High expectations of the fans => increase the pressure on teams

[bates]

Ez all,

I was just thinking that we as fans, supporters expect a lot from our team(s).
Of course this is rarther normal, but at the end their just human as well :lol:

You all know the story about 2 rivals showing of their knowledge of the game, players in their squad.
When their team wins it "o so logical " cause we have " The better team "
The other way around they start blaming: 1) The headcoach, 2) the players, 3) the venue and circumstances they played in.

The head coach blames the ref and the lack of effort of some of the players and the players blame the ref and other player sof their squad. :lol:

As this is the reality I sometime sask meself if we don't expect too much from our teams?
Off course it makes sense that the pressure is on SA to win as they are the current world Champions. the same for the AB as they win so many games, so when they participate on a large tournement everybody focus on them as well.

so what's your opinion about this one,

 

[St Helens RLFC]

This is most certainly true.

It's one of the biggest reasons the England football team fail - they cannot handle the (ridiculously high) expectations of the troglodyte, small time fans who expect INGERLUND to win every match, ever.

I'm sure the same happens in rugby. I personally think rugby players are stronger mentally but it will still play on their mind. Expectations of the media can also cause derailment but that is less of a feature in rugby, either code.

You want the biggest example of a team getting overwhelmed by the expectations of everyone and everything? Look no further than this time last year and the All Blacks losing to France.

 

[bates]

Thnx for the reply mate,

And I do agree with that great example.
But as rugby is one of the sports where the fans show the most respect to teams, players, refs etc...

Any chance if this going to change?
I mean, some of the better players play overseas so they can't be selected in the national team unless they have those special contracts.
Most Super 14 teams don't have that big budgets and their currency is not that strong as the â'¬,£ so they have to invest in their youth players.

It's a strange thing, this pressure and actually you don't need to create it.