Idiots

[exilegull]

To be honest I'm quite shocked at the negative reactions on here as to Mansell raising this subject with Radio Devon. People have been making personal attacks against him, his family and clearly other players have suffered similar - its totally unacceptable and I think it is right and proper that the Captain has made a statement about it. He's not whining about criticism, he's pointing out that there is a line of acceptable criticism and it does not include abuse. He is also pointing at that at that when we are struggling we should as a club be pulling together not infighting.

Matt only a few weeks ago you were posting on here on behalf of Steve Breed in relation to criticism of his commentary - I didn't see anything particularly personal in that criticism, but Steve clearly felt it crossed a line and justifiably wanted to respond.

[AustrianAndyGull]

To be honest I'm quite shocked at the negative reactions on here as to Mansell raising this subject with Radio Devon. People have been making personal attacks against him, his family and clearly other players have suffered similar - its totally unacceptable and I think it is right and proper that the Captain has made a statement about it. He is also pointing at that at that when we are struggling we should as a club be pulling together not infighting. He's not whining about criticism, he's pointing out that there is a line of acceptable criticism and it does not include abuse.Matt only a few weeks ago you were posting on here on behalf of Steve Breed in relation to criticism of his commentary - I didn't see anything particularly personal in that criticism, but Steve clearly felt it crossed a line and justifiably wanted to respond.

Spot on exilegull and if this is indeed the way Manse does see the situation then you can't ask for any fairer from the man. I also refer to an earlier post I made by saying that most fans back the players to the hilt during games regardless of how crap we are doing so in that sense although we aren't happy watching it we give them all the support they need. I don't think asking for people not to have a genuine pop on forums just because we're all supposed to be 'in it together' is very fair and it is also unfeasible in this era of football. So long as they get the support when they need it then that's all they can ask in my book, other than not being personally abused too obviously.

[Dave]

Agree with most of that Dave and the bit you highlighted about playing football and working in a shop is a good point. Shop workers can be subject to criticism just like footballers can and I would say that if one had a genuine complaint against the individual regardless of line of work then it is perfectly acceptable to criticise and complain in a fair manner. For example if I was unhappy with the service I received from a member of staff at a restaurant whilst dining there then it would be perfectly ok to point this out to them and try to get some positive response in future and to try and get something done about it.

This could be appropriate for any line of work and then afterwards we have the lifestyle equivalent of football forums on which to voice our displeasure - TRIPADVISOR.

So long as the criticism is not personal or abusive then I think it is ok in all walks of life and not just football. I wouldn't say it that this type of criticism was the joy and motivation for sad pathetic people but more people who are unhappy with something they have paid for. Launching personal abuse IS sad and pathetic though Dave I completely agree.

Your right Andy, if you buy a service, buy a product, or do not receive the level of customer service you require, then you can either chose to go the right way or the wrong way about dealing with the situation, shout, scream and swear, your not going to get the resolution you want.

I am no more happy with our results and performances than the next fan, I choose to back the club, manager and players, hope that results change for the better, if they don't, I trust the club to make the right decision, at the right time.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Well I admire that Dave and you're a better man than me in that regard. I'd like to be able to put aside the petty differences I have with some of our players and manager but I haven't learned to do that yet. It's all about changing attitudes and outlooks and it is very hard to do if you've had the same mindset for the past 20 years. I'm working on it but it's a work in (slow) progress!

[Dave]

Well I admire that Dave and you're a better man than me in that regard. I'd like to be able to put aside the petty differences I have with some of our players and manager but I haven't learned to do that yet. It's all about changing attitudes and outlooks and it is very hard to do if you've had the same mindset for the past 20 years. I'm working on it but it's a work in (slow) progress!

Maybe, maybe not. If results don't change, and the club appear either unable or not wanting to change anything, you might see me lose my cool, yet.

And for what it's worth as a general point, I think the 'is it time drop Manse' thread, was a fair question and topic, which I voted, no.

[brucie]

Mansell has been a quality player for Torquay. A shining light in a sea of shit when Roberts was in charge. The "should Manse be dropped" thread is quite frankly nonsense.

Having said that we are a team that currently cannot buy a win - I would be happier if Mansell was focussing on how we might get a badly needed three points tomorrow.
Mansell isn't exempt from abuse on twitter. It goes with the territory for anyone who is faintly in the public eye.
Surely the best thing would be for him to not use that form of social media - everyone knows that this sort of thing is infested with idiots.

[portugull]

Manse is my favourite player. A model professional and a credit to the game.

My advice to Manse is simple. Close your twitter account down and then you do not need to read the comments made by these morons. Simples.

[MidDevon]

I am surprised no one else has picked up on the point that the last person from the club to have a go at "supporters" was Martin Ling....with emotional outbursts from the dug out to people in the bench......and we all know how that ended up.

What we are clearly seeing is a player struggling with the pressure of having played poorly for several months....simply he is stressed

I have never been on twitter, so can't comment on the comments or posts, but from what I understand he simply has too much free time....and sends lots of tweets and has 1000's of followers....I suppose it's nice being a miner celebrity until something goes wrong.

Not sure he's done himself any favours at all.....for Christ sake Manse if it upsets you close your public account down.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Not too familiar with twitter but just had a look through Manse's account and I have to say what a pointless load of bullsh*t it all is (not just Manse's account but all of twitter). I'm mid thirties, quite common, of minimal intelligence and I wouldn't be seen dead utilising something as banal as this. If I have a comment for a friend i'll use my privacy settings wisely on facebook or just text or ring them, not put it up for all the world to see. No sympathy.

[AustrianAndyGull]

All these mini-messages are meant to be a personal conversation except all the world can log in and see it. Absolutely insane. @ this and @ that.

Too much

[hector]

It is one thing Lee Mansell having his performance evaluated or debated by the supporters who pay his wages, and quite another, to be abused by people publicly, whether on Twitter or in the street. I have not seen what has been tweeted about him, so I am unsure how mild/severe it is. However, simply because Mansell is a footballer, should not mean he should accept abuse. Criticism, yes. But not abuse.

Most of us are probably well-off compared to people in poorer parts of the world, but simply because we are, it does not mean we should put up with forms of bullying, which abuse via twitter is. Why a footballer should take it any more than a gym instructor, PE teacher or librarian, there is no justification.

[Burnhamgull]

A lot of interesting points being raised on here and it would seem that "Captain Fantastic" is throwing his toys out of his pram because of half a dozen comments on a thread that asks "Should he be dropped?".

It's very simple. Mansell has been poor this season and wasn't much better last season so for that reason and that reason alone the answer is yes, he should be dropped. If he can't take criticism, he should take a good look at himself because workers always get criticism from their employers and they also get credit. WE are his employers because WE pay his wages. I've heard plenty of supportive comments towards Manse over the years and he's lapped it up. Now the comments are critical, he's not happy.

David Beckham put up with a whole nation on his back after 1998.
Steve Kean was vilified by the Blackburn support where burning effigy's were lit outside the ground.
Every England Manager has endured abuse for everything they ever do and the current manager is being made out to be a racist.
All three of these characters kept a dignified silence and earned respect for the way they handled their respective situations

Lee Mansell has been criticised by a few and he needs to rise above it or hand over the captaincy to somebody with a more level headed calm approach to the situation. As others have said, why doesn't he just block people who "abuse" him on Twitter?

It's a very worrying sign when players start to whinge in public.

[Glostergull]

Oh so, Some of you think it's ok to abuse people on Nitwit do you. I think you all have a problem if you do. Abuse is what It says. ABUSE! no excuse. I can agree that if a player has a bad game he can hold his hand up to his colleagues and admit it. Then he gets on with it. He sometimes may even get to say to fans I didn't have the best game in the world but I will bounce back.
But the statement that comes to mind is "The one who is totally perfect please cast the first stone".
I should know. I am not a particularly noteworthy person. I am not famous. I haven't a claim to fame and i don't win at much. I even have flack for some of the things i have done. (although I do apologise for my jokes) But even I was upset and taken back when I was told that some abusive comments were removed after I had had a heart attack some years ago just before our game at Wembley.
All i had as a supporter was a tremendous thirst for watching the Gulls. I am very knowledgeable about the game and our team even though my eye sight is so rough I struggle to see who is who out on the pitch. I can just about recognize we are in Yellow. or was it white.
I was stuck in a hospital bed and there was no way to even hear it on the radio. I was desperate to see the match. so i eventually went.
Imagine what it felt to come back and find i had received abuse on here about my decision to go. I don't get many chances to see us. i certainly don't expect many chances to see us at Wembley. I wanted to see something that I would not be able to replicate ever. I would probably never get a chance to see them at Wembley again.
I constantly hear you all moaning about what a crap day it is. Well I have cancer as well now. I have known for 5 months and i am having treatment for it. I don't go on about it (well maybe here to get my point across just this once) My mate also has cancer. he still like to get on a station platform to watch his trains. When you go on about crap days. We say, when you have cancer every day is a good day. It was even stated on this forum only a few days ago. I have always stood up for that.
I didn't warrant abuse just because I was ill. I didn't do anything particularly noteworthy. yet some of you still think that in your own blind little world abuse is acceptable. Well I can tell you now. NO IT IS NOT! period. yes by all mean state that in your opinion someone didn't perform as you would normally have expected him to. But at the same time do something to encourage that person to get over it and have a better day next day or next match.
You all go on at how if you don't perform at work you get it in the neck.
Poohsticks. You would be the first people to go running to the unions claiming unfair treatment and abuse if your boss abused you at work. You would expect him to follow agreed procedures at a disciplinary panel to have you re educated or shown the door. You would not accept him abusing you. Would you.
Abuse is not acceptable. Never. Neit. Nien. Non. no. and certainly not to his family. Not even Mike Bateson deserved that. That is why his love affair ended because some of you thought it was a good idea to send personal abuse to him and his close family. If it wasn't for Mike Bateson not one of you would have had a Torquay united to watch. We would have folded. Yet you all forget he saved us at that time. He did what he could. he had limitations but he did what he could. Yet it wasn't enough. you had to hurl abuse. yet if any of you had that sort of money he had come by you would have been equally hurt to hear others who's money it wasn't that you should spend all the money you had to feed their hobby/Sport. because that is what ultimatly Thea. and all the other directors all those years down have done. Subsidised your own hobby. Torquay will never make money. It will struggle to survive. But none of you will be satisfied that someone up top will be frittering away their own money instead of earning their own retirement.
I wonder what you would have done if someone had sent personal abuse to you and then your wife and kids just because you made a mistake at work.
Some of you really make my blood boil,. Rant over.

P.S Apologies to Matt if my spelling is not what it should be. I am still trying to get my blood pressure down.

[Robiberto22]

Glostergull - you are a legend and i can't put it any better ...

So disappointed with the drop manse thread.

He's on bad form but he's picking up, and after all he's done you would think we could give him the benefit of the doubt - and try to get behind him more while he gradually gets back to form.

Make no mistake Manse is important to our team - we need him on form and he'll get there.

[Glostergull]

Glostergull - you are a legend and i can't put it any better ...

So disappointed with the drop manse thread.

He's on bad form but he's picking up, and after all he's done you would think we could give him the benefit of the doubt - and try to get behind him more while he gradually gets back to form.

Make no mistake Manse is important to our team - we need him on form and he'll get there.

I think someone has already put it better. Apparently I was Touted as such by some one when one of my mates altered it for accuracy as you lot so often put it. I was a leg End. probably in my own lunch time.
I also joke with my mates about being a genius, usually to receive the repost I am a Genn I us. I keeps my feet on the ground!