As
the season has lurched from one disappointment to the next the mood
amongst the fans has changed from alarm, to disgruntlement, and
eventually to a state
of apathy which has seen average attendances fall below 6,000 for
the first time since we returned to the Football League. The
expectation of success that has been an ever-present ever since Chris
Wilder initially reversed the club's fortunes has dissipated quickly
this season and with Oxford being one of the most
expensive clubs to follow in League Two, can we really blame
those thousands for staying away when the product on offer is so
poor?
And
if calls for Wilder's head seem somewhat more subdued at this point
than they did earlier in the season, it is probably due to the sense
of resignation that little will change rather than any deep
underlying faith that he can turn this season around.
But
we can't ignore the cyclical nature of this apathy. If recent subdued
atmospheres can be said to be a reaction to events on the pitch,
equally we can say that the players can have little motivation to
perform for an apathetic fanbase who make no attempt to create an
atmosphere. Despite our best intentions we can't change much from the
stands, we can't go out on the pitch and put the ball in the net no
matter how much we may want to. All we can do is try to create the
best atmosphere possible to motivate our players and intimidate the
opposition, no matter how difficult that may seem at the moment.
Which
is why this year's Ultimate
Support Saturday has come at just the right time. Something
desperately needs to change to turn this season around and we have
seen precious little evidence that the necessary change will be
generated by the players, the manager, or the chairman. So perhaps it
is up to us fans to act as the catalyst; to turn up in numbers,
create a positive atmosphere and demonstrate our support, to motivate
the players and foster a winning mentality from the stands.
The
Priory pub is doing its bit. They're running a special Ultimate
Support Saturday offer on food and drink to help fuel the fans on
Saturday, pre- and post-match. And what better place to get the party
atmosphere started than at the unofficial supporters club? Why not
get the songs going pre-match in the Priory, take the atmosphere with
us into the stadium, and then return for a victory celebration after
the game?
To
those who say they would rather stay away until the
manager/chairman/players/mascot is gone, Ultimate Support Saturday is
not about supporting any particular regime and it's not about
furthering any particular agenda. Furthermore, it's certainly not a
show of support for the way things are at the moment. Instead it is a
demonstration of fan-power. A good showing on Saturday, with a
supportive and intimidating atmosphere, could serve far more strongly
to show those concerned what they could have if things were going as
they should be and could prove to be just the spark needed to set the
wheels in motion to reverse the current malaise around the club.
If
nothing else, creating a good atmosphere has to be more fun than
sitting in silence. Even if the football is still crap, wouldn't we
rather get beaten and still have fun, than get beaten and suffer
through it miserably?
So
make the effort to come on Saturday and try to convince as many of
the stayaways to come as well. The results on the pitch may not
improve, but Ultimate Support Saturday could just help to rekindle
your love for the club.
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