Post by QPR Report on Dec 11, 2008 17:47:11 GMT
BBC - Byrne berates stay-at-home fans
Swindon caretaker manager Dave Byrne has called some of the club's fans "morons" and "idiots" for their postings on internet forums.
The Town boss went out of his way to praise supporters who watched their 1-1 draw with Carlisle at the weekend.
But Byrne told BBC Radio Swindon he has no time for fans who comment on what happened without actually being there.
"They're making comments on things that they don't see because they're not at the games," he said.
"Callum Kennedy was taken off at the weekend because he had cramp, and when you get castigated for making that decision from people who weren't even at the game, that makes it very, very difficult to take."
Swindon have conceded last-minute goals in their last four games, dropping six points and all but ending Byrne's hopes of making his position permanent.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swindon_town/7774879.stm
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Gazette and Herald/y Iain Liddle »
Swindon Town caretaker boss David Byrne has labelled the armchair supporters who have criticised him and his players as anoraks, idiots and morons following Saturday’s draw against Carlisle United.
The former youth team coach has taken offence at comments on internet forums from fans around the world who base their opinions on media reports rather than attending the matches in person.
Byrne says the time has come to make a stand against the negativity emanating from the world wide web and feels the people responsible do not belong at the football club.
“Ever since I’ve taken over the response from the boys has been absolutely brilliant and I’ll always reflect back to these idiots that sit behind their screens at home, plastering out that the boys are playing with no confidence etc,” he said.
“I don’t see them as Swindon Town supporters, excuse my French but I just see them as sh*t stirrers and as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t help in any way or form.
“What I don’t understand is how people that don’t even come to the game that can make an opinion and it just gets rights under your skin and if I have to come out and name these idiots then I will.”
Bryne took particular offence at the reaction to his decision to substitute young debutant Callum Kennedy and replace him with Kevin Amankwaah towards the end of the game.
Some messages on the internet had blasted the former Millwall player as the youth team graduate had performed impressively until that point, but Byrne says that anyone who was at The County Ground will understand the logic behind the move.
“It was great to see Jerel Ifil and Callum come through a game with flying colours and again, for those anoraks that sit behind their screens, Callum Kennedy came off because he couldn’t do any more,” he said.
“His calf was like a cricket ball and again those that were at the game would be able to see that.
“I’m just sick and tired of all the negativity that these idiots throw at the club and it’s about time someone said something about them and that’s what I’m quite prepared to do.”
Swindon have lost just one game during Byrne’s second temporary spell in charge of the first team but are yet to record a win in the five league games.
On three occasions, including Saturday, they have been denied victory by a last-minute goal to leave them in the mire above the relegation zone.
“You can’t do anything about the forums. A majority of them are fairly constructive but there is the few morons, donuts, whatever you want to call them and they’re the ones that really get under my skin,” he said.
“The ones that don’t attend the games and feel free to comment and pass judgement on players etc, they’re the ones that Swindon Town don’t need.”
www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/sport/3963041.Swindon_boss_Byrne_blasts_armchair_supporters/
Byrne slams 'idiot' fans
By Anthony Marshall »
Swindon Advertizer DAVE Byrne has launched an astonishing attack on a section of Town supporters, blasting them as ‘morons’, ‘donuts’ and ‘anoraks’.
Swindon’s caretaker boss was furious after fans on various websites questioned his decision to substitute teenage debutant Callum Kennedy, who was struggling with cramp, just minutes before Carlisle scored their equaliser on Saturday.
And Byrne insists the County Ground club are better off without the ‘backing’ of these so-called fans.
“For those anoraks who sit behind their screens, Callum Kennedy came off because he couldn’t do any more - his calf was like a cricket ball,” he revealed.
“If he hadn’t had cramp he wouldn’t have come off the pitch, and those who were at the game would have been able to see that.
“But I’m just sick and tired of all the negativity that these idiots throw at the club, it’s about time someone said something about them, and that’s what I’m quite prepared to do it.
“Some of the people on forums are constructive, but there is the few morons, donuts and whatever else you want to call them, who are the ones that really get under my skin.
“They are the ones who don’t attend the games, but feel free to comment and pass judgment on players and everything like that.
“They’re the ones who Swindon Town don’t need.”
Byrne believes the situation is becoming a major issue at clubs across the country, and took a swipe at website users who hide behind the anonymity of a forum username.
He blasted: “I’ll always reflect back to these idiots who sit behind their screens at home plastering out that the boys are playing with no confidence and stuff like that.
“I don’t see them as Swindon Town supporters, I just see them as s**t-stirrers and as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t help in any way, shape or form.
“Managers are now coming out and saying about the booing and how it’s counter-productive, but what I can’t understand is how people who don’t even come to the game can have an opinion and it just gets right under my skin.”
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/3963485.Byrne_slams__idiot__fans/
