Rotherham showed the impact boos can have (From Bournemouth Echo)

Rotherham showed the impact boos can have

7:00am Friday 5th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(7)

By Neil Perrett »

DESPITE the best efforts of the Football League, Cherries did manage to sneak through a new signing at Rotherham in midweek.

Eddie Howe’s troops were handed a much-needed boost as their bid for honours received an unexpected helping hand against their rivals for promotion.

The Don Valley Stadium is anything but hospitable to visiting teams, although Millers fans among a sparse crowd ensured Cherries were made most welcome.

Far from being intimidating, Rotherham’s 12th man took little time to defect to the other side. And how Cherries made their numerical advantage pay.

An eerie, library-like atmosphere engulfed the venue – even after Tom Pope’s goal had given the South Yorkshiremen a first-half lead.

One solitary supporter tried desperately to rouse his sedated colleagues, his repeated pleas for encouragement falling on deaf ears. Even he gave up in the end.

And after Brett Pitman had levelled for Cherries, the not-so-merry Millers crew finally found their voices, dissenting and abusive though they were.

This played straight into the hands of the visitors, much as it did after Cherries had fallen behind in their two home games against Northampton and Bury last month.

Pitman, often a target for criticism himself, knows more than most how a crowd can affect a player: “As soon as the Rotherham fans turned on their players, it gave us a massive lift. You could see it got to their players and was a boost to us. Having the supporters behind you is a huge help and will definitely earn you points.”

On the whole, the majority of regulars to Dean Court are a knowledgeable, understanding and patient lot. They may be long suffering but most remain tolerant and sympathetic.

This season, in particular, Howe and his players have jumped through hoops to sustain a promotion challenge and, in the main, Cherries supporters have been appreciative of their efforts.

However, back-to-back league defeats saw the boo-boys rear their ugly heads. Their criticism stung the players and disappointed the management. Everybody knows it goes with the territory and losing at home to Northampton and Bury was hardly grounds for celebration.

Since traipsing off with their tails between their legs after going down to the Shakers, Howe’s boys have responded in style with wins at both Crewe and Rotherham.

So with 10 of their remaining 18 fixtures at home, Cherries’ message to the doubters could well be – please lay off the boos.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(7)