By the same token, a crackling, intense atmosphere (and I'm including, pre-match, before a ball has even been kicked) can generate an intimidating, hostile yet defiant togetherness from the fans that spill down to the players, and maybe, can sometimes generate that self belief and confidence of us SUPPORTING the TEAM that ALLOWS them to play better football...
It's a two way thing; we're as much a part of the matchday experience as the players... (despite what Levy might think!)
We can't physically get on the pitch and PLAY the game, but we can certainly affect it from the stands!
Fans who skulk down to their seat in near silence 5 minutes into the game only to sit and DEMAND to be entertained before they even consider standing up to cheer a goal (we can ALL do that) is what drains the atmosphere...
Why do you think we conceded so many early goals at the arse end of last season? Everyone had effectively given up... The fans, the players, NO ONE CARED!
Generate the atmosphere to GIVE the impression we can affect things... Show we care, and support, regardless of the scoreline.
I refer my learned friend back to the UEFA Cup final 1984... Danny Thomas misses his crucial penalty, and what happens...?
The fans took it upon themselves to lift HIM, and as such, lift the WHOLE team... In that one split second, everything changed.
The rest is history.
That wim was as much the fans as it was Tony Parkes (though I'm pretty sure most fans in the ground that night wouldn't have saved the Pen!
If that Danny Thomas penalty had been taken 40 years later, he'd have been booed off the pitch. THAT'S the difference!
#12th man and all that!!