More factional than ever

[SydneySainter]

In the eleven years I've been posting on Saintsational, I don't recall it ever being as factional as it right now.

Sure, there has always been a balance of the glass "half-full" and "half-empties," but never has it been this close to a declaration of keyboard warfare.

On one extreme end, there are the so-called "pessimists" who are experiencing such a level disenchantment with the club, they're unlikely to be even remotely content with any outcome the club provides (I admit that I'm more in this camp).

On the other extreme end, there are the so-called "optimists" who frown so deeply at any criticism levelled at the club, no matter how warranted or objective it may be, that they respond by attacking the posters character, accusing them of being "disloyal" or not a "true supporter."

Then, there are plenty in middle, some leaning more to one side than the other.

Don't worry, I know just as bad as those that I'm criticising, but the one thing that is blatantly obvious and I'm one of many who has had a hand in this, is that Saintsational is becoming less about the St. Kilda FC and more about being an outlet for posters to flex their keyboard muscle. Both sides antagonise each other, neither are the good guys and neither party through their stubborn commitment to their own personal ideology are doing the club any great service.

This is only supposed to be a fan forum after all, not a political party.

[WellardSaint]

Human nature dictates that when we are unhappy about something that we have little control over, and have strong opinions on how to fix it- when folks disagree with us, it snowballs.

Nobody likes being told they're wrong, and it descends into angry viotriol.
We aren't civilised enough to debate properly.

We just get personal.
I've done it myself several times (and gotten banned from here too)

[dragit]

I blame richo.

[Wayne42]

I blame Trout.

[gwiltyascharged]

OP has a point but is he from the People's Front of Judea or the Judean People's Front?
Declare your allegiance ye man of the North.

[guitars4]

I blame my ol man because he was a St.Kilda supporter & if had barracked for someone else I wouldn't even be on this site

[Zed]

The optimists believe that 2018 was a blip and that with a few tweaks we will continue to build on 2016/17
The pessimists believe that 2018 shows where we are really at and that radical change is required

I believe that deep down, the bulk of St Kilda fans are generally optimistic - always thinking that next year will be better. But a lot of those optimists have flipped to the dark side. They feel their trust in the club has been betrayed- and betrayal leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth. The club needs to win back some trust and the optimists will come flooding back.

[asiu]

it's all Stingers fault

[desertsaint]

I blame richo.

i blame you!

[desertsaint]

it's all Stingers fault

and you

[asiu]

he started it

[1965 Saint]

So why don’t we just re-group, agree to respect each other’s opinions and get on with posting objective opinions about the team we love? It will facilitate much more intelligent conversation and also make it much more obvious when trolls infiltrate our beloved forum. They can then be summarily dealt with in record time, no doubt to the delight of the genuine forumites

[Devilhead]

I don't see a problem

Most of us here post on BF where we happily lick each other's balls or the female equivalent of and here we vent and stab each other in the back and try and rile each other up

It's all healthy in a fkd up kind of way

[Cairnsman]

In the eleven years I've been posting on Saintsational, I don't recall it ever being as factional as it right now.

Sure, there has always been a balance of the glass "half-full" and "half-empties," but never has it been this close to a declaration of keyboard warfare.

On one extreme end, there are the so-called "pessimists" who are experiencing such a level disenchantment with the club, they're unlikely to be even remotely content with any outcome the club provides (I admit that I'm more in this camp).

On the other extreme end, there are the so-called "optimists" who frown so deeply at any criticism levelled at the club, no matter how warranted or objective it may be, that they respond by attacking the posters character, accusing them of being "disloyal" or not a "true supporter."

Then, there are plenty in middle, some leaning more to one side than the other.

Don't worry, I know just as bad as those that I'm criticising, but the one thing that is blatantly obvious and I'm one of many who has had a hand in this, is that Saintsational is becoming less about the St. Kilda FC and more about being an outlet for posters to flex their keyboard muscle. Both sides antagonise each other, neither are the good guys and neither party through their stubborn commitment to their own personal ideology are doing the club any great service.

This is only supposed to be a fan forum after all, not a political party.

I reckon the mid 2000s was a wild time on this board, the internet was relatively new and social media didn't even have a name. It was like the UFC of forums. There were no rules and really the generation of posters back then were pioneers. Arguably society is still adapting to the internet and social media and how to engage and behave. But I digress, I'm curious, are you familiar with my musings on this board?, if so which camp would you categorise me into?

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

"A mature society understands that at the heart of democracy is argument."
Salman Rushdie

[st.byron]

"A mature society understands that at the heart of democracy is argument."
Salman Rushdie

You are one of the most intentionally fundamentalist single view posters on here. There are aint no discussion with you.
I reckon you're a bit of a troll. You revel in conflict and deliberately post to inflame and create friction.

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Negative. I just post things that people obviously can't handle and I'm a bit more postive and optimistic than others regarding the club. That is why I get vitriol come back my way.

I thought you blocked me or whatever you can do on here anyway? How did you read my post?

[spert]

I've been up and down optimistic since we won our one and only premiership 51 YEARS AGO. I reserve the right to be totally bloody pessimistic after this season just gone.

[st.byron]

Negative. I just post things that people obviously can't handle and I'm a bit more postive and optimistic than others regarding the club. That is why I get vitriol come back my way.

I thought you blocked me or whatever you can do on here anyway? How did you read my post?

"Whatever you can do on here anyway"......as though you don't know what ignore is. Carry on with your game of pretending to be a newbie. It's totally transparent. You revel in the game. It's why you're posting. #Sad.

Yep I have you on ignore which is much better. There is still though, with people on ignore, the option to read something they post. It has to be deliberately selected rather than everything they post being automatically available.

[asiu]

so

have we concluded
(via group think)
that
Stonecold did not kill Bluthy
during the carpark meet n greet
and
therefore
did not dispose of the body

Stoney is innocent
Bluthy is alive

am i close ?

[saynta]

Negative. I just post things that people obviously can't handle and I'm a bit more postive and optimistic than others regarding the club. That is why I get vitriol come back my way.

I thought you blocked me or whatever you can do on here anyway? How did you read my post?

Some posters tell lies mate.

[The Fireman]

Negative. I just post things that people obviously can't handle and I'm a bit more postive and optimistic than others regarding the club. That is why I get vitriol come back my way.

I thought you blocked me or whatever you can do on here anyway? How did you read my post?

I can handle your posts..you're funny. they are rubbish but funny

[dragit]

Negative. I just post things that people obviously can't handle and I'm a bit more postive and optimistic than others regarding the club. That is why I get vitriol come back my way.

I thought you blocked me or whatever you can do on here anyway? How did you read my post?

Some posters tell lies mate.

Long love irony!

[tedtheodorelogan2018]

Lies. That is one area I don't muck around in.

Still don't understand how someone says they have blocked me but still read my posts and comment on them. Am I missing something?

[DJ Higgins]

I like to think most are realistic on here. There are Doom and gloomers and rose coloured glass wearers but most see our club for what it is. We are in trouble at present and most feel with Richo in charge is a mistake.

Positives
board is doing and not just talking.
Players being cut who are list cloggers,
coaching staff changes and staff on notice (Richo for sure),
Billy F#@king Slater - best lateral thinking signing. This guy is a machine. He oozes hard work, dedication, courage and winning. He hates to lose and will not accept anything less than 100%
Pick 4 in a superdraft "should" equal gun. Should and don't blame the pick if we choose incorrectly e.g. Broken full forward who doesn't kick straight; or worse trade it out
Ratten may be a great get. He had a 50% winning ratio with Carlton which is good considering their list but he has a similar problem that Richo has. No plan B. Run and gun from memory and that was it. Clarko would have changed this for him you would hope and he should now have a plan A, B , C & D
Several Green Root that may sprout big time this year and a fair few debuts in 2018. Hunter Clarke played OK for first year in a terrible team, Coffield not as impressive but still has a lot of upside. Long was looking good before injury. Paton, Phillips, Battle, Rice all looked OK out there and should all improve
Players returning from injuries - Roberton, Long, Paddy, Bruce

Negatives,
Our team. Not one elite player
Our team. No player in top 50 players lists (some lists have Steven at about 45-50 but not many)
Basic Skills are woeful. Seriously take our old skills coach and chain him to the tree of woe
Players out of position. Some one look at our players skills and play them accordingly. Sinclair is not good in a defensive position. Look at Steele, they finally realised a hard running tackling machine may be able to tag. Well done which ever coach realised this
Trading & Drafting of players. Kent - never heard of him but he was cheap so pass mark. Dan Hannenberry???? I have not read an article that has this trade as being unders for us in salary or the length was right
Trading out pick 4. ---DDDDOOONNNTTTT. Back yourself and get it wrong but don't trade it out and look back and wonder what if. As per previous threads Smith, Rankine or Lukosious will be available. Get any one. I have a preference but I don't care as long as we get one.
Richo - all but 2 or 3 50+ game players stalled or went back this year, no plan B, selects favourites as opposed to guys who need/earned games.
Playing in China. WTF. We couldn't make it work in NZ, why would china be different