Fergie's rebuke for 'dead' crowd

January 01, 2008

SIR Alex Ferguson described United's crowd as 'dead' and his team's performance as 'careless' as the Reds started the New Year unimpressively.

Carlos Tevez's winner was pretty much the only bright spot of a 1-0 win over Birmingham.

"The crowd were dead," Fergie said. "It was like a funeral out there.

"It was the quietest I have heard here for some time and the atmosphere did not help us.

"There have been periods like that in the past. Some years ago, when we were dominant, the crowd came to be entertained.

"Sometimes we need them to get behind us. They can help produce the right performance but we did not get that."

Instead, the flat atmosphere only induced more sloppiness from United ranks, which would have proved costly if Mikael Forssell had found the target with two late chances.

Careless

"It only takes a second to score and we made it difficult for ourselves. it was a careless performance," added the United boss.

"Our finishing was shoddy and by being as careless as as we did, we could have been embarrassed."

Ferguson admitted Tevez's strike was the one bright spot on an otherwise disappointing day, although his team do remain two points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

"It marvellous goal and I think Carlos will go on to get 20 now," said Fergie, who celebrated his 66th birthday yesterday.

"Once we are over the New Year period, we can have a look at where we are. But effectively, the season starts now and it could be nip and tuck right to the end."

Is Fergie right about the atmosphere? Have your say.

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VALTINHO, LISBON (01/01/2008 at 18:36)

I agree with SAF, but unfortunatly is happening in most of the top 5 teams apart from Liverpool their stadium allways have an amazing atmosphere. Is it because the prices/overclass is taking over?? ashame because English football allways been known for the passion of their supporters.

1finga in wythenshawe (01/01/2008 at 18:44)

for once fergies rants after a match is justified today as the OT crowd should be ashamed of themselves, they are a load of glory hunters,and are only happy with a prawn butty or two! shame on you.

Ferrari (the original one), Toulouse (01/01/2008 at 18:52)

The crowd were dead? Have you only just noticed that you muppet!

Iben Wong (01/01/2008 at 18:56)

Sorry Fergie but I think fans are still in a stupor when trying to understand your team selection for the West Ham game. I know it has everyone I know bewildered and without energy...perhaps SAF should look at himself and the culpret in letting the "air out of the balloon" and not blame the fans who show up , travel and pay for their seats! Fergie, just when we thought your poor decisions of the past were gone for good they return!
Get rid of Fletcher and reduce the possibility of creating a chance for your opponents....it's that simple...no more putt, putts we need to keep the stallion unleashed! Let just hope the team can rebuild their collective confidence and morale.

Red Dawn (01/01/2008 at 19:18)

It was a very poor performance against West Ham and again today against Birmingham.

It's a worrying sign, and a problem for any manager when he sees a so called top European side deflate to the level of performance we are currently seeing.

The crowd had nothing whatsoever to do with it, as it's always like a church at OT unless we're crusing 3-0 up or more and the style starts being turned on. Then the fans come to life because they start to revel in their glory.

There are far too many Glory Hunters calling themselves United supporters today, and many only starting to follow United because of the influx of foreign talent, and the sight of endless Glory with the current squad. If Man United were suddenly to sink like the Titantic, they would all vanish like virgins on a prom night.

The fans (so called) are a disgrace at OT when it comes to getting behing the team, and have been for some time now, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with current level of performance.

The way I see it is, unless we have our first 11 out there, and two or more changes are made, we look a totally different team and nothing like Champions elect.

It's a real worry and it will cost us the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League unless something is done about it.

That's all part of management and something Ferguson will have to deal with.

DC, Amsterdam (01/01/2008 at 20:33)

I understand what SAF is saying but its hypocritical to claim the fans aren't singing songs and getting behind the team and then condone the massive ticket price increase (53%?) at the same time.

Truth is, the new regime prefers the day-tripping, glory hunter supporter over the die-hard red, because the latter is gonna turn up for the match, sing his heart out, then go home, whereas the day-tripper will peruse the club shop, pick up some memorabilia, maybe a replica kit or two for friends, maybe take in a stadium tour the day before, and generally part with far more cash.

So while we lose out in terms of atmosphere, 'we' gain financially.

manudarby, Niagara Falls, Canada (01/01/2008 at 20:39)

I agree that the crowd has become to elitist with the high prices and the real supporter cannot buy or get a ticket. As far as the teams performance, it comes down to the side chosen. West Ham was a disgrace. Playing 3 defensive midfielders in the 2nd half and inviting West Ham to come at us is disgraceful. We are the champs we should be going after them not sitting back. We deserved the loss because of strange decisions by SAF. I agree that we must play our best 11 if we are to win otherwise it will come down to a season without trophies do to poor management of talent.

LE KING 7 (01/01/2008 at 20:57)

Get the tkt prices down and get the real fans back. Sick of sitting next to the prawn sandwich brigade.They dont sing because they dont know the songs.

spencertea, Brussels (01/01/2008 at 21:15)

The main problem is that we lost confidence in the team and his manager since the whu debacle. if you don't bring berbatov we'll struggle, cos we're again playing poor football and relying on a ronaldo magic or a Tevez killer instinct. Don't see the current team fighting for any silveware, let alone the CL

seamus vanisle ex-stretford, Here (01/01/2008 at 21:16)

Perhaps if there was good entertainment on the pitch, then the crowd would be more into it. Get the team attitude sorted Fergie before you start pointing fingers at the fans. Terrible display again.

Syko, on my chair (01/01/2008 at 21:30)

Oh dear... I can't stop laughing... funniest thing I've read in ages. The Library it should be called. Or the Cemetery maybe. HAHAHA

red since i can remember (circa 1976), Malta (01/01/2008 at 21:57)

In my opinion it is high time that the hardcore group of fans together with the club unite to form a working committee to come up with ideas on how to improve the atmosphere at O.T.

Firstly, a designated 'singing/chanting/anthem' area has to be created with a 'conductor' setting the ball rolling. This will guarantee a steady flow of chants throughout the match. This area can also include 'coreography' with coloured sheets left on each seat which will then be held aloft and create an image when seen from a distance. Remember Milan at the San Siro?

Secondly, I would suggest the public address man regularly start to gee up the crowd. This is regularly seen at smaller stadia and there's no shame in it. It usually works and nearlly always gets a response going. The players themselves can also help out by gesticulating regularly to the crowd to up the volume.

Thirdly, the club itself can do something by distributing small flags at entry points to the stadium. These do create a great atmosphere when waved at the same time.

And last but not least. Wouldn't it be great if we had our own anthem to be sung before each game with scarves held aloft?

There's lots to do. Someone has got to take the bull by the horns and make a move!

bobbyc, manchester (01/01/2008 at 22:04)

Whats it like to see a crowd ,Ferrari ,the unoriginal one?You dont see a full house at Wastelands.Or are the empty blue seats a mirage?

Barry Lee, USA (01/01/2008 at 22:15)

Ferguson needs to understand that he has been crowing for a while now about this being his strongest squad and how excited he is. But a good squad is irrelevant if you don't pick the right team and your substitutions are poorly judged. The crowd are rightly sick and tired of Fergie being given a pass on this stuff because of his record. Time for him to become Director of Football and get Sparky in as manager.

I Would Rather Be Dead Than Red, Manchester na na na (01/01/2008 at 23:16)

to be fair, with all the different languages and accents over there in salford on match days, it is hard to get a decent atmosphere!! hahaha

happy new year!! x

The Gordon Hill Fanclub (01/01/2008 at 23:51)

the majority are now corporate entertainment and day trippers - not true united supporters - watched a clip on mutv tonight when united beat liverpool in '79 fa cup final semi...not at old trafford granted, but they were true fans who were there through all the bad times - football has changed as have the supporters. shame.

scunny rob (02/01/2008 at 00:06)

I agree with SAF, I have to admitt Iam one of the non vocal visitors to the theatre of dream. I go to most home games and take 6 customer every time i have to do this as part of my job. In most cases the people I take are not united fans they just want to see good football. You could say we are the prawn sandwich brigade but going to united works well for my business.

We did go to city for a few games but to be honest the language was embarassing and crowd was hostile. I have been offered to increase my alloctation at united to 10 tickets which we are seriously cosidering.

Malc (02/01/2008 at 02:47)

In response to Fergie likening the Old Trafford atmosphere to a funeral, I would like to ask him, seeing as he was sat up in the stands - how much noise and encouragement was coming from the section where you were sat Sir Alex? The section where they're not allowed (and probably don't even want to anyway) to wear a United shirt. That's right Sir Alex, those chaps sat in your section in their pin-stripe suits merely sit in silence throughout the game, looking forward in anticipation to their glass of champagne at half-time.

It's the real fans sat in the stands who support the team and create the atmosphere. Please Fergie, think carefully and look at the seats around where you were sat today, before you criticise us in this way again.

JoeManc, Manchester (02/01/2008 at 03:53)

Judging by the comments already, There are as many glory hunters on this website as there are in Old Trafford...

The very same people who have been having a pop at Fergie and his team selections for years.. and all he has done is transformed Manchester United time and time again in to Champions..

just for the record..

We lost at West Ham last year.. and ended up Champions..

We will lose games.. there is no devine right for Manchester United to win every game.

One player alone is not the reason a team loses a game..

Britt/Canada (02/01/2008 at 04:43)

Might be wrong but always believed that the team or players motivated the crowd...SAF requires that supporters listen to he's complaints but ignores theirs and treats them as imbeciles.You get your side of the game correct SAF and then you can complain.The supporters PAY to watch,you get very highly paid to select a entertaining and winning team for the greatest club in the world.

Loyal to the End (31 years and yer still crap), Nottingham (02/01/2008 at 04:50)

Valtinho, not even Anfield is loud these days. Yeah, they're loud on European nights, but so are we. And Iben Wong, yeah, like you would know a lot about paying for seats, being 6000 miles away from OT..

red4ever, Chennai (02/01/2008 at 07:33)

Just because the present lot are rich day trippers is not fair. I would be a day tripper should I come to Manchester on a trip. I am not a rich bloke either.

Nike has already sold 40000 Manu footballs in India within a couple of weeks. We have no countryman playing there. But Manu still have a fanatical fan following here.It is our TV cash the Glazers are busy lapping up.

The Westham display has upset just about everybody. Maybe SAF is getting back at the Glazers by using his godson.

When one cog in a well oiled machine is askew we cant expect the others to just deliver their best. The players may not say it but their feelings need to assuaged also.

DF needs to go and that is urgent. Lets not blame any Christmas parties though this years one was a mess.

No use blaming everone for a couple of bad apples. I can't believe that SAF handled the W'ham game like a dead rubber. It stinks!!!
Now he blames the crowd, the players and just about everbody else.

Lookee in the mirror SAF, it aint pretty playing like a 2nd division team.

Dev, Johannesburg (02/01/2008 at 07:33)

I'm not sure we can entirely blame 'the side chosen' regarding our last 2 games. Yes, against West Ham Fletcher playing 90 minutes was strange, and seeming to hang onto our 1-0 lead was not our style - but in both games our lads under-performed. Whether this is dues to tiredness, the virus or excessive parting, we do not seem to know yet. Arse, Chelski, Liverpool are also below-par, it seems, although Arse came back late to thrash Everton 4-1, and seemed much more at ease against the Hammers. But against B'ham we showed flashes of brilliant play. Just a thought: the last 2 games Fergie was not at the touchline, and Rooney was not there. In the absence of Tevez (below par or out-maneouvred by Hammers who seemed to know how to neutralise him; brilliant against B'Ham but came off injured) we seem not to have that industriousness upfront to win balls and makes things happen (esp if Ronaldo is below par as well). But we are in danger of over-reacting: It is clear now we need a fourth striker - but looked at in perspective we started the season low key as our new guys gelled; then went into a purple patch of brilliant play, and after the international break we won games, but were not at our fluid best (except against Sunderland, and with flashes against B'Ham). Better to have this dip now rather than later....... We certainly have the talent on and off the bench to win it all; I have watch recent Arse games and they have also struggled to reach their fluid best, so don't despair - its all in the Xmas pudding!

Blue Arab (02/01/2008 at 08:16)

i supose not they should call Trafford (The Theatre of Dead) hahaha

clarkey the kelloggs cockerel, warrington (02/01/2008 at 08:46)

bring out yer dead, bring out yer dead

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