07 Jul 2018 17:29:52
As a 41yr old, football in general has been boring me over the last few years.

It’s become a game where players of average ability thrive due to the physical element being completely removed.

There seems to be no passion or emotion left in the game.

However after watching every game of this World Cup I can't wait for the Premier League to start again.

As poor as I believe league football has become, nothing could be as depressing as watching players performing in the apparent pinnacle tournament of the sport, as if they’re only there with a gun to they’re heads!

I’ve watched every game of this competition and I’m still waiting for one player; one game to show me that my love for football is reciprocated in the professional ranks.

Please let Naby, Fabihno etc reinvigorate me next month

YNWA.

1.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 17:44:05
That's sad that you feel that what si b. I hope you can get your football mojo back mate as its a great passion to have in life.

Personally I love football these days. The physical side being more under scrutiny allows the gifted players to do their thing. There seems more space too which makes it more exciting. Liverpool are more exciting to watch than England that's for sure. But if it takes an England run to get you back in the stands si then that's great.

I think England will make the final but fall at the last hurdle.

2.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 18:26:00
Have you not watched the England games? These guys are clearly loving the experience.

3.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 20:29:17
Si B You mean like Razor Russock who would jump in to a challange to ensure to break both your legs?
Is that the phisicality your refering to which = passion and emotion to you?

Thats just the thugery or 80's football that were echoed in to vile racisim and violence on the football terraces, which in turn spilled in to mainstream society, with it only be slightly watered down.

The modern game is designed to allow players to showcase their skills, awareness and inteligence.
If you do not have these features then you can not play modern football.

I do not think players like Ronaldo or Messi would have thrived as much in the football of the 80's or 90's.
Maradon was only as good as he was becuase he stood out in the midst of the rest who were playing a phisical game and not a skill or inteligence game.

To me football is where Ronaldo scores a superb overhead kick against Juventus and the opposition fans (Juventus) stand up and applaud him for his skill and inteligence.

4.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 21:09:59
Hi Red Kurd,

No disrespect but think you’re taking my point too far.

I was a physical player and enjoyed a battle on the pitch; but I’m not talking about thuggery!

These days you see people (Neymar for example) rolling on the floor if someone looks in his direction, protection of players has gone so far now that the passion and will to win has gone from the game.

Wouldn’t you rather watch McMahon than Dier?

5.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 21:41:31
Hi Si B

Maybe I did misubderstand your point, for which I would like to apologise.

I have never liked the very phyisical aspect of the game.

I love the skill the trickery or that phenomenal pass that slices up defenses.

I 100% agree about Naymar.
He has so much skill, balance and great touch of the ball which is why I could not understand him doing his drama queen routine.

6.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 22:15:16
Cheers Red Kurd,

From my point of view true skill ala Maradona, Cruyff etc could be seen by their ability to do what they did successfully against opponents that were allowed to tackle them.

Nowadays I see players losing control of the ball and hitting the turf to gain free kicks.

It demeans those that went before them and exaggerates their own abilities

YNWA.

7.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 22:26:41
“Wouldn’t you rather watch McMahon than Dier? ”

Well obviously one is a former Liverpool player and the other plays for spurs so yeh. 🤔

Personally I’d rather watch talented players of today like iniesta, modric, KDB and Kante 🤷🏻‍♂️

Skill over “physical” (thuggery) every day.

8.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 22:39:34
It's a contact sport and I enjoyed getting stuck in but you don't have to foul to get stuck in. It's still physical enough. Ask the ox or mo salah.

9.) 08 Jul 2018
08 Jul 2018 07:36:02
I would rather watch a game where players of average ability can thrive due the the physicality of the game being removed than a game where substandard players can thrive solely because they are physical and offer nothing else. If you miss Vinny Jones I suggest you watch one of his films.

{Ed001's Note - Vinny Jones was far from substandard as a player. He was also not just a thug or physical. He went an entire season once without a single card because he was the type of person who would follow the coach's instructions. Most of his career people just appreciated the fact that he is a big scary bloke who could frighten the life out of opponents and terrify them into mistakes. Sadly his actual talent for playing football was only given its chance in that one season, when he showed himself to be a very very good footballer.}