Are internet message boards killing our game

[Ship Hibs]

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

Look at the benefits though, you get to read some crazy explanations for poor performances or tactics from players and managers alike!

[GreenCastle]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

Do they have message boards in Spain...yes...no problems there.

The coaching / Scottish culture is killing our game!

This hasn't happened over night either - we have been shocking for a while.

Spain also played and won with no striker during the Euro's..didn't affect them

[silverhibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

Really.

[lyonhibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

No.

[Scouse Hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

Good evening Mr Strachan a ****** night for you eh!

[marinello59]

No.
Professional football teams deciding that unlike any other business finishing third was the ultimate aim killed our game. They can't blame the fans for thàt.

[Jim44]

"I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go"

On the contrary, I think managers and players will have a good laugh at internet message boards.

[Ship Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Do they have message boards in Spain...yes...no problems there.

The coaching / Scottish culture is killing our game!

This hasn't happened over night either - we have been shocking for a while.

Spain also played and won with no striker during the Euro's..didn't affect them

Yea I thought about that before posting but I reckon the massive over reactions on Scottish/British message boards is way above most other countries, I've not been on spanish sites but follow a lot of American sports and most fans seem to be a lot less critical and more supportive of their teams.
As for Spain not playing with a striker...they can pass the ball...forward!

[onionman]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

No.
Professional football teams deciding that unlike any other business finishing third was the ultimate aim killed our game. They can't blame the fans for thàt.

If managers get upset about a critism on the internet of their tactics then they have to man up.

[Ship Hibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

"I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go"

On the contrary, I think managers and players will have a good laugh at internet message boards.

I'm sure plenty probably will but you also get guys like Wotherspoon, quite a quiet shy lad from what I hear who must go onto these sites and read criticism of him all the time, you can't say it doesn't have an affect on him, the lads got talent anyone who seen him as a youth knew it, when he first broke into the team he looked like the next big thing but once your confidence goes and you see everybody having a pop at you you very quickly become half the player you were. I know if you're a professional sportsman you should be able to handle it but I'll bet if a lot folks on here had every decision they made at work analysed and discussed on a public forum it would very quickly change their character...maybe for the better for some

[Diclonius]

You kids and your internet messageboards and your mobile telephones and your automated mobiles.

[Eyrie]

To any players or managers reading this who are concerned about our online criticism, I have two things to say. One - do better in future, and two - stop reading.

[CalgaryHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

What?? I doubt this

[monktonharp]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'm sure plenty probably will but you also get guys like Wotherspoon, quite a quiet shy lad from what I hear who must go onto these sites and read criticism of him all the time, you can't say it doesn't have an affect on him, the lads got talent anyone who seen him as a youth knew it, when he first broke into the team he looked like the next big thing but once your confidence goes and you see everybody having a pop at you you very quickly become half the player you were. I know if you're a professional sportsman you should be able to handle it but I'll bet if a lot folks on here had every decision they made at work analysed and discussed on a public forum it would very quickly change their character...maybe for the better for some

hope spoony does have a wee peek at what's said. get yer erse in gear mr. widdenheid! prove you are a fitba' player, as we know you've looked guid on occasions.

[monktonharp]

.[/QUOTE]I hope that mr widdenheid does have a peek occaionaly. get yer erse in gear spoony. we've seen you do a guid job on occasions

[Beefster]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yea I thought about that before posting but I reckon the massive over reactions on Scottish/British message boards is way above most other countries, I've not been on spanish sites but follow a lot of American sports and most fans seem to be a lot less critical and more supportive of their teams.
As for Spain not playing with a striker...they can pass the ball...forward!

Without wishing to be rude, that's guff.

[Jones28]

Nobody tells players/managers to read message boards, if they do it and it affects their game/confidence then it's obvious: pretend they don't exist. I would if I was a footballer...mind you, I'm ****ing good at football so probably wouldn't have a problem reading them :

[Mibbes Aye]

It's easy to say that players or managers shouldn't read what was said about them in social media, or just ignore it.

I suspect the truth is that most of us would struggle not to look if we knew people were talking about us on Twitter, Facebook or a messageboard, especially if we knew it was in relation to how we were performing at work!

Some people might be able to ride above criticism but I suspect far more would take it to heart than are willing to confess on here and that can obviously have an impact on performance.

I don't think it's even anything new. Jacques Plante was one of the all-time greats in North American ice hockey, a serial winner and an innovator, in the 1950s and 60s.

As he said, "...How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?"

[lord bunberry]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Starting to wonder how much an affect internet message boards are having on our game. Managers and players alike just seem so scared these days. Most SPL clubs have started to pack the midfield and rely on one up front and seem like they just want to avoid defeat rather than go out and win, players seem scared to take on another player in a one on one situation instead relying on playing the simple pass to a team mate who's usually quickly closed down. I'm beginning to think this stems from managers and players reading these boards and not liking the criticism they get so they resort to taking the easy option rather than having a go. Even under one of the dullest managers ever (Alex Miller) we played with proper wingers and two up front and players like Weir, McAllister and O'neill to name a few all seemed to play with a certain freedom I've not seen at Easter Road for the last four or five years.

I think you give far to much credit to the influence message boards have. I doubt message boards are a fair reflection of a teams support

[3pm]

Fenlon and Petrie should embrace the internet. Could save a fortune by listening to expert coaches and fag packet accountants on here.

[The Harp]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think you give far to much credit to the influence message boards have. I doubt message boards are a fair reflection of a teams support

Spot on! There's a far greater number of Hibs fans out there who don't post on message boards than those who do.

[HH81]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Fenlon and Petrie should embrace the internet. Could save a fortune by listening to expert coaches and fag packet accountants on here.

Last season the manager of my rugby team signed up to their message bowrd and posted his plans for the season etc...

He then started replying to posts, top guy he was shame he has left.

[Brizo]

If anything tinternet has given those who want to slag players a non match day opportunity to vent their spleen so that by the time it comes to match day the level of abuse is far less imho than it was pre internet.

A previous poster mentioned Alex MIllers teams. i remember guys like Joe Tortolano and Brian Hamilton getting slaughtered from the terracing each week, sometimes before they even took to the pitch. They got it far tighter than internet era players like Konte or Jarko Whizz. i remember Craig Pattersons first game back at ER for the currant buns and he got the whats it like to be a hun treatment for the full 90 minutes; the treatment KT got when he returned was mild in comparison.

Players have the option to avoid the message boards,they cant avoid abuse from the stands. FWIW i think the boards have played their part in reducing the amount of match day abuse. I think there are a whole set of other reasons why the standard of our game is so poor.

[VickMackie]

I think message boards help build negative attitudes quite quickly and that can only be a bad thing.

The message boards have a contagion effect. A few people moan about something and point out a weakness, some others who never noticed the weakness then start to look for it and so on. Then that transfers into the stands IMO.

[Phil D. Rolls]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I'm sure plenty probably will but you also get guys like Wotherspoon, quite a quiet shy lad from what I hear who must go onto these sites and read criticism of him all the time, you can't say it doesn't have an affect on him, the lads got talent anyone who seen him as a youth knew it, when he first broke into the team he looked like the next big thing but once your confidence goes and you see everybody having a pop at you you very quickly become half the player you were. I know if you're a professional sportsman you should be able to handle it but I'll bet if a lot folks on here had every decision they made at work analysed and discussed on a public forum it would very quickly change their character...maybe for the better for some

Compared to the abuse Benny Brazil took, this place is a teddy bear's picnic.

[Mr White]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think message boards help build negative attitudes quite quickly and that can only be a bad thing.

The message boards have a contagion effect. A few people moan about something and point out a weakness, some others who never noticed the weakness then start to look for it and so on. Then that transfers into the stands IMO.

the spreading of rumours too, liam miller to hearts for example couldn't have gathered the pace it did before the internet age.

[hibsmad]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Do they have message boards in Spain...yes...no problems there.

The coaching / Scottish culture is killing our game!

This hasn't happened over night either - we have been shocking for a while.

Spain also played and won with no striker during the Euro's..didn't affect them

People talk about us not having the likes of a Dalglish or a Souness anymore, but the truth is that football has moved on while we have stood still. So many other countries are way ahead of us now technically, countries that focus on basic technique by implementing things such as seven a side matches where the ball cant go above head height for school kids. I mean it's not rocket science! Meanwhile over in Scotland it's a regular occurrence to see some overweight Dad scream at his ten year old son things like "go right through him!" or "empty it!"

[Brizo]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

So many other countries are way ahead of us now technically, countries that focus on basic technique by implementing things such as seven a side matches where the ball cant go above head height for school kids. I mean it's not rocket science! Meanwhile over in Scotland it's a regular occurrence to see some overweight Dad scream at his ten year old son things like "go right through him!" or "empty it!"

Seven a side non competitive leagues have been operating in Scotland at youth club and primary school level since the early 90s. As have various other small side initiatives. The problem is that the minute games become competitive coachs who the week before were telling kids to express themselves suddenly show their true "out the park for medals" mentality. That is particularly prevelant in the youth game more than the schools side of things. Some of the biggest culprits in youth fitba are clubs who like to promote themselves as being all about player development when the truth is its all about winning.

[marinello59]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Seven a side non competitive leagues have been operating in Scotland at youth club and primary school level since the early 90s. As have various other small side initiatives. The problem is that the minute games become competitive coachs who the week before were telling kids to express themselves suddenly show their true "out the park for medals" mentality. That is particularly prevelant in the youth game more than the schools side of things. Some of the biggest culprits in youth fitba are clubs who like to promote themselves as being all about player development when the truth is its all about winning.

They were still playing competitive 11 a side games at P6 level in Aberdeen until this year. It was only the threat of a withdrawal of funding that saw the 7 a side game introduced. It's still played in a competitive spirit though with multiple cup competitions. Truly depressing.