We're a very average, uninspiring, one dimensional side

[Neil Young]

Sorry, but the world cup was not total ****e.

There were some great games the first weeks in particular. Also, teams like Italy and Germany played the most positive footy they have played in years.

I do agree that as the tournament got on, it got dire, the games Aussie-Japan, Aussie-Italy games being notable exceptions imo. Probably some others too, but its a bit hazy now half a year after.

Many teams play the percentages, I agree, but some do out of necessity(Bolton springs to mind....), as they dont have the financial clout to compete with the top teams. They then retort to defensive tactics and direct footy with an emphasis on set pieces. It makes for horrible entertainment though.

Arsenal are an exception, but a good team can negate their threat by getting physical and sitting back with 11 men behind the ball, giving them no space to move into.

But to say that all was rosy earlier is leaving out all the crappy parts and remembering all the romance....

Wise words. The last sentence in particular is widely applicable.

[tomasjj]

Good shouts.

I was thinking of posting our results in the last 10 games, just to try and halt some of the doom-mongering on here.
But then I would undoubtedly been spammed with images. of rosey specs, so I figured, let them fry in their own fat for a while longer.

We are starting to grind out results now, thats the first step. Next, we will start to score more...and then some flowing footy will hopefully follow.

[Rich]

Fingers crossed!

[Shaggy]

Wise words. The last sentence in particular is widely applicable.

[cough]Italian bias[/cough]

[Neil Young]

[cough]Italian bias[/cough]

[The Glove]

As a form of entertainment these days, football sucks!

Thats because to much rides on it these days. Footballs a business now, no time for entertainment. Play attractive football and lose will see everyone moaning that we should go back to grinding out results as its points that win prizes. Play **** and win, everyone moans that we arent winning attractively. I'll suffer **** football so longs as it gets me trips to far off lands to lift trophies and a good night out celebrating winning the league because its those times I'll remember, not sitting in the cold waiting till the hour mark before we score against City.

[tomasjj]

[cough]Italian bias[/cough]

That being your only comment I reckon I won this one.

[Depth_Charge]

Uninspiring? One dimensional? A good description of your every post aa.

[Shaggy]

That being your only comment I reckon I won this one.

Hahaha oh no mate, no no no. It’s just I’ve wasted so much time already lambasting the horror show that was the World Cup. I cannot believe anyone thought it was anything other than dross, although to be fair you’re in a minority You can count the good games on one hand – the rest were ruined by cheats, bad referees and defensive teams.

Utter utter ****e.

[tomasjj]

Hahaha oh no mate, no no no. It’s just I’ve wasted so much time already lambasting the horror show that was the World Cup. I cannot believe anyone thought it was anything other than dross, although to be fair you’re in a minority You can count the good games on one hand – the rest were ruined by cheats, bad referees and defensive teams.

Utter utter ****e.

Haha... I was only joking, mate.
I don't really care, just wanted to share my differing view.

I guess changing your mind now would be hard since you have wasted so much time trashing the WC... like you said.

[alunevans]

Depressingly, I agree.

The World Cup was ****ing ****e. I invested a load of time and energy into that and it was total ****. There is so much at stake in football these days, mainly financially, that it’s to the detriment of the spectacle. Defences have become stronger and better organised and it’s now harder to score a goal. More teams play “percentages” and more teams set themselves up defensively and look to avoid getting beaten before looking to win the game.

Football isn’t the same as it used to be and it’s all the worse for it.

i've started watching ESPN on 442 where they show old match of the days. even games like bristol city v notts county have higher entertainment value than what i see these days.

[alunevans]

Many teams play the percentages, I agree, but some do out of necessity(Bolton springs to mind....), as they dont have the financial clout to compete with the top teams. They then retort to defensive tactics and direct footy with an emphasis on set pieces. It makes for horrible entertainment though.

Teams that don't have the financial clout to compete with the top teams is pretty much everyone though.

Can you list the Premiership sides who play football in its proper sense ie passing the ball rather than launching it. I'm thinking Arsenal, Man U, West Ham (tho not seen much of WHU this term).

[alunevans]

I accept that we are a touch behind where we want to be, but to lose Rafa, because we are having to grind out a few results to get things moving will put us back another 3 years if you ask me.

i never suggested losing rafa. i was saying that the style of play is very dull, which it is at the moment.

then Finnish made the point that everyone plays that way these days and it struck a chord, because whenever i sit down to watch footy these days, i'm invariably bored ****less within 8 to 10 minutes.

and i'm bored because everyone tries to play the percentages.

as a spectacle, it really doesn't do it for me anymore most of the time.

[El Jefecito]

i never suggested losing rafa. i was saying that the style of play is very dull, which it is at the moment.

then Finnish made the point that everyone plays that way these days and it struck a chord, because whenever i sit down to watch footy these days, i'm invariably bored ****less within 8 to 10 minutes.

and i'm bored because everyone tries to play the percentages.

as a spectacle, it really doesn't do it for me anymore most of the time.

How do you feel when we score? Isn't it worth for that moment alone? It is for me.

[alunevans]

Thats because to much rides on it these days. Footballs a business now, no time for entertainment. Play attractive football and lose will see everyone moaning that we should go back to grinding out results as its points that win prizes. Play **** and win, everyone moans that we arent winning attractively. I'll suffer **** football so longs as it gets me trips to far off lands to lift trophies and a good night out celebrating winning the league because its those times I'll remember, not sitting in the cold waiting till the hour mark before we score against City.

I can understand that, but wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of change that could be made which ensured that there was that bit more space and time for people to actually play the ball.

It's not just nostalgia. Let's take two CURRENT football spectacles.

The Football Masters 6 a side tournaments that Sky run, or the average premiership match. Which is more entertaining and enjoyable?

The Football Masters Tournaments in my book are far more entertaining and enjoyable displays of football than the real thing.