CF Montreal needs an ovation

What if the solution to CF Montreal’s problems came through… an ovation?

I know, I know, the players don’t deserve it. Not after a humiliating defeat at home against a club of a lower caliber. Not in the midst of an eight-game winless streak. But do they need it? Certainly.

You had to see the long faces of Samuel Piette, Mathieu Choinière and Laurent Courtois on the field, after the game. The team’s leaders oozed despair. Piette had a lively discussion with a handful of die-hard Collective supporters who braved the storm, the 110-minute break and the defeat. Then he went to the other side of the field, near the bell, to speak with around ten members of the 1642MTL. Courtois followed him. The head coach was in disbelief. Beaten down. Livid. He was just as fragile at the press conference.

Voyez Samuel Piette discuter avec des membres du Collectif

« Les problèmes sont identifiés. Les solutions, c’est de revoir la mentalisation sur l’aspect stratégique des deux matchs, et la répartition des effectifs qui nous aurait permis d’arriver frais aux deux [dernières parties]. » He added that he had to better “mentalize the players to make them understand the plan that was planned”.

The players are lost. Tired. Demoralized. Their level of confidence compares to that of a Parti Québécois candidate in D’Arcy-McGee. The sports director has just left. The transfer window is closed. The infirmary is overflowing. In the short term, there will be no shortcuts: solutions will have to come from within.

This annus horribilis reminds me of the Canadian’s centenary, in 2009. After a defeat in Vancouver, head coach Guy Carbonneau admitted to being “out of answers.” A few days later, he invited his players to a game of bowling. “I could have made them skate and hit them over the head. But what would that have meant? »

CF Montreal is there. Guys play with the fear of making mistakes. At this point, the harsh method, the punishing training, the tough love are not only ineffective, they are probably counterproductive. A reality that support groups will also have to understand. On Wednesday, you made your dissatisfaction known. First by remaining silent in the first half, then with banners and chants expressing your frustration in the second half. This was in addition to the booing of the last matches. It’s good. It’s your right. The players, coaches, managers have heard you. There it’s done. Now, continuing to hit players who are down won’t help anyone’s cause – except the opponent’s.

Believe me: the players know more than anyone that things are bad. That the club is in crisis. That no reinforcements are on a plane to Montreal. You see the match once. They review their mistakes ad nauseam on social networks and in video sessions. It’s a bit like a student on the verge of failing his math session. As long as he knows he is in a situation of failure, he does not need to be beaten with a ruler. He needs support and encouragement.

Hence the idea of ​​a huge ovation for the next home match, Saturday.

The inspiration comes, of all places, from Philadelphia. Although it is the City of Brotherly Love, it is also a place where crowds are difficult. Very, very difficult. They would make the members of the IMFC Collective look like altar boys. Eagles fans have already booed Santa. Those of the Flyers, Sidney Crosby, while he solicited donations for the fight against leukemia. Those of the Phillies, for their part, threw batteries towards a former first choice who had refused to sign with the team.

Last summer, the Phillies hired a new star, Trea Turner, for more than 300 million. Expectations were of course high. Except that in August, Turner, crushed by the pressure, had hit only 10 home runs. His batting average? Only .235. An unacceptable production for a player of his status. After a game, disappointed, he went to hit balls in the batting cage for an hour. A Philadelphia radio producer took pity on him. “His post-match interview was painful to watch. The guy stayed in the batting cage until midnight. I think he’s lost. An ovation would do him the world of good,” wrote Jack Fritz on X.

His suggestion piqued supporters. Big debate. But on the day of the match, a majority of spectators responded positively to the call. That night, Turner ended a 12-game hitless streak. The next day, he hit a home run. In the final eight weeks of the season, he hit .337, with 16 home runs. His success continued in the playoffs, with an average of .347.

The ovation cheered him up.

“If I started playing better, it’s thanks to you and the audience,” Turner admitted in an interview with Fritz. “When players see one of their teammates in difficulty or being booed, they feel it,” explained head coach Rob Thompson on the same channel.

“He needed to feel comfortable. To feel welcome, added his teammate Nick Castellanos. I know how he felt. And that ovation was the fans’ way of saying, “We’re behind you.” »

I completely understand CF Montreal fans being frustrated with the club’s management for the lack of investment in the squad. You’ve said it, written it, shouted it, sung it, and repeated it throughout the last month. You even kept silent during the first half against Hamilton. Result ? The players came out as flat as a bottle of Badoit water left on the counter for a week.

Fans may not be able to tackle the opponent or score goals. But in a stadium, their behavior can make the difference. So don’t wonder what the club can do for you. These days, the answer is: not much. Instead, ask yourself what you can do for him.