RD 19: Mariners at WSW Away at Spotless Stadium.

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

In regards to the fans being fickle, things like that - it's not like fans have been wavering support for no reason. Fans want to see results, understandably - and Izzo this season is a hundred times better than last season. I don't think that's controversial to say.

I hope that he doesn't continue to blame the fans to the extent that he doesn't want to be a part of the club - to be blunt, that's also a part of his own maturation process in learning to deal with that (I would think that looking on social media isn't a healthy habit for many players) - and I would presume that the club take a role in guiding the young players through these difficulties, but as fans we can recognise when somebody has been hurting. I feel like it needs saying again that abusing them on the street is completely unacceptable - they're allowed to have their own lives, and the sense of community is one of the things we market the club on. Last thing we want is for that sense of community - the idea that they can't go anywhere without being recognised - to be the thing they hate most about the place.

I wonder what we, as fans, can do to engage with Izzo and show support? Song? Banner? Just as an appreciation of the grit and maturity he's demonstrated in bettering himself like that - for me, a recognition of where he is now is a bit deeper than a typical recognition of any other well-performing player. Izzo seems to still feel like the past makes the current support mean less; I can't speak for others on here, but the past makes his current performance mean more to me.

And from there if he truly does hold a grudge, then so be it. We can do no more than try to show support.

 

[Atomic]

I simple banner that says #IzzoIn should suffice.

 

[Tevor]

Don't forget there would also be a fair bit of Journo slant on that article, it's better reading that he thinks about it before every game than has moved on and is just focusing on bettering himself. Probably 20% fact 80% embellishment. Agree he should be favourite for the Mariners Medal closely followed by Monty.

 

[VicMariner]

"Paul was averaging between 60 and 70 interactions per game," Nash said. "The average for any other goalkeeper in the league was between 40 and 45. To throw a young goalkeeper in to make that many decisions in a game, it's going to be hard in their first year."

Tough year for him.
It is wrong to target him on the street but fans have a right to say what they think (within reason) at places like here.
I agree with what Capn Gus Bloodbeard said above:

I can't speak for others on here, but the past makes his current performance mean more to me.

I am very proud and impressed that he passed through the fire of last season and has dug deep and shown his talent this season.
I'm proud he plays for us and I hope he stays longer.

 

[dibo]

Social media he can avoid.

f**kwits abusing him in the street he can't.

 

[Wombat]

Izzo has been outstanding this year and would be a clear favourite for player of the year right now.

He was a train wreck last year but the back four were simply appalling in front of him.

I don't think he will be going anywhere as he is clearly enjoying himself now.

#Izzoinfor5years

 

[priorpeter]

We gave him a good 5 minutes of his own song post game. He looked straight at the ground, over his shoulders - anywhere but at us. Refused to engage whatsoever. Didn't look like he wanted to be part of the celebrations either.
The hate is strong, unfortunately, and I doubt he's gonna change his mind.

 

[Wombat]

Still far from perfect but holding tight at the back when being dominated and riding our luck.
Last year we would have turned to water in that first half

Bloody Santalab comes on and gets 3 opportunities, lucky he fluffed them but no wonder he has 6 goals in 5 games against us before that game. Gets between the CB's so smartly and you know it's our day when he doesn't score against us.

Posco was always decent but with Paulo setting a tighter structure he is blossoming, he's not getting pulled out of position by trying to hard to cover his incompetent team mates.

How good,was it to see in the first half Nicholls got through and it was Storm who covered the run. Wombat will be proud

It was great to see. Posco is also talking and giving simple instructions to the others. They still were lucky with some sloppy ball watching moments but overall pretty good.

 

[scottmac]

We gave him a good 5 minutes of his own song post game. He looked straight at the ground, over his shoulders - anywhere but at us. Refused to engage whatsoever. Didn't look like he wanted to be part of the celebrations either.
The hate is strong, unfortunately, and I doubt he's gonna change his mind.

Would loved to get izzo on the podcast to hear it from the horses mouth in regards to this. Lots of people hold grudges.

Can anyone see him as a first choice elsewhere in the a-league?

 

[FFC Mariner]

If he aspires to play at a higher level, the scrutiny will be magnified and he needs to HTFU. Abusing anyone in the street is not on though.

As for starting keeper? Scum, Wanderers, Nix for starters and a natural replacement for Eugene at Adelaide I'd say.

FWIW, Wanderers fans seem the most likely to rip into their players, our booing is mild in comparison to what we heard at the 1st derby of the season at ANZ.

 

[Big Al]

Would loved to get izzo on the podcast to hear it from the horses mouth in regards to this. Lots of people hold grudges.

Can anyone see him as a first choice elsewhere in the a-league?

Was on only a couple of weeks ago

 

[Wombat]

Would loved to get izzo on the podcast to hear it from the horses mouth in regards to this. Lots of people hold grudges.

Can anyone see him as a first choice elsewhere in the a-league?

Drive Bys goal keepers are shitful.

 

[Wombat]

Reading the Drive-bys forum...they are not happy!!

I like this though...."

• Credit to CCM. Okon has made a massive difference on their previous 2 stooges. They were well organised and were happy with 0-0 at the break. Second half they pushed forward a little more and they know they have a decent finisher if they can just create the odd chance. They actually played a bit like we did in the first 2 seasons. "

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Was on only a couple of weeks ago

surely he can't hate us too much then to cooperate with the podcast....(hopefully)

 

[dibo]

If he aspires to play at a higher level, the scrutiny will be magnified and he needs to HTFU.

I just don't get this at all. Other pricks are pricks so therefore HTFU? Maybe the pricks are the problem, not a kid trying to find his way.

 

[shipwreck]

If Izzo thinks he would have been treated any differently at any of the other Aleague clubs then he is delusional.

I really hope this is all just speculation and he wouldn't make a massive career decision based on the angry ramblings of some central coast bogan....

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

The level of bullying Izzo received from fans last year is not acceptable in anyway. Trying to emotionally murder someone just because they didn't perform to your expectations is childish. It was not Izzo's choice to play poorly last season, he would have wanted more than anyone to be performing and be the best keeper in the league but he simply wasn't ready to be playing at A-League level yet, and was thrust forth when Reddy made his unceremonious exit.

 

[shipwreck]

I get that Izzo was bullied and treated harsh etc, but is this not one I those Mr Miagi moments where the ends justifies the means?

He has improved significantly and we can't pretend he didn't use that negativity to motivate himself to work so much harder to prove us all wrong.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

If Izzo thinks he would have been treated any differently at any of the other Aleague clubs then he is delusional.

I really hope this is all just speculation and he wouldn't make a massive career decision based on the angry ramblings of some central coast bogan....

If he performed the same way he did last year for any club in the A-League he would have copped similar abuse. That doesn't mean the abuse would hurt any less from our fans and I doubt he would cop it from anywhere now considering how his performances have improved. But in real terms, if you were abused in the first year in your job for not knowing everything while your business fell apart around you, I doubt anyone would be very keen to stay the following year even if they were getting consistently praised.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

Especially when there is most likely a pay raise involved as well as a move back to where your family is from.