RUFC - Are We 'Keyboard Warriors'?

Have you ever thought that when you are typing away at a message on Vital that you are a keyboard warrior or that message boards have a sinister side to them? Well, Essex Sports Producer, Glenn Speller, thinks that they do.

Speaking to the Football League's Official Site, Mr Speller said, 'The proliferation of message boards and forums means that fans can discuss matches within seconds of the final whistle, even during the game. The intention of these forums was for just that but, unfortunately, they have taken on a darker and more sinister side.' He goes on to say, 'if you look on any forum 95% of the messages on them are negative. Even a thread that starts as a positive is usually hijacked by the 'yes, but' brigade. The 'yes buts' are people who sit in meetings in offices and think of a reason why something can't be done - they are a pain in the backside. These people go under assumed names and therefore can abuse who they want and accuse anyone of anything and there is no comeback. And, they also argue with the fans who support their own team!

'While researching this piece I was looking at a board who's team had won, and won well. Yet, the tone of the message board was negative and one of the posters said that the manager was 'tactically naive', was 'picking the wrong players' and it also got a lot more personal. Now this particular manager had played top flight football and has a UEFA A coaching badge. Would this poster have said this to the manager face-to-face? I doubt it. And how would he feel if the manager came onto the message board and accussed the poster of being less than adequate at his job? He would probably tell him he was not qualified to pass such judgement.....

'So, can someone tell me why this abusive forum driven behaviour is deemed to be OK?

'Unfortunately, forums are predominantly inhabited by cowards who think they have a right to abuse people and expect no comeback.

'Football is a game of opinions. If you have one then at least have the guts to stand up when you say it and put your own name to it.'

I feel this is an interesting piece - and, let's be honest, we all know a 'keyboard warrior' don't we?

I know a few years ago we had a few problems on Vital Rotherham. It probably started out as banter but in the end got nasty with name calling and, from time-to-time, it rears it's ugly head again. I work with little children and at times I felt that I was working with little children on here as well! I say to the little ones, 'if you can't say something nice, then don't say it at all.' And I actually found myself saying this to forty year olds on a message board!

And as for what Mr Speller calls the 'yes but' brigade - I have to admit, I am as guilty as the next man of this.

So, is Mr Speller right in what he's saying? Have message boards got a darker and more sinister side to them than just talking about football? Is it time for us all to 'lighten up' a bit? What do you think?

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