Is Social Media the New Terraces? Brennan Johnson’s Journey Through Modern Fan Criticism

No Brennan Johnson Goal Celebration, Spurs Fans Don't Deserve Trophies

Are toxic Spurs fans some of the worst in the league? 

Abusive fans (I won't call them supporters) affect a player's mentality.

His performance, team performance and results, proving these people are not supporters at all, they are only interested in themselves and anonymously abusing others. It has been the hatred mentality of the Labour Party, both MPs and voters in opposition.

These 90-minute supporters disgust me.

Football has always been a game where emotions run high and criticism from the stands has been part of the sport for as long as it has existed. But in recent years, the terraces have extended beyond the stadium, spilling over into the relentless, 24/7 world of social media. 

For players like Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, the weight of online abuse is becoming a daily burden, one that not only affects their performance but also impacts their mental well-being.

In Tottenham’s recent match against Coventry, Johnson scored the winner in injury time, a moment that would typically ignite joyful relief and connection with the fans. 

Yet, his subdued response, a token clapping of the away fans without even a smile, spoke volumes about the toll that social media abuse is taking on young players today. 

Johnson’s lethargic gesture wasn’t just a reflection of the game; it was a sign of the modern pressures that players face off the pitch.

Quite frankly, a swathe of Tottenham fans do not deserve any success.

Old School vs. New School Criticism: From the Stands to Social Media

In the "old school" days of football, criticism was largely confined to the 90 minutes on the pitch. Fans would voice their frustrations from the stands and once the game was over, so too was the barrage of opinions. 

Players could walk off the field knowing that the noise would stay behind, buried in the roar of the crowd. In that era, even the harshest criticism was face-to-face and while brutal, it was often left at the stadium.

Today, the dynamic is different. 

Social media has given every fan a direct line to the players and it’s no longer confined to the matchday experience. 

Platforms like Instagram, Twitter (now X) and Facebook are now the modern terraces, where fans vent their frustrations not just with the game but with individual performances and people like Daniel Levy. 

And unlike the fleeting criticism of the stands, these online comments can linger, replayed and shared over and over, creating an environment where abuse follows players long after the final whistle. An article I wrote on this very topic 1st June 2023.

This shift has had a profound impact on players, especially the younger ones like Brennan Johnson. 

The constant pressure of being scrutinized by thousands of people, not just during games but in every aspect of their lives, adds layers of stress that previous generations never had to deal with.

It is utter lunacy to abuse a player on social media all week and then expect him to perform at the top of his game for you at a weekend. 

You have taken his motivation away from him, you have demotivated him.

Brennan Johnson’s Struggle: The Role of Fan Criticism

Brennan Johnson’s subdued celebration (virtually non-celebration) after his injury-time winner against Coventry City in the League Cup was a poignant reminder of the mental strain players like him face. 

Instead of basking in the moment of triumph, Johnson barely acknowledged the away fans, offering a few claps and quickly turning away. 

There was no smile, no exuberance, just a flat, almost robotic gesture, as if the joy of the game had been stripped from him.

Johnson’s form, like that of many young players, is influenced not just by his physical performance but by his mental state. 

Fan criticism, particularly online abuse, can sap the confidence and enthusiasm from even the most promising talents. 

For Johnson, the torrent of abuse he’s faced on social media has caused his muted responses both on and off the pitch.

The fact that Brennan Johnson has shut down his Instagram account speaks to the severity of the problem. 

The toxic environment of fan interaction online has created a space where players feel constantly attacked, often for things beyond their control. 

It’s no longer just about missing a goal or misplacing a pass, every aspect of their lives is dissected, with little regard for their mental well-being.

Postecoglou’s Defense of His Players: Creating a Shield

Ange Postecoglou has long been vocal about protecting his players from undue criticism. As a manager who places a high value on mental toughness, he understands the pressures that come with being in the spotlight, particularly for younger players like Johnson. 

Postecoglou’s approach is to create a supportive environment within the club, where players are shielded from the noise of social media and allowed to focus on their development, but, as we see with Johnson, you can't keep youngsters away from social media so its a constant battle.

Cue my piece about the need for sports psychologists to be working with each and every player as a part of training to minimize the impact of this online abuse and mentally help their game!

How many examples does football need before we tackle problems before they arise, not after (Richarlison - Bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted)?

Danny Rose is another example, then, of course, there is Dele Alli (and the French mathematician).

In press conferences, Postecoglou has made it clear that while criticism is part of the game, abuse is not something he will tolerate. 

He stands firm in defence of his players, emphasizing the importance of nurturing their confidence and mental resilience. 

His leadership extends beyond tactics and formations; it’s about building a culture where players feel valued and protected, even in the face of relentless outside pressure.

For players like Johnson, having a manager like Postecoglou in their corner could make all the difference, but, there is a big danger he could buckle under it, which doesn't help the club in the slightest. 

In an era where social media has become the new battleground for fan frustration, Postecoglou’s commitment to his players’ well-being is a crucial aspect of his leadership.

What do the Players Say about this?

Here’s a short list of players who have been affected by fan abuse, particularly through social media and comments or incidents that highlight this growing issue:

1. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

• Incident: While playing for Real Madrid, Bale often faced harsh criticism from fans, including being whistled at during games.
• Quote: “We get a lot of pressure every game. If you don’t play well, there’s scrutiny. I’ve had 80,000 people in a stadium whistle me because I haven’t played well. It’s not nice and it doesn’t do your confidence any good either.”
• Impact: Bale later admitted that this negativity contributed to his desire to leave his boyhood dream club, eventually returning on loan to Tottenham.

2. Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

• Incident: Pogba faced a barrage of social media abuse, including racist comments, following poor performances or missed penalties.
• Quote: “My ancestors and my parents suffered for my generation to be free today, to work, to take the bus, to play football. Racist insults are ignorance and can only make me stronger.”
• Impact: Pogba eventually limited his social media activity and expressed frustration over the racial abuse he received, calling for stronger action from platforms.

3. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

• Incident: Rashford has been a frequent target of racist abuse online, particularly after England’s loss in the Euro 2020 final, where he missed a penalty in the shootout.
• Quote: “I can take critique of my performance all day long, but I will never apologize for who I am and where I came from.” (Link)
• Impact: Rashford has spoken openly about the emotional toll of the abuse but has also continued his activism, showing resilience in the face of adversity. That may also have contributed to his becoming hooked on tequila. Another revealing video that tells us about George Best, Paul Gasgoine and Jack Grealish.

4. Jesse Lingard (West Ham / Manchester United)

• Incident: Lingard has spoken about the severe impact of social media abuse on his mental health, particularly during his struggles at Manchester United.
• Quote: “I was getting abuse on social media for something I didn’t do and it’s mental health you’re playing with. I had to stay strong.”
• Impact: Lingard has openly discussed how social media abuse affected his mental health, especially when he was going through a tough period in his career. Now he's playing in Japan.

5. Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

• Incident: Maguire has been a target for online trolls, with threats against his family following poor performances for both Manchester United and England.
• Quote: “I’m big enough to accept people are going to criticise me, but there’s a line.”
• Impact: Maguire has had to deal with not only abuse but also threats, showing how the negative online atmosphere extends beyond just football.

6. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City / Chelsea)

• Incident: Sterling has been subjected to both racial and general online abuse throughout his career, leading him to speak out on the issue.
• Quote: “When the hate comes consistently from social media, at times it hurts.”
• Impact: Sterling has been vocal in calling out the lack of action from social media companies and the need for stronger consequences for abusive users.

7. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool / Al-Ettifaq)

• Incident: After his move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, Henderson faced significant abuse from fans on social media, questioning his motivations and ethics.
• Quote: "People can say what they like, I made the decision for myself and my family."
• Impact: The criticism Henderson received highlighted how player decisions, even off the pitch, are often harshly judged and ridiculed by fans online. But you could argue he did bring it on himself by suggesting he wasn't going for the money but to develop the game. Public figures shouldn't try to lie to or mislead fans in the manner of our own Sol Campbell.

8. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

• Incident: After missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout, Saka was subjected to a wave of racist abuse on social media.
• Quote: “I knew instantly the kind of hate that I was about to receive. And that is a sad reality.” (Quote)
• Impact: Saka was supported by teammates and the broader football community, but the abuse he faced highlighted how quickly players can become targets of online hate.

9. Tammy Abraham (Roma / Chelsea)

• Incident: Following a missed penalty for Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup, Abraham faced racial abuse online, which impacted his confidence and performance.
• Quote: “Seeing the abuse after the game, it hurts. I didn’t want to think about it, but it’s hard not to.”
• Impact: Abraham called for more action to be taken by social media platforms to protect players from such abuse.

This list shows that social media abuse has become an unfortunate reality for many top-level footballers, impacting their mental health, confidence, performance and thus team results. 

These quotes and incidents highlight the deep-seated problem in modern society and football.

The THBN Wrap Up: A New Kind of Pressure

The terraces may no longer be the only place where players face criticism, but the rise of social media has created a new kind of pressure, one that is constant and often more personal than anything shouted from the stands. 

For young players like Brennan Johnson, this new reality can be overwhelming, affecting both their performance and their mental health.

As fans, it’s important to remember that while criticism is part of the game, abuse is not. 

The impact of online negativity is real and it’s clear that it’s taking a toll on players who, like Johnson, are just trying to do their best. 

Managers like Ange Postecoglou are stepping up to protect their squads, but the responsibility doesn’t just lie with them, it’s up to fans to recognize the harm that social media abuse can cause and to be part of the solution, not the problem.

It's a reiterating message, abusers abuse and think their abuse has no effect on the abused, who they then abuse for not giving their absolute best for abusers!

Are fans really that naive?

Or are they not really supporters at all because constant abuse is not support?

I wrote a series on mentality, years back and quite frankly nothing has changed so the trophy drought remains.

As Postecoglou himself says, if you want a different outcome, you have to do things differently and the THBN 43 point player checklist written 10 years ago in 2014 does exactly that. 

THBN Answers Your Questions

Why is social media abuse more damaging than traditional fan criticism?

How does online abuse impact a player’s performance on the pitch?

What is Ange Postecoglou doing to protect his players from online abuse?

Are toxic Spurs fans contributing to poor team results?

What role should sports psychologists play in helping players deal with social media abuse?