A conundrum, if you will...

[The Tall Gguy]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

I can't believe I am even bothering with this but I'm here. We have been building up to a team like this. We have been positioning ourselves for success. You don't just show up and people hand you a natty. We are in a posistion to flip the switch. We are, but we are Not as deep as some other teams and that means we are going to have to play a lot of inexperience when digging into our depth. BUtch has been very,VERY good at getting young men ready to play early though.

 

[orangefreak21]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

Look bad and win.. or look good and lose?

That's essentially what you're asking.

It's always a Win. Hows that even up for debate?

 

[volmandu]

This is not confusing. You want both. Obviously win is more important but as the schedule gets tougher from here on fans are worried about if we can hold up with this performance.

To answer your question precisely, in the past years we did not get wins so fans wanted to see improvement as a glimmer of hope. Something to hold on to. This year we are 3-0 and thats the reality. While we are worried about bad performances and how the team is playing, you have to give team its due credit: 3-0 and #14.

On the contrary, negavols just wanted 'a damn win' last few years. Now we got wins and they want to 'dominate in wins'

 

[ReaderVol]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

Flip the question scooter. I thought all of you Butch haters didn't care that we were getting better because all that mattered was the win? So which is it?

 

[chargervol]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

And on the reverse side, moral victories are supposed to be useless, but a moral loss, now that can be thrown around for weeks on end.

Apparently humans are human, the only difference being which side you're on.

 

[tennesseety]

I will never apologize for a win.

 

[edyeary]

Winning ugly is still winning!!!!!

 

[Dragon18]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

Good lord man! How many times did we hear from the so called negative crowd that it doesn't matter how you play, wins are what matter. Half the posters on this board have to be either teenagers or trolls.
We are not playing well and that needs to change to win SEC games. However, we are 3-0. I just don't get the incredible angst over potential negative outcomes. We have the potential to win the games coming up just like we have the potential to lose them if we play poorly.
I'm not a player anymore so I just don't get too warped about this stuff now.

 

[Dudleys87]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

eh, we aren't living up to any standard so its a desperate reach to hang on to anything they can. When the dust settles we just aren't very good right now. The switch has to flip at some point though

I can't believe I am even bothering with this but I'm here. We have been building up to a team like this. We have been positioning ourselves for success. You don't just show up and people hand you a natty. We are in a posistion to flip the switch. We are, but we are Not as deep as some other teams and that means we are going to have to play a lot of inexperience when digging into our depth. BUtch has been very,VERY good at getting young men ready to play early though.

Your right we are in position to flip the switch at some point will it be this week who knows but it has to flip at some point. We got absolute obliterated by the injury bug this past week I hope we are strong enough mentally to fight through it.

The biggest part I disagree with is getting them ready to play. Hes a great talker/salesmen but as far as getting them ready this season its just not there. Its painfully obvious there is an issue somewhere a long the line and it starts from the top down. How he handles it during the season and ultimately in the off season will determine whether or not hes hear as long as I believe he truly wants to be.

 

[IPleadInsanity]

So much is riding on this game for the coaches, for the players, for the fans. Its like betting twice what you can afford to lose on 1 game. They have looked terrible, only way I can describe it, but here we are 3-0 with a huge "monkey off the back" game ahead. Win by 1 point and no one will be talking about the first 3 games, me included. I don't want to think about losing this game.

 

[Dudleys87]

This is not confusing. You want both. Obviously win is more important but as the schedule gets tougher from here on fans are worried about if we can hold up with this performance.

To answer your question precisely, in the past years we did not get wins so fans wanted to see improvement as a glimmer of hope. Something to hold on to. This year we are 3-0 and thats the reality. While we are worried about bad performances and how the team is playing, you have to give team its due credit: 3-0 and #14.

On the contrary, negavols just wanted 'a damn win' last few years. Now we got wins and they want to 'dominate in wins'

Is it wrong to question the effort, and execution against an inferior team? I don't think that's to much to ask when the talent across the board is far and above your opponent.

 

[Dudleys87]

So much is riding on this game for the coaches, for the players, for the fans. Its like betting twice what you can afford to lose on 1 game. They have looked terrible, only way I can describe it, but here we are 3-0 with a huge "monkey off the back" game ahead. Win by 1 point and no one will be talking about the first 3 games, me included. I don't want to think about losing this game.

This game to me either solidifies them mentally or completely destroys them. It would be hard for me to believe speeches would bring this team back to focus.

and I like Butch.

 

[Dudleys87]

Look bad and win.. or look good and lose?

That's essentially what you're asking.

It's always a Win. Hows that even up for debate?

If we are out matched and we lose id rather look good and fight rather than the team quit like previous years.

Not playing your best and stil wining is great but essentially hanging your hat on it over the course of three weeks doesent look good and eventually the breaks start going the other way.

 

[JC61]

I actually have the same conundrum. Never have considered myself solidly in either camp, but try to be realistic and positive about what I do see. Other than the wins, its hard to be overly enthusiastic about the performance on the field thus far...guess I still subscribe to the fight in the dog axiom...just loved the way our VOLS were fighting and scrapping for everything they could get the past 3 years. Put that fight in this team...I think we'd all be happier.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

Who cares how you win. I don't think recovering Stoerner's fumble was considered a moral loss or an undeserved win. Wins are better than losses no matter the margin. Ask Ok st about it.

 

[gnm53108]

Too easy. When you lose you're looking for positives...when you win you celebrate.

 

[movinonup]

Just sat in meeting with Big Ole Miss fan.........

It hit me ---- Rather be an "ugly" 3-0 than a "pretty" 1-2.

 

[illvol]

Bundle me into the sunshine pumper group... for now. I like Butch, even before he was here. I followed Cincinnati when he was there because my brother lived and went there and was excited when they got him.
I am of the belief right now that he is taking chances by not running plays and using formations we all KNOW are in the playbook and are successful because he wants to give conference opponents as little to review as possible. He has counted on a few plays from several different formations to get by weaker teams and although it hasn't looked good... it got the job done. It's risky but it's worked. I truly believe that the successful plays such as running out of the I-formation is in there as well as running plays where the guards pull like crazy, Dobbs rolling out and moving the pocket and so on. They are in there but we haven't seen them... not once I can think of. What other reason would there be for not using such plays if it's not for this reason?
Anyway, that's how I feel and will see if it's correct on Saturday. If I'm wrong then I'm off the Butch train.
And to what the OP is reaching for... it was said by many on here for a LONG time that "winning cures all".

 

[ReaderVol]

Too easy. When you lose you're looking for positives...when you win you celebrate.

Normaal people act like you just described. Inherently negative people think you're nuts.

 

[VinylVols]

Last year was still considered to be basically the last rebuilding year. So last year moral victories were still acceptable and used to comfort losses.

This is the year. This is year 4. Wins are all that matter now.

 

[robow]

So much is riding on this game for the coaches, for the players, for the fans. Its like betting twice what you can afford to lose on 1 game. They have looked terrible, only way I can describe it, but here we are 3-0 with a huge "monkey off the back" game ahead. Win by 1 point and no one will be talking about the first 3 games, me included. I don't want to think about losing this game.

Since the negas't don't allow for excuses for losing, I will be damned if I am going to apologize for a win; whether
we win ugly or not. :banghead2:

 

[LargeOrange1]

The sunshine pumpers have me confused.

In past years, playing well and getting better week to week was most important (moral victories)...but apparently the rules have changed this year.

This year, we are told that getting the win is the most important thing, regardless of how we play.

Which is it? Winning is most important or Playing well and improving is most important.

It must not take much to confuse you......

I don't care if we go to triple OT the rest of the season, just so we win.

"The Vols sure looked great today with that Loss" WTF?

 

[luthervol]

Is it wrong to question the effort, and execution against an inferior team? I don't think that's to much to ask when the talent across the board is far and above your opponent.

Clemson beat Troy by 7.

GA beat Nicholls by 2.

Wisconsin beat GA State by 6.

Question effort and execution all you want but I'm guessing a smaller percentage of their fan basses are questioning the retention of the coaching staff.

 

[Behr]

If we win ugly all the way to a NC, I'll take it, but I would so much rather win our way to a NC the way Louisville looked against FSU. And I shouldn't have to explain that everytime I get Called a negavol or a sunshine pumper for a criticizing comment or a positive comment.

Goodness gracious.