[oldalum]

I don't know about soccer or football.  I do know about WVB.  The players have said for years a big, boisterous crowd gets them more motivated and they feel they play harder. 

Ironically they say a loud hostile crowd on the road pumps them up more than a supportive home crowd.

If true, it might be counteracted by the more favorable homer calls by the officials.
(I wonder if some measurable statistic could be constructed to measure playing harder)

[oldalum]

I don't know about soccer or football.  I do know about WVB.  The players have said for years a big, boisterous crowd gets them more motivated and they feel they play harder. 

Ironically they say a loud hostile crowd on the road pumps them up more than a supportive home crowd.

If true, it might be counteracted by the more favorable homer calls by the officials.
(I wonder if some measurable statistic could be constructed to measure playing harder)