The role we play as fans.

[Trent_Rover]

Before I start, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not condemning anybody’s choice to moan, groan, boo or express their frustration however they choose to. You do you.

That being said, I feel like now more than ever we as fans are truly needed to help drag us out of this slump and I would like to urge people to try and encourage our team in any way possible as let’s be honest confidence is clearly shot to pieces at the moment.

Since Joe Ironside slotted that penalty away at Sutton, we have been lucky to witness some incredible moments following our team and we have shared moments of celebration with the players and coaching staff whilst riding the wave of success. It is very easy to support a winning team, what is not so easy to do is stay positive in the face of negativity. It is often a cliche that the fans are the 12th man and what I have witnessed over the last few weeks especially, are players extremely low on self belief sinking further and further into themselves, whilst we as fans are left naturally frustrated with what we see.

Having just watched Owen Baileys post match interview you can see he is hurting. I suspect they all are. No player steps onto the pitch wanting to fail and the impact we as fans can have is needed now more than ever to get behind them and like I said before, drag them out of this slump.

Please also do not interpret this as a ‘sunshine and rainbows’ post. I am not naive. I know how bad the games have been recently. I know players are under performing and I know team selection has been questionable. But as the song goes; if we are rovers til we die then now is the time we rally behind our team just like we have done in the past time and time again to great effect. You do not become a bad team over night. The impact confidence and support can have is unparalleled- and now is our time to help instil this.

Tin hat- firmly placed on.

[Chris Black come back]

Crowd at last few games home and away has been terrible. Totally insipid.

[colincramb]

It’s been very flat at home since the Bradford match. Even when we’ve taken the lead in the last few home games it’s not made a difference.

[Padge_DRFC]

Said it in another thread crowd has been dreadful.

The middle of the south stand decided to bring the we lost last week and we lost today as though its been happening for 2 years straight.

May as well put an armless man on the drum next game.

Good thing is those who go to Reading next week will mainly be the hardcore win lose or draw fans. So support shouldn't be as negative

[Trent_Rover]

It’s a vicious cycle isn’t it. Almost a self fulfilling prophecy whereby the crowd become frustrated with poor performance during a bad run and then react accordingly when it happens again, creating further tension all round.   

It only takes a spark to break the cycle though and unfortunately it doesn’t look like that spark will come from the pitch with players clearly low on self believe at the moment but the fans can provide it with support. It’s no coincidence our last good showing was Bradford at home.

[mpc123]

The other teams are mentioning it. As our crowd are straight on our back. We can turn from best to worst very easily.

We are going to make it so hard for us to get back onto winning ways because of this alone. The story is have a go at them and thrn straight away the donny fans will be straight on the teams back. Its quite embsrrasing to be kniwn for that.

[graingrover]

It is right of Trent and this issue is general throughout football and it will take some work to change this aspect of the matchday experience .
It would be a very good challenge for the Black Bank to orchestrate a special extra crowd funding.I and a lot of us would support that I am sure and it would be  proof that our Club  is better in so many ways.Will the Black Bank organisers please please consider this ? When the going gets tough Black Bank gets going to encourage the other stands’

[CottyRover]

I agree very much with this post. I must admit I am far from being the best singer, but the power and enthusiasm of our vocal support has understandably tailed off recently. I thought it was a shame that so many of us chose to leave early yesterday. Grant came over first to acknowledge the support, and had to urge the team to do the same. It must have been dispiriting for them to applaud an emptying south stand. I'm sure Grant will be doing all he can to raise the spirits of the team. Is there anything we can do to raise our own spirits to help the team to become again the team they can be? As the OP says, a team does not become a bad team overnight.

[Surrey Rover]

How about the atmosphere inside Kenilworth Road three weeks ago? It was superb, it was a second long trip for the majority of Rovers fans inside three days who will have spent a lot of money, time and effort turning out to back the players. The response and recognition of that support from the majority of the team was not acceptable, the fans were excellent, the players just didn’t turn up.

[Spud]

Considering the form we're in, I didn't think it was too bad yesterday. It's hardly gonna be bouncing for 90 minutes given recent results, I think the BB did have a go at raising the tempo at times.

[Dougiebulletheader]

We did try yesterday but I think the fans are in a slump as well, the form effects everyone. You look forwards all week to the game as its the realise from what is increasingly a daft world  and then it just doesn't quite happen. There's a malaise setting in and we all have a part to play. Me n lad will be travelling best part of 400 miles again next weekend to support our team best we can...also there is two more sides to the ground. I know BB is where the singers go but get off your hands.

[Nudga]

I must admit, I wasn't feeling it walking up to the stadium. 
Don't know if it's because I'm that busy and I'm knackered by the weekend or just that I'm not expecting much from the team at the moment. 
Im usually very vocal and love an atmosphere.

Maybe we should rally round for the next home game, organise the flags, scarves or whatever and make it a 90 minute non stop singing challenge.

[Dougiebulletheader]

Next home game is Dingles...we have Reading and Crewe away first...bloody shite drive to Crewe..

[DRFC_AjA]

Stop falling into the trap of saying that support depends on the performance. Support should be singing whatever the performance and in fact if the team is losing you can argue there should be more support. It shouldn't be an excuse used to advocate less singing. But it is sadly

Said it on the Boro match thread that even a 4 0 down they were singing and waving their flags. Said it previously that European fans just dont stop singing even when they're losing. Anyone watching champ league tonight have a listen at Newcastle or Arsenal since they are favourites. The away fans will be singing all game.

Pull your finger out and stop saying that if the team isn't performing then that's a reason to sing or chant less