"The Matter Hinges On One Word"

1953 finds the team at a low ebb, as the Rangers approach their

match against Walsall with an 0-4 home record. "Discussing last

Monday evening's game with several loyal supporters in our ‘local'

after the match, we were all of the same opinion -- that the players are

scared of the supporters, scared of the abusive remarks which will be

shouted at them if they make a mistake, and consequently they make

many more," a reader writes. The Editor agrees: "The majority of our

players are in a state of nervous tension when they go on to the field

and an early mistake will quite often affect their play throughout the

whole match. The matter hinges on one word, "confidence." A mistake

at home and there's a shout from ten or twelve thousand supporters.

A mistake away passes almost in silence." The editor picks up the

theme of ‘confidence' in his closing words: "Give our lads an extra loud

cheer when they take the field this afternoon. Let them hear that they still

have the confidence of all loyal Rangerites. Knowing they have your

confidence, they will have confidence in themselves, and that will

go a long way towards breaking this season's Loftus Road hoodoo."

As if that weren't enough, the following melancholy notice is given:

"Yes, for the first time, the Football League First Division

Championship Trophy will come to Loftus Road. Arsenal,

the present holders, have kindly agreed to bring it with them,

and it will be on view on the evening of our match with them. "

{Saturday, 12 September 1953}

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