[Albion] Have you ENJOYED this season?

[Thunder Bolt]

It astonishes me that anyone is moaning about the cup runs.
Liverpool (current PL leaders & finalist) knocked us out of the the League cup in the last 16.
We knocked Norwich, Newcastle and Chelsea out of the FA cup before getting knocked out on penalties by Forest, with three of those teams above us in the PL.

Yes, it would’ve been good to progress but we were hardly wimps in the cup games.

 

[jackalbion]

Had some cracking days out, but ruined by the football sometimes, but of course I’ve enjoyed it, it’s another season watching this rollercoaster of a club.

 

[Doug-ees-evil]

Have gone for Meh.
Mainly because over the full season so far there’s a been reasonable distribution of a) great b) average/meh and c) absolutely diabolical (with Brentford sitting comfortably in the ‘c’ category).

I’ve really not enjoyed the home games this year overall TBH. Maybe 4 or 5 max (the wins of course). Feel like I am going through habit really rather than excitement. The atmosphere has deteriorated a lot this year IMHO. Probably not helped by the fact there is zero emotional bond or connection between Fab and the fans. I missed both Chelsea whilst away so that might be a factor. (I won’t cloud this thread Q with how I stand on the Fab in/out issue).

The football has been very frustrating at times of course, but I am more bothered by this kind of new apathy from our supporters. I’m surrounded by people who seem to be more interested in their half time burger and pint and pissing off in the 83rd minute. Feels like the Amex this year is 50% who give a shit and 50% who treat as a nice day out and something to do, or somewhere to whinge.

I don’t particularly understand or like our loan business this year, am baffled and quite concerned by much of our recent recruitment and the whole customer, corporate thing seems to have gone up a notch this year.

The away days however have been largely magnificent. A completely different crowd and 100% better vibe and atmosphere. Amazed by our sell outs week in week out. Everton away was superb (first and last Goodison visit) - the best Albion sing-song of the season for me.
First trip to Toon away was sensational. One of the best aways me and my crew have ever done.. absolutely loved everything about it. Even enjoyed Chelsea away, a mesmerisingly fast and wild game of football. Norwich away also was a highlight. Nice to go east, cracking pre match beers and a heartwarming Shane Duffy love-in.

Even Brentford was a great day until 5 minutes into the game. The Steam Packet is probably the nicest pre match pub I’ve visited all season. Quaffing London Pride in the sun by the river with a great friend with the waft of smashed burgers from the pub BBQ. Seeing TB in the crowd being egged on for a chant. There’s always joy and top memories from any away day. I’d buy an ‘away season ticket only’ if it was available in a heart beat.

Most of all I am really appreciative that I share all this madness with my lad and my best mates. I love that my son still wants to come with me home and away (paying for 90% probably helps and these are special memories that I cherish to be honest. Much more important than all the football hysteria.

I am content with mid table and a cup Q’final. But I really want the season to end. It’s been emotionally draining and feels so very long this year. Bring on the summer and a radio blackout of all things Albion (which of course will be impossible).

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

We won't be relegated.

What more did people expect - the Spanish Inquisition?

Can’t believe I’ve read 9 pages and haven’t seen the correct reply to this post.
Anyway, here goes:

*Clears throat………

NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I've enjoyed it, perhaps not as much as some previous seasons, but its always fun watching Brighton up here with the big boys. I also don't get to watch Brighton in person much, but made 4 games this year, and some absolute blinders - Forest at home could have been better, but then Spurs, Man City and Chelsea in the league was a hell of a threesome, havent enjoyed games as much as that for a while. So yeah, pretty good.

I have NOT enjoyed North Stand Chat very much this season. This place has changed a lot in the last few years, and not for the better

 

[El Presidente]

Personally I’ve enjoyed doing the double over Manchester United, beating Chelsea twice and Manchester City at home. All three of those teams have squads costing more than £1bn compared to less than £400m at the Albion. Add in two victories over Newcastle, unbeaten against Arsenal and beating Spurs and that’s pretty decent, especially given the extent of injuries over the course of the season.

Downside has been Palace doing the double, some poor defending & finishing at times and struggling to beat clubs who come for a point and set up a low block.

With five games to go we have a European place in our own hands, albeit on the back of a poor run. I intend to see every remaining match and looking forward to it.

To have a realistic chance of being top six contenders need to be recruting players on about £20k a week more than where we are at present (squad currently average only £65k a week). Not fair to expect Uncle Tone to put further money in so if increase ST prices by an average of just £960 per person (or matchday, including kids, by £50) then that should cover it. Anyone who opposes the above clearly lacks ambition and frankly I don’t think they should call themselves supporters.

 

[Nicksinclair13]

Yes, I’ve enjoyed the season.

Like anything… there’s been some good bits and some bad bits.

I’ve left games absolutely buzzing… I’ve left other games or watched on TV completely exasperated.

None of these have made or broken an entire season.

I hope I’m wrong but I think we will have a pretty torrid end to the season now but… but even if we didn’t win another game I wouldn’t say the season is ‘written off’ as others have suggested.

Some highlights for me have been:

Arsenal (A)
Man City (H)
Chelsea twice in a week (H)
United (H)
Spurs (H)
Fulham (H)

As the great wordsmith Ronan Keating once said - “Life is a rollercoaster… you’ve just got to ride it”.

 

[Hamilton]

Meh!

I enjoy seeing friends. The football has left me a bit cold.

 

[saafend_seagull]

Personally I’ve enjoyed doing the double over Manchester United, beating Chelsea twice and Manchester City at home. All three of those teams have squads costing more than £1bn compared to less than £400m at the Albion. Add in two victories over Newcastle, unbeaten against Arsenal and beating Spurs and that’s pretty decent, especially given the extent of injuries over the course of the season.

Downside has been Palace doing the double, some poor defending & finishing at times and struggling to beat clubs who come for a point and set up a low block.

With five games to go we have a European place in our own hands, albeit on the back of a poor run. I intend to see every remaining match and looking forward to it.

To have a realistic chance of being top six contenders need to be recruting players on about £20k a week more than where we are at present (squad currently average only £65k a week). Not fair to expect Uncle Tone to put further money in so if increase ST prices by an average of just £960 per person (or matchday, including kids, by £50) then that should cover it. Anyone who opposes the above clearly lacks ambition and frankly I don’t think they should call themselves supporters.

European football isn’t in our own hands, we are tenth.

 

[Chicken Run]

As the great wordsmith Ronan Keating once said - “Life is a rollercoaster… you’ve just got to ride it”.

Or alternatively as G Barlow once said..


“This is the club we've been given
So open your mind and start living
We can play a part if we only start believing”

 

[southstandandy]

Have gone for Meh.
Mainly because over the full season so far there’s a been reasonable distribution of a) great b) average/meh and c) absolutely diabolical (with Brentford sitting comfortably in the ‘c’ category).

I’ve really not enjoyed the home games this year overall TBH. Maybe 4 or 5 max (the wins of course). Feel like I am going through habit really rather than excitement. The atmosphere has deteriorated a lot this year IMHO. Probably not helped by the fact there is zero emotional bond or connection between Fab and the fans. I missed both Chelsea whilst away so that might be a factor. (I won’t cloud this thread Q with how I stand on the Fab in/out issue).

The football has been very frustrating at times of course, but I am more bothered by this kind of new apathy from our supporters. I’m surrounded by people who seem to be more interested in their half time burger and pint and pissing off in the 83rd minute. Feels like the Amex this year is 50% who give a shit and 50% who treat as a nice day out and something to do, or somewhere to whinge.

I don’t particularly understand or like our loan business this year, am baffled and quite concerned by much of our recent recruitment and the whole customer, corporate thing seems to have gone up a notch this year.

The away days however have been largely magnificent. A completely different crowd and 100% better vibe and atmosphere. Amazed by our sell outs week in week out. Everton away was superb (first and last Goodison visit) - the best Albion sing-song of the season for me.
First trip to Toon away was sensational. One of the best aways me and my crew have ever done.. absolutely loved everything about it. Even enjoyed Chelsea away, a mesmerisingly fast and wild game of football. Norwich away also was a highlight. Nice to go east, cracking pre match beers and a heartwarming Shane Duffy love-in.

Even Brentford was a great day until 5 minutes into the game. The Steam Packet is probably the nicest pre match pub I’ve visited all season. Quaffing London Pride in the sun by the river with a great friend with the waft of smashed burgers from the pub BBQ. Seeing TB in the crowd being egged on for a chant. There’s always joy and top memories from any away day. I’d buy an ‘away season ticket only’ if it was available in a heart beat.

Most of all I am really appreciative that I share all this madness with my lad and my best mates. I love that my son still wants to come with me home and away (paying for 90% probably helps and these are special memories that I cherish to be honest. Much more important than all the football hysteria.

I am content with mid table and a cup Q’final. But I really want the season to end. It’s been emotionally draining and feels so very long this year. Bring on the summer and a radio blackout of all things Albion (which of course will be impossible).

Can't disagree with you but sadly that's just how football is these days (that's why I spend more time watching Shoreham than the Albion - and I did have a season ticket for 26 years). The corporate dollar is king and that's just modern day football (whether we like it or not).

We have so many 'new' fans who do see it as a day out or the tourist fans who see it the same way - remember back at Withdean even though we had something like 4 or 5 promotions in 12 years and were largely successful, very few games ever sold out. Yes, it was a dive, BUT moving on and up into the Premier League was always going to attract a degree of new fans (very welcome) but who want wifi, decent food, merch, almost as much as they want to see a game.

The atmosphere has definitely become diluted and I will agree that there does appear to be a disconnect between Fab and the fans from the games I've attended. Oh well, back to watching proper local footy at Shoreham.

 

[tigertim68]

It astonishes me that anyone is moaning about the cup runs.
Liverpool (current PL leaders & finalist) knocked us out of the the League cup in the last 16.
We knocked Norwich, Newcastle and Chelsea out of the FA cup before getting knocked out on penalties by Forest, with three of those teams above us in the PL.

Yes, it would’ve been good to progress but we were hardly wimps in the cup games.

The FA Cup run was good , an inept performance at home in the quarter final where the team only went for it in the last period of extra time , was probably one of the most disappointing performances of the season

 

[Hudson Hawk]

No. Too many poor performances and no idea what type of system we’re trying to play. For better or worse, Hughton, Potter and DeZerbi all had a playing style. Fab, I dunno lol.

 

[MattBackHome]

I loved Tyler Dibling's performance at the Amex

 

[Weststander]

I loved Tyler Dibling's performance at the Amex

Semenyo, Soumaré, Archer, Mavididi …. we’ve witnessed some exhibition football.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Personally I’ve enjoyed doing the double over Manchester United, beating Chelsea twice and Manchester City at home. All three of those teams have squads costing more than £1bn compared to less than £400m at the Albion. Add in two victories over Newcastle, unbeaten against Arsenal and beating Spurs and that’s pretty decent, especially given the extent of injuries over the course of the season.

Downside has been Palace doing the double, some poor defending & finishing at times and struggling to beat clubs who come for a point and set up a low block.

With five games to go we have a European place in our own hands, albeit on the back of a poor run. I intend to see every remaining match and looking forward to it.

To have a realistic chance of being top six contenders need to be recruting players on about £20k a week more than where we are at present (squad currently average only £65k a week). Not fair to expect Uncle Tone to put further money in so if increase ST prices by an average of just £960 per person (or matchday, including kids, by £50) then that should cover it. Anyone who opposes the above clearly lacks ambition and frankly I don’t think they should call themselves supporters.

I am prepared to be recruited at only £65k a week and have my every performance derided by the supporters.

It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I loved Tyler Dibling's performance at the Amex

Q. Do you love Tyler Dibling?
A. I don't know, I've never Tyler Dibled

 

[DJ NOBO]

Meh.

Thought it would be a crazy fun ride under Fab but it’s been drab on the whole.

If we can sort the defence, next season could be the one.

 

[Giraffe]

If we had beaten Palace twice then I'd have said yes, but suffering the first double against them for 80 odd years has tipped me into the meh camp. It just feels like the players or perhaps more the manager didn't understand how important those games are, and that is quite annoying.

 

[Van Cleef]

We've been the epitome of mid-tableness-ness for most of the time, which never makes for the most exciting of seasons (cup excluded). Its been a par season I'd say, but I can't get lathered up over it - God knows I've tried.