The Fallout From Reading

I am sure most of you readers saw the match, and if you didn’t you are probably happy you missed it. Morale is low right now. Let’s face it, we played like a bad team.

This whole season has been a disappointment, and it is becoming increasingly frustrating for us, the supporters. Fingers are being pointed, and everyone is looking for answers.

I will be the first to say that I do not have all the answers, all I have are suggestions like any other supporter, but I think some of Liverpool’s faithful are being sold short.

Because of the frustrating season, there has not only been disgust by the result on the pitch, but a lot of supporters who are very faithful to Rafa taking an almost holier-than-thou attitude in regards to many Liverpool fans who want Rafa out as manager. Every time someone in the club (other than the owners, apparently) is questioned, it is sacrilege. The “Liverpool Way” is often cited as reason for this stance, but in my eyes, it is petty.

I consider myself neutral on Rafa’s future. I do not know whether it is good at this point to sack him or not, but to question the support of others because they do not agree with how the club should be managed is absurd. I have heard very valid points on whether to keep Rafa on, let him go at the end of the season or let him go immediately.

My view is to yes, support the manager and the players, but first and foremost, support the club. A former colleague of mine once said during a sports conversation, “You support the laundry, not the name on it.” He couldn’t be more correct.

Rafa is only part of the reason that we have had such a tough season to bear. No one is immune from criticism, not Rafa certainly not the players, and absolutely not the ownership.

Some of the things that may have been said after the Reading match by supporters may have been rash, but it isn’t as if this is the first loss we have endured this campaign. This is just another turn of the knife that many supporters can’t bear to see. They have their opinions, you have yours and I will have mine. If they are with sound reasoning, they are valid.

Getting into a blame game of who is right and who is wrong when it comes to supporters’ opinions is just going to cause more problems.

We need changes, in more ways than one.

Support with your heart, but think with your head.

Y.N.W.A

-Chris Boulay