The Uncertainty Principle states that it's impossible to predict with absolute certainty the exact position your team will finish. As a result, regardless of the evidence of the previous season or seasons, fans will turn up in August believing that "this could be our year." There is a sense that "anything can happen" due to the fact that "It's a marathon, not a sprint." We are, at this stage, in a world of crazy possibilities* - for instance, this might be Newcastle United's year to win the Premiership (OK, bad example).

If fans were objective external observers they would probably stop watching their team and take up another more predictable hobby, such as trying to guess when a giant asteroid will hit the earth. However, most fans suffer from a brain sickness called Early Season Optimism, which makes them see the world in a different way. Reality shifts. So to an external observer the fan supports a no-hoper side who will probably get relegated, in his mind he is part of ____ _____'s [insert manager's name] _____ and ____ [insert team colours] army marching on the palace of success and taking it by storm.

'* Some things are exempt from the Uncertainty Principle, such as Spurs not quite living up to their potential or Sir Alex Ferguson losing his temper about something.