QUESTION: Can you please explain what the role of a fan with a winning mentality has against say a fan that doesn't have a winning mentality. It would also be very interesting to know how this winning mentality in any way is relevant to winning or losing a game of football.
ANSWER: In the context of the discussion being had, some of us were debating whether it's fair to label one who melts after a defeat less fan-worthy than one who just takes a loss on the chin and moves on. Man Utd fans were then brought in to the discussion. Probably among the biggest melts, most would probably agree.
Now, although their league position since Sir Alex's departure has been below their expected standard, the fans, on the whole, fail to accept defeat with any grace. It's because they have built up a winning mentality that they refuse to accept anything less than victory. This whole ethos runs through the club, and will no doubt ultimately lead them back to more success in the future.
If on the other hand, as a fan base you accept defeat or below par performance without any anger or frustration it will only lead to an acceptance of being second best by the club itself. Apathy breeds apathy. Demand 100% and you may get 95. Demand 80% and you probably only get 60.
We haven't won much in recent decades despite being one of the biggest clubs in the country. And I don't think it helps when we're just happy to shrug off defeats like yesterday in this carefree manner. Or the 3-2 capitulation against West ham as anything less than the disgrace that it was.