There's a sensible point in Storm's post about fans and how they behave, it was aimed at the tendency to blow hot and cold rather than being a dig at the player. To be fair, supporters often ride a rollercoaster with anyone who shows flashes but not consistency. That doesn't mean you should write ASO off though; he still has qualities that are worth backing, even if he isn't the finished article everyone hopes for.
Fans flip from hot to cold
You can see why people lose patience. One week a player looks unplayable, the next every mistake is magnified. Social media and forums accelerate that. The original poster used ASO as a touchpoint to make a wider point about fickle support, and that was fair enough, we are guilty as a group of swinging from praise to criticism far too quickly.
Where ASO stands now
To my eye he still offers real quality on the pitch. He has technical ability and moments where he affects the game; the optimist in me notices that. The truth is his growth area is clear: consistency over 90 minutes and end product. That isn't a dig so much as a roadmap. Plenty of players need a season or two to knit into the team, find regularity and understand the manager's shape and tempo.
Realism is important. We shouldn't expect miracles overnight. Players finding their feet at this level often take time. Coaching, consistent minutes and the right tactical role can make a big difference. Sometimes a single season of steady work separates a promising player from a dependable starter, indeed.
What I'd like to see
I hope we keep him. I don't buy the notion that £8m is the asking price or anywhere near it, and I'd rather see him given a full pre-season and another crack at it. Give him decent minutes, let him express himself, and let the coaching staff get the best out of his natural ability. If he nails a consistent pre-season, becomes a reliable option week in, week out, then the impatient noise will quieten down.
So yes, call out fans when they're unfair. But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Back the player, demand improvement, and be patient enough to see if he can get there.
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