GLF 64: Graham suggests that a bit of realism might be in order.
FANS' EXPECTATIONS
Reading internet message boards in recent weeks, I am amazed at how fans of all clubs get their knickers in a twist when they lose.Some of our own were particularly bad after a poor performance in Inverness recently, with almost everybody at the club at fault for some part of the defeat or another!
Hibs fans were the same after the Cup semi - final, they had expected to see offDunfermline and win their first Scottish Cup for 105 years, and add this to the League Cup they had already won and secure a Cup double in the process.
After the euphoria of the League Cup win and the praise heaped on the players and management, the semi defeat saw this flip 360 degrees and they were no longer good enough.
These emotional swings have long been a trait of football fans but I find it strange that some can't steer a more sensible course.Having watched Motherwell for almost 45 years I have experienced the lows of relegation on three occasions, the administration period and when not being relegated some dour seasons.
I have also experienced the highs of beating Tottenham in the Texaco Cup, Scottish Cup wins over the Old Firm and then the '91 Cup win leading to European appearances.
When I look back, the norm is somewhere in between and we are one of the clubs who should be in the top division but we have no divine right to be there.
In fact our current run of twenty - two years in the top flight, I believe, has spoiled a generation of 'Well fans who have never experienced life outside of the top flight. I know people aged 28 who have no memory of us having played outside the top flight.
I therefore think we need to embrace the good times and enjoy them to the full but when we are down let's not beat ourselves up too much and accept that we are Motherwell FC and the 121 years of our existence have been a roller-coaster ride -and you never know, next season may see us on the up once again.
Graham Barnstaple
Visit the GLF archive. Hundreds of articles.