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I think it's a great question, but I've been thinking about the reasons I kept following us as well.
It would have been easy to stop, or even switch teams when I was a kid. We moved to Ireland for a lot of my childhood and my brother deserted Rangers and most kids I knew were swapping teams all the time. There was no shame to it, it seemed.
And my Dad didn't really care any more.
I think I stuck with us becuase loyalty was big in the comics and books I read as a kid, heroes were loyal, and I wanted to do the heroic thing. The kit was definitely a factor - it was just SO. DAMN. COOL. I think the style of football was also a factor - whenever we were on Match of the Day we were artistes compared to the other caveman teams.
Also, it was just great to be different! It felt good. Felt right.
The absence of Edwards' ball-carrying, coupled with the possible absence of Mbengue's pace might tempt Stéphan back towards a deep back-line. That would also suit Cook, who's at his best with a low-block and a backs to the wall scenario.
The only problem with a deep back line is Burrell's pace would be ideal for the out ball. With Burrell missing, would it be worth considering Smyth in the Burrell role?
Or that Hoos was ordered to pursue it by his bosses. Or convinced by his colleagues at the time. Or that he was toeing the line on a previous decison, and was in favour all along. Or that financial realities changed (emails went out to bondholders this morning). Or that O'Reilly swung a corporate vote after his arrival. Or that Ferdinand leaving swung the balance. Or that Ferdinand was in favour and his leaving prompted a review.
Or loads of other reasons that we can't begin to guess at.
As ever, we won't have to guess for long, because the truth will come out as it always done at HQ. But, for now, we just don't know.
One of the articles I posted stated that we were going for Cat 1, and that was from 2023. Hoos was CEO then.
I agree with you that he can come across as stubborn of latevon some subjects, but if he is part of this decision (rather than being outvoted, as you say) then he deserves credit.
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