Stop booing our own by Dan Smith
Over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans gave their players a standing ovation for their effort, despite yet seeing a home win this season. Yet just across London some gooners had spent the afternoon booing their own players.
Xhaka’s substitution was cheered by a section of our fan base. The same ones who verbally abused Mustafi during pre-season. It’s the type of modern-day fan we have which we used to associate Chelsea supporters of having. We used to pride ourselves on having class, of doing things the right way.
If nothing else, it’s self-defeating to be wanting an individual to do the best for your passion, be on their back all the time, then wondering why their confidence is so low?
I think we have our best chance in years of winning at Old Trafford next week, but we are more likely to do that with a confident Xhaka trying a Hollywood pass, rather than playing it safe due to fear of ridicule.
With so much youth hoping to break through, what environment do you want them to develop in? One where you are supported 100 per cent so are free to express yourselves, instead of living in fear of being mocked, so play within themselves?
I’m hoping Mustafi gets a fair reception if he starts in the League Cup this week. While he and Ozil haven’t been featuring in the Prem, the mantle of scapegoat has gone to Xhaka. Verbal abuse has extended to his family and being threatened outside the stadium. It affected him so much that when celebrating goals last Thursday, he did the ssshing gesture to his own fans.
Remember our proud values and pride of doing things the right way? Here’s our captain taunting his own fans, tired of the abuse he’s been getting. Some will say they are entitled to their opinion, especially if they are paying to watch the team. Yet it’s funny how it’s the same names targeted and many other average talents who escape any blame.
To me it’s a generation thing. I don’t remember growing up feeling the need to hound one of my own out of the team, Yet in 2019 we are all free to debate, able to share an opinion around the world within seconds. Some for the sake of views / subscribers have their own agendas…
So, if your off to the Forest tie, I hope you get behind Ozil and Mustafi. If not, don’t ask the likes of Koscielny for respect when he leaves.
Respect works both ways…
Dan Smith