Club-jumpers are the worst fans.

That said, I feel I'm like most casual fans. I watch football when it's entertaining. If my team plays like shit, I flip the channel or go back to work. But I will still check back every few minutes and/or read the reports and results to keep track.

I feel happy when we win. I feel sad when we lose. I feel elated if rival teams slip up. I feel good if underdog teams beat the odds, even against my team. I laugh at the opposition's bad luck. I defend referee calls in our favor.

I know my club's history. But I also know other teams' histories. I know the player names and faces. But I have never bought their jersey. And I don't know the chants and stadium songs. I try to watch every live game I can. But I make no effort to actually go to a stadium and watch it in person.

Life's too complicated to be overly passionate about a game. An Arsenal fan hung himself after that loss to Manchester United. You read about people insulting each other in other threads, calling names and some threatening bodily harm. I see those and I go "wtf?"

Just relax and enjoy the game. Too much of a good thing is also bad.

I change the channel. But I flip back. Sometimes I think I jinx my team when I'm watching them live. Somehow I feel if I switch channels a little there's hope they will play better.

You talk about people closing off TV when losing are being crappy fans. The truly crappy fans won't bother tuning up for the next match. Casual fans feel the pain of losing but will still read their team news and watch the following game hoping for a change.

Glory hunters on the other hand feel nothing when their team is in decline, because they would simply switch to the next big thing.

Mostly I leave before my blood boils and forces me to buy a new tv the next day.

You're a fan if you can scream at the tv when you're watching it by yourself, and causing your mum to come out in alarm wondering if there's a break-in.

Footballers usually start to decline by the age of 30. Thus they need to make their living and for their families before age or a career-ending injury take their toll.

That said, there's a difference between a player like Torres whom the fans still love; and Cannavaro whom some fans aren't happy that he's returning.