There is far too much pressure and expectation on this squad

[Guest Col city fan]

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.

I have a theory and I don't know if its pants or not.

I think that some of our so called 'fans' actually don't want us to do well on the pitch.

Some of the fellas around where I sit (and its usually the same ones) seem to revel in 90 minutes worth of slagging the team off. I think that this phenomenon has increased since the level of expectation has increased. I think it was harder to slag off the likes of Nielsen and Berner because they were effectively playing in a team under Pearson that was actually 'over-achieving' vis-a-vis what was expected and the salaries they were on.

Since Sven arrived and we signed players for ridiculous transfer fees and wages higher than most in the Championship there is now 'justification' if you like, for those who enjoy moaning, to moan.

I think this argument about the 'players being under no pressure because they are on 25k per week' has also amplified because we are in a recession. With people losing their jobs, having less disposable income etc.. the better paid 'prima donnas' become even more of a target for Joe Public.

Finally, losing football matches gives people further fuel to complain, to say its all bad, and that we are not going to get promoted when we should be etc...

I genuinely feel that people get something from negativity and its becoming endemic in a world where we all expect instant success and value for money.

Perhaps we should have beaten Peterborough, but I bet that some are secretly glad we didn't.

Forums such as this are fantastic in giving us the chance to ventilate, to get it 'off our chests' so to speak.

However, to do this during football matches brings everyone down. I have no idea whether it affects the players on the pitch. I doubt it has as much impact as some suggests it might. But thats just my opinion. But I do get fed up hearning the same old voices venting from the first minute of every game and then continue to do so throughout. It gets boring to be honest and I do believe these guys actually revel in us not doing well.

[Guest bennytwohats]

I have a theory and I don't know if its pants or not.

I think that some of our so called 'fans' actually don't want us to do well on the pitch.

Some of the fellas around where I sit (and its usually the same ones) seem to revel in 90 minutes worth of slagging the team off. I think that this phenomenon has increased since the level of expectation has increased. I think it was harder to slag off the likes of Nielsen and Berner because they were effectively playing in a team under Pearson that was actually 'over-achieving' vis-a-vis what was expected and the salaries they were on.

Since Sven arrived and we signed players for ridiculous transfer fees and wages higher than most in the Championship there is now 'justification' if you like, for those who enjoy moaning, to moan.

I think this argument about the 'players being under no pressure because they are on 25k per week' has also amplified because we are in a recession. With people losing their jobs, having less disposable income etc.. the better paid 'prima donnas' become even more of a target for Joe Public.

Finally, losing football matches gives people further fuel to complain, to say its all bad, and that we are not going to get promoted when we should be etc...

I genuinely feel that people get something from negativity and its becoming endemic in a world where we all expect instant success and value for money.

Perhaps we should have beaten Peterborough, but I bet that some are secretly glad we didn't.

Forums such as this are fantastic in giving us the chance to ventilate, to get it 'off our chests' so to speak.

However, to do this during football matches brings everyone down. I have no idea whether it affects the players on the pitch. I doubt it has as much impact as some suggests it might. But thats just my opinion. But I do get fed up hearning the same old voices venting from the first minute of every game and then continue to do so throughout. It gets boring to be honest and I do believe these guys actually revel in us not doing well.

Agree with pretty much all of this.

To clarify I don't think anyone is blaming our performances wholly on pressure, just asking the question as to whether it is a factor or not - imo it is. I'm not sure how one could argue that it isn't detrimental.

[Mack]

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.

No I dont watch them every week, but I do know quite a few Vermin and I have been in recent times and they do make much more noise / are more supportive than our fans have been of late.

I dont know if you have been to the King Power lately but it's like a library on the whole until a stray pass is played and a huge groan of disgust can be heard.

[Weller in Tights]

When is the usual character going to come on and say:

"They pay their money, they can moan if they want" we get that every time.

Personally I would like a much more positive fan base that gets behind the team. I know I am straying on the (oh my god) much discussed..... 'ATMOSPHERE TOPIC', but I love to see some of the foreign crowds that sing and sing and chant no matter what the score.

I know some of you will say "that's not what I pay my money for, I want a victory or I want attractive football"

Well this is only my opinion, I do not mean to force it on others, but I love an atmosphere where, yes, ok, it may get a bit 'Tribal' and a bit 'Nasty', but where you really know who you support and you are there together willing them on.

I await the criticism, oh and who was the prat that said "Weller in Tights.... what a gay name". The genius of football scored a famous goal on Match of The Day while wearing tights. I just thought it celebrated that. I didn't know it would stir the deep rooted homosexual tendancies of one of our readers. I am sorry if it has now made you doubt your sexuality. Or maybe it's done you a favour!!!!!

[beryllind]

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?

I agree with your comments, what I don't want is N P to out and get another 10 players like Sven, get 2 or 3 Good players and then rebuild, at the rate we are going we will be nearer the 1st division than premier

[He's not bald]

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

Bromance?

[Walker]

They knew exactly what they were letting themselves in for when they signed in the summer.

It's not a case of them being 'under too much pressure' etc, it's the fact that they just aren't good enough as individuals, or as a team. That's the reality i'm afraid,

[Mack]

Wellen's recent article backs up my thoughts earlier in the season.

[Babylon]

Wellen's recent article backs up my thoughts earlier in the season.

Or it's an excuse!

[Mack]

Or it's an excuse!

I dont agree.

Especially at home there are thousands of people sitting their in silence with their arms folded just expecting the team to thump the opposition.

At least the new chant has helped to break that atmosphere.

[Guest Col city fan]

I dont agree.

Especially at home there are thousands of people sitting their in silence with their arms folded just expecting the team to thump the opposition.

At least the new chant has helped to break that atmosphere.

I agree on this.. It's been very apparent this season. Particular in certain sections of the ground I think

[Guest]

Mummy , Mummy people think we should actually be winning games.

[Babylon]

I dont agree.

You don't agree it being an excuse is an option?

Especially at home there are thousands of people sitting their in silence with their arms folded just expecting the team to thump the opposition.

Sounds like the last 10 years at the Walkers.

Pressure or no pressure, we have been poorly mananged and poorly constructed for the most part.

[Corky]

Wellen's recent article backs up my thoughts earlier in the season.

It's an excuse.

[Babylon]

Strange really because when he's on the pitch people think he's full of excuses, shouting and pointing fingers.

[Mack]

I also think that the owners not been so obviously around the club more recently is a recognition that their demands have weighed heavily around the necks of the players.

And they decided to take a more back seat approach for a while to give them some space.

[Guest]

I also think that the owners not been so obviously around the club more recently is a recognition that their demands have weighed heavily around the necks of the players.

And they decided to take a more back seat approach for a while to give them some space.

Or that they have day jobs

[Corky]

I dont agree.

Especially at home there are thousands of people sitting their in silence with their arms folded just expecting the team to thump the opposition.

At least the new chant has helped to break that atmosphere.

Has this pressure been so great that they can't back up a good performance and result with another?

That's where the problem lies. It's not that they can't do it, they just don't do it enough.

[Ilkeston_Fox]

The owners will probably splash more cash to stay in the prem I would have thought.

Haven't we proved that splashing the cash isn't the right way to go about things? We got closer to tasting the Premiership limelight with Pearson's approach than we ever did with Svens.

Don't get me wrong I'm well aware that we'd need to spend to stay up if we got there, but not necessarily an excessive amount that some (not meaning you) fans seem to expect.

[woznotwos]

It cant be pressure now surely !! no-one expects more than mid table this season now and only hopes for better like every other team does !

[Raw Dykes]

Haven't we proved that splashing the cash isn't the right way to go about things? We got closer to tasting the Premiership limelight with Pearson's approach than we ever did with Svens.

Don't get me wrong I'm well aware that we'd need to spend to stay up if we got there, but not necessarily an excessive amount that some (not meaning you) fans seem to expect.

Exactly! I'm convinced that everything's in place for us to succeed now. We have a manager who we know can build a good Championship team, and this time he's got money to spend. NP is a manager who will spend money wisely. He knows what it's like to manage a club with a limited budget, so he won't go spunking millions on overrated players like certain people have done.

I get the impression NP does research into his transfer targets, to make sure they've got the right character, work ethic, attitude, etc., whereas I'm sure Sven wouldn't have bothered.

[Mjlewis08]

Exactly! I'm convinced that everything's in place for us to succeed now. We have a manager who we know can build a good Championship team, and this time he's got money to spend. NP is a manager who will spend money wisely. He knows what it's like to manage a club with a limited budget, so he won't go spunking millions on overrated players like certain people have done.

I get the impression NP does research into his transfer targets, to make sure they've got the right character, work ethic, attitude, etc., whereas I'm sure Sven wouldn't have bothered.

I think Sven thought he was on eBay at times, "Well, err, look Derek I am the high bidder"