So anyway..... back to that quote.
"The Liverpool fans are something special. I remember that, when we were struggling a couple of years ago, they were still supportive and patient." - GZrard Houllier
(Drops bacon sarnie). Has GH ever managed a struggling club? I mean a real struggling club, not one for which the word struggle means not winning a trophy for a couple of seasons? I know Liverpool fans are pretty loyal, but when's the last time that loyalty was tested by relegation, administration or downright pooe football week after week? It can hardly be a chore, supporting the 5 times European cup winners every week, now can it?
Let's compare that with, ooh, i dunno. Let's say Sunderland, who coincidentally, are my team :-(
In recent years we've been the worst team in PL history, not once but, spectacularly, twice. We've had an unambitious board, clueless managers, and played some of the most arse-numbing, sleep-inducing footy ever seen on these shores. We've been to the brink of administration, closed club shops, and had to sell most of our half decent players.
Benitez to make more changesLiverpool boss Rafael Benitez is again prepared to shake up his forward line this weekend against Tottenham despite the impressive performances of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy...
Yet even after all that, we still get an average 25000 home and always sell out our away allocation. We even got 35000 last week and 40000 for the last game of last season. And amazingly, the crowd have never been on the manager(s) back(s). They've paid their money, supported their team, and been patient to the point of lunacy.
Now i'm not saying that Liverpool wouldn't do the same, but I would be rather embarbutted to crow about how great my fans were, when their loyalty hasn't been tested for the last 30 years.
Do you see?
