Accentuate the Positive and Avoid the Negative - As a Baggies Supporter

[Prando]

Not always easy ! I believe my glass if half FULL and therefore consider that I?m in the Positive camp?however, so easy to drift into a Negative mode. (Player selection, substitutions, individual skill, effort, commitment and spirit)

The bottom line is that we are ALL 100% Baggies and our commitment and belief demands such a high degree of effort, that sometimes we will be over critical of those players / coaches who seem to lack the standards we expect.

Over the 50+ years since my first attendance at the Shrine, I have had and still have, my inevitable periods of frustration. It goes with saying that having a blue and white strain in my blood, I will vent my opinions as best I am able at the home matches ! (Never booed a player though albeit maybe did not applaud him)

There is no one on this board now or indeed in my many years of contributions here, who are not of this vein. Strong opinions are bred out of our dedication.

Come on Tony M, we are ALL behind WBA and know you will do the best you can, given the inevitable significant financial and contractual restrictions.

It would be good to have some sort of get-together pre the play-offs ?!!!

[baggieal]

Not always easy ! I believe my glass if half FULL and therefore consider that I?m in the Positive camp?however, so easy to drift into a Negative mode. (Player selection, substitutions, individual skill, effort, commitment and spirit)

The bottom line is that we are ALL 100% Baggies and our commitment and belief demands such a high degree of effort, that sometimes we will be over critical of those players / coaches who seem to lack the standards we expect.

Over the 50+ years since my first attendance at the Shrine, I have had and still have, my inevitable periods of frustration. It goes with saying that having a blue and white strain in my blood, I will vent my opinions as best I am able at the home matches ! (Never booed a player though albeit maybe did not applaud him)

There is no one on this board now or indeed in my many years of contributions here, who are not of this vein. Strong opinions are bred out of our dedication.

Come on Tony M, we are ALL behind WBA and know you will do the best you can, given the inevitable significant financial and contractual restrictions.

It would be good to have some sort of get-together pre the play-offs ?!!!

Good one Prando. I don?t believe in booing the players but anyone who goes to the matches and spends cash can have whatever opinion or views they like. It?s not to say everyone does not love the club. It?s those who don?t spend money and criticises those fans who have negative views which is a bit rich in my opinion.

As they say in life - with everything many pick up on a negative as opposed to a positive ie you tell more people about a negative than you will a positive.

This Tuesday I will be going to Boro whilst unwell - in the cold - spending a good amount of cash so my views will be my views. Even those in attendance at the actual games see things differently which is fine. It would be a boring world if we all thought the same. I am sure you agree being a season ticket holder.

I have total faith in Mowbray who will try to play football on the front foot and set up to win so can?t ask for more than this - win or lose. I couldn?t say the same about CC.

People want to be entertained and Mowbray will try and do this win or lose. It?s in his DNA.

[boingy]

Good one Prando. I don?t believe in booing the players but anyone who goes to the matches and spends cash can have whatever opinion or views they like. It?s not to say everyone does not love the club. It?s those who don?t spend money and criticises those fans who have negative views which is a bit rich in my opinion.

As they say in life - with everything many pick up on a negative as opposed to a positive ie you tell more people about a negative than you will a positive.

This Tuesday I will be going to Boro whilst unwell - in the cold - spending a good amount of cash so my views will be my views. Even those in attendance at the actual games see things differently which is fine. It would be a boring world if we all thought the same. I am sure you agree being a season ticket holder.

I have total faith in Mowbray who will try to play football on the front foot and set up to win so can?t ask for more than this - win or lose. I couldn?t say the same about CC.

People want to be entertained and Mowbray will try and do this win or lose. It?s in his DNA.

Just to clarify something here Al, Its negativity and not whether someone is at a match or not. When I attended matches I never considered my viewpoint to be above any other baggies supporters who didn’t, like my Grandad who couldn’t attend matches because of his health. He attended before I was born. It’s got nothing to do with my attendance. I’m glad you can go, hope you can for a long time. The away support is crucial but even better when it is support and not just criticism.

[On Balance]

Great post Prando. As Baggies we will never get what we want and that is being entertained and winning, (not always winning but winning more often than not). In reality, given the game as it is today, we always seem to struggle with both in the current era.

What I can say loudly and most proudly is, I am not a hunter of success. I support the Baggies through thick and thin and I didn?t choose to support them because they were great or successful, I chose to support them through family and going there and feeling it, feeling the what ever it is. The fact we are not driven by a wealthy owner also appeals to me.

If we had won everything under Lai, (I know we never could have, I despite what some thought we might do when he bought the club, and that is not a dig) I would not have felt it was earned success.

Ultimately, if we can be Baggies together, and that is what being a Baggies should be about then we might all understand we are all different with our own views. I have been misunderstood on occasions on this site, particularly when I first joined, so let us accept we all have differing views and if we do disagree let us do so in a respectful manner.

Was that a pig I just saw flying over?????.

[Leicesterbaggie]

It is the same regarding everything in life, we all hold different opinions and a good thing too. How boring would life be if all held thought the same. There are posters on here I often agree with but on other occasions do not. The important point is that we are always respectful when disagreeing with someone else’s views. People can disagree with me as much as they want as long as it is done in a pleasant manner. As has already been stated, we all wish for one thing, success for the Baggies

[baggieal]

Just to clarify something here Al, Its negativity and not whether someone is at a match or not. When I attended matches I never considered my viewpoint to be above any other baggies supporters who didn’t, like my Grandad who couldn’t attend matches because of his health. He attended before I was born. It’s got nothing to do with my attendance. I’m glad you can go, hope you can for a long time. The away support is crucial but even better when it is support and not just criticism.

Don?t disagree but even those at the matches will have differing views. Corberon in his last 15 matches hugely divided the fan base albeit the majority respected what he did for the club. My son liked Corberon but I didn?t - in the same house too but that?s life.

Will I be negative of Mowbray? I wasn?t in the past and don?t believe I will be - he will play to win and likes free flowing football which is why Diangana should do better.

I was brought up to win and be competitive and don?t believe in nampy pampyness. Even at schools in my view - there needs to be selection. It?s life, Patel for sure is a winner as he?s got several successful businesses which motivates a different breed.

So win or lose - as long as a Mowbray team gives 100% and sets up to get the best result possible then I will be happy.

You see far more at a match than you do from a television or from some pundits spouting complete garbage which sometimes is the opposite to what those at the match saw and influences those watching at home.

Away support will always have differing views and for sure it will Tuesday night with positivity and negativity. That?s life. As long as fans don?t boo players I am fine. It would be a boring car journey if my son thought the same as me. That said full respect to anyone with whatever view/opinion if they go away and pay money they really can?t afford too. Each should be applauded. I bet too - some absolutely love Trump and others hate him 😂

[boingy]

Don?t disagree but even those at the matches will have differing views. Corberon in his last 15 matches hugely divided the fan base albeit the majority respected what he did for the club. My son liked Corberon but I didn?t - in the same house too but that?s life.

Will I be negative of Mowbray? I wasn?t in the past and don?t believe I will be - he will play to win and likes free flowing football which is why Diangana should do better.

I was brought up to win and be competitive and don?t believe in nampy pampyness. Even at schools in my view - there needs to be selection. It?s life, Patel for sure is a winner as he?s got several successful businesses which motivates a different breed.

So win or lose - as long as a Mowbray team gives 100% and sets up to get the best result possible then I will be happy.

You see far more at a match than you do from a television or from some pundits spouting complete garbage which sometimes is the opposite to what those at the match saw and influences those watching at home.

Away support will always have differing views and for sure it will Tuesday night with positivity and negativity. That?s life. As long as fans don?t boo players I am fine. It would be a boring car journey if my son thought the same as me. That said full respect to anyone with whatever view/opinion if they go away and pay money they really can?t afford too. Each should be applauded. I bet too - some absolutely love Trump and others hate him 😂

I agree you get a different viewpoint at matches but you get close ups and replays on tv, both opinions give you something. You get a good feel of a match live. Its all relevant.

[DaveP67 is back!]

Great post Prando! Couldn?t agree more, definitely would be good to have a meet up before one of the later season games, not sure when Thomas is over next but trying to tie that up with one of his visits would be ideal.

[kettering_baggie]

I have missed having a season ticket and have not managed to go to a game this season yet. However, circumstances are what they are and with my usual travelling companions unable to attend much, I have not been keen on driving to West Bromwich my own, mainly because of having to drive back in the dark; eyesight condition! Hoping that my son and I will get to a match or two this season and yes, it would be good to meet up, maybe in the Sportsman. I am just hoping for some good football from Mr Mowbray but I am also thankful for what Carlos did for our Club, he left us in a far better place than when he arrived.

[SwedishBaggie]

Great post Prando! Couldn?t agree more, definitely would be good to have a meet up before one of the later season games, not sure when Thomas is over next but trying to tie that up with one of his visits would be ideal.

Maybe, and a big if, I might do Watford home the Sat weekend before Easter. I am in Manchester that weekend and I believe trains between Manchester-Birmingham are quite frequent etc. The game could be moved, so let?s see.