I thought the atmosphere was good today. Not just at the Smethwick End. Probably helped by easily drowning out the couple of minibuses with Wigan fans.
The atmosphere at the Hawthorns has been better this season than last and it's easy to see why. Thank you Darren Moore et.al. That said I stand towards the back of the Smethwick and to be honest I didn't think much of the atmosphere on Boxing Day. Too much turkey? People hung over? Lack of away fans? These all probably played a part in this but who really knows what does or doesn't motivate others to sing or chant on any given match day?
To be fair although not
that bad overall in my opinion the Smeth's nothing like it was a few seasons back. From my perspective there are any number of reasons for this. I won't be going into all of them though as in the absence of body language and facial expression posts are often misconstrued and perceived as disrespectful.
However, two things which really grip my inner dirt are when people turn up clearly expecting an atmosphere to happen as opposed to joining in and becoming part of one. I imagine this happens in all stands of our ground and further afield, it's certainly not unique to the Smeth'. Talking of a field I can think of no better example than the much famed Anfield Kop End. What an over hyped toilet that is (from this away supporter's perspective). Another is when a group get a song going and just as it's gaining momentum and taking off they're often drowned out by competing factions as opposed to joined.
I'd hate for chants to become choreographed as I feel this lacks both spontaneity and originality, but there are times when it's like being back in the playground. There has to be a middle ground, probably somewhere between common sense and the acknowledgement of others. Conversely I'm not telling people how to support our club. Some want to sing and chant and some don't and either is fine by me. It's the ones who moan both online and at games who do my head in, as do those who appear to think their efforts are more worthy of being heard than those of others.
Just a few thoughts...... with tin hat firmly on
.