Negativity goes too far

[deadyoyomagpie]

Why does a footballer need to be on Twitter?

Why do Ukrainians need their own country?

[laddo]

No way of knowing whether they are Notts fans or windup merchants from other clubs idiots anyway.

Agree there is no way of knowing but it's an all too easy defensive to claim it can't be Notts fans. Who would be shocked if it were having heard some of the stuff shouted from the away terrace or The Kop in the heat of the moment or following a poor result? Only difference now is you can do it over Twitter under a pseudonym.

[BigFatPie]

If the owner of the account that Rawlinson quoted is older than about 14, I’d be amazed. People shouldn’t abuse anyone, but football is a passionate game, and the other side of adoration when you do well is getting some stick when you don’t do so well.

The club could help by not constantly relying on players who clearly aren’t up to it, and haven’t been for a while.

[countygump]

Is this the original message that was sent to Jim O then?

[BigFatPie]

Is this the original message that was sent to Jim O then?

Yeah I think it was. Is that Instagram?

[OchPie]

Yeah I think it was. Is that Instagram?

It is, and JOB's handle of "jimstagram777" is brilliant.

I don't get the point of the message, I really don't. What is someone supposed to do with that? Also "at your very old age" lol.

The twitterer, assuming the same person, only has two of his own Tweets and a retweet to win a Forest shirt, so... yeah.

[laddo]

If the owner of the account that Rawlinson quoted is older than about 14, I’d be amazed. People shouldn’t abuse anyone, but football is a passionate game, and the other side of adoration when you do well is getting some stick when you don’t do so well.

The club could help by not constantly relying on players who clearly aren’t up to it, and haven’t been for a while.

Don't be BFP, I could offer you numerous examples of people charged with online abuse of footballers all old enough to vote and drink and some well into their 40s and 50s.

[upthemaggies]

A significant section of the fans at the ground put a marker down on Saturday that shows what they are prepared (or not prepared) to accept, but they've got to allow the club to take that on board and give them a chance to put things right. It's good Notts have got a very winnable away game next weekend and then another opportunity to show the fans they are serious about challenging with the visit of Solihull.

[BigFatPie]

Don't be BFP, I could offer you numerous examples of people charged with online abuse of footballers all old enough to vote and drink and some well into their 40s and 50s.

I’m not talking about other abuse, I’m talking about the specific account that Rawlinson quoted. Doesn’t make it right, just that it should maybe taken a bit less seriously.

[jackal2]

Excellent comments and response from Connell especially that negativity to a point can be a positive but also reminding supporters that there is no need to get personal #jackals

Ha ha, touche! That had better be accidental by Mr Rawlinson or I'll be instructing my lawyers to begin libel proceedings tomorrow. I voted for him as Player of the Year two years ago I'll have him know!

The problem with forms of social media like Twitter/Instagram is that people who are so-minded can literally 'seek out' individual players and give them nasty or foul-mouthed abuse, which just isn't on. At least on Notts County MAD it's fans talking to each other and expressing their views. You only see what's said on here if you choose to visit the site and read it. Yes, sometimes there will be criticism of players' performances like with the player ratings thread, but that's football - "it's a game of opinions" as managers are always telling us. Punters pay their money and are entitled to have an opinion on players and performances and style of play, as has always been the case after a game. It doesn't however mean fans are justified in hunting down the individual player on other forms of social media to tell them they've played rubbish!

I've got some sympathy for the current group of players. I think the owners have generally recruited well over the past few years and we've got a number of very good ones, but they aren't currently being helped by the way they're being asked to play, not least defenders like Connell Rawlinson. This managerial/head coach obsession with taking risks in the wrong parts of the field leads to mistakes and brings pressure (and yes, criticism) on to the players, especially when goals are conceded. I'm sure the players are only following instructions and trying their best to implement what they're told, but it's obvious to many supporters that this is the weakness being exploited by opponents time and time again. It's one that can easily be rectified by tweaking (not abandoning) the way we play so we take those risks in 'good' areas of the park rather than 6-18 yards from our own goal.

I really feel for a player like Sam Slocombe who is a perfectly good goalie for this level but clearly looks uncomfortable with being asked to play like an outfield player, and fans pick up on this lack of confidence and then get anxious themselves. I'm afraid I blame the decisions of the coaching team for this. So many coaches these days seem to be obsessed with the current fad of trying to play Pep Guardiola-style football but they seem to forget that he has the resources to recruit the best players in the world to do it. And even then it can go wrong. Newcastle gave Manchester City all they handle by getting in their faces yesterday, and look at that ridiculous goal conceded by Chelsea's goalkeeper Mendy yesterday, pratting about with the ball almost on his own goal line. It's nonsense.