Is football getting a bit rubbish now?

[Jay The Yid]

So you walk into a pub 20 years ago and some bloke tells you that in 20 years time Manchester City and Chelsea will be the financial super powers in English football and will be the only clubs able to bid for the most expensive players in the world.

You think what Chelsea? That small club in West London who play in front of 10,000 fans in a run down stadium made of corrugated iron?

and City? Well of course I know the other team from Manchester, United who are quite clearly a top club with massive support and a great history. But City? They havent won anything for yonks and arent even considered in top 10 clubs in the county.

Nah, Im not having that.....

In fact the bloke would probably be locked up in a safe cell with a staright jacket on.

Roll forward to the crazy work of football in 2011. City and Chelsea are amongst 5 clubs in the world that have met the buy out clause for Neymar for £40m. These are the only 2 clubs in the country who could do this.

Now we all know why they can do this and Im a bit sick of it all to be honest. I think its bad for the game in this counry and just hope that FIFA financial fair play rules have the desired effect...But I honestly doubt it.

Now I hate Arsenal like every other Spurs fan on here and to a certain extent am enjoying the fact that they are likely to lose both Nasri and Fabregas. But as much as it pains me to say it they are amongst the 3 biggest clubs in the country they have a good financial model, anew 60,000 stadium, and a great history and fan base. Yet even the Gunners cannot compete with Chelsea and City and like last season will not finish above these 2. How can this be a good thing?

Now onto the biggest aspect that for me is making football in this country a bit crap....The wonderful Champions league...The greatest football competition in the world! The competition all top players want to play in. The highest standard of football ever!!.....
Well not exactly true is it? Lets be honest we had a decent side last year but not a great one. Yet we cruised to the last 8 of the competetion in our debut year. So it doesnt say alot for some of the other teams does it? In fact in the group stages there are some god awful teams and most of the games are very very boring. Infact if it wasnt for Spurs the whole group stages would of been a complete bore, apart from the odd game.

How can it be a good thing that finishing 4th is seen as bigger acheivement than actually winning something???! Its crazy!!

Yet as we have learnt from our failure to secure a place in the competetion again we have learnt that its the only place to be, and if your not in the CL you might aswell not exist according to our wonderful media. Infact it get worse than that....They will unsettle our top players and try to manufacture a move to a CL club...Its great isnt it?!

Now on to our beloved Spurs. IMO we should of got atleast 4th last season. We finished on less points and dropped lots of points against relegated teams, and we scored alot less goals than the previous year. Perhaps if we had signed that "New Striker" we all knew we needed last summer we could of mounted a title challenge. But that is not my real point and is now in the past. We finished 5th. Hardly disastrous. But in modern terms we might awell of finished 15th. That is how the Premier league is now.

So what for Spurs this season? Well as Harry quite rightly says we are competing against United, the 2nd biggest club in the world,
Arsneal & Liverpool, 2 top clubs who have have every right to be up there as much as us.
Then the financial powers that are City and Chelsea who we have no chance of competing against on a financial basis.

Coupled this with the fact that the media and the players agents seem to be hell bent of moving our top players. To say it will be very difficult would be an understatement.

Is football becoming a bit crap? ask some fans of some of the other truly big clubs in the country like Villa, Everton, Leeds, and Forest, and I think they might just agree with me.

 

[dimiSpur]

Your talking absolute rubbish.

Chelsea and City aren't exactly Dagenham & Redbridge are they? They have always been esteblished clubs and they both have some degree of history.

If you found our debut season in the CL in some games "boring", I believe you're either on your own on that opinion or at the most, in a minority so slight you can't even create a Facebook page for them.

Again, finishing 5th and 15th is a difference of about £6m in prize money, prestige and also the added bonus of Europa League, which we won't be complaining about if we win it. So more crap coming out of your post.

The Clubs you mention that might agree, they are in the position they are in because they deserve to be there. Man City being bought by some ultra billionaire isn't the reason Forrest went down. It isn't the reason Leeds went mad in the transfer market and nearly went bust. It isn't the reason Aston Villa nearly condemned themselves to relegation by imploding their relationship with MON and then hiring the not only inept, but also highly lacklustre Gerard Houllier.

Football audiences are at an all time high worldwide. The money keeps coming in as people are jumping on the bandwagon. Football is getting better IMO. 30 odd years ago there was rich clubs. Hell we we're the main financial powerhouse for a period! Arsenal aren't finishing below Man City and Chelsea because they are richer than them, it's because their manager is too stubborn to go and buy a central defender that can actually defend or a GK that possesses the ability to catch a ball on a consistent basis.

I agree with literally none of your post. Utter garbage.

 

[StockSpur]

dont think weve been 'right at the top' for more than the last 3 or 4 seasons in all fairness.

 

[Jay The Yid]

Your talking absolute rubbish.

Chelsea and City aren't exactly Dagenham & Redbridge are they? They have always been esteblished clubs and they both have some degree of history.

If you found our debut season in the CL in some games "boring", I believe you're either on your own on that opinion or at the most, in a minority so slight you can't even create a Facebook page for them.

Again, finishing 5th and 15th is a difference of about £6m in prize money, prestige and also the added bonus of Europa League, which we won't be complaining about if we win it. So more crap coming out of your post.

The Clubs you mention that might agree, they are in the position they are in because they deserve to be there. Man City being bought by some ultra billionaire isn't the reason Forrest went down. It isn't the reason Leeds went mad in the transfer market and nearly went bust. It isn't the reason Aston Villa nearly condemned themselves to relegation by imploding their relationship with MON and then hiring the not only inept, but also highly lacklustre Gerard Houllier.

Football audiences are at an all time high worldwide. The money keeps coming in as people are jumping on the bandwagon. Football is getting better IMO. 30 odd years ago there was rich clubs. Hell we we're the main financial powerhouse for a period! Arsenal aren't finishing below Man City and Chelsea because they are richer than them, it's because their manager is too stubborn to go and buy a central defender that can actually defend or a GK that possesses the ability to catch a ball on a consistent basis.

I agree with literally none of your post. Utter garbage.

and i disagree with everything you have just said. Especially your statement that football is getting better and better. I couldnt disagree more.

and for the record i didnt say I found our debut Cl season boring. If you read my post I said if it wasnt for Spurs the group stages would of been very boring indeed, apart from the odd game.

That is my opinion, you have yours. Lets leave it at that.

 

[dimiSpur]

and i disagree with everything you have just said. Especially your statement that football is getting better and better. I couldnt disagree more.

and for the record i didnt say I found our debut Cl season boring. If you read my post I said if it wasnt for Spurs the group stages would of been very boring indeed, apart from the odd game.

That is my opinion, you have yours. Lets leave it at that.

How can you say football isn't getting better. Stadiums are better, the quality of football is better, there's no more violence, the pitches are immaculate. This season the PL has shown just how much everyone is close. You had Wolves ending Man United's unbeaten run, you had us not being able to beat Wigan, West Ham and Blackpool, you had a relegation final day showdown, a title race that ended with the top 2 playing off at Old Trafford, you had games like Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal, Spurs 3-3 Arsenal etc...

I find it baffling to say football on the whole is getting rubbish.

What you could have said and I would have agreed is football financials are a bit silly. You see a carthorse in Andy Carroll going for £35m, you see clubs demanding absolutely ridiculous money for players. You see average players at big clubs getting £100k/week and so on. So yes the football financials could make do with a wage cap.

But football is getting rubbish? Just a really ill thought out comment to make. Especially saying the CL isn't as good as people think. It's the best competition in the World right now bar none.

 

[mattdefoe]

definetly getting closer the league, man utd winners then chelsea, then man utd, then chelsea, then man utd, Its a joy to behold! also it wasnt as if liverpool,man utd,arsenal,and chelsea wernt the top 4 for about 8 years?

Agree with the opening post getting abit rubbish, predictable and alot of corruption and pathetic reffing.

SPURS are what keeps me going and barcelonas academy.

 

[Real_madyidd]

Your talking absolute rubbish.

Chelsea and City aren't exactly Dagenham & Redbridge are they? They have always been esteblished clubs and they both have some degree of history.

If you found our debut season in the CL in some games "boring", I believe you're either on your own on that opinion or at the most, in a minority so slight you can't even create a Facebook page for them.

Again, finishing 5th and 15th is a difference of about £6m in prize money, prestige and also the added bonus of Europa League, which we won't be complaining about if we win it. So more crap coming out of your post.

The Clubs you mention that might agree, they are in the position they are in because they deserve to be there. Man City being bought by some ultra billionaire isn't the reason Forrest went down. It isn't the reason Leeds went mad in the transfer market and nearly went bust. It isn't the reason Aston Villa nearly condemned themselves to relegation by imploding their relationship with MON and then hiring the not only inept, but also highly lacklustre Gerard Houllier.

Football audiences are at an all time high worldwide. The money keeps coming in as people are jumping on the bandwagon. Football is getting better IMO. 30 odd years ago there was rich clubs. Hell we we're the main financial powerhouse for a period! Arsenal aren't finishing below Man City and Chelsea because they are richer than them, it's because their manager is too stubborn to go and buy a central defender that can actually defend or a GK that possesses the ability to catch a ball on a consistent basis.

I agree with literally none of your post. Utter garbage.

I agree with none of your post.

I think champions league matches are largely shit.

Chelsea ARE a small club. City ARE a non entity.

And the Wealth of City and Chelsea has changed the futures of other clubs. Chelsea were about to go tits up when they got sold. City were renting a stadium that meant they couldn't compete. All of the mid level prmier league clubs ARE losing financially due to the purchased success of these two clubs.

 

[Real_madyidd]

How can you say football isn't getting better. Stadiums are better, the quality of football is better, there's no more violence, the pitches are immaculate.

Is that what makes football better? The lack of physical contact? The play acting? The Cheating? Football was better when the pitches were shit but the players pulled off magic. Watch video of George Best running around an entire team and a load of pot holes and tell me thet it isn't better than Ronaldo doing ten stepovers and a sprint.

 

[Maske2g]

20 years ago, Liverpool had won everything for th eprevious 15 years...

For the last 18 its been Man U.

And NOW its boring?

 

[Jay The Yid]

Is that what makes football better? The lack of physical contact? The play acting? The Cheating? Football was better when the pitches were shit but the players pulled off magic. Watch video of George Best running around an entire team and a load of pot holes and tell me thet it isn't better than Ronaldo doing ten stepovers and a sprint.

100% agree with you.

Ive seen the best down the lane. Hoddle, Gazza, Wadle, Lineker, Ardiles et etc. The less than perfect pitched didnt effect these players too much? and IMO the football was miles better.

With regards to the statment about croud trouble. I quite liked a bit of aggro added to the atmosphere. Much better atmosphere back tne aswell. Especialy the N London derbys!!

 

[StartingPrice]

Just to say: by-and-large, for a long time now, I have found CL games so boring (at least in the group stages) that I would often find myself dropping off or wandering off and finding chores to do. Not speaking hyperbolically, I mean literally.
Obviously, with our lot in it it became interesting, firstly, because it was us, and secondly, because we made it bluddy interesting by actually playing football.

 

[Maske2g]

Is that what makes football better? The lack of physical contact? The play acting? The Cheating? Football was better when the pitches were shit but the players pulled off magic. Watch video of George Best running around an entire team and a load of pot holes and tell me thet it isn't better than Ronaldo doing ten stepovers and a sprint.

He was doing it against people who were physically shit compared to today's athletes. Messi and Ronaldo do it past strong, quick, sharp players with physiques like Greek gods.

 

[Jay The Yid]

20 years ago, Liverpool had won everything for th eprevious 15 years...

For the last 18 its been Man U.

And NOW its boring?

Yes but you had the FA Cup which was seen as the main prize in English football. The winners of this was spread out quite nicely. Its completely different now.

 

[alextheyid]

Your talking absolute rubbish.

Chelsea and City aren't exactly Dagenham & Redbridge are they? They have always been esteblished clubs and they both have some degree of history.

If you found our debut season in the CL in some games "boring", I believe you're either on your own on that opinion or at the most, in a minority so slight you can't even create a Facebook page for them.

Again, finishing 5th and 15th is a difference of about £6m in prize money, prestige and also the added bonus of Europa League, which we won't be complaining about if we win it. So more crap coming out of your post.

The Clubs you mention that might agree, they are in the position they are in because they deserve to be there. Man City being bought by some ultra billionaire isn't the reason Forrest went down. It isn't the reason Leeds went mad in the transfer market and nearly went bust. It isn't the reason Aston Villa nearly condemned themselves to relegation by imploding their relationship with MON and then hiring the not only inept, but also highly lacklustre Gerard Houllier.

Football audiences are at an all time high worldwide. The money keeps coming in as people are jumping on the bandwagon. Football is getting better IMO. 30 odd years ago there was rich clubs. Hell we we're the main financial powerhouse for a period! Arsenal aren't finishing below Man City and Chelsea because they are richer than them, it's because their manager is too stubborn to go and buy a central defender that can actually defend or a GK that possesses the ability to catch a ball on a consistent basis.

I agree with literally none of your post. Utter garbage.

You do know this is one team right? :razz:

 

[Jay The Yid]

Just to say: by-and-large, for a long time now, I have found CL games so boring (at least in the group stages) that I would often find myself dropping off or wandering off and finding chores to do. Not speaking hyperbolically, I mean literally.
Obviously, with our lot in it it became interesting, firstly, because it was us, and secondly, because we made it bluddy interesting by actually playing football.

Spot on.

Watch City in it this year and you are guaranteed to fall a sleep! In fact I can say with 100% conviction I will not even bother putting myself through the pain. They are very very boring. Great isnt it?!

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Is that what makes football better? The lack of physical contact? The play acting? The Cheating? Football was better when the pitches were shit but the players pulled off magic. Watch video of George Best running around an entire team and a load of pot holes and tell me thet it isn't better than Ronaldo doing ten stepovers and a sprint.

We're probably in the minority but, having watched football since the 1950s, I have to agree with this.

The magic you mention has gone with the rise of footballer superstar status. The petulant and pansyish behaviour of some players these days is far removed from the real men who took home a wage not that much more than the ordinary working man, men who loved the game and were loyal to one club until their performances flagged with age and they moved to lesser clubs, just so they could still kick a ball around a pitch on a Saturday.

Seeing Stanley Matthews dribble down the wing, aged 50, leaving defenders at least half his age wrong-footed, astonished and stumbling is something we are never likely to see again.

I still love football and I will always love Tottenham because they are in my blood but it's a bit like comparing the original Fleetwood Mac to its later incarnations.

I know which one I prefer.

 

[lillywhites61]

I am in total agreement, I do find myself sometimes wishing I could go back in time to grounds that were standing had atmosphere and European games with flares and passion.. I believe we play some lovely football at the moment but it does make my blood boil how these so called big clubs prance around like they own the premiership just cause some rich sugar daddy has bailed em out!! The arrogance of the fans of these teams astounds me at times, they have very short memories. Anyway this is the way of football now the heart and soul has been ripped out of the European game.. Although I felt for river plates fans it does show how it has evened out more in the south American leagues..

You will never see the likes of that happening in the premier league that's for sure

 

[Azazello]

It's probably a generational thing - I tend to sympathise with the OP, esp re the NLD.

I really don't care for the money-obsessed aspect of the modern game. Maybe some of the football's better, but I cared more then (not say that I don't now).

This would be impossible now, but after an NLD at Highbury once where we lost, my mate got on the Arsenal bus and called them a bunch of ****s and got off again (before he got a slap). I loved that informality. It felt more like a game, less like a business.

I guess things have changed, some for the better, some for the worse.

At least I can still count on Werther's Originals (while I have my own teeth).

 

[Maske2g]

Yes but you had the FA Cup which was seen as the main prize in English football. The winners of this was spread out quite nicely. Its completely different now.

Thats a bold statement.

5 winners in the naughties, 2 already in the 10's

Pretty spread out.

 

[Real_madyidd]

He was doing it against people who were physically shit compared to today's athletes. Messi and Ronaldo do it past strong, quick, sharp players with physiques like Greek gods.

Agreed. But he was doing it whilst drunk!