We seem to be going back to that, 'we're the Bulls and we ought to win', mentality. No-one has a right to win - all you can ask is they put the effort in and do their best. Booing people who have done that does nothing to help, imo.

Fine. We pay our money and can boo if we want. That's not a problem, it's just that I'm not 100% convinced that that is what 'real' supporters do. As said up the thread, booing the players doesn't help anything.

At the end of the day, we had a number of players missing [not to mention the no.7 we haven't got, away from home against a decent side, we came up four points adrift - well into the area where one decision going the other way changes the result. It wasn't the fault of the players who were booed that we don't have a genuine scrum half who might well have opened it up a bit more for us. Whether it's the fault of the management or circumstances is another point - booing the players who did their best, in trying circumstances, isn't the answer.

But you are assuming they did their best. There are two possibilities:

1. They did their best. That is, the squad we had on the field can't do any better.

In this case, we may as well pack it in. If that is the best they can do then we would lose by at least 50 in any SL playoff game. Last out please turn off the lights.

2. They didn't do their best, but can in fact do a whole lot better.

This seems to me almost infinitely more likely. Look at the personnel, consider the wages they are likely on, and ask yourself the question again.

Even Ferres has publicly said they are not doing their best, referring directly to them not showing the same degree of enthusiasm as opponents. He is right. And that isn't "doing their best".

As someone who has been inflicted by being a supporter of some of the crappiest sports teams in the country, one thing I would never do is boo someone who is giving their all but lacks in ability. In fact, I would much rather have a side full of hard-working, honest triers than a team of gifted individuals. This I appreciate greatly.

I also accept that it is unrealistic to expect players of any team I follow to necessarily have the same love and passion for the side as I do. (Unless you are a fan of the club you play for then you won't have the same emotional attachment IMO).

What is NOT unrealistic however is to expect the players on the park to come off at the end having given it their all, drenched in sweat and pretty fatigued (within reason). If this is the case then I would never boo a player as they are clearly doing their best.

And, I guess, for the sake of this discussion you can only decide which way you look at it is if you think that the players are really giving 100%?

Or, for that matter, if it even IS the players that people are voicing their opinions on, or if the boos are aimed at the people who recruit them, and coach them.

Effort is one thing, whether the effort is applied/guided correctly is another I suppose.

Good point, I'd assume the booing is at the overall performance, and aimed at the club generally and how things have come to this, rather than simply at the players.

You feeling okay dude?

Wouldn't argue with that, but as I pointed out, given the number unavailable and lack of direction [no no.7, which isn't the fault of those who did play and the closeness of the result I don't think the display [from the guys on the field was quite as bad as some are portraying it. It was though, those blokes who copped the flak and not the ones behind the scenes who maybe are more culpable?

I clearly didn't make my point very well in my first post. I agree wholly with Bulliac. The players should not be booed but there are others in the background who need to be held to account.

People grow disillusioned with things though Bulliac. The result v Halifax was just another in a long line of poor results and (according to many on here) poor performances. The general consensus too is that no lessons from last season have been learned, and, in fact, things have gotten worse.

People will vent their anger at things and, given the clubs recent form of deliberately misleading their fans during the Q&A nights etc. probably feel that there is no other route to go down in order to make their point.

Mystic E - Delberately misleading?? I seriously do not understand your assertion . Can you give some examples ?
To me, the current management has been far more straightforward and straight talking than previous regimes. I have not agreed with some of their decisions but have never felt they were deliberately misleading any of us.

BN. Sorry if I was unclear. The present regime ARE an improvement (despite the continued existence of the teflon-coated media man) but people have been Peter Hoodwinked for too long. Any concerns were swept under the carpet whilst the board bled the club dry. It is easy to be unconvinced that words would be met with any concern from the board whatsoever.

Especially given the rant by Ferres at the very people who pay his wage. He is a man who needs to look in the mirror.