Results tagged “fans” from Birmingham Mail - Wolverhampton Wanderers Blog

Interesting to note Harry Redknapp's comments after Portsmouth's final game of the season yesterday.

Despite finishing eighth in the Premier League - their best return for 53 years - and despite a certain FA Cup final just around the corner, it seems a run of four successive defeats had some of the Pompey faithful moaning.

And many declined to stay behind for the traditional end-of-season 'lap of honour'.

Redknapp admitted he had no truck with the jeerers, and believed they were fans who have "jumped on the bandwagon" amid Portsmouth's last few years of success.

Portsmouth, lest we forget, were promoted with Wolves back in 2003.

Having managed to survive that crucial first season, they have gone from strength to strength, and will be favourites to become the first team from outside the top four to win the FA Cup since 1995.

If their fans are moaning, then what hope for the rest?!

It's another sign of how demands from supporters are growing, restlessness and impatience, even when things are generally going well.

Obviously Wolves haven't got an FA Cup final to look forward to, indeed not even a play-off appearance, so you can understand the frustration and disappointment of the fanbase after a season which didn't meet expectations.

And yet amid that disappointment came a level of fan intensity and intolerance which really didn't help the cause.

It's a moot point as to how fans should react when their team isn't doing well.

Critics of last season will argue that they weren't given enough to cheer about, that there wasn't enough excitement or goals to get them off their seats.

But surely that is precisely the time when supporters can really show their mettle.

As Michael Kightly himself admitted last season, the time not just to follow the sheep who are having a good old moan but to get behind the team and help them through the rough spell.

Remember last season's cheers in the wake of the 6-0 defeat t Southampton? That was never going to continue, of course it wasn't, but the principle is the same.

The level of support is something that has been discussed by the Wolves players, and Andy Keogh addresses the subject in today's Birmingham Mail.

The jist of Keogh's thoughts are that the Wolves players are desperate to do well for those fans who back them through thick and then - and those that don't? Well there's nothing they can do about it.

Of course there was disappointment last season, and of course that means moans and groans.

Mick McCarthy has already said when it comes to the end of games, he doesn't mind as many boos and catcalls as fans can muster.

It's during the games - when that tension and disillusionment filters down to the pitch - that's the problem.

And could well become a continual problem if the disgruntled element continue to make their feelings known into the new season.

McCarthy is staying at Wolves. End of.

He has Steve Morgan's backing, amid a long-term plan albeit one which they hope will lead to promotion next season.

Those fans still with misgivings will perhaps be able to brush them to one side and give McCarthy and his team another go next season.

But those who are not for turning would be better advised to perhaps find alternative entertainment for a Saturday afternoon.