I think it was Isaac Newton who first postulated that every action has an equal but opposite reaction; I guess in that light it’s only to be expected that a worse-than-usual Sharks performance over the weekend has prompted a rather savage and long-running backlash from the fans.
We tend to go through this pattern rather often here; a poor performance draws a lot of criticism in the early part of the week, only for our natural optimism and “fan-ness” to take over come midweek. By the time Wednesday comes around we’re all firmly talking team selection and Thursday and Friday are full on pre-match hype cheerleading days.
It’s taken a bit longer to get there this week, but I think it’s now time to put the anger caused by Saturday’s performance behind us and do what we as fans naturally do – support our team.
The last thing any of us want is another defeat this weekend and I think as passionate supporters, it behooves us shelve the pessimism and get behind our team once more.
To John, Gary and the boys, there’ve been harsh words this week and some perhaps too personal. As your fans, we need you to believe that our hearts are in the right place and just as we need to understand and move on from the failings of the team (as human beings) we need you to accept our failings in the same spirit. We’re all part of the same family, after all, committed to the same goal and it’s time to get behind one another and make things right.
I’m backing the Sharks to put in a big performance this weekend and salvage some much needed pride for themselves and for us, their fans! These guys are simply too good not to.
Tweet
Hear, Hear!
To Fred Zeilinga, Andre Esterhuizen and Kyle Cooper … who will all be given extended opportunities. Show your team what you are made of.
To the team, show them that adversity will not get us down.
To the Coaching staff … just as I have firmly put the bulk of the blame for losses on you, I will gladly praise you guys for any type of turnaround.
I’m still in a ‘whatever’ mood. Optimism and full support will only kick in by Friday I guess.
I’m sorry but it’s up to the coaches and players to earn back our respect. What I saw on Saturday was the worst I’ve ever seen the Sharks play. It’s going to take a bit more than 5 days for me to forget that. I’m still shell-shocked with the shameful display.
Its not always a bad thing for a group of seniors to sick out for an extended period of time.
It would obviously be a tad better if the circumstances were slightly more auspicious.
But the reality is there are legends in the making that now have the opportunity to stick up their hand.
This happened to the Stormers a few years ago and guys like Karr, Etsebeth and de Allende stuck up their hands.
I, a very positive, sometimes over positive, sharks supporter have to semi agree with Ben here… its been a lonnnnggggg week after I for the first time ever said that I was ashamed to be a Shark supporter after saterday ‘ s game… so ill cry for another few days. .. Thank you…
I’m thawing out and agree with you Rob. I hung my head in shame at the display dished up last Saturday but never for being a Sharks fan.
@Letgo (Comment 1) : Cooper? *cough cough*.Come now, you need better sources.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Do you mean Franco will be promoted?
It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last time we get hammered.
I am keen to see what Gary and co are going to do to turn things around in 4 Days.
I for one think there will be intensity, but we will fall back on minimalistic rugby.
But Go Sharks!!!
@VinChainSaw (Comment 4) : Last time I looked Stormers were about to lose their 4th in a row
No thanks I plan on staying angry until they show intent to improve, still waiting….still angry.
@Ben (Comment 3) : I agree, blind optimism and damage control doesn’t work for some people.
Jaaaaa…
Sharks to win on Saturday by 15,and Jordan Spieth for the Masters
@The hound (Comment 10) :
Sorry, did you say something?
It certainly wasnt something relevant.
@Bokhoring (Comment 8) : if I said “yes” that would be telling.
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Interesting! Cooper has been the understudy for what seems like forever, but Franco certainly was a damn sight better at executing the basics of his position on Sat. It’s going to be interesting to see if he can do so consistently if given an extended run
@Culling Song (Comment 17) : let me tell you, he’s properly up for the challenge.
@Culling Song (Comment 17) : @robdylan (Comment 18) : And Franco only played because Hadebe was injured?
one general comment I’d like to add. I’ve spoken to a number of the players this week and there is one overriding concern that they seem to have.
They hate the fact that they let us down. What seems to be really motivating them this week is the desire to get their fans’ respect back.
I think that speaks volumes.
@Ben (Comment 19) : last week? No, Hadebe was dropped.
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Shouldn’t they have thought of that before they ran around like headless chickens on Saturday?
Kyle just has not pushed on as a starting hooker. Hes not a bad player but he is not dominating in the 2 position. Franco has massive potential. Still think he is 10kg too light
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Cool, saw him sitting with JPP in the stands on Saturday. Assumed he was injured.
@Ben (Comment 22) : human beings make mistakes.
It wasnt the loss but the manner of how we lost that got me angry.I will of course continue to support the boys as I have done since the 80’s…and will do for many more. Black n white forever! BUT I am not stupid and deserve the respect as a fan that doesnt need to be treated with unsporstmanlike behaviour a team that represents me.
@robdylan (Comment 25) : True, but usually only nature causes disasters. 😉
@VinChainSaw (Comment 15) : I think its very relevant,Sharks being castigated by all and sundry including you,yet as bad as we are we haven’t lost four in a row yet.
Now isn’t that relevant when we take into consideration that the Stormers are on the cusp of achieving that distinguishment.
@byron (Comment 23) : Pooper is at best CC material nothing more
I am still dazed by the last game. I am certainly not jumping ship, but please guys get some real passion back. I am talking about intelligent passion.Get you first phase right, sort rucks out, get mauls moving forward and lastly let our line get forward moving ball.
Look, I have been a Sharks/Natal supporter since before I can remember. I vividly remember the B-section days and watching the boys play at Woodburn. If I,could survive them losing to Suid-Oos Transvaal, I can survive them losing against the Crusaders. I was pretty gutted on Saturday, I had some harsh words to say…and I still have serious questions that I hope are answered (I am still concerned about the lack of transparency in many respects). But I will NEVER stop supporting the Sharks. And of,course I will be filled with hope this weekend and will be shouting loud for the boys (at the reception of the wedding I have on Saturday)… 😆
@robdylan (Comment 18) : Well, if ever the time was ripe to usurp the no. 2 jersey, it’s now. I used to rate Cooper very highly, but he has failed to properly make use of the opportunities presented to him. And I must say, I like what I’ve seen of Franco thus far
@Culling Song (Comment 32) : Hmmm…but can we afford to rest our props and throw Franco into the starting role. I would say rest Beast, play Thomas and Chadwick, Jannie and Adriaanse…and Franco with Coops on the bench. Maybe it will also motivate Cooper to get into some higher gears!
Hmmm it will take me more than a few days to simply forgive and forget a humiliating, highly embarrassing 50 point pasting at home. A lot needs to be done by team and management, not me.
I have no doubt the team will play better this weekend. “Our backs are to the wall”. For some unknown reason we choke on the games we should win and play the good stuff when the cliched “backs are to the wall”. And, it’s only the Lions – our Super rugby history against them is overwhelming.
Oh yes, Rob…well done in getting the mention on Suoerwrap this week!
Oh yes, Rob…well done in getting the mention on Superwrap this week!
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/150408/SuperWrap_Week_8_2015
@pastorshark (Comment 36) : What are you referring to?
@The hound (Comment 28) : Do you really want to compare the rugby being played by the the stormers and the sharks at the moment?
I’m not saying they’re world beaters but they’re one helluva lot better than they were a few seasons ago. And my point is that some youngsters put their hands up at that point and its starting to bear fruit.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 38) : 😆 you weren’t even trying to stir this time, and your post was actually positive. Your reputation precedes you my friend.
@pastorshark (Comment 36) : The tweets…and the rest of the article pretty clearly showed they were reading Sharksworld this week… 😆
@The hound (Comment 28) :
Are you seriously suggesting we be more content or less negative because the Stomers are possibly worse off? Everyone else can be on 10 losing or winning streaks it makes no difference to the fact that Saturday was the most embarrassing Sharks display in a number of years. that was the sort of manshaming reserved for people in prison.
@robdylan (Comment 25) : They get paid not to, most professions not have the luxury allowing for mistakes.
@Seth101 (Comment 42) : that’s rubbish and you know it.
Interesting comments from Mitchell on the Sharks:
“One of the problems Jake White had at the Sharks was that he was perceived as a disciplinarian because he got too involved in off-field disciplines instead of leaving that role to his support staff. When I was All Blacks coach, the team manager was responsible for handling discipline. You don’t want the head coach to be seen as the disciplinarian.
I believe the biggest challenge for any team management is when you have key players in your team, and they are allowed to behave like superstars instead of putting the team first.”
@VinChainSaw (Comment 38) : that point is moot,your team was just robbed blind last weekend that’s all and also shows when you bring a proper coach like PT on board what happens
@Bokhoring (Comment 44) : Came across that article too, made for some interesting reading, especially the part you quoted.
@robdylan (Comment 43) : Doing your job is rubbish? Well looking at how they played I guess they agree.
@vanmartin (Comment 46) : I was going to (and probably still will) do an article about that. I decided to shelve it for now, though, since the team doesn’t need more hits now.
@Seth101 (Comment 47) : Umm…no. I think what Rob is saying is that “Nobody makes mistakes” or “Nobody is ever allowed to make mistakes” is rubbish…
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Understood and agreed. Time to back our team for this weekend.
@pastorshark (Comment 49) : exactly
@robdylan (Comment 51) : I too might act stupid…
@Bokhoring (Comment 44) : Who is the team manager now that Piet Strydom is retired?
@The hound (Comment 53) : Trevor Barnes
@robdylan (Comment 54) : Thanks
@pastorshark (Comment 49) : Did I say no one is ever allowed to make mistakes? The problem is when it becomes a recurring theme, much like 3 red cards…..
one general comment I’d like to add. I’ve spoken to a number of the players this week and there is one overriding concern that they seem to have.
They hate the fact that they let us down. What seems to be really motivating them this week is the desire to get their fans’ respect back.
I think that speaks volumes.
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
That’s funny.
The only thing that speaks volumes of is that they’ve realised its an easier game this week.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 57) : Now that is a proper stir! 😈
@Southern_Shark (Comment 58) : luckily I know the man well enough to know that I shouldn’t respond 🙂
@VinChainSaw (Comment 57) : Yeah most of them are thinking thank God it’s not the Wataraths,and four in a row.
@Seth101 (Comment 56) : Well, you did say that they get paid not to make mistakes and that most professions do not have the luxury of allowing for mistakes. But I’m happy to let it rest… 😀
@Seth101 (Comment 56) : What I absolutely agree with you on is that I am very disappointed with the three red Cards!
@VinChainSaw (Comment 57) : @robdylan (Comment 59) : In that case I’ll limit my response to: hmm…
@Seth101 (Comment 56) : Unacceptable. 🙄
Well yes, I kinda wish we WERE playing a top team like the Hurricanes or Brumbies or even the Bulls away to really test the mettle and determination of this team.
We’ve only lost something like 1 in the last 11 to the Lions. So making big noises about putting things right is just a little hollow – we expect them to beat the Lions! And “our backs are to the wall” $&€%#$!
I just hope to see some sort of plan on the field and a team cohesiveness.