There are plenty of holes to fill with the players and the game plan that will take time (as will some of the players weve seen do well in the NAB cup)

Unrealistic expectations dont help anybody.

 

[GoldenboyHird_5]

Surely a reality check can only come after a loss?

Anywayz, would not be displeased at all if we lost this week, keep the insane asylum quiet for another week.

 

[Bomberman86]

I completely agree that the club should be keeping a lid on it and just focusing on improvement etc. But I don't understand what is wrong with supporters getting excited about the season, surely it's not our job to keep a lid on it. How does the fact that people are getting excited affect the team's performance one bit?[/QUOTE]

Oh dear...

 

[citizen-erased]

I think the football world needs to hose down its interpretations of bombers supporters feelings......

For the first time in close to a decade, we are playing some skillful, directional footy.
Its a breathe of fresh air and even if we go 0-5 in the opening rounds and finish below 12th, im still happy with the overall persona of the team.

Just seeing it out there is too hard not to enjoy.
I dont think too many of us expect finals in the first year of this reinvention.
esp considering the top 8 is gonna be fought out by the pies, saints, cats, hawks, blues, dogs, dockers and swans, with the roos, dees, crows and power knocking on the door.

 

[CousinOfModra]

Its not about enjoying the moment, the point is there is no "moment" to enjoy, this is just the NAB cup, and whilst its been promising there is absolutely no reason to get excited at this stage. There are plenty of holes to fill with the players and the game plan that will take time (as will some of the players weve seen do well in the NAB cup)

Unrealistic expectations dont help anybody.

Umm, OK.

"There is no moment". You fool. What is happening on Friday night????

Did you read my post??? Who is getting excited. Just enjoying the fact Essendon has progressed through to the last two of an 18 team knockout competition.

FFS.

I bet you support the Carbon Tax as well. Whatever the leaders tell you, Mate, just keep on lapping it up. Fool!

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Whatever happens on Friday will not change my view that we are a top eight challenger, and have next-to no chance of finishing in the bottom four (barring multiple injuries of course).

 

[Valve Bounce]

Whatever happens on Friday will not change my view that we are a top eight challenger, and have next-to no chance of finishing in the bottom four (barring multiple injuries of course).

Count me in. As soon as I heard that Jimmy was back (the night I was at the queue for the GF, I raised my expectations fo finals this year. For those resigned to a bottom 8 finish, that's your prerogative; my choice is to dream of a couple of finals game. Jimmy hates to lose - so do I.