Why are we so poor at home?

Shocking again yesterday, must be the worst 18,000 atmosphere going.

 

It's the lack of excitement that does for me. How many times have we actually looked like we might score in recent home games? Our football at home is slow, predictable and very boring and that has killed the optimism of many I suspect. Watching City at VP this season has been an endurance test so far rather than an enjoyable experience and that's an indictment of those responsible. The Northampton fans chant of 'Is this a library?' yesterday was fully justified. There's no atmosphere because the product on display is so incredibly dull.

 

Thats why I said earlier, we need Gary Jones type players/characters. Up and at ‘em type players.

 

Agree

 

Totally agree. That’s what I’ve been saying to me friend I sit with. Totally devoid of any atmosphere or excitement.

 

So it’s Stefan Rupp fault that we lose at home? What about our away form is that because Stefan Rupp gets that right? Of all the reasons for being poor at home that has to be the strangest. All an owner can do is not interfere with team selection and transfers which nobody could accuse Rupp of doing ,and making sure that the manager has the best budget available. I don’t think Hughes can complain about financial backing despite various managers being totally incapable of producing a cup run since 2015. Something Rhodes and Lawn totally relied upon. 18600 fans who want to be entertained and are left disappointed are not apathetic because of Rupp, more likely they are flat because Hughes plays a cautious conservative game with just 1 up front, midfield players who are not natural goal scorers and we just don’t create enough excitement in a home game.

 

I was talking of our fanbase masterminded by our two incompetent owners which have ripped the heart and energy out of our club.

 

Don't disagree with you too often Dave, but I do on this.

If the away form and home form was reversed this season, you would see a far better atmosphere at Valley Parade and nobody would even be thinking of ownership issues.

Not been Rupp's biggest fan and he was foolish letting Rahic loose with his investment, but you cannot knock him for the backing he has given Hughes, its down to Hughes and the players why the atmosphere is so flat and leaving us feeling like it's a chore attending at the moment.

 

You can't pin our home form on Rupp. He's backed Hughes 110% this season. The crowd, ie us, are more to blame.

 

I’m not trying to put words in Dave’s mouth but I think he’s getting at why the atmosphere is so poor, which no matter what anyone says does have a knock on effect onto performances. From minute one there’s tension in the stands and it shows on the pitch. It’ll take more than one summer of a competitive budget to make VP a fortress and getting us back going in the right direction.

 

The question was, why are we poor at home and it’s bizarre to blame Rupp when 18,600 fans turn up with great excitement and are let down once again by negative tactics. There’s tension in the stands because the fans are so desperate for the team to win.

 

The atmosphere was poor even before we'd kicked off. Don't 18,000 fans have a singing voice?

 

Yes he’s answering the question, part of the reason we’re poor is shocking atmosphere creating a tension around the ground which the players just don’t experience at away games. Rupp like it or not has been a cause of that through 5 years of failure. It won’t change over night.

 

It’s this for me. The formation, system and personnel don’t work for me at home. As much as some might laugh I’d like to see more of Oliver and Cook together with the likes of Banks, Wright and Walker (when fit) Chapman in the interim, getting the ball quickly to them and pressing the opposition back, making them play deeper.

Im not against playing out from the back but not as our main outlet. I’d like to see the ball transitioned forward much quicker at home to our ‘danger men’. The transition from keeper to the forwards is far too slow at home. We give the opposition far too much time and respect and as a result don’t gain control of the game in the early stages as one would expect from a home team - especially one which should be pushing for promotion.

I don’t buy into the players been overwhelmed, nervous etc by the occasion and VP. If this is the case there is still a big whole in the recruitment process.

 

How about this lineup:
Lewis
Halliday Platt Crichlow Foulds
Pereira Smallwood Chapman
Banks Cook Wright

 

It has changed overnight. Not one person who went to the game yesterday apart from maybe yourself or the poster who blames Rupp were saying “We are so crap because Rupp has ruined everything, nothing to do with Smallwood or Gilliead being hopeless,all down to Rupp”.

 

Not enough ball winners in midfield,we’d be overwhelmed.

 

You’ve missed the point. I don’t blame Rupp for yesterday. I do partly blame him for the atmosphere being like a morgue these last 3-4 years, and how has it changed overnight the atmosphere is appalling even at kickoff…

 

I think we are seeing how much we miss Walker and Osadebe. We would be much more creative and positive with those two in the side.
Those long term injuries picked up in the first match of the season have had a huge impact I think.
Walker coming back would help link the play with whoever is up front.

 

If 18666 turn up to watch City that is credit to Rupp and Ryan Sparks for reinvigorating the club after the last few seasons. The atmosphere is nothing to do with Rupp but due to the negative football on display at home with very little excitement at recent home games. Had we pulled a goal back just after half time you would have found the atmosphere cranking up superbly.