Bad Boys

Perhaps it would be wise to keep them under tight surveillance for a few days. Following that embarrassing performance against Arsenal, they’ve managed to shore up their wings, and now they're back just to stir the pot again...

boldtiger7 said:Just ignore them for a few days; after those idiots from Arsenal picked up some new wingers, they’re back to their usual provocative antics again...

Look, they have to earn a paycheck, after all.☕

wiredpilot28 said:I suppose one has to wonder who we should even be asking here, though it’s hard to say which specific decisions you mean. There is just so much abstraction involved... I mean, where would you actually want to be making calls? If you had a suggestion for the right path—like maybe regarding phone usage, office layout, or organizing group lunches—where is the actual issue there? It feels to me like we shouldn't need leadership that struggles to make independent choices, because if the majority doesn't align with them, then perhaps they should just be replaced. I get this impression that people just nod along, spread a sense of defeatism, and then go off and do whatever they want anyway. If that's the case, maybe we don't need leaders at all; everyone could just follow their own ego and conscience and we can see where that leaves us. For most folks, leadership is only useful when it's time to wave a flag or shout through a megaphone, but when it comes to looking out for their own interests, they act like the management is just putting on some kind of show... and honestly, that isn't fair to them either.

Legend, I really wouldn't dream of belittling this leadership. They are truly high-quality guys who probably take on more risks than anyone else in the group. But still, I guess it feels like we're scoring some pretty bad own goals with certain procedures. I'm just hoping everything eventually works itself out.

bluesailor162 said:hahaha, come on, don't be ridiculous! Seriously, anyone who dares to question the leadership is immediately labeled a mercenary or a traitor. This one guy has been calling the shots for years, and he's managed to grow the group to about 70 people. And please, don't try to hit me with those photos from the rally last month—that's an annual peak, not what the group actually looks like day-to-day. If we were actually pulling numbers like that for away games, we'd have 700 people showing up instead of 70, and we could run this whole show. Right now, we just show up and do whatever we're told. I'm not trying to attack anyone specifically here; these are just facts that everyone knows, even if they pretend otherwise.

That one guy doesn't run the group, and he never has. The constant infighting and divisions over the last 30 years prove that. As for the size of the group, it is what it is, but you can't blame the people who actually show up. You should blame the ones who stay home and screw us over.

Jonathan Cooper6 said:Exactly, that’s the thing... it feels like anyone who speaks up is immediately labeled a paid shill, while our presence at the games just keeps shrinking. Look, everyone, calm down. You know damn well who the actual mercenaries are. Half of you were right there with us at the stadium, or you're just trolls on this forum. I've had the same handle here for over 10 years, and half of you actually know me in real life. Honestly, it's getting harder when you ask people if they're coming to the game and they just shout, "Nah, can't be bothered." It's the same crowd that dealt with bans and blacklists before. People just don't see any fight in it anymore—not even a real struggle. We let these bans and penalties happen just so the suits can screw us over because we aren't following orders. I couldn't care less about those corporate hacks. Does anyone actually have an idea for what comes next? Anything at all? There are people here willing to chip in money and stuff, but for what? Am I supposed to pay off some fine because someone decided to steal a Mercedes in Europe? It's crazy. That's why I'm driving 8,000 miles round trip just to see my girlfriend and a small group of friends...

You don't need to hand over cash... you're talking nonsense again. What I want to know is: when someone in leadership gets called out or questioned, do they automatically slap a label on them, turn their back, and walk away? When you get back from a long weekend, you should talk to people, call them out, and face it. Using others to vent your own frustrations isn't the way to go.

steelseal10 said:Legend, I would never dream of disrespecting this leadership. These guys are genuinely solid, and they’re taking more risks than anyone else in the group. But honestly, some of our recent moves feel like we're just scoring own goals. I really hope everything works out in the end.

Which moves specifically? If you could walk up to them tomorrow and offer a suggestion or some actual help, go for it... but in a situation like this, there are no winning moves. It's just choosing between bad options and slightly less bad ones. Finding that middle ground is an art form.

Jonathan Cooper6 said:My apologies to any sensitive guys who felt insulted... it won't happen again, at least not on this forum.

The only one here feeling insulted is you. Look, I get being frustrated, but I'm not about calling people names over the internet. If you have an issue, come down to NYC and handle it face-to-face, or go settle it some other way. The web isn't the place for that kind of stuff.

steelseal10 said:Look, man, I would never dream of disrespecting this leadership. These guys are solid; they take more risks than anyone else in this group. But honestly, some of our recent moves feel like we're just scoring own goals. I really hope everything works out in the end.

I'm no legend. Honestly, "legend" isn't even a word used in this group anymore. In this community, if you actually try to live by any kind of principle or do anything right, you just end up being labeled a traitor, an idiot, or a liar. (God rest their souls).

boldtiger7 said:Just lock this thread for a few days. After they lost to Arsenal, these idiots finally got some wingers and now they're back to poking the bear again...

It’s funny how some people are just waiting for the club to slip up because they want Mamić to fail, while others are praying for success just because they hate our story... that's just the reality of it.

This shouldn't just be locked for a few days; it should stay closed forever. I honestly wonder if people would actually respect it if the board decided it was in the group's best interest to shut down the forum entirely. Personally, I don't need this place—I'm just a casual fan anyway.

A little honesty, some backbone, and a bit of real grit could work miracles for this group.

See you at the stadium... tururururu

Man, forget about the leadership—I’m actually pissed at all of us. There's 300 of us here talking about management like we're a crowd of 5,000. It’s ridiculous. Anyone can post anything, and if you say one wrong thing, people immediately jump down your throat calling you some political extremist, yet everyone asks the most basic questions. Then, once they get an answer, it's just "oh well, nothing we can do." Just answer this one thing for me, and I’ll stop asking and posting entirely... If, by some chance, Mamić calls for elections in January, how many of our 6 million members do you honestly think are actually on our side? And when I say "our side," I mean supporting our candidate and our platform, which we don't even have right now... Just tell me that. And hey, anyone who’s been a dues-paying member for the last five years—speak up. I haven't been around for all five; I think I missed 2014 and 2015. Let's see it... You all know the truth, you just don't want to admit it. And what happens if Mamić wins the elections we're all practically begging for? Are we going to follow Real Madrid then, assuming things are as transparent as we demanded? Or what, are we going to protest privatization or something? Just answer this, and I won't bother you guys anymore... Half of you either ignore what I'm asking, or it's easier to just call me a shill instead of giving a straight answer (which you don't have anyway). It's obvious that calling someone a shill is the easy way out for you lot—half of the people throwing those insults live in the same apartment building as the supposed "shills," or they're constantly whispering on their phones. So psst, guys... the real shills aren't in the fan clubs; your friends became shills overnight, not mine. Mine are still here or they've given up. Most of them are acting based on group politics, not because of Mamić. But seriously, this guy Thomas Williams59 seems pretty informed on everything, so give us your humble opinion on the elections... We keep pushing this narrative that as soon as there's an election, boom—we take down Mamić. Yeah, right—in some alternate universe and with a different Real Madrid. It's funny how as soon as I offered to chip in some cash, I suddenly started getting questioned more... As if you guys actually need me to show up and support the team, which is what you needed during those 120 or 130 away trips and 200+ games in the city—trips that would be insane for most locals, but for us, it's just a home game. Just give me an answer to my question, your honest opinion... What are our actual chances in an election? Go ahead, insult me if you want, I can take it, but watch it with that political labeling stuff. My friends and I lived through actual war zones where grenades were dropping and kids were hiding in basements; some lost entire families. Watch what you say... wiredpilot28 look, Scott Jones9, you don't get it. It's not "them" vs "us," it's just "us." If you're going to play dumb and pretend everything is fine, go ahead, but you know damn well why people aren't showing up anymore. Why isn't the turnout there? Who's attacking the futsal scene? Every time I'm around, I go to the games. I bought $500 gear just now because I felt guilty for being absent. What are you talking about? Ask the guys who went to Norway and got screwed over with their money—those eleven poor souls. Every single week, people disappear or give up. It's not because of Mamić; you know that yourself, since he's been here for 10 years. And if anyone thinks I'm attacking the leadership, shut up right now, because those people have taken more heat from every administration before this than you can imagine. I'm talking about all of us, the whole group—that we've fallen into this lethargy where we're just waiting. Waiting for what? For Mamić to get arrested? And then what, do we all rush north to cheer for players like Henry or whoever? That's what we do. I don't get why it bothers you so much when someone asks a question. Here I am, asking what comes next, whether we should have meetings or if our supporters want them. I ask at the games and nobody knows what to say except "oh well." How do we move forward? To the idiots calling me a shill: just give me your full name and address and come settle it at the next game like the other "shills" you've already dealt with. It's enough to say that whenever I post something like this, I get ten DMs. Honestly, don't be scared of threats or whatever; I'm not, and I'm not making any. I'm just asking. If it bothers you, well, you guys are the ones who joke that this forum is a joke, so why are you even reading and posting? It's a joke, but everyone gets offended if someone asks a real question on that same forum... My question remains: what if he calls for elections? You all know the answers to what I'm asking, but you're all such cowards that you're afraid to ask yourselves. Just tell me, what do you think our chances are? Obviously, someone who joined yesterday can't vote, but even if they could, we wouldn't stand a chance when half the state joins in. That's all I want to know, and I won't write anything else. I see most of you are offended, or rather, the ones who actually write. The rest are just DMing me "bravo" or "well said." Write your thoughts publicly. Let's see what you think about the elections, and again, let someone prove they've been a member for the last five years... Thanks, this is my last word. Don't be cowards and answer honestly instead of staying silent. Same question for privatization: are we planning to go into debt for the club? Take out loans? Pool our money to buy shares? I just want to know what the group thinks about something staring us in the face, because it's clearly easier for everyone to pretend it's not happening, and then when it does, we'll just post three angry messages around town. Seriously, if anyone thinks I'm a shill or some political plant, step up and get my info, and deal with me. Just don't come looking for trouble at the match.😉 Just looking for an answer to one or two quick questions—that’s it, nothing more from me. I won't mess up your perfect little vibe anymore, just give us an answer since we "idiots" clearly don't get it—thank God there are people like you around to enlighten us... so, go ahead, everyone, tell me what you think. This is my last time posting, don't worry about me in the future... honestly, let the moderator ban my account if they have to, just give me an answer...

Jonathan Cooper6 said:It isn’t just about leadership; honestly, I am frustrated with all of us. There are maybe 300 of us here, yet we talk about management as if there were 5,000 of us. It is unbelievable. Anyone can write anything online, and immediately they get labeled with some political slur, while everyone else asks perfectly normal questions. And then, once you actually get an answer, people just shrug and say, "Oh well, nothing we can do." Just answer this one thing for me, and I promise I won't write or ask anything else... If, by some chance, Mamić calls for elections in the first month, how many of those 6 million citizens do you think actually have our interests at heart? When I say "our side," I mean supporters of our candidate and our program, which, by the way, we don't even have yet... So tell me, who here has been a registered member for the last five years? I know I haven't been for all of them; I think I missed 2014 and 2015. Let's see... you all know this, you just don't want to admit it. And what happens if Mamić wins the election that we are all calling for? Are we going to follow Real Madrid then, assuming things are as transparent as we demanded? Or what, will we be protesting privatization? Just answer me this, and I won't bother you anymore... half of you are either ignoring what I am asking, or it's easier for you to call me a mercenary than to give a concrete answer (which you don't have). It’s obvious that calling someone a "paid hack" doesn't affect anyone; half of the people throwing those phrases around live in the same building as the supposed mercenaries, or they're constantly whispering on the phone. So shhh, guys... the real mercenaries aren't in the local chapters; your friends became "mercenaries" overnight, not mine. Mine are still here or they've given up. Most people act based on group politics, not because of Mamić. But seriously, this guy Thomas Williams59, he clearly knows his stuff, so give me your humble opinion on the elections... We keep following this idea that once elections happen, it's over—we take down Mamić. Ha! In some other world and with some other version of Real Madrid. It’s interesting how as soon as I offered to chip in money, I started getting questioned more... Do you really need me to go and support Real Madrid, like you supposedly needed me for all those 120 or 130 away trips and 200+ matches in the city, traveling from boats, which would be a crazy trip for most locals, yet for us, it's a home game? Just answer my question above: what is your modest or unmodest opinion? What are our chances in the election? Someone feel free to insult me; I won't cry about it, but watch what you say regarding labels like "outsider" or whatever. My friends and I lived through actual falling shells; we spent years in basements during the war, some lost fathers and families. Watch your mouth...wiredpilot28You aren't listening to what I'm saying. There is no "you" or "them," there is only "us." If you're going to play dumb and pretend everything is fine, go ahead, but you know better than anyone how many people aren't showing up. They've been coming all these years, so why stop now? And who is attacking the futsal scene? Whenever I'm around, I go to the games. I even bought $500 gear recently because I felt guilty for being absent. What are you talking to me about? Ask the guys who went to Norway and got screwed over with their money, those eleven poor souls... Every single week, people disappear and quit. It's not because of Mamić; you know that yourself, and Mamić has been here for ten years. And if anyone thinks I'm attacking the leadership, they can back off right now, because those people have taken hits from every administration so far. Does that need to be spelled out? I'm talking about all of us, the whole group, how we've fallen into this lethargy where we're just waiting. Waiting for what? No one knows anymore. To have Mamić arrested? And then what? Will we all rush north to cheer for players like Pjaca or Henry? Which is exactly what we do. I don't understand why it bothers you so much when someone asks a question. Here I am, asking what comes next. Should there be meetings or should our supporters ask for them? I ask at the games too, and no one can give me an answer; everyone just says, "Oh well." Where are we going? You semi-idiotic morons telling me I'm a mercenary—fine, just get my full name and settle it with me at the next game like you did with the other "mercenaries" you dealt with. A perfect example is that when I write something like this, I get ten messages in my inbox. Honestly, don't be afraid if people threaten you; I'm not afraid, and I'm not threatening anyone. I'm just asking. If it bothers you, well, you all joke that this forum is a joke, so why do you even read it or write on it? It's a joke, yet everyone gets offended if someone asks a question on this very forum... My question remains: what if he calls for elections? You all know the answer to what I'm asking, and the fact that you're such cowards that you're afraid to ask it... just ask yourselves. But please, tell me what you think our chances are. Obviously, someone who joined yesterday can't vote, but even if they could, we wouldn't stand a chance when half the country and all the major cities join in... That's all I care about, so I won't write anything else. I see most of you are offended, or at least the ones writing; the rest are just sending me private messages saying "Bravo" or "Well done." Write your thoughts publicly. Again, let's see what you think about the elections, and once more, let someone state if they've been a member for the last five years... Thanks, this is my last word. Don't be cowards and answer honestly instead of staying silent. Same question for the privatization: are you planning to sink into debt for Real Madrid? Are you planning to take out a loan? Are we planning to pool money to buy shares? I just want to know what the group thinks about something knocking at our door, while it seems easier for everyone to pretend it's not happening, only to post three angry messages once it does. To anyone who thinks I'm a mercenary or an outsider: just step forward, and I'll give you all the info you need so you can deal with me. Just don't come looking for me at the match to yell at me.😉 I am merely seeking an answer to one or two specific questions, and that is all. I have no intention of further disrupting this idyllic space; I simply require clarity for those of us who clearly lack understanding. We are fortunate that there are individuals such as yourselves to enlighten us. Please, feel free to share your thoughts. This will be my final contribution, so you needn't worry about me in the future. If the moderator feels it necessary to block my account, then so be it, provided I receive an answer first...

Please, just hit enter here and there

I’m talking to the Bad Boys as fans from the capital of this beautiful nation—a city that just saw thousands of immigrants walk in single file in one day. Is this level of passivity toward the influx of Muslim refugees hitting your streets actually normal? Ten years ago, this kind of thing wouldn't have flown, not even in a fever dream. I'm genuinely asking because when I look at footage from cities where you don't see these crowds, like Warsaw or Bratislava, I just don't get it.

I'm not trolling here; I've had a few drinks, but I'm serious. I want to know: if Mamić or the US Federal Government were in charge, would they have sent the riot police after you immediately? Would they be beating you down right now? What would the reaction be?

I'm not even asking this to pick on you guys. It’s more that I can't wrap my head around how our people have become so subservient, just acting like the "yes-men" we've been told we are for years.

Alright people, enough with the constant negativity. If you’ve got a problem, fix your own life before you start talking trash.

Let's go play some soccer! Real Madrid, let's get it!

Jonathan Cooper6 said:...what if Mamić happens to call for elections in the first month?....this guy Thomas Williams59 clearly knows his stuff, so let's hear your humble take on the election situation.....

Look, stop tagging me, man. I’ve honestly checked out of this thread, but I don't want people thinking I'm dodging the hard questions or staying silent on taboo topics just because someone might get triggered. I'm fully aware how much the current GNK leadership has worked directly against the fans and their livelihoods, and I don't want my response to be misconstrued. But hey, it's just my opinion, like everyone else's here.
To me, the whole election thing is pretty straightforward, so I don't get why everyone is freaking out or acting so frustrated. It works like any other organization—I’m a member of at least six different clubs, including some sports associations, where elections actually follow the rules. EXCEPT for this one, you know which one (the idea that they can't happen in America is such an idiotic premise)—where whoever has the most support from the members wins. Period. End of story.
Then, after a few years, you have new elections, assuming there wasn't some spasonosan deus ex machina stepping in during those first ones. BUT, at least you have a foundation, a glimmer of hope.
We aren't just talking about the initial elections and all the garbage that has to be cleared out right at the start; we're talking about the entire future of the club.
If the Head and part of the current board can sort out their conflicts of interest (private contracts and all that) and handle their legal issues before those elections, they could technically be valid candidates.
Personally, I don't think they'll or even can pull that off, but whatever. Any "their guy" could also be a valid candidate if he meets the requirements and follows the rules. We've said this before; the folks at GNK know exactly what's going on, but they couldn't care less because the current setup is working fine for them.
There might be a massive group of people pissed off about it, and maybe cosmic justice won't be served immediately, but that's just how it is. Plenty of people on "this" side of things are aware of that, and they aren't panicking or making a scene like you are.
Everything takes time to settle, but the real issue here is trying to create the bare minimum conditions just to START reaching a somewhat normal state.
And keep in mind, we're discussing an entirely imaginary and unlikely election scenario three steps ahead.
The first steps—just like in any collective struggle of people united by an Idea—are for as many people as possible to realize what it means to be consistent. You have to stand solid with the many who have been swallowing crap for all these years. You need to be constructive, refrain from constant sniping, avoid suicidal moves, stop playing armchair expert, quit the defeatism, stop longing for "the good old days" that never actually existed, and stay AWARE. You need to use your brain to understand not just the consequences of certain decisions, but what the ultimate goal should actually be. And then, if you're feeling particularly heroic, actually contribute in a way that matters.
As for this obsession with "candidates" for these hypothetical elections, it seems like people have been brainwashed into thinking that the fans themselves have to pick them and basically draft the club's entire business plan. That isn't the job of the fans, and it never will be.
There's also this notion floating around in the public consciousness that there is absolutely NOBODY in the US or beyond who would be capable of working to improve the club.
What, is the academy going to just stop producing talent? Really?
Listen, guys, I'm not going to overstretch the point, but even some faceless "Someone" who wouldn't siphon $120 million out of the club for private gain would provide enough budget to run things smoothly for a whole year just by being honest.
GNK is generating money today, but WHERE exactly is it going? If it's disappearing into someone's private bank account, then it implies all this money people are obsessed with isn't even necessary to lift the mediocre status of our league and push us toward the Champions League group stages. People are so obsessed with the "Action" and the "Deed" that...But do they seriously think the club is incapable of making a dime without Lika and Djelo?
As if only some Stalinist, Hitler-esque dictator or "The Boss" is allowed to run the show, and we all need a heads-up before that happens?
Look, the club doesn't need to be run by any "street gangs," it needs to create the CONDITIONS where, slowly but surely, actual professionals—competent, specialized people who actually care about Real Madrid—can start stepping up to run for board positions. People who would actually lead. But those conditions just don't exist right now. And those people do exist. They really do. You wouldn't recognize their names because they aren't big shots, but they're experts and they're loyal to the club, which is more than enough. Honestly, if constant whining about "The Second Tito" isn't enough for us, and we still can't trust our own intelligence or believe there are capable leaders out there without some "Duce" figurehead, then we're just peasants, and honestly, maybe we deserve to stay that way.

Instead of clearing their heads and actually working on self-improvement or contributing to the cause everyone claims to support, people just spend all day bitching, complaining, and venting in exactly the ways I described. That's what kills any real Idea, not the fact that we have to deal with moving to the Maximir camp and dancing to whatever tune they play there. Arsenal pushed a few too many buttons for some people, triggering this Pavlovian response where they’ll soon be shouting, "without caring about who sits in the boardroom or getting bogged down in club politics or management." It’s pure peasant mentality: "Let's salute the Third Reich without worrying about the concentration camps." Jumping up at every goal? How is that supposed to guarantee anything or build a future for a legitimate club? Even if we ignore how much that disrespects the actual, long-term victims of such regimes—at which point we aren't even talking about sports anymore—it's just straight-up bullshit.
What we're talking about here is a completely different plan and vision. Some people won't bother with it, fine. I just don't see why they feel the need to shove it down everyone else's throats as some kind of spasonosan deus ex machina solution.

Don't come for me, I'm ready to just step back and leave everyone alone, though I realized a long time ago I'm irrelevant to this whole thing anyway. My mouth just gets the better of me and I end up "explaining" the obvious for the hundredth time. Thanks.

It’s not a bad thing to clash or debate—even on a forum some people call a joke. Things are tough right now, and honestly, we have to admit that luck was definitely on the side of those guys in that win against Arsenal. That said, nobody should be jumping down anyone's throat telling them to "go ahead and take the risk." I mean, what am I supposed to risk? Another three months in a high-security federal prison, or maybe another year-long ban from everything I've been part of for the last 46 years? We should all be able to share our opinions, and they deserve respect, even if they don't line up with yours. We all need to step up together, and everyone should contribute whatever they can to the group. You can't really blame the leadership for the general pessimism or the lack of interest from certain people.
Times are hard, and there's no avoiding that. I was out walking the dog today and noticed how many people are wearing Real Madrid gear—some from random street vendors and others straight from the official fan shop. In the coffee shops, regular folks are all talking about whether Real Madrid can actually pull off third place in their Champions League group. It could easily turn into an absurdity where the same people who show up for a local pickup game are suddenly scrambling for Champions League tickets. Just bread, games, and beers with the crew.
All of this should be setting off alarm bells. Anyone who truly cares about the group's future needs to reach out to the leadership, set up a meeting, and—alongside the usual futsal games—actually come up with some exit strategies. That Arsenal result was a big deal. Historically, giving people food and entertainment kept things moving—even the Roman emperors knew that worked for centuries. It isn't right to just attack the leadership on a forum. Instead, ask for a conversation or a sit-down so you can actually negotiate something. These guys have always been willing to meet people halfway and talk things through. I know, because I've been there myself.
Either that, or just back off and stay quiet.

Larry Wells2 said:

The stadium is just a shadow of the old rivalry, now nothing more than an annoying distraction for Real Madrid as they navigate two European tests.

Man, talk about sowing seeds of hate...

casualwolf48 said:There is nothing wrong with clashing viewpoints or engaging in debate, even on a forum that some might dismiss as a joke. We have to face reality: the situation is grim, and one must admit that pure luck favored the undeserving in this victory over Arsenal. At the same time, one shouldn't immediately take a defiant stance and shout, "Oh yeah? Why don't you take the risk then?" What am I supposed to risk? Another three months in a high-security federal penitentiary? Or perhaps another year-long ban from my forty-six years of following this group? One should be able to state an opinion that deserves respect, regardless of how much it deviates from the consensus. We all need to step up together; everyone should contribute what they can to the collective. The leadership isn't to blame for the widespread defeatism or the apathy displayed by certain individuals.
Times are difficult, and that must be acknowledged. As I walk my dog, I notice how many people are wearing Real Madrid jerseys—some bought from random street vendors, others from the official team store. In the local coffee shops, ordinary folks are debating whether Real Madrid has any chance at finishing third in their Champions League group. It could easily reach a point of absurdity where the very same people who spend their weekends playing futsal end up scrambling for Champions League tickets. Bread, games, and beers with the crew.
All of these signs should be setting off alarm bells. Those who are truly invested in the prosperity of this group ought to contact the leadership, request a meeting, and—alongside our usual futsal sessions—develop some exit strategies. This result against Arsenal is a serious matter. Historically, leaders provided "bread and circuses" to the masses; were the Roman Emperors considered fools for employing such tactics for centuries? It is unseemble to attack the group's leadership via an internet forum. Instead, demand dialogue and meetings; attempt to negotiate. These guys have always been willing to meet anyone halfway and talk things through. I say this from personal experience.
Or, alternatively, one could simply withdraw and remain silent.

It will likely persist until we get crushed by Bayern and brought back down to earth by the coaching staff, at which point the entire situation will pivot again in a few weeks...

@casualwolf48/">@@casualwolf48

Please post more frequently; I find your insights genuinely engaging. Just yesterday, I was considering sending you a private message because I was eager to hear your perspective, but since you’ve surfaced here, I will take this opportunity to address you publicly instead. What is your assessment of why the fans in the city seem so indifferent toward the current situation at ZM? On one hand, there is what you mentioned regarding how people discuss the club and the fact that they are still buying merchandise from the official shop. Yet, on the other hand, we see only a handful of people attending domestic league matches. One might argue this stems from complacency—that people simply lose interest when one team has dominated the league for a decade. However, that fails to explain the European matches where perhaps only fifteen thousand people show up even with free tickets available. For instance, during the recent home game, there were 13,000 tickets still sitting unsold; those were essentially reserved seats. If the total attendance was 17,000, that implies they only sold about 4,000 general admission tickets for the match against Arsenal. These stark contradictions are baffling. This entire issue has nothing to do with the Bad Boys group, so please feel free to share your thoughts here or via private message.

If they actually gave a damn about filling the stadium, they would’ve found a way to do it. It’s simple math: drop the ticket prices a notch, throw in some decent giveaways, and the place would be packed. Honestly, those few thousand guys who call themselves Bad Boys don't move the needle at all. By the next home game, the stands will be fuller, and we’ll see more people showing up who haven't even stepped foot in an Arsenal match before. But what are we doing instead? We’re busy bickering and hunting for scapegoats within our own ranks. Once the results start rolling in, the debates and disagreements are going to get much more intense and radical. People are going to start questioning everything, and the whole status quo is going to fracture...
It’s just our fate, I guess. We can't really control it; we just have to sit back and see where the current takes us.

Kyle Campbell4 said:@casualwolf48/">@@casualwolf48

Post more often. I actually enjoy reading your takes. I was honestly going to send you a DM yesterday because I wanted to get your perspective on things, but I suppose I can just take this opportunity to ask you publicly since you’ve surfaced. What’s your take? Why is there such a total lack of interest from people in the city regarding the ZM situation?

It isn't just about the ZM issue... it’s broader than that. Generally speaking, the Champions League is seeing its worst attendance in history—look at Arsenal, barely 13,000 people show up. Eurobasket was a complete embarrassment in terms of turnout. Even yesterday with handball, Kiel came to town and the guys were playing in a practically empty arena again... I wonder if anyone even remembers Cibona exists anymore. I have this nagging feeling that if the US Federal Government banned sports betting, nobody would even notice, because nobody is watching the sports to begin with.