Tony Pulis column: “Daniel Farke may feel like he’s up to his neck in mud”

This season, Farke’s stated mission has been to collect 38 points, or one point per game, a total that has proven enough to retain a top-flight place in every season since 2011-12.

Until the defeat against Aston Villa last weekend, Farke was achieving this percentage, but he suffered from a change in the direction of the wind among his fans. It’s a moment that most managers recognize, having lived through it themselves.

What’s most worrying about this change is that for the first time – even though his team was playing well against Villa – in my opinion, a part of the crowd behaved in a very negative way towards him.

They made their feelings about team selection and substitutes quite open.

I’ve said in my previous columns that the game I love is about the players and its supporters, but I’ll differentiate here.

If fans on social media criticize a team, manager or club, it only resonates in a small way compared to the impact of the same criticism from fans who buy season tickets and spend their money and hard-earned time watching and traveling home and away in all weathers.

In my experience, a lot of these fans have a great understanding and knowledge of their team and players, and they have the right to criticize. Their reaction also has a much greater influence on the decision-makers at any club.

So, if you hear public criticism at your home stadium like Farke did on Sunday, it means you are in trouble and results should start to change very quickly, especially in the Premier League.