There is far too much pressure and expectation on this squad

[flowwolf]

We are in this position because the owners allowed Sven -Galy to buy mediocre players at extortionist prices. In time people will realise just how much that clown set this club back. I like all of you on this site love our club but deep down inside we know this squad is not capable of getting promotion not even through the playoffs what's more THEY know it. Apart from two maybe three players the rest know they are not good enough to play prem football and know if we did get lucky through the playoffs it will still be adios to them.

Or worse still they are paid so much they actually don't care either way as they are still set up for life. Pressure is felt by millions of people in this country struggling to pay bills and keep a roof over their heads and in constant fear of being made redundant. Please get some perspective in your life before posting such nonsense .

[Guest Col city fan]

I think a lot of the posts put on this thread since I last looked yesterday sum up my point.. 'You get paid a ****ing fortune now get the **** on with it' is exactly what I am trying to say is the problem. So you have a job of work, whether you get paid 10k a year or 1,000,000 a year can you do any better or worse than your absolute best? Does being paid a lot of money automatically mean all your emotions or ability to feel the weight of expectation or pressure disappears? I know it wont change because the general consensus amongst the masses is that footballers are overpaid and do little for their money. But this IS the reason why we are struggling for me, too many people are pointing the finger and expecting miracles week in week out, and when they don't happen places like this forum are full of poisonous vitriol.

I can agree with you Mack, but only to an extent.

The main issue for me this season hasn't been pressure. I don't think the players feel the level of pressure that you are claiming they do. They are well-paid so don't have to suffer the pressure of making ends meet. Most of them are tied-into longer contracts so they are 'safe' for two or three years.

No...for me the main issue this year has been 'expectation'..

Lets put City over the last 18 months or so into some sort of context... Firstly, Pearson nearly got us into the play-off finals..so when Sousa came in the level of expectation had been heightened. It was felt that Sousa should kick us on and progress the team further. That felt flat on its arse for a number of reasons. Then... Sven and, more importantly, Thai money. We all felt that this was it..we finally had a supposedly 'world-class' manager and funds to strengthen the team in key areas. Suddenly, we werent playing the likes of Nielsen, instead we got Kyle Naughton. We replaced Morrison for Bamba. Young Greg Cunningham came in at left back..Yakubu etc etc... The progression on the patch was met with developments off it.. The stadium was improved, training facilities updated etc etc... Basically...the level of expectation was increasing dramatically. Many on this forum and, I would guess, lots off it were suddenly claiming we were gonna win the league. Some of us had doubts, but were willing to engage with the euphoria. Its not pressure, IMO but EXPECTATION which has resulted in ever more fans yearning for 'value for money'. Quickly, the 'marvels' that Pearson had produced with little money and a League 1 squad were replaced with the attitude of 'we should be winning football matches'..'we've got Yakubu, Naughton.. we must win' This continued this season... Beckford, Danns, Mills, Konchesky........... 'thats it!' many cried..'we have to go up with this squad surely..'? What has been overlooked, for me, is the other 23 teams in the Championship..who themselves have got new players in, have wheeled and dealed, changed their managers etc... each have their own level of expectation. Football is a 'funny old game' and the Championship is a tough old division. I, for one, have been shocked that we have lost so many at home..for me this has been the biggest disappointment.

BUT..we have no God given right to success Some of what Sven did was spot on, other things he did has proven erroneous. But, in Pearson I think we have a man who will get things sorted..given time.

Its the 'expectation' that has increased over the past couple of years..and this is why we have more fans sitting in the crowds with their arms folded expecting to be entertained.

[Thracian]

I think the club have made a lot of the pressure for themselves by promoting our "buy, buy, buy" philosophy and proclaiming to the world how good we're going to be.

In the end I don't think the raised profile this has created will matter. Manchester City did the same yet it still took time for them to be even moderately successful and they're still working on it.

When you proclaim this, that or the other, opposing teams love to put your in your place. And that's what's happened with us. We've talked the talk but have rarely looked a good enough team to walk the walk.

Ironically I think Pearson is excellent at playing things down. But while he stays grounded there's these stories now of his having millions to spend in January and how we're going to buy this guy and that guy. I don't see how it helps us on the pitch any more than owur owners even mentioning promotion.

That's not to suggest they clam up to the media. They're doing some excellent things at our club - what they need to do is keep emphasising our drive towards excellence in various way,s while downplaying the financial input and how desperate we are to achieve onfield success.

In fact, if it's possible for them financially, I'd like them to publicly make clear that they're going to show faith in Pearson long term - whether we get promotion or not. That would help relieve pressure and send the message that we know that real building might ake time and that, if we make mistakes, we'll accept it and keep building from a firm foundation.

Of course there's a risk. Pearson might have the sort of run that suggests he's nowhere near the managerial immortal we sometimes pretend him to be.

But we've gone through far too many managers and too many internal upheavals in recent years - most of them inevitable I'm afraid with the calibre of managers we had - but whatever, it hasn't helped, and it's time we showed some faith in a bloke and looked at the job long term.

And no, I still don't think Pearson is a managerial genius, nor am i completely convinced he will change philosophically even though he might want to. But, he seems and honest, hard-working and intelligent man who has plenty of credence and contacts in the game. He's as good a bet as any and he does seem to have a reasonable eye for a footballer.

If he has the humility to bring in others to help him strengthen the areas where he's weak and to genuinely question whether he can do things still better then, in the end I think he can bring us success.

But we shouldn't put a date on it. I know it's still possible but I've long doubted we'll get up this year. A play-offs place is the best possibility but I just think the continuing upheavals will work against that and, even if we got into the play-offs, I think our desperation for success would go against us.

Eventually I think we'll go up from a top two position - from having a start-of-season team that has the ability and attitude to set the pace, rather like Southampton have done. Anything else would be an unexpected bonus to me.

[Babylon]

I think the club have made a lot of the pressure for themselves by promoting our "buy, buy, buy" philosophy and proclaiming to the world how good we're going to be.

In the end I don't think the raised profile this has created will matter. Manchester City did the same yet it still took time for them to be even moderately successful and they're still working on it.

When you proclaim this, that or the other, opposing teams love to put your in your place. And that's what's happened with us. We've talked the talk but have rarely looked a good enough team to walk the walk.

Ironically I think Pearson is excellent at playing things down. But while he stays grounded there's these stories now of his having millions to spend in January and how we're going to buy this guy and that guy. I don't see how it helps us on the pitch any more than owur owners even mentioning promotion.

That's not to suggest they clam up to the media. They're doing some excellent things at our club - what they need to do is keep emphasising our drive towards excellence in various way,s while downplaying the financial input and how desperate we are to achieve onfield success.

In fact, if it's possible for them financially, I'd like them to publicly make clear that they're going to show faith in Pearson long term - whether we get promotion or not. That would help relieve pressure and send the message that we know that real building might ake time and that, if we make mistakes, we'll accept it and keep building from a firm foundation.

Of course there's a risk. Pearson might have the sort of run that suggests he's nowhere near the managerial immortal we sometimes pretend him to be.

But we've gone through far too many managers and too many internal upheavals in recent years - most of them inevitable I'm afraid with the calibre of managers we had - but whatever, it hasn't helped, and it's time we showed some faith in a bloke and looked at the job long term.

And no, I still don't think Pearson is a managerial genius, nor am i completely convinced he will change philosophically even though he might want to. But, he seems and honest, hard-working and intelligent man who has plenty of credence and contacts in the game. He's as good a bet as any and he does seem to have a reasonable eye for a footballer.

If he has the humility to bring in others to help him strengthen the areas where he's weak and to genuinely question whether he can do things still better then, in the end I think he can bring us success.

But we shouldn't put a date on it. I know it's still possible but I've long doubted we'll get up this year. A play-offs place is the best possibility but I just think the continuing upheavals will work against that and, even if we got into the play-offs, I think our desperation for success would go against us.

Eventually I think we'll go up from a top two position - from having a start-of-season team that has the ability and attitude to set the pace, rather like Southampton have done. Anything else would be an unexpected bonus to me.

Blimey, I almost agree with everything you put!!

[Nickfosse]

Excellent posts from Col City fan and Thracian.

I would add what has made me feel uneasy is the pressure applied from people who should no better.

The owners at every opportunity tell us we have to get into the PL.

At the last game of the season we had Birch telling us, and I qoute "this time next we will be having a promotion party". As if its all as easy as that!

Stringers first prog notes in RL slot "this season has Leicester's name all over it".

Anyone who has had anything do do with football and Leicester knows it was never gonna be that way.

Whilst I agree with the players need to deal with it, it is part and parcel of the game. One way I think it does effect is choosing the easy, short, sideways ball rather than look to play our speedy front two in because they fear the inevitable groan and moan when it goes wrong. Might be wrong but I do wonder

[Kitchandro]

Don't get what your point is, it bares no relation to my point in agreeing with the origial post and saying that the air of expectation is corrosive and indeed is proving counter-productive

I said I want promotion, but I think we should expect 'continual improvement' rather than actual promotion... that way the relationship between the fans & club, players etc could be far more healthy and make promotion actually more likely than spunking millions up the wall alone.

want & expect are two different words

Sorry but that's absolute rubbish.

Top, the players and Sven said we should be getting promotion this year and that that was the aim.

We were right to expect promotion this season, a good manager would have taken the money he had in his year in charge and made us into one of the strongest sides in the division.

I don't see why I should lower my expectations when I had a good reason to be positive this summer. They have all made a rod for their own back by talking themselves up and now they have to deal with that.

And what's this rubbish about West Ham fans not moaning when things aren't goin well? Absolute crap, every club will have people who moan when things don't go well, and groans of frustration come from those fans who care. Also bare in mind they have a better team than us and are second in the league, they don't really have a reason to moan.

And I' going to say something else about my expectations - we should be getting in the play-offs this season. Pearson has took over with plenty of time and if we don't finish in the play-offs he has underperformed. And I still expect him and think that he will get us there.

[Kitchandro]

And I would spin that around and suggest that if the same fans supported rather than attacked the same players they would have a much better chance to provide the level of performance those fans require.

I think the culture in football has totally changed. Everyone is an expert, everyone knows better. I think it's born both from the Football Manager generation and the general culture that seems to prevail recently in that many people think everyone else in inferior to them and they always know better.

As a fan of course not everything is rosy in the garden all the time but surely we all want the same thing? Owners, Manager, Players, Fans.. we all want success, so why do fans think that goal is best served by attacking the only people that can provide it... the players.

Jesus Christ.

Firstly, I have never played football manager.

But I do go and watch us play every home game and some away. I can see which players are playing shite. And so can most people, for example, yes there are differing views here but I think most would agree that the likes of Wellens, King and Nugent played poorly on Saturday. I think most would also agree that hte first two haven't been at their best this season. That's why they are getting stick.

What do you want from us, do you want us to not express our views on here? Do you want us not to care if these players are letting us down?

[Kitchandro]

Man City players don't seem to have any trouble in dealing with 'the pressure'. Poor excuse. You're either good at football or you're not. Stop fvcking whinging and win some games you bunch of tossers.

[Kitchandro]

I think a lot of the posts put on this thread since I last looked yesterday sum up my point..

'You get paid a ****ing fortune now get the **** on with it' is exactly what I am trying to say is the problem.

So you have a job of work, whether you get paid 10k a year or 1,000,000 a year can you do any better or worse than your absolute best?

Does being paid a lot of money automatically mean all your emotions or ability to feel the weight of expectation or pressure disappears?

I know it wont change because the general consensus amongst the masses is that footballers are overpaid and do little for their money.

But this IS the reason why we are struggling for me, too many people are pointing the finger and expecting miracles week in week out, and when they don't happen places like this forum are full of poisonous vitriol.

So you're actually blaming our poor form on the fans?

You do talk some absolute shite.

[foxaholic]

Regarding the comment that West Ham fansare not moaning . My daughter lives in London and including ours have been to 3 West Ham games including ours and waiting for the tube they were all saying this was the worst West Ham side for years and the league was absolutely rubbish quoting one of the reasons that compared to other leagues how well the teams coming up do,

[Mack]

So you're actually blaming our poor form on the fans?

You do talk some absolute shite.

I think you need to read my original post again.

Point being that there has been a culture generated around the club of expectation by the media, owners and fans that the players are struggling under the weight of.

So yes, the atmosphere in the stadium is partly to blame, but not solely, in my opinion.

[Kitchandro]

I think you need to read my original post again.

Point being that there has been a culture generated around the club of expectation by the media, owners and fans that the players are struggling under the weight of.

So yes, the atmosphere in the stadium is partly to blame, but not solely, in my opinion.

But as has been said, other teams have a lot of pressure and are dealing with it. Why are ours so mentally weak?

[Mack]

Regarding the comment that West Ham fansare not moaning . My daughter lives in London and including ours have been to 3 West Ham games including ours and waiting for the tube they were all saying this was the worst West Ham side for years and the league was absolutely rubbish quoting one of the reasons that compared to other leagues how well the teams coming up do,

Murmurings amongst fans privately on the tube are not what I am talking about, for some reason they think they are some sort of guardian of football played the right way, and Allardyce's style of play is not compatible with that belief, hence the odd grumble on the way home.

I am talking about the environment created in the stadium for the players to perform in.

The vermin create a decent positive atmosphere and attempt to encourage their team.

[artursteppe]

I have not read through this thread, but quite simply if players are not good enough, can't 'hack' it, are too weak physically and mentally GET RID!!!!!!!

[Kitchandro]

Murmurings amongst fans privately on the tube are not what I am talking about, for some reason they think they are some sort of guardian of football played the right way, and Allardyce's style of play is not compatible with that belief, hence the odd grumble on the way home.

I am talking about the environment created in the stadium for the players to perform in.

The vermin create a decent positive atmosphere and attempt to encourage their team.

How do you know that? Do you watch them every week? Even if you did, how could you know there weren't people moaning in the stands when the players made mistakes (which they probably wouldn't hear anyway)?

In fact I can almost guarantee that their fans are the same despite having a better team than us.

[Thracian]

Blimey, I almost agree with everything you put!!

Strange, but I agreed with one of your posts yesterday. Didn't mention it because I thought you'd think i was being sarcastic! .

[jamesmilner]

callous ? what a pathetic topic, pressure is at my work everywhere , i can feel it like the others , theres a recession on . i am expected to do my job , my boss says so , he puts lots of pressure on me to perform , if i dont perform , i am sacked . man up a bit , pressure is life deal with it !

[dannythefox]

My view on this is the team needs a good shake up starting with no Wellens on Saturday, play Johnson if he's fit this season Wellens has had at best two bad games to one good one and he doesn't warrant a starting place. And I would never have Howard taking up a place on the bench again he's done very well at Leicester but it's time to let him go. Schulpp should be on the bench every week to get him game time.

[Guest bennytwohats]

Alot of idealistic talking about what the player *should* be doing with the pressure in this thread.

I agree with OP, thought it for a while. To be honest I don't really enjoy going to home games that much these days because I can't stand how much our fans get on top of the players so easily. If I don't like the fact, chances are some of the players don't like it either. I'm certainly not alone either.

Much happier at away games tbh. The sense of entitlement and the instant gratification has sucked alot of the fun out of it for me at the KP. I call myself a supporter so I support my team and try to do my little bit in helping to motivate them, booing them and moaning I can only see having the opposite effect. Of course you pay your money blah blah blah, but if you think that because they should be able to deal with it, then its not having any affect then you're looking at things way too simplisticly imo.

Actually had to move seats last year when I had my season ticket because I couldn't self indulgent whining.

[Guest bennytwohats]

callous ? what a pathetic topic, pressure is at my work everywhere , i can feel it like the others , theres a recession on . i am expected to do my job , my boss says so , he puts lots of pressure on me to perform , if i dont perform , i am sacked . man up a bit , pressure is life deal with it !

You're missing the point entirely, the players aren't coming out and saying 'we can;t handle the pressure', they're getting on with it. But being human after all the point being made is that the pressure (of which there is a disproportionate amount) may be affecting their performance. Even if players are doing well then they might not be doing as well as they could be.

But at homes games I've seen it time and time again. Start of slow, miss a couple of opportunities and the crowd starts moaning. That's when we have a problem because the whole team looks rocked, nobody wants the ball, people stop trying things, confidence goes, we make mistakes. What should happen is bordering on irrelevant - what do you want us to do? Sack the whole team?

For now it is what it is, I'd love it if we backed our team a little more. Wouldn't you prefer it if you were working in an environment without the pressure? It's not about feeling sorry for them, it's about getting the best out of them.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Pressure isnt having a job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .or being payed 20'000 a week

[Guest bennytwohats]

Pressure isnt having a job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .or being payed 20'000 a week

Yeah, I mean the superstars should feel it even less too right. Can't imagine someone like Fabregas was even remotely bothered about playing in front of 85,000 at the weekend, because he gets paid 100k+. I can't even imagine how little pressure you must get being the head of a major corporation, those guys get tons of cash!!

[Fox1651]

Pressure isnt having a job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .or being payed 20'000 a week

This

[Corky]

In fairness to the players, I haven't seen anyone come out and say they can't deal with the pressure on them (though I highly doubt they would anyway).

Maybe we aren't good enough, or other sides are better than us.

[Nickfosse]

Man City players don't seem to have any trouble in dealing with 'the pressure'. Poor excuse. You're either good at football or you're not. Stop fvcking whinging and win some games you bunch of tossers.

Not sure that the example of Man City is your friend in this exchange of views.

In their first and second season of remarkable investment they have not achieved goals commensurate with that injection of money.

Europa League and an FA Cup is not the most enviable return for their money. But I don't hear the Dubai guys talk of "must win Premier League" or "must win Champions league" in the way we do. And we have no idea how they will cope with pressure if someone puts it on them last couple of months of this season. They are already out of the Champions League as you know.

Another issue is the complexity of our league and how investment does not equal success.

As Wellens said a few weeks ago, every game hangs on almost the toss of a coin. You could come away from any game and say if one or two things had have happened differently the result would have been altered. You could say that about most games of football but in our league more than any. That is why none of us have a clue what any given result might be, and we get frustrated beyond words when it doesn't happen for us (me included).

The other issue is the loan market, the quality of players in this league and players willing to play for us.

Birmingham haven't got a pot to pee in presently but they can put out Ridgewell, Davies, King, Zigic and Chris Wood who you could argue will stack up well against the guys playing in their positions at Leicester. They haven't spent a penny.

We can only buy those willing to play in the second tier, and end up paying over the odds as a result to make them do it and even that doesn't work always. I have no doubt that Maynard, Jelavic, Long and Robbie Keane would all be an improvement on Beckford and Nugent, but money didn't talk. They all chose not to play for us or were not released by their clubs.