Life’s a Pitch: do supporters really know best?

Managers and players often remark how the fans of their team are well educated and have a good knowledge of football’s subtleties…

Their fans, they say, understand that success doesn’t happen overnight, and they can see a player’s potential for greatness even at an early stage.

This past week a number of articles we’ve published on Life’s a Pitch have really touched on supporters’ knowledge of the game. For example, one of our panellists, John Cross of the Daily Mirror, has been so impressed by Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen recently that he believes the Belgian could become the Premier League’s best left-back.

The issue here is that Vertonghen is primarily a centre-back and although he can play at left-back, is only doing so because first choice left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is out injured.

John’s opinion caused quite a stir among Spurs fans on Twitter and those who left comments, who it has to be said were split on the idea of Vertonghen playing in that position from now on. But feedback on the subject certainly did show both knowledge and a willingness to debate the point in detail.

Another example was Scott Oliver’s article on how the wisdom of football crowds, in this instance Liverpool’s, is often like a doctor assessing the health of a patient. He argues that despite the Reds’ early struggles under new manager Brendan Rodgers, the fans can see a number of reasons to suggest that things will improve (unlike under Roy Hodgson) and they’ll provide all the support they can along the way.

Across Merseyside, where neighbours Everton have enjoyed the sort of start to the season that Liverpool could only dream of at the moment, Mike Calvin proposes the idea that the programme makers of Being: Liverpool should have chosen the residents of Goodison Park as the basis of their fly-on-the-wall documentary instead.

Unsurprisingly, Everton fans were quick to agree with Mike. But again there were a number of good reasons to this, rather than simply: ‘My team is better than yours’.

Elsewhere, we assess all the latest transfer gossip, Rob Smyth warns Sir Alex Ferguson that refusing to buy a dominant central midfielder is holding his team back, and we look at who should replace John Terry in the England defence.

Expert pundit videos

“Vertonghen can be the best left-back in the Premier League”

The Life’s a Pitch team look at Tottenham’s prospects under André Villas-Boas after they finally ended their Old Trafford hoodoo.
The best in town? >

Chelsea eye Falcao, Toon track Debuchy, Feghouli to United?

Are Falcao, Feghouli and Debuchy coming to the Premier League? The Life’s a Pitch panel has a look into its crystal ball.
Transfer talk >

Will England miss John Terry?

The Life’s a Pitch team discuss who England boss Roy Hodgson should replace the retired John Terry with in central defence.
Replacement needed >

“Fergie’s leaning towards Lindegaard, but he’d like De Gea”

The People’s Janine Self takes a look at the battle for the No1 jersey at Manchester United.
The battle for No. 1 >

Lively opinion blogs

The wisdom of the Anfield crowd

Scott Oliver explains why the Liverpool crowd is firmly behind new manager Brendan Rogers despite early results going against the team.
In the know >

Why Being: Everton would have made for a better show

Mike Calvin explains why he thinks a fly-on-the-wall documentary about Everton, rather than Liverpool, would have made more sense.
Neighbours >

Having no dominant central midfielder is holding United back

Rob Smyth explains that Sir Alex Ferguson’s reluctance to buy a dominant central midfielder has become the difference between success and failure at Man Utd.
Being outmuscled >

Giggs could be the natural successor to Sir Alex Ferguson

Ryan Giggs may be coming to the end of his Man Utd playing career, but Mike Calvin believes the Welshman has the qualities to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Big boots to fill >

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