Go ham basically means going full out. It's a bit hard to explain if you don't play online games because as far as I know there is where the expression originated from. Also don't think he uses the term correctly but basically what's he's trying to say is that Barca fans are too spoiled to become genuinely excited or really put their heart into a match that isn't vs Real or like semi-finals of champions league and hence the lackluster atmosphere in average games.
In all fairness though, is this what we should just accept? That we should expect to win and therefore don't need to create a buzzing atmosphere? Chanting is a part of supporting the club, showing the team we are proud of them. If that's just dead in the water because we expect to win a match against an inferior team... well, it takes away from being a supporter and the point in going to the match. That's why it's almost spread across the World that there are too many tourists going to the match as the excuse regardless of whether they follow Barça or not.
It falls in to the attendance, is that why there are empty seats because of an expectation to win the "easy" games so they may as well save their money? Hmmm...
Looks like they might be looking to address this. Haven't read it but the slogan makes it look like it. Do the board have spies on here
http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/camp-nou-ticket-packs-go-on-sale
I agree, that mentality is a bit ridiculous. Then people wonder why Barca fans have the reputation of being arrogant and entitled. And yeah, while you can support the club as an organization just by giving money to them for tickets and merchandise, what about supporting the team on the pitch? That's where chanting, cheering, singing, clapping, waving flags/banners etc comes into play. If the players think the fans are indifferent, it can potentially affect the way they play.
That being said, there still seems to be a divide over how much this is true.
I've been to Barcelona several times and I have a feeling that Catalans are not that passionate as other mediterranian nations. They are friendly but calm and quiet. Of course not every one of them. And besides, many families and older people go to games. They are not those chanting ultras. I don't know about other stadiums in Spain but I rarely see noisy games in La Liga on tv.
I've been to Barcelona several times and I have a feeling that Catalans are not that passionate as other mediterranian nations. They are friendly but calm and quiet. Of course not every one of them. And besides, many families and older people go to games. They are not those chanting ultras. I don't know about other stadiums in Spain but I rarely see noisy games in La Liga on tv.
The best atmosphere I have been at was Bilbao game years ago. It was a tight game, which Barca were at full throttle and the ref gave Barca nothing. That soon shook the fans into action and the last half hour was defeaning.