Are You Listening Mr Slade?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 24/06/2005

AS always, it seems that everyone is split on opinions regarding the new squad Mr Slade has signed up so far, and what our prospects are.

There are those who see it as a new start with decent players and those who see it as a total disaster with Johnny Throwouts being signed.

So the poor folks, like me, looking for guidance, have to make a choice.

On one hand, I can see what some are saying in that Russell Slade is the manager and should know a good player when he sees one. On the other hand, others are saying he obviously doesn't, going by the signings he has made so far.

So if one wants to be on the safe side, one might assume that taking the Slade route might be the best way to go.

But one should never underestimate the knowledge of fans.

They know their football and they know their players.

Not all of them. Going by some of the posts on the MB, you would think some had never seen a football match. In fact some haven't.

But overall, some of the people who have been involved for a long time are usually right in their assessment of players. So we should not ignore fans from other clubs passing their opinions on their players we have signed.

But you also have to remember that players sometimes never fire for their club and do wonders for another club they join. We have had a few of them at BP.

But one of the greatest mistakes clubs have made in the past is not listening to what their supporters are saying. And not just about players.

That is changing somewhat nowadays with the trusts involvement. But gradual changes are taking place with more communication with their fans and getting them involved in different projects.

That is a good move in football and I think in the future fans involvement will be a great deal more than buying tickets at the ticket office. Clubs are learning very quickly that today's fans are not just numbers, but people who can, and will, vote with their feet.

So a working partnership with their supporters was always the way to go but it is only now that they are realising it and some are already gaining the benefits.

So listening to the fans is not a bad idea.

Are you listening Mr Slade??

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