Idiots

[SuperNickyWroe]

well shane, to be honest manse needs to man up - as far as his "profession" goes. I work in medical sales and if Im not cutting the mustard then I expect to get stick about it.

however personal abuse re self/family is a step to far.

PS the think about dickie birds statue that was above/below manses piece made me laugh!

punters are sticking "Inappropriate" things on his finger!!

[gullintwoplaces]

Another thing that grates me is when people throw in an insult that slates the forum. We all contribute and if something bothers you that much then state your case and defend it. You can hardly blame "the forum", it's what we all make it, surely?

Who has slated the forum. I've been back through the comments and can't see this?

[Southampton Gull]

Fair point Shane......................BUT (you knew it was coming) he is in the public eye and if the juvenile ramblings of a few discontented fans winds him up that much it's very easy to block these people or leave social networking to those that can take a bit of stick on it. When players start getting involved in spats with fans it will only end up one way.

If you read some of the nonsense the players write themselves (nothing against Manse intended) it's no surprise they receive a few messages that are less than polite.

[Fonda]

Take your point Dave. I just think it's unfortunate the captain of the club has to put up with this kind of thing - a few poor performances certainly doesn't justify it. Manse has done a lot for TUFC during his time at the club, both on and off the pitch - including setting up a five-a-side league to give kids like these something to do with their time. Unfortunately, they'd rather spend their time sending abusive messages to people in the public eye. Understand the idea that he should rise above it, but I always try to imagine how I'd feel in the same situation, and I have to be honest, I think I'd react exactly as Manse has.

[Southampton Gull]

I think you would quietly take issue with the person/people making these comments and put your point across without making it public and causing possible unrest at your workplace.

I've always had a lot of respect for Manse, not the most naturally gifted of players but none have a bigger heart, I've just seen one or two signs recently that he's maybe putting himself first rather than acting the way a captain should. Maybe he's feeling the pressure? Just my honest opinion and hopefully I'm totally wrong.

[Fonda]

I do wonder what benefit these people think can come of doing it? We're struggling (and so far this season, Manse is struggling). What is likely to make things better - a) Support the players or b) Abuse the players? Not a particularly difficult question for most people, but apparently these people would struggle with it.

[gullintwoplaces]

Take your point Dave. I just think it's unfortunate the captain of the club has to put up with this kind of thing - a few poor performances certainly doesn't justify it. Manse has done a lot for TUFC during his time at the club, both on and off the pitch - including setting up a five-a-side league to give kids like these something to do with their time. Unfortunately, they'd rather spend their time sending abusive messages to people in the public eye. Understand the idea that he should rise above it, but I always try to imagine how I'd feel in the same situation, and I have to be honest, I think I'd react exactly as Manse has.

Very well put. A number of comments on this thread talk about Manse needing to "man up", which seems to (deliberately) miss the point. Abuse is wrong, particularly directed at a player's family. The fact that Manse's form has not been up to his usual high standard in some games does not justify abuse and people should not make excuses for it. Manse has served the club well for several years and has been a model professional and a good captain, I am saddened that some folk seem to forget this. I also would react as Manse has done.

[Southampton Gull]

With you 100% but it's no different to being on the Popside and listening to scrotes young and old abusing the players. Unfortunately we seem to have more than our fair share of this type of "fan".

[Southampton Gull]

Very well put. A number of comments on this thread talk about Manse needing to "man up", which seems to (deliberately) miss the point. Abuse is wrong, particularly directed at a player's family. The fact that Manse's form has not been up to his usual high standard in some games does not justify abuse and people should not make excuses for it. Manse has served the club well for several years and has been a model professional and a good captain, I am saddened that some folk seem to forget this. I also would react as Manse has done.

Then with the greatest of respect you would be as wrong as he is.

[gullintwoplaces]

Well that is your opinion. I think his reaction is completely understandable. It doesn't look great airing dirty linen in public, but I suspect that the intolerance of "fans" at games and online has pushed him to defend himself and his family. He shouldn't have to take this kind of crap from idiots who don't know their backsides from their elbows.

[Southampton Gull]

Well that is your opinion.

Yes it is, not passing my opinion off as fact in any way and being honest it's very rare that I disagree with anything you write.

I think his reaction is completely understandable.

I doubt many officials at the Club would agree with you.

It doesn't look great airing dirty linen in public,

Precisely my point.

I suspect that the intolerance of "fans" at games and online has pushed him to defend himself and his family.

I can't ever remember David Beckham slagging off fans of any of his clubs for anything said about Posh, surely he had to endure a lot worse than Manse has ever had to?

. He shouldn't have to take this kind of crap from idiots who don't know their backsides from their elbows.

Totally agree with you.

[Fonda]

In fairness, Bodin has done nothing for TUFC when compared to Manse. He's entitled to deserve better.

Understand the suggestion that others face it too (such as Beckham), but isn't that what (should) make playing for a small club different? It's more personal somehow, because the players at this level actually have a relationship and an affiliation with the supporters that just isn't possible at Prem clubs. Manse has done plenty for this club, probably spoken openly to the very people who've sent these messages. Makes it worse for me.

[chunkygull]

i do not agree with players being barracked, shouted at or personally abused during football matches, it achieves nothing, it makes the player feel like crap and just want to hide away, it also has a negative effect on confidence and morale.

there may often be times when players dont put in enough effort, or their passing or ball retention is shocking, or certain players (especially recently) just continuously launch the ball in the air aimlessly in the hope that someones going to get on the end of it, this causes supporters to get frustrated, shout, holler, curse and moan, however personal attacks or insults towards a player is unacceptable, unhelpful and uncalled for.

personal attacks on the likes of twitter or facebook or whatever are ridculous. it must take a very sad individual to hide behind a keyboard and have a go at someone they dont even know or even worse their family. they should have a long hard look at themselves.

on forums such as this i see no problem in supporters giving their opinion or critique of a players performances as long as it doesnt become a personal attack against them. if you think somebody is a sh1t footballer and you dont rate them then this is the place to vent or air your views. if supporters have paid their ticket price and they feel let down it is fair enough to say so.

likewise, these players are paid a lot of money for what they do and they know that performance criticism comes with the job, the best thing they can do is try and shrug it off, do your best and prove the b@st@rds wrong.

when it comes to the likes of mansell reading twitter and getting upset over what is written - he definitely shouldnt have to put up with it and it really shouldnt happen, but i dont understand why somebody would bother to read it at all if they dont like it, if you know you are getting that sort of vitriol and rubbish from the idiots and it will upset you then dont bother to read it. you can either block the d1ckheads or not bother with anyone you dont know.

to be fair i dont understand why mansell is even mentioning it. it just fans the flames a bit more so to speak. he really should just get on with his job and pay no attention to the idiots. all i can say is, it doesnt excuse the idiots for donig it, but if you dont like something that is written, dont read it!

i really hope he isnt mentioning it and using it as some sort of excuse for poor form. as mentioned before, there are celebs and sports stars who get that sort of vile, uncalled for, twitter/facebook abuse 100 times worse.

as i said - dont like it, dont read it!

i have heard many examples of people writing crap or untrue gossip on facebook which causes a lot of trouble, pain and hurt. the best thing i can say is if it affects you, dont read it.

it happened with my family - a family member spread a load of bullsh1t to her friends and "facebook friends" about one of the other people in our family, which then through facebook got back to people we knew and work colleagues, the sh1t spread more and more and got exaggerated and even more twisted, it really got out of hand, it could have done a lot of damage. thank god, eventually the truth prevailed, the culprit was made to look very stupid (nearly got herself in a lot of trouble), her cohorts also, and all the spreaders and liars had to climbdown and realise they were out of order.

throughout all this, i knew of a lot of bad, hurtful stuff being written about people i love and i was getting dragged into it also, people who i know well, even very good friends were coming up and saying, "whats this i hear" and it was bollock$. throughout it all, i knew stuff was being written on there, but i ignored it and didnt bother to read it, it really isnt worth putting yourself through it.

[AustrianAndyGull]

First of all the players are footballers and need our support yes but ON THE F*CKING PITCH! We aren't social workers FFS!

I expect myself and others to give Mansell and other players their full support from the stands for the duration of a game - even Bodin and believe me that is bloody difficult for me but I do it because that 90 minute period is the only time my support is likely to make a tangible difference to the players and may elicit a modicum of improvement in the game.

If a player is having a shocker then Fonda is quite correct, people having a go at the game isn't likely to result in any improvement and will make his performance a lot worse more than likely. That said we are all entitled to visit a forum and post our displeasure (within certain boundaries) as once the 90 is up it is now the fans turn to have a say. The players have had their say out on the pitch and if they have said something good (ie a 3-0 win for example) then we as fans will come on here and say something good but if they have lost and played poorly then likewise the fans can have their say. Other than using inappropriate and unacceptable comments about them and their families personally they have NO RIGHT to condemn and to try and influence our views and opinions on social media.

This isn't some sort of online therapy for consistently poor footballers of which Manse sadly falls into this category for his form this season and although he is a Torquay legend and all the rest of it he needs to appreciate the support he DOES get on the pitch. It is hard for fans to sing praise and support for much of the game having travelled miles to watch bullsh*t on a regular basis but they do it out of respect and because they want to help. Slating the forum and also slating people who criticise (in a reasonable manner) shows a lack of understanding from players. Maybe they should shell out £100 they haven't got to go to Bury on a cold wet day to stand in the cold, get wet, see us play like Matt's pet hedgehog & friends, get back at 11pm and then go and do it all over again 2 weeks later at Accrington having done extra overtime in a sausage factory to pay for it whilst each time singing for the most part, encouraging, cajoling and cheering and staying to the end to clap off some players who don't even deserve to have pro contracts. If they can do that with insane regularity and STILL not feel irate enough to comment negatively on fora (got the word from Matt - cheers mate, makes me look intelligent ) then I doff my hat. We actually do have a few fans that can exercise enough self restraint to achieve this but I f*cking can't.

The only thing Mansell is spot on about is the totally unacceptable personal insults and comments about his family. The rest is irrelevant.

Edd, good point about Bodin and full credit to the lad. He has shown resilience and determination in the face of abuse from the stands and deserves praise for getting on with things. Again this is an example of game v forum in which I back Billy to the hilt out on the pitch and am always cheering him and shouting come on Bill. I still think he isn't good enough for us and he hasn't shown me anything still to warrant a place in our 11 but whilst he is out on the pitch he gets support. On the forum I believe I am being fair in my criticisms of him (or others generally) there may be the odd rant where I lose it out of frustration but apologise after. The forum is separate from the game and if players choose to come on here and read stuff then i'm all for it because in the main I think we speak the truth and if a player can't handle someone criticising them for their performance then they should either make sure they play better or just don't read the forum. They will get praise aplenty for playing well but it works both ways i'm afraid.

Hope this is not a total complete waffling load of boll*cks!

[gullintwoplaces]

Dave, I don't disagree with what you say. I have been trying to look at this from Manse's perspective as a human being, which to me is perfectly understandable. When I receive crap from people at work I tend to give it back in great big shovel fulls (comes from being bullied at school, until I smacked the bully in the nose). From the perspective of the club, press coverage like this doesn't help really. I wish to God that "fans" would just get behind the team at what is a very difficult time.