The Mail Bag
The Everton fan on the couch
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If an Everton fan were to present for therapy now what issues would be foremost in their mind? Anger, confusion, rising anxiety and depression perhaps?
Epicetus ? in the 1st Century no less ? said "Men/women are disturbed not by things but by the views they take of them." That said, perhaps a cognitive approach would help our Evertonian client. The views expressed on issues such as Bill Kenwright demonstrate the range of cognitions at work. To some he is a hate figure attributed with causing the Club's downfall. Some take a more sympathetic personal view but would still like him to go, whilst others will defend him as a well meaning man who has always done his best for the club.
The level of anxiety/anger etc of course depends on the strength of the thought process at work. How would a therapist work with a fan who feels that his/her truth is the Ultimate Truth and is prepared to attack any attempt to question or modify its validity?
Recent submissions to this site have demonstrated that strength of feeling is running dangerously high almost to the point of hysteria. Am I alone in finding some of the exchanges on this site dripping in vitriol? Does anyone who advocates a more moderate view fear the risk of being accused a non-believer and finds it safer to hide in the shadows?
Another cognitive error that an Everton fan may currently display is catastrophizing, which in essence is fearing the worst when the evidence doesn't support that. Many seem now convinced that the club faces a long hard season and may even flirt with relegation. Others see the same nucleus of the side that finished 5th last season and are more optimistic. Who is right ?
That of course is hard to say but your viewpoint/cognition will dictate how you are feeling now. Perhaps within the Everton fans' collective subconscious lies the desire never to go back to the dark days of Ginola et al and that ultimate fear is fuelling the intensity of emotion currently being shown.
What then is the truth about Everton? Will Moyes sign his contract? Will we ever sign a new player? How will the season progress? The Truth is out there and will begin to be revealed from Saturday onwards. Only if the highly anxious etc begin to see evidence that their fears are unfounded will their symptoms fade.
What worries me more after 32 years of following this great club is the divisions within our own ranks. Perhaps that needs to be healed now more than any other issue.
Mike Evans, Posted 12/08/2008 at 20:07:09
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Once the myriad arguments have been weighed in the balance, this one fact will tip he scales: after what good he had done, Kenwright left the fans more bitterly divided than at anytime in its history.
All clubs are in the same boat and despite them putting on a brave front they know that one or two poor seasons would spell Iceberg
This applies at all levels of the food chain from first class mighty SS United down to steerage class Hull City.
Stakes are higher for owners and passengers of elite ships. The trappings of their wealth would serve to drag them under that much quicker. The good ship Everton sails majestically on, somehow or other avoiding rocks of relegation. Over the years our support base has been almost unchanged and usually is among the strongest in the league. This is despite over the past 30 years our very close neighbours and biggest competitor for crowd support hardly ever missed out on at least one of the games major trophies. Evertonians have been hardened more than most by many tough years before the mast. On that basis a top four place or even by just holding on to a place in the P L would have little effect on our fan base.
I sometimes muse what would be the difference had the RS suffered our decades of tribulation.
Back to my earlier Titanic scenario it makes me chuckle to think that while others are frantically moving deckchairs we are throwing ours overboard.
I?m with sir Terry, at least on this score, One woman, One church, One club.
A thoughtful post and one that psychotherapists might wish to discuss in some depth. However, I can’t help but think that you have based your synopsis on a slightly preconieved assumption on what is going on at Goodison Park. And, of course, the resultant reaction from supporters.
I don’t think it is "a cognitive error" if an Everton fan begins to displaytcatastrophising" or fearing the worst. I think it is acceptable to ask the question "just what on earth is going on in our club?"
The decision to put to the vote whether to go to Kirkby, began the the split. The ensuing arguments, widened the split. But now, I begin to think that the latest situation, is beginning to bring us together.
Cognitive therapy is a great way of helping someone take a grip of their life, but how do we, mere supporters, cope with what many percieve to be a rapidly worsening situation in our club, magnified by the CEO dissapearing, by not one transfer into the club, by Mr Moyes not signing his contract and the few midfielders we have, being depleted through injury.
You c an, if you like, look on the bright side but in many fans perception, we are rapidly getting to the point where hope and enthusiasm have disappeared.
Some straight speaking and inspiring leadership wouldn’t go amiss.
With Everton, we cannot take action as we have no control over their business. That’s why we’re depressed. That’s why we’re angry. And to make matters worse we have a manager SPEAKING OUT that he wants players, but NO ACTION TAKEN.
Tell you want doctor, have Everton sign a player and we’ll all be alright.
The problem we have is that this roller coaster was climbing more steeply than for decades last season and with it was our expectations and aspirations...... and this sudden trough has been both dramatic, unexpected but more importantly unwarranted. Being so close to the top four and to let it fade away would be more gutwrenching than any whiteknuckle ride. The backdrop of the illconceived DK and the current inactivity/inability regarding new players and Moyes’ contract exposes the rocky foundations we are trying to build on. ONLY our support is solid, but even that has limitations.
just someone write me a prescription for valium NOW !
To make a comparison with other forms of entertainment and the nature of ?fandom?, the Spice Girls sold out 17 shows at the 02 arena, making them the highest grossing act between April 07 and April 08 at £16.5 million. Just because something sells out doesn?t mean that it is quality entertainment !! For a loyal supporter of one team, there isn?t the alternative of going to see a better quality, more successful team instead.
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