Football fandom can be a bit like Christmas.
All summer, supporters pore over their wish list, convince themselves this season could finally be different and dream about what might be awaiting them.
But when it is time to unwrap, sometimes you don’t get what you hoped for.
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For many football fans, it takes barely 90 minutes for the excitement to give way to doubt and frustration about where it has all gone wrong for their club.
We are now only a few days into a new season, but fans of Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham and Rangers – just to name a few – know that feeling all too well already.
‘Last 15 years taught me not to be optimistic’
After a third-placed finish under Michael Carrick, Manchester United supporters could be forgiven for thinking this year could finally mark the beginning of a revival.
“For the first time in years, I’m actually impressed not only by United’s line-up, but the substitutes bench as well,” United fan Danny texted BBC Sport’s live page ahead of their trip to Hull City.
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The club have endured several false dawns since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and the 2012-13 triumph under the Scot remains the Red Devils’ last Premier League title.
Boosted by new signings including midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and facing promoted sides in their first two matches, this was the perfect opportunity for Carrick’s men to put down a marker.
Instead, their campaign began with a humbling defeat 2-0 by Hull City, who were promoted via the play-offs last season, but looked more a Premier League side than the 13-time winners.
“As a Man United fan for 38 years if the last 15 years have taught me anything it is not to be optimistic,” said Alec, another United fan.
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“I laughed when I read how strong people thought our squad depth was. It’s as deep as a toddler’s swimming pool. Another long season ahead.”
As if adding insult to injury, the journey back to Manchester for the 2,400-strong visiting contingent at Hull proved little better than the pain inflicted by the result.
While their team were losing to the Tigers, the news of two trains to Manchester being cancelled was announced at the stadium, prompting the home fans to chant “You should have come in a taxi” at the away section.
But there is solace in knowing they are not the only fanbase suffering.
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After back-to-back 17th-placed finishes, a summer of significant spending had generated genuine belief among Tottenham supporters that they could finally leave their recent struggles behind.
Having steered the team clear of relegation on the final day of last season, Spurs signed centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes during the summer, spending £237m (and counting).
Spurs dared to dream but the opening weekend provided them with a reality check.
They were ripped apart by their less-fanciful neighbours Brentford in a 3-0 defeat despite fielding new signings Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Van Hecke and £100m Tonali.
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“Let’s face it: Spurs have been through so many false dawns in the Premier League era that the only difference this time was the ludicrous amounts of money they’ve spent in the summer transfer window,” said Spurs fan Mark.
Meanwhile, Richard said: “United losing at Hull was a surprise, but Spurs? Not at all. Two 17th place finishes on the spin! Lots of money spent on bang average players, £85m on a player relegated twice the last two seasons! Not surprised at all.”
‘Someone put Nuno out of his misery’
Nuno Espirito Santo previously led Wolves to the Championship title [Getty Images]
West Ham fans suffered heartbreak when their 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end last season.
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But they will be hoping their stay in the Championship will be a brief one.
They had reasons to be optimistic after the Hammers looked primed for a title challenge with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side breaking the Championship record to sign Arne Engels while also bringing in Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe and Divine Mukasa.
However, only two games into the campaign, promotion talk has quickly made way for concern.
Nuno’s side have collected only one point from their opening two matches after throwing away a two-goal lead at Burnley and then suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Charlton.
“Will someone put Nuno out of his misery,” asked West Ham fan Les. “He got the tactics wrong last season and is doing the same thing again. He should have gone at end of last season playing like this. We deserve nothing.”
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Meanwhile, Mike said: “Sat in Corfu, and like a lot of West Ham fans, unsurprised by our start to the season. No no Nuno. You’ve had 33 games. If you were the guy for Forest and Wolves, fine. But you ain’t for us. But enough is enough.”
In the Scottish Premiership, Rangers fans were also dreaming of something big this season.
The Ibrox club have spent heavily again to sign 11 new players this summer. Derek McInnes arrived as manager from Hearts following a memorable campaign and brought captain Lawrence Shankland with him.
Rangers have already suffered a Europa League exit in the qualifiers against Jagiellonia Bialystok, were booed by their own supporters and have had questions raised over McInnes’ future despite the season barely getting under way.
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Like West Ham, they also have just one point to show after games against Dundee United and Hibernian.
“Rangers are going nowhere! What has McInnes been training these guys,” quipped Bill, while Graeme added: “I have been watching Rangers for over 60 years and this is the worst team I have ever seen.”
Last season, the Gers made a stumbling start under Russell Martin from which he never recovered, with the axe finally falling in early October.
With August not yet over, patience is being tested again at Ibrox and elsewhere.
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