Never been to this NYCFC forum. Don't even know the url to it. but if the comments here are any indication of what is, I have a few questions.
1. Is it really the belief that the poor performance of NYCFC in the early games is down to Lampard being in City and that CFG is to be blamed? Or is this actually scapegoating blame? From what I've seen in previous games and I've watched them all, the team is still bedding in in a league that is full of teams with inconsistencies, NYCFC included. Still am interested if this CFG frustration is the general consensus.
2. What are the expectations of the fans? Is it winning its first or second season, or just thereabouts in the next five years? Personally I like the fanfare of the MLS as its laidback entertainment, but I enjoy the overcomings of Melbourne City more.
3. Do fans support other clubs in the PL other than City? If so, what is the breakdown?
1. Playing in a league where your best players are your DP's and not having one is certainly a problem. However, that was a small problem in the grand scheme of things for us.
We are an expansion side. Meaning the team was put together in accordance to MLS guidelines.
We have a team made up entirely of discarded players from other teams and rookies.
Having started our offseason during the European season it limited who we could pick up. Aside from Villa, Calle (who was injured for a large majority of the season) and Lampard the rest of the team is subpar.
Most of the MLS guys we have were acquired during the dispersal draft as they were not 'protected' by their current clubs.
Then you have the issue of a new club which has only trained for a short period of time trying to play together and mesh.
We've seen tremendous improvements over the last 2 months. I think anyone with an understanding of the game and who was on our team knew what was in store. A slow start until the summer transfer window opened up and we really started making some moves.
As far as CFG is concerned I'd say 95% of people back CFG and only hold the Lampard thing against them AND our clubs FO.
2. We definitely want to at the very least make the playoffs this year. I think next year we can challenge for the cup and do very well in the Open Cup and also the Concacaf Champions League.
3. You're looking at a city which had zero ties to MCFC. There's supporter clubs (some officially recognized) in NYC for teams from LFC to Athletico Madrid, Bayern and MCFC.
It's not like this team was founded and plays in Manchester.
So I'd say even tho the biggest majority is MCFC due to the affiliation it's certainly not a large base since so many other clubs are involved. A large Spanish contingent shows a lot of Barcelona/Real fans. That's prob the jerseys I saw the most of.