| A message to the more positive supporter 12:22 - Aug 13 with 1975 views | Whos_blue |
I'm not sure how this will land, but here goes. (The thread is of course open to all, but I'm looking for kindred spirits first and foremost).
I might be classed as a happy clapper and to be honest that's probably fair.
I try to use football as an escape and dare I say enjoyable break from the old routine.
Like most people, I didn't find much enjoyment last season.
However, I can see how far the club has come since the dark days of Evans, Hurst and Lambert. From a run down midtable nothing of a club, what we've seen since Gamechanger come in is nothing short of miraculous.
I get that passions run high after a loss or poor result, but what we've seen over the last the last five days has actually been quite upsetting. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but jeez, it's been a bit of a cess pit here lately.
My question is what do I do?
Do I just avoid this place after a poor result or try to offer a balanced opinion? I got involved last night and regret it now. Not that I'm so precious about downvotes, I use them myself, but to be challenged and down voted for offering an opinion that Humphreys and Barbrook had done ok was just disheartening.
But then I also believe that to say nothing is to be complicit.
What approach do other more patient and long termist supporters do, because more nights like last night on here will just force people away and it risks becoming a haven for vitreol. |  |
| Distortion becomes somehow pure in its wildness. |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:26 - Aug 13 with 1541 views | Herbivore |
I left it well alone last night after full time and have been sparing today in how much I've even read, let alone contributed to. I'm with you, footy is an escape for and I've massively enjoyed (most of) what's gone on at the club over the last 3.5 years. We've had some amazing times. I'm also old enough and realistic enough to know that's not the norm and footy can be a right old slog sometimes too. But the world is depressing enough right now, why be so relentlessly negative about one of the things that's meant to provide a bit of light relief? Frustration is fine, critique is fine, but some of the knee jerk reactive flouncing gets a bit much. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:29 - Aug 13 with 1497 views | mrfixit426 |
If it wasn't so tragic, it would be hilarious.
Win every pre-season game at a canter.
Get a valuable point at from potentially the toughest away game of the season in a hostile atmosphere at an absolute circus of an event orchestrated by Sky TV.
Lose in an early round of the League Cup to lower league opposition, just like we have for the previous (insert number here) seasons, in a game we seem to have used as an extra pre-season friendly.
Suddenly everyone is losing their minds. Mental. |  | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:32 - Aug 13 with 1448 views | HighgateBlue |
I've definitely not been one of the more positive souls these last few days. Maybe I've gone too far in that. However, hopefully as a fellow Town fan, that's kindred spirit enough.
I think disparaging phrases like happy clappers v bedwetters are unhelpful. Opinions are honestly held, and they differ. They differ reasonably. Plus, there's nothing wrong with clapping, or indeed trying to be happy!
You are absolutely right that we have come such a very long way. We must all bear that in mind when we are reacting to what might be short term clangers, calamities, bumps in the road.
You must stay, and keep idiots like me in line. Hopefully there will be many more days when positivity outweighs negativity. I think it's because we have all seen what /can/ be achieved at this club under this regime that it's so disappointing when it appears that maybe there are some problems, and that it all might go wrong again.
But. The League Cup doesn't much matter. We have new signings through the door. Players that want to leave presumably will leave. Any teething problems will hopefully be over with in a few weeks. We got an away point against the bookies' third favourites. And we are still the bookies' favourites!
And you know what, Humphreys and Barbrook DID do OK!
Peace. |  | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:32 - Aug 13 with 1445 views | J2BLUE |
I use a radical approach of giving it more than a game or two before judging. There is an element of this board and other Town based social media who are very easily led and once a few start being negative that minority start bouncing off each other and egging each other on.
Southampton will be tough but there is no reason we can't get a win. A morale boosting signing would be nice before that game takes place.
I really think we will be fine over the season. Let's look again when the window closes. I think people will be much happier. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:34 - Aug 13 with 1394 views | positivity |
pay no attention to the idiots is the best policy, use the ignore button for repeat offenders.
(i'm not saying ignore any criticism, i read and take on board all of the more considered critiques, but the knee-jerk flouncers and repeat bed-wetters bore me)
we lost at home to maidstone, a far, far more limited team than bromley. the board erupted with daft lads and we still had a relatively successful season, so i take it all with a very large pinch of salt! |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:34 - Aug 13 with 1384 views | SheffordBlue |
I really dislike both the "happy clapper" and "bedwetter" terms. I think most issues are far more shades of grey than black and white. I hope I come across on here as someone who engages in good faith and some of the things I try to do (but recognise that maybe I don't always get right!) are:
1) Acknowledge concerns - I think that recognizing that people's alternate viewpoints often have points that are fair can help.
2) Posing things as opinions rather than facts. E.g "I think that" rather than "It is". A lot of the threads that seem to go off the rails here on lots of topics seem to be when people pose things as absolute certainties when in reality they are an opinion.
3) Asking things as questions rather than making statements - "Might it be the case that.....?" tends to evoke a different response than just providing a contradictory viewpoint.
4) (Probably the one I struggle most with!) - just recognising when to walk away from a thread. Sometimes viewpoints are just too far apart to resolve on a platform like this.
Hopefully that helps. I think the same thinking applies to the more naturally pessimistic amongst us trying to convince the naturally optimistic that they are right! | |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:38 - Aug 13 with 1312 views | homer_123 |
I logged off not long after the game last night having seen the way it was going.
That said, the vast majority on here, whether we agree nor not, will generally discuss and debate. That said, I am also realistic enough to understand that some will never change their view and/ or are being deliberately dogmatic for the hell of it.
Though that applies from whatever your standpoint.
I am both surprised and not surprised that it's taken 180 minutes of football (without losing) for things to turn though. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:38 - Aug 13 with 1299 views | Swansea_Blue |
Everyone’s going overboard on this and the “happy clappers” are no different than the doom mongers. It’s football. People get pissed off when we lose and are happy when we win. It’s always been this way and forever will be. Shouldn’t be a surprise or an issue. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:39 - Aug 13 with 1280 views | blueasfook |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:38 - Aug 13 by homer_123 |
I logged off not long after the game last night having seen the way it was going.
That said, the vast majority on here, whether we agree nor not, will generally discuss and debate. That said, I am also realistic enough to understand that some will never change their view and/ or are being deliberately dogmatic for the hell of it.
Though that applies from whatever your standpoint.
I am both surprised and not surprised that it's taken 180 minutes of football (without losing) for things to turn though. |
If we lose against Southampton on sunday, I expect the Mckenna Out movement to get into full swing. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:40 - Aug 13 with 1262 views | Markp68 |
I like to see myself as somewhat of a realist that doesn’t go in for all the hyperbole when results go against us but also for us, the whole not too up when we win and not too down when we lose mantra maybe because after 50 years as a blue I’ve seen it all before.I sit in the background for the most part and tend to read but rarely comment after results like last night as balanced opinions don’t seem to cut it straight after poor performances.
I totally agree with you about the changes to our great club since Gamechanger took over and know the club is in safe hands. Undoubtedly we are light in both quality and numbers at 1st team level but I’m sure those running the club are not sat on there hands “waiting on No.1 targets” but will no doubt have multiple plates spinning regarding incomings and I feel reasonably confident we’ll get the right players in. So let’s judge the business and the on pitch performances not the minute the window shuts but after we’ve played 10-15 games and if nothings changed then it would be time to ask the tougher questions. But football is a game of opinions and I’m sure that there are many who agree with me but many who do not | | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:40 - Aug 13 with 1254 views | tonybied |
I don't think it's complicit to leave well alone for the first 12-24 hours after a rather negative result. It can be a whirlwind of negative emotions in that period, you find most users will calm down a a day or so. Most of it is just Knee-jerk and there's nothing really wrong with that. It helps some to cope with the feelings.
I tend to step away directly after, and I'll usually step back up the morning after, depending on whether my mood has improved. These are not hard rules I stick to, and on occasions I post in that period and find, like you my voice is lost to the wave of negativity, or even that I've been dragged into it, usually I end up regretting engaging either way.
My point is, post away, whenever, if it helps, but disregard any over-reactionary negativity straight after. It's always going to be a melting pot here after a loss, and that is exaggerated at the moment, after last seasons results. |  | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:40 - Aug 13 with 1252 views | Cafe_Newman |
One's search for perspective, consolation, optimism, hope and solace is never far away.
Click on the link below for a more meaningful life.
Davis = Draught Excluder??? by Whos_blue 11 Aug 11:32I think this has some merit.
In the same way that we have a set piece coach on the bench on matchdays, we could also have a mime coach.
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:41 - Aug 13 with 1232 views | dirtyboy |
Firstly, uppies and downvotes are meaningless. (I spent a lot of energy hammering this sh*t out of my kids on social media 'likes').
I only really value the opinion of people I know, who know me and who I trust.
That said, there are fair few posters on here who you spot, tend to see offer a relatively balanced conversation and i'm interested in their thoughts and disagreeing with them is easy, not because I disagree, just because it's sensible, reasoned stuff, just a differing of opinion, which is fine, because football is very subjective in many areas.
When the final whistle went last night, I said to my son "don't go on socials" just for the very reason you mention.
Football results affect all of our moods because it's important to us. We all react differently to set backs, but I think there's a distinct divide between those who see setbacks as bumps in the road on the way to a destination. Others see them as taking a different direction to a different destination.
That's nature, would be a boring world if we were all the same.
The one thing i'll always try to be is positive though, because negativity spreads and creates an atmosphere nobody likes and is proven to be detrimental to performance. It's why athletes have pshycologists ironing out those traits.
I love my quotes and think many ring true and with sport,
"Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right"
Mindset matters. I'm not quitting on this squad or these players. If they're what we start the season with, is it constructive to be negative to them? Absolutely not. I'm a supporter of the club, not an enemy.
The club bosses don't need us to explain that things aren't where they need to be, they know. They're clearly not losing games on purpose ffs.
Anyway, a win against Southampton changes everything.
Always about the next game. |  | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:43 - Aug 13 with 1186 views | blueasfook |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:38 - Aug 13 by Swansea_Blue |
Everyone’s going overboard on this and the “happy clappers” are no different than the doom mongers. It’s football. People get pissed off when we lose and are happy when we win. It’s always been this way and forever will be. Shouldn’t be a surprise or an issue. |
Indeed I find those who are blindly optimistic just as annoying as the negative ninnies. Our situation isnt great right now. We just lost a cup tie to a 4th division reserve side. A fortunate penalty saved our bacon against Brum, We are still needing 3 or 4 quality signings this window and we have at least one sulking primadonna who is refusing to play for us.
Can fully understand some fans being concerned. | |
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| This…. on 12:43 - Aug 13 with 1184 views | Bloots |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:34 - Aug 13 by SheffordBlue |
I really dislike both the "happy clapper" and "bedwetter" terms. I think most issues are far more shades of grey than black and white. I hope I come across on here as someone who engages in good faith and some of the things I try to do (but recognise that maybe I don't always get right!) are:
1) Acknowledge concerns - I think that recognizing that people's alternate viewpoints often have points that are fair can help.
2) Posing things as opinions rather than facts. E.g "I think that" rather than "It is". A lot of the threads that seem to go off the rails here on lots of topics seem to be when people pose things as absolute certainties when in reality they are an opinion.
3) Asking things as questions rather than making statements - "Might it be the case that.....?" tends to evoke a different response than just providing a contradictory viewpoint.
4) (Probably the one I struggle most with!) - just recognising when to walk away from a thread. Sometimes viewpoints are just too far apart to resolve on a platform like this.
Hopefully that helps. I think the same thinking applies to the more naturally pessimistic amongst us trying to convince the naturally optimistic that they are right! |
….is sound advice.
You are a wise sage.
I might just also add that crying about downvotes is one of the most ridiculous things that posters do on here.
It really doesn’t matter what some div on a football forum thinks about you or your opinion. |  |
| "Great to see you back on here mate, I was considering deactivating my account if you hadn’t returned" - TWTD User (Aug 2025) |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:44 - Aug 13 with 1143 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
There is always room for the more positive fan. That was me last season even when it was pretty cr@p on the pitch I was certainly one of the "look where we have comefrom " brigade and I stand by that.
Last night annoyed me as I just didn't feel that was a performance I could get behind from anyone on the pitch. But I'm not giving up as some seem to have done on various sites.
If people cant disagree with you in a reasonable way, that is their problem, not yours. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:44 - Aug 13 with 1138 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:29 - Aug 13 by mrfixit426 |
If it wasn't so tragic, it would be hilarious.
Win every pre-season game at a canter.
Get a valuable point at from potentially the toughest away game of the season in a hostile atmosphere at an absolute circus of an event orchestrated by Sky TV.
Lose in an early round of the League Cup to lower league opposition, just like we have for the previous (insert number here) seasons, in a game we seem to have used as an extra pre-season friendly.
Suddenly everyone is losing their minds. Mental. |
This is spot on. The only thing I would add is that this is the same reaction on here each time we crash out of a cup to lower opposition.
Cajuste, Akpom, either Hutchinson or his replacement(s) still to play. It’s certainly better than some are suggesting. Barbrook and Humphrey’s both showed promise but you can’t expect them as a pair to be strong enough. |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:50 - Aug 13 with 1035 views | bluelagos |
Couple of thoughts:
Firstly, TWTD on a matchday and ITFC in person are worlds apart. At the ground last night a few people were grumbling but that was about it.
Players came over and most of us applauded their efforts - albeit not enthusiastically. Thought - I'll bet Twtd is an absolute cess pitt tonight - and seems I wasn't wrong.
I think those who experienced the McCarthy/Hurst/Lambert years in person know how far we've come. Same at Portman Rd - every single ST holder was the same in L1 - so knows how far we have come and 99% are far less entitled than what we see on here.
I think the worst are those who don't go regularly and/or are relatively new to following Towen. The entitlement is like a 5 year old throwing their teddy out of the pram tbh.
So I opt for the "avoid" strategy and simply don't engage with the worst of them. If you've ever called for McKenna's head - then what do you know about football? Fck all - and so why would I ever consider your opinion on football worth listening to?
Give it a few hours and sanity returns... |  |
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| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:51 - Aug 13 with 1017 views | EuanTown |
Social media allows everyone to have a voice and opinion which is rightfully theirs.
However, some people do not believe that an opinion that differs to their view is acceptable. People have forgotten to discuss debate and agree to disagree.
Whereas in the past a discussion with family and friends has now become a discussion with anyone across the world. Hidden behind a phone or screen people say stuff they may not say face to face, because there is little or no repercussions.
Hidden issues that may have nothing to do with the debated item come to the fore, meaning a bad day at work, anger, rage, depression, even mental health issues can overspill and turn a lively debate into a barrage of personal abuse.
I think most of us have been frustrated with last season. Most have been frustrated with the first two games of the season.
Can we keep it into perspective, some can some cannot. Do we want our team to do well, does not every fan. Have our expectations been raised to high. Have we been promised something the club is finding hard to deliver.
I did find some hope from the game. Yes the midfield pairing did well against Bromley. Chappers did his usual job of trying to get things going.
Do I think others don't look capable, able, yes I do. But I cannot do anything about it. Control the controllables. I have no ability to influence mark, Kieran or the players.
I have my season ticket, I go to home games, I cheer, I sing, and I have a good moan. Do I worry, about many things including my team.
How do I deal with the highs and the lows, move on, more important things to worry about. But for some this is their life, their be all and end all.
Life and death is more important than football. |  | | |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:52 - Aug 13 with 975 views | Cafe_Newman |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:41 - Aug 13 by dirtyboy |
Firstly, uppies and downvotes are meaningless. (I spent a lot of energy hammering this sh*t out of my kids on social media 'likes').
I only really value the opinion of people I know, who know me and who I trust.
That said, there are fair few posters on here who you spot, tend to see offer a relatively balanced conversation and i'm interested in their thoughts and disagreeing with them is easy, not because I disagree, just because it's sensible, reasoned stuff, just a differing of opinion, which is fine, because football is very subjective in many areas.
When the final whistle went last night, I said to my son "don't go on socials" just for the very reason you mention.
Football results affect all of our moods because it's important to us. We all react differently to set backs, but I think there's a distinct divide between those who see setbacks as bumps in the road on the way to a destination. Others see them as taking a different direction to a different destination.
That's nature, would be a boring world if we were all the same.
The one thing i'll always try to be is positive though, because negativity spreads and creates an atmosphere nobody likes and is proven to be detrimental to performance. It's why athletes have pshycologists ironing out those traits.
I love my quotes and think many ring true and with sport,
"Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right"
Mindset matters. I'm not quitting on this squad or these players. If they're what we start the season with, is it constructive to be negative to them? Absolutely not. I'm a supporter of the club, not an enemy.
The club bosses don't need us to explain that things aren't where they need to be, they know. They're clearly not losing games on purpose ffs.
Anyway, a win against Southampton changes everything.
Always about the next game. |
I agree with all this but I'm reluctant to upvote it because you don't have over 10,000 forum votes, in fact you're almost as insignificant on here as I am. [Post edited 13 Aug 12:53]
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| If we end up with…. on 12:53 - Aug 13 with 954 views | Bloots |
| A message to the more positive supporter on 12:39 - Aug 13 by blueasfook |
If we lose against Southampton on sunday, I expect the Mckenna Out movement to get into full swing. |
….AAH playing right wing again then I’ll be leading that movement.
Booooooo!!! | |
| "Great to see you back on here mate, I was considering deactivating my account if you hadn’t returned" - TWTD User (Aug 2025) |
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| If we end up with…. on 12:55 - Aug 13 with 912 views | blueasfook |
| If we end up with…. on 12:53 - Aug 13 by Bloots |
….AAH playing right wing again then I’ll be leading that movement.
Booooooo!!! |
I heard McK is gonna try him in goal | |
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| If we end up with…. on 12:57 - Aug 13 with 856 views | positivity |
| If we end up with…. on 12:55 - Aug 13 by blueasfook |
I heard McK is gonna try him in goal |
cARnt bee wOrse than palmer/muric (insert current escaped goat here) | |
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| Nah, not good enough with his feet. (n/t) on 12:57 - Aug 13 with 842 views | Bloots |
| If we end up with…. on 12:55 - Aug 13 by blueasfook |
I heard McK is gonna try him in goal |
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| "Great to see you back on here mate, I was considering deactivating my account if you hadn’t returned" - TWTD User (Aug 2025) |
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| If we end up with…. on 13:02 - Aug 13 with 754 views | blueasfook |
| If we end up with…. on 12:57 - Aug 13 by positivity |
cARnt bee wOrse than palmer/muric (insert current escaped goat here) |
he Wooden refuze to play like Hutcherson eiver | |
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