Quote Originally Posted by 1955pie View Post
I believe a crowd can and sometimes does drag a performance out of a team.
When the manager and the players say that they appreciate the support that they receive both home and away, do you think they dont mean it?
Given a choice between booing, cheering or silence, which is most likely to help the team perform? Especially if they are having a tough time?
If we can help and choose not to then I would suggest that we do have some collective responsibility for the outcome.
I am sure you, like me will be down there giving it all on Saturday but for those who are just going to sit on their hands, they may as well stay at home and watch it on the telly.
Of course the crowds contribution matters.
Im not really disagreeing with too much of what you are saying:

Of course the fans supporting loudly, positively and consistently can help the team.
Of course fans can drag an extra percent or five out of a team.
Of course the fans and manager mean it when they say they appreciate the home and away fans.
Of course cheering rather than booing is generally better (although if you boo then that is your choice and that is fine by me, although it is something I choose to do very, very sparingly personally).

I simply do not think it is our responsibility to push the team on. Its more the terminology use than anything.

However, I 100% do disagree that if a fan wants to sit in ML quietly and not chant, or shout or whatever then that is fine too. I certainly do not think they should watch it on TV. When we start to gate keep about being a fan, we are on very rocky ground.