Attention all users…. I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere.
At the end of my last piece – perhaps a little bit of self-indulgent navel gazing, in hindsight – I was left pondering something. Am I able to support the Sharks regardless of results?
The answer to that, of course, is yes. Of course yes. I’m human and I get emotional and irrational when I’m upset, but ultimately, logic can and must prevail.
Do I, as a fan, have any influence or control over results? No. Is it my fault if the Sharks don’t live up to the expectations that I have unilaterally decided to hold for them? No. Is it theirs? Well, probably also no.
So, let’s move forward. I accept the Sharks in all their failed beauty. I will continue to offer them my fullest support, but will aim to do so with a far more realistic and perhaps somewhat less hopeful outlook. I want to try to be positive without being naive. I trust you will all keep me honest.
Black and white forever, after all!
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Awesome news, Rob! I would like to thank you and the other people who selflessly and passionately, put the posts together! I honestly appreciate the articles and the banter so would have missed them had you decided to withdraw! 😀
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 1) : thanks you Jules.
Part of the challenge for me is to somehow balance enthusiasm with realism without sounding cynical.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : not sure either – perhaps the trick is to say, while the players and staff of sharks have this as their livelihood, for the rest of us, it remains a sport and a pastime that we can enjoy. The other thing that I try to focus on is the fact that I don’t believe that there is one of those players or coaches who go out there and say, ‘how can I stuff up royally today so that my employees and fans absolutely hate me?!’ Perhaps these sentiments will allow the Sharks a little more grace and allow the fans a little less angst. ??? Not sure ????
Great piece as usual Rob. You have the ability to always bring things into perspective. Really enjoy this site……we do get carried away but we are passionate.
I thank you……
Glad you decided not to throw in the towel. This must be one of the best websites for fans in the world.
Thanks, Rob. Good man…I remain a huge supporter of both the team and this site!
It’s probably not out of place to repeat what I wrote on the thread of the other article:
I can understand the disappointment, I can understand the internal dilemma Rob describes in his article (and I truly wish you well, Rob, in trying to figure that all out…I remain, as always, deeply thankful for this site and your input into it and Sharks Rugby over so many years)… …but I will not tear into my team emotionally and I will not stop supporting them…ever! I would like to acknowledge the progress they have made, ask them to please sort out the consistency and mental issues they seem to have (they are related directly, in my opinion) and support them again wholeheartedly in their next game…
Glad to hear that, Rob. This site and the fans are good at keeping me grounded and for providing different perspectives. Thanks for a great site.
Glad to have you back Rob 😉
Very true words there Rob. Absolutely agree 100%. We as fans and supporters are passionate and emotional ones.. and yes, sometimes we let our heart dictate our utterances instead of our head. Quite often it is very difficult to separate the two. And so, come Monday morning we will all cry, yell, celebrate, shout, moan and laugh about the past weekend’s game. But by Saturday you will pull that black and white jersey over your head, head to the stadium or tv, and stand firmly behind the team. As you have always done. Because nothing else matters.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : If it helps I tend to think of this website as more of a “Support Group” sometimes 😉
Shark Fans Anonymous if you will….
Great news Rob. I think the key is not to turn away from the team, but to tone down the expectations. The hidden, bitter-sweet truth of course is that the latter will inevitably result in a bit less overt passion and angst.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Hey boss, good to have you back in action, i was myself truly distraught after Saturday night, and my initial thoughts was just to give up on hope any expectations, and cue Sera Sera to the team, but the black and white is still too strong in the veins, and as you said maybe a tone down on expectations and face reality is better, but it doesn’t mean that i can or will turn on the team, never in a million years, eventually someday things will pan out as we want them to be
By accident I saw the Lions 2014 jersey advert and what shocked me was that almost the entire then core players are the current starters.
We cant even get two decent seasons with same team and coach.
Good luck Teich but a plan needs to be in place and executed ASAP
@Kabouter (Comment 13) : remember two years ago most of the Lions star players were “unknown names” but with their performance in Super rugby things is changing for them as more teams start to look at the Lions players as possible options. Faf and Ackers snr are already gone and will for sure not be the last to go.