Modern football. It's not that great. Discuss.
Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 1:01PM It's all very cheery this. An email conversation between myself and a Manchester United fan. Make sure there are no razor blades in reaching distance. Bitterness, it consumes as all. Damn you green-eyed monster, stop feasting on my rotting flesh!
Utd fan: thanks to your boys for doing the usual put up a fight until we score then roll over routine that you’ve near perfected at OT!!
You NEED a striker!
spooky: Limp performance wasn't it. Adebayor to be announced soon.
Utd fan: Happy with Adebayor? He represents pretty much everything I hate about football, well, he did when he went to City. Guess he realises it’s not just about money, it’s actually good to play once in a while!
spooky: Will do as a loan deal, imo. He'll want to impress to bag yet another move next season. So it might benefit us - because we simply have to finish top 4 (well, that would be the clubs ambition in terms of keeping players etc).
City repulse me.
Utd fan: Indeed. I know that squad depth is important these days but the situation at City realistically is that the English players, that once showed so much promise, are going to disappear. Johnson (both of them, though the other is farmed out on load now at least), Barry, Milner, SWP. They will be the ones to fall down the pecking order, obviously not the new signings. Not that I actually rate any of them, except maybe A Johnson, but these are all players who have worn the England shirt and probably won’t wear it for that much longer.
They will win this year, or next at the latest and then what? Buy more players? At least Abramovich saw some sense and realised that spunking money isn’t actually that fun, especially when your team still can’t win the CL and play boring unattractive possession football. Worrying thing is that City’s Sheiks are way way way more rich then Abramovich and only the Financial Fair Play rules can slow them down (note, not stop them!).
I’m expecting a City dominated league for the next few years to be honest, maybe even a decade of dominance. I’m somewhat apathetic to the whole situation though. I should be fearing it, but it’s the way football is going. Rich owners have bought Malaga and PSG this year too. More will follow next year and even more the year after. Players will get even less loyal, TV deals will get even more lucrative so that players wages can keep going up despite the Financial Fair Play rules – which are too little too late in my opinion. At the same time we have a crooked, corrupt, clueless, out of touch maniac at the head of football who is obviously against technology in football as he can probably only just manage a text message on his mobile phone!
I’ve said for a while that football is heading in to a black hole, bursting at the seams and will implode soon. I just hope the splatters of real football left are enough to regain something meaningful!
spooky: Regarding what you cited about English/British players - completely agree, they will be marginalised and they will equally cost a bomb to sign. I personally don't get how City fans can (with a straight face) be proud of any progress or achievements.
Players are signing for them for the money and because of the quality of players being signed, the advantage is - they will win silverware. It's win win for them. Take the money away and there is no 'project'. There's no genuine build up to success.
Look at Utd as the perfect example of how it should work.
Chelsea were just as bad. They had build up, mind. They were progressing, but to make that final step they bought in Jose and spent untold millions.
Utd fan: I’ve said it before that you’re one of only a few people I can have a ‘real’ discussion about football with. My United mates are too biased and too success driven to see the bigger picture and my City mates, well, they are mostly exactly as you say, not at all shamed by the way in which they are going to end up winning – beat United at all costs seems to be their only mantra. I do understand to it to a degree, but that empty, slightly hollow feeling that they’ll have when they see <insert captain> lift the Prem trophy can never be filled be their ruthless approach to winning at any cost.
The Ageuro signing almost went by unnoticed – can you imagine that being the case 3, even 2 years ago? We’ve already come to expect it as normal, which is almost as scary as them winning the title!
We are a good example but I’m not going to deny that we had a helping hand (float on the stock exchange, aggressive business marketing thus sucking the soul out of the club, and we were one of the forerunners of corporate hospitality – all things I despise about football). Though whilst we did break a few transfer records along the way (something my City fans love to point out) we maintained a rigid wage structure with a sensible ceiling. This actually prevented us from signing lots of players through the years (if rumours are to be believed anyway, it’s the reason why Kluivert and Batistuta didn’t sign). City don’t have that in place. Their wage bill is bigger then most smaller countries GDP I reckon!
It’s only 2 games old (1 in your case) and already I am starting to feel sorry for Arsenal (urgh!!) and have handed City the title in my head (double urgh!).
If you can keep Modric and sort his head out and get in Adebayor and Diarra (obvious a replacement for the disappointing Palacios) I reckon you can easily squeeze Arsenal out of that 4th spot and you might be able to challenge Chelsea. I saw enough in your performance at OT to warrant that. You played some lovely pass and move football and found lots of space (though our defence is probably the youngest you’ll ever face!) but just lacked that cutting edge. Think RvdV needs a certain type of player to play off. Not sure that player is necessarily Adebayor, but he is certainly better then Crouch or Defoe, and Pavlyuchenko is way too inconsistent.
Your defence looked unbeatable for the most part at OT, some great interceptions/interventions particularly in the first half! On a side note, are Fulham now your second team?
spooky: I'm actually doing my best to detach myself from the entire mess and just fall back in love, without complications, with football at its purest level. Just supporting Spurs, loving the shirt, loving the players that want to pull on the shirt. Singing, getting drunk and applauding and joyfully celebrating moments of vibrant brilliance. And any success that is attached to that, I obviously welcome as another slice of history to be placed proudly in amongst our rich tapestry of tradition.
The reality is, I still find myself thinking that Top 4 is essential because otherwise we might find ourselves stuck in this perpetual game of catch-up, selling players who want to move to CL teams, buying new ones, then going through the same thing again. We spent so long dreaming of competition for top four and the CL that now we've achieved it, going a step back would be gut wrenching. Such is the way modern football works, CL is has devalued cup wins. Even though, if we are all brutally honest, winning a trophy (domestically) in terms of a cup might not be the same as it was in the 80s and before but it still retains a certain undeniable quality. You can't ever take a way a Wembley win. Its there, black and white, in history and its silverware. Even if its not respected as it once was. Finishing 4th is hardly what dreams are made of.
But finishing 4th consistently is the only way to ever become equipped for a title push.
Wish things were far more simple. Don't think football will implode either. Not yet. Only way is for the likes of Spurs and even Arsenal to push out the likes of City and Chelsea.
Its a little like asking Norman Wisdom to inform Godzilla he can't be knocking down any buildings.
Utd fan: I promised myself I would do that last season but the babies really put a stop to it but I’m going to try again this season I reckon.
You are right, there is still much to enjoy, much to love about football and this implosion won’t happen for a while (too many people making too much money at the moment). I intend to get to more pubs to watch matches this season and the occasional outing to OT when the chance arises!
spooky: Onwards.
Reader Comments (28)
Interesting convo...
I especially agree with the part of the English players falling down the pecking order at City and then being sold off for a crap load of money.
:-(
coys
Stratford would have been the final straw for me, but Barton, Cole and Adebayor might just do it too.
Sadly this has been coming from the first moment Sky brought their money to the table and it became a business. And even sadder it's going to get worse before it gets better.
I see the state of the game as being very similar to Formula 1 now - years and years of constantly trying to improve the sport, and business model, have led us to a place where the players are faster, stronger and more skillful (across the board - yes I accept that Pele was better than Jenas) than ever before - but that has come at the expense of the heart and soul of the game which is what made it great in the first place.
Chelsea's money seriously dented my interest in the game and Man City's is in danger of killing it off completely.
The prices this season (not just at Spurs) are f#cking astronomical too. Makes you start to hate the club a little bit for trying to rape you at every opportunity. I started losing interest a few years ago when it all became so obvious every season. Don't get me wrong, qualifying for Champions League and the run last year were amazing but there is a bit of me that finds it incredibly sad that the greatest aim is to finish 4th.
I felt rather moist around the eyes reading your splendid article. As an 'oldie' I can remember when at the start of each season there were maybe half a dozen clubs who could win the old first division championship. Spurs,arsenal,M.Utd.Wolves,Blackpool,Liverpool. And you just knew that Billy Wright would still be at Wolves, that Alex Forbes would still be at arsenal, anD so on.
I also admit to a grudging admiration for M.Utd and arsenal the way they've brought players on, but as for Chelsea and M.City I just wish them all the bad luck in the world.
Bitter? You bet your arse I am.
Thanks for posting this. An excellent intelligent read. I have had similar conversations with fans of other clubs, even Ars*nal who are pissed off with the way things are going. I sometimes wish that the really BIG clubs would former a European Super League and leave the rest of us to play in proper competitive local leagues. So what if we never get a chance to play the Mancs clubs or Chelsea. We need a game in which fans can start each season dreaming about their team winning the championship or a trophy. It's sad that so many fans have come to terms with their team finishing mid-table each year.
get a room!
Interesting article and views that I sadly agree with. Football has lost it's soul and it will never, ever be the same again. The FA and League cups don't matter anymore as clubs are more concerned with finishing in the top 4 or staying in The Premiership and players will leave a club as quickly as it takes to sign a 6 year extension.
I'll never stop loving THFC, but I felll out of love with football a long time ago.
I have had this conversation with mongy supporters of both Chelscum and the ever growing deluded Man Shitty wankers. They forever point to the amount of money Spurs have spent, which in itself is a lot of money, however, this argument is two-fold - first point is HOW MUCH money was spent over whatever period of time, ours has been spent over a long period - I can't remember when we've spent £50m in a transfer window? Shitty and Chels consistently do this. The second and most annoying factor which is the crux of the whole argument is wages. It's one thing spending £30m on a transfer fee, it is totally another spending £250k a week on wages. THAT is what has ruined the game, and they can't see that. They put it down to being bitter, however, forget the position they were in and how fucked they were before they are in the position they are in now. That is why I hate them both - arguably now as much as Goons.
Vexed - listen to the podcast this week (out tomorrow). We actually discuss this in part. Nice little City-hating session.
Spooks, listened to every one so far - love it.
They are really starting to tits me off, Chelsea have always been an unbearable bunch of wankers at the best of times (all Chelsea supporting mates are a bunch of generic twats), but City are on another level now, they really think they are the second coming of Jesus. Two games into the season and they think they've already won it. I checked out that Bluemoon forum the other night (you know the one that says all our players were on drugs after the Liverpool game, oh the irony), and I have never come across a more bunch of bitter, deluded cunts in my life. We didn't play that bad for 70 minutes, but the way they were talking you would have thought it was as one sided as Spurs/Hearts game last week.
Even after the Hearts match they could not bring themselves to say we played well. I personally think the fact we have such an amazing record against them and they still barely ever beats us really gets to them. Even when they did beat us on their own patch we STILL fucking pwned them. They can't stand we take that bit of thunder away from them, I personally couldn't give a shit about them up until their obsession over us.
Perhaps they do feel slightly hollow in what they have achieved, because instead of sitting back and enjoying it, all they do is talk and obsess about everyone else. And how amazing their players and squad is. SMS is the terminology I think. And the fact we have a bigger dick than them despite their massive wallet really irks them. Long may it continue and lets hope that one day, good will prevail over evil and they will be back in League 1 where those pikey mongs belong.
The other annoying thing is that everyone should be happy over the fact that the Sky 4 cartel has well and truly been disbanded, but all this went unnoticed as they got jealous of us, when really we should all be patting each other on the backs (although I will NEVER give them credit as they have bought success).
Modric and his advisors are currently talking to Levy apparently.
Either asking for more money or NOT to be cup tied. Latter irrelevant because he wont be sold.
thing is, based on last season, he probably did deserve a pay rise, however, he went about it all totally the wrong way and we all now feel unloved, so he can basically go fuck his own mother now for a pay rise, baring in mind at the end of the season he'll put us through all this again.
and i keep hearing about the move not being about money from his side, well if thats the case mate, you don't need a fucking pay rise do you. fucking ugly cunt.
so much anger today, living up to the name, COYS!!
I think the depressing thing (one of many) is that in a rational world you'd expect this Modric scenario to be the thing that changes the way football contracts work. ie if you only want to play for a club for 3 years, then sign a contract for 3 years. If you're not sure what you'll want after 1 year, then dont sign a contact for longer than 1 year.
That doesn't sound like rocket science does it? .....BUT.....this is football. Run by idiots, for idiots, so this whole sorry mess wont make one jot of difference to anything. Until next time. And the time after.
A contact should exist purely for the purpose of keeping a player employed by a club. At the moment, the ONLY reason contracts exist is to keep up player prices. Lots of years left on contract = player has higher value.
I dont have the faintest idea what my point is but it all makes me angry.
Got any convos with Rachel Riley yet instead?
Would be less depressing....just saying.
Football is finally eating itself, it thoroughly enjoyed it's starter and is eagerly awaiting main course.
Football has always been a big part of my life, playing it semi pro, working in the business was a dream. But it has become a sour dream and as i approach the end of my playing days i am beginning to loathe it at times. Still love the freeflowing football teams, the brillant defenders and that silky touch of one sulky bulgarian but the corporate bs and the money driven players make me feel ill.
No glory, no joy , just money. As a kid we wanted to be footballers because we loved the game. Now they love the lifestyle and football is just a way to get there.
I ll go and sit with the other grumpy men in the old folks home and moan about the old days now
Firstly great pieces with a quite rational Manu fan. The source of this rationality is clear.
Cole no. Let it go Harry.
Barton wide instead of Lennon away would solve a lot of issues. Walker on the overlap??
We wont get any players handled by Willy Mckay. That is out of the question at the moment. This also explains a lot of obvious targets not getting to the shore. Have a think about it.
As much as it doesn't happen very often if we get £40m from Boris, ODLP and West Ham and keep Modric till the end of the season. Levy can say hes done a good job.
You are a smart guy Spooky. Your writing and insights almost always impress. And this conversation reveals your wise insights into the modern game.
What I don't understand is why you do a podcast with such dumbf*cks. I never thought anything could make the Spurs Show cast like intellectual heavyweights until I listened to a couple of Fighting Cock pods.
"spooky: I'm actually doing my best to detach myself from the entire mess and just fall back in love, without complications, with football at its purest level. Just supporting Spurs, loving the shirt, loving the players that want to pull on the shirt. Singing, getting drunk and applauding and joyfully celebrating moments of vibrant brilliance. And any success that is attached to that, I obviously welcome as another slice of history to be placed proudly in amongst our rich tapestry of tradition."
I hear you spooky, oh do I hear you !!
I think my last comment on here was back in May. It was short. It was about the Modric rumours. It was "here we go!".
Since then I've been in some sort of hazy, football-free netherworld which I can't shake off. Sorry mate, but I just can't be arsed to comment any more. Football... bah!
"That doesn't sound like rocket science does it? .....BUT.....this is football. Run by idiots, for idiots, so this whole sorry mess wont make one jot of difference to anything. Until next time. And the time after." Aug 25, 2011 at 4:53 PM | DR
@DR. Wrong. It's not run by idiots. It's run by greedy, egoistic megalomanics !!
By jove, I think I'm waking up again.
What? City at the Lane on Sunday? COYS. Yesssssssssss
I'm all over the shop emotionally at the minute.
Struggle - harsh mate. Spurs Show is very middle of the road. If you listened to ep 3 of I don't blame you, it was a mess. First ep, everyone was nervous. Second ep, was an improvement.
4th ep = groove found.
5th ep = out today. even more of a groove found.
As dumbfucks go, I actually rate ourselves pretty well.
Yeah, harsh and unfair. Sorry. I will check out 4 and 5 based on your recommendation.
Mate, don't be silly. If it's not your thing, that's cool. Plenty of DML regulars have avoided the podcast because they think if they hear my voice (Ray Parlour) it will destroy the voice in their head they have for me.
:)
If you don't like, it's no big deal.
(although I could track you down and kill you)
Ha!
No mate, you are far too kind. What I said was absolutely cuntish and not fair at all. You are far too gracious :)
I was too harsh and because I am a huge fan of your writing and insights r.e our beloved club it's absolutely worth checking out if you think it's getting better. Plus how can you not love Teh Trunk's fabulous work?
These things take time and cunts like me need to cut you some slack :)
Does take time, only 5 in. After 20/30...God help everyone.
You are right about 5. It is your best one yet.