Boo-boys down through the years

[From Despair To Where?]

I remember Colin Gordon's treatment. he had big shoes to fill in Trev but when Trev's supply line was sold off with the spine of the 85-86 team, poor Colin had little or no service to work with. He also looked the part for a bustling number nine and he came with a good goal scoring record at Wimbledon.

After a couple of months of no goals he was serenaded with "motivational" boos and donkey impersonations, which must have done his shot confidence the power of good. He redeemed himself for one rain soaked midweek miracle at Stamford Bridge, and then reverted to type afterwards.

To be fair a fair few of the players between 1987 and 1990 got real stick. Not always deserved as Branfoot's direct style had been found out and Smee had no money so any half decent talents were sold off double quick.

Francis Joseph, Mark Whitlock, Irving Gernon and Paul Franklin spring to mind as getting jip off supporters. Then when we did manage to find some cash both Steve Moran and Craig Maskell suffered. Then there was Mike Conroy. Of all of them I never understood why Maskell and Conroy got stick.

Joseph and Gernon were all right, Franklin's biggest problem was that he wasn't Steve Wood but Whitlock truly was one of the worst footballers I've ever seen but as you say, just about everyone got stick. I remember Stuart Beacon topping the tart chart at some point.

I liked Conroy. Another player whose only serious fault was that he wasn't Trevor Senior.

[Forbury Lion]

Reminds me of a newspaper match report article that described Bas Savage as a player who treated the ball like it was his mortal enemy, I think he was also described as Bambi on ice but I can't remember if that was in the press or just on here.

I seem to remember Bas Savage having his best game in a Reading shirt in the home League Cup game v Chelsea 2004ish?

IIRC That's the one where Kevin Dillon suggested bringing him on as sub at right wing & Pardew went with it.

[harry]

Matt Mills probably deserved a boo or two for letting the East Stand moaners get to him.

I remember Andy Hughes being guest speaker at an event at the Mad Stad and someone who didn't know who he was asked if players got affected by booing from the crowd, He said he ignored it but some players were affected and he described a player who took it personally and was really upset that it affected his game - was pretty obvious he was talking about Rougier..... so there we go, anecdotal evidence that booing your own players either has no effect or makes them worse, in effect not helping at all!

Interesting that you mention Andy Hughes, first person I remember getting ironically cheered as they were substituted. Think we sold him to Norwich not long after.

Always referred to him as puppy. Reminded me of a boxer puppy. All energy & little co-ordination. When used as attacking central midfielder (behind Forster?) I thought he was genuinely a threat. Most of the time he'd be stuck out on a wing though which was far less effective use. Also seem to recall him having to play a couple of games at full back & even once (Wolves in 2nd play-off leg) as lone striker. IMHO a hard-worker with a bit of talent when used the right way (which was rare).

[Forbury Lion]

Matt Mills probably deserved a boo or two for letting the East Stand moaners get to him.

I remember Andy Hughes being guest speaker at an event at the Mad Stad and someone who didn't know who he was asked if players got affected by booing from the crowd, He said he ignored it but some players were affected and he described a player who took it personally and was really upset that it affected his game - was pretty obvious he was talking about Rougier..... so there we go, anecdotal evidence that booing your own players either has no effect or makes them worse, in effect not helping at all!

Interesting that you mention Andy Hughes, first person I remember getting ironically cheered as they were substituted. Think we sold him to Norwich not long after.

Always referred to him as puppy. Reminded me of a boxer puppy. All energy & little co-ordination. When used as attacking central midfielder (behind Forster?) I thought he was genuinely a threat. Most of the time he'd be stuck out on a wing though which was far less effective use. Also seem to recall him having to play a couple of games at full back & even once (Wolves in 2nd play-off leg) as lone striker. IMHO a hard-worker with a bit of talent when used the right way (which was rare).

IIRC he wasn't too bad at left back, At the time our regular left back(s) were injured and he had played there before earlier in his career so volunteered this information to the manager....... He could have just kept this to himself and not taken the risk as he would have probably got a game in midfield anyway but he clearly had the teams best interests at heart.

[harry]

Interesting that you mention Andy Hughes, first person I remember getting ironically cheered as they were substituted. Think we sold him to Norwich not long after.

Always referred to him as puppy. Reminded me of a boxer puppy. All energy & little co-ordination. When used as attacking central midfielder (behind Forster?) I thought he was genuinely a threat. Most of the time he'd be stuck out on a wing though which was far less effective use. Also seem to recall him having to play a couple of games at full back & even once (Wolves in 2nd play-off leg) as lone striker. IMHO a hard-worker with a bit of talent when used the right way (which was rare).

IIRC he wasn't too bad at left back, At the time our regular left back(s) were injured and he had played there before earlier in his career so volunteered this information to the manager....... He could have just kept this to himself and not taken the risk as he would have probably got a game in midfield anyway but he clearly had the teams best interests at heart.

Some fans will never be satisfied. Even when Blackman was knocking them in for fun last season he was getting stick.
At our level we will always have to get the best out of somewhat flawed players. Unfortunately if they were perfect they wouldn't be with us in the first place.