Shame, because wandering around for 90 minutes whilst putting in the bare minimum of effort was his forté. And he'd fit right in with the current squad...
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The 2023-2024 Football Thread
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Lol. Is it? You might think it’s more skilled now, but when you see what some of the players could do with a ball that weighed so much more than those of today, I think they were equally skilled. Watch some footage of George Best.
Yes.
Those individuals stood out a lot more, because the game was generally more 'hoof and run'. In Britain anyway. The Brazillians stunned the world with their skills, which changed the way the game was played. The likes of Di Stefano, Eusebio, Pele, Cruyff etc would still be right up there with today's players, because they were exceptional footballing talents. But the vast majority would struggle to get a game for Accrington Stanley....
Best would fit right in at Man U right now; drug/alcohol problems, abuser of women, didn't show up for a number of games, etc...
Lol. You got me on the off field antics of Best.
Serious question. Have you ever played football?
Yes. And I did so right up until 6 years ago, when a serious Achilles tendon injury put paid to my illustrious career... 😪
But why are you even asking that? What are YOUR footballing credentials?
Played most of my life. Retired now as I’m too old.
I was asking because I was interested. Often people who have only ever watched the game have a different viewpoint from those who have played it.
The offside rule being a prime example.
Hmm. Most men I've ever known have played at some point, mainly just as kids, but even so, not participating doesn't exclude you from having an opinion. So did you believe I've only ever watched the game, because my opinion differs from yours?
I was just curious. Not playing would naturally give someone a different perspective from someone who has played and watched football.
You are entitled to your opinions. Just find they differ a fair bit from mine on the game.
That's fine. I choose to follow the facts:
Scientists: football has changed dramatically
New research on the Premier League shows that professional football players are sprinting more and more. And it is changing the way the game is played, say scientists.
sciencenordic.com
Top-level football HAS got faster, and requires greater fitness and skill. You can't cite the olden days of heavy leather balls and hobnail boots to compare; those guys were fit and strong, undoubtedly. But nowhere near the same level as today's athletes. For one, in the UK certainly, alcohol was a big part of the game until even 20 years or so ago; see the Arsenal squads of the late 90s for proof. Yet they were still winning stuff. I doubt there's a single professional player at top level these days, who drinks more than occasionally/very small amounts. They're not even allowed to have a piss-up following a win these days. And even at an amateur level; when I was a young lad, in my 20s and even 30s, going for a beer after a match was pretty much compulsory. As I carried on playing, I noticed this culture less and less amongst young players. And I also noticed they were faster, fitter, stronger, more agile than my peers. And this is at very basic amateur level. It's a very different game now than when the aforementioned legends were playing.
Half time ciggie, anyone?
Whywait until half time? Have one during the game!
Imagine this, today:
Wayne Rooney was a recreational smoker, and even that was kind of a shocking fact for 10-15 years ago. Smoking, boozing and unhealthy diets are such a competitive disadvantage when most other players are far more self-disciplined. Even sleep schedules are highly regimented by the clubs — Jadon Sancho's habit of staying up late to play video games was a huge bone of contention with ETH and staff.
I saw an interview the other day when Jarrod Bowen met his in-laws for the first time. He brought his own club approved dinner in a plastic bowl! Imagine that. Especially with his girlfriends dad!
AI to the rescue again? I shudder to think of it. I don’t want AI reffing.
I don’t see it in such black and white terms. I see it as trading game flow, how the laws are interpreted, and indeed how the game is played, for ‘more accuracy’ that is only vaguely quantified. So even if it works as advertised I think there is a legitimate debate as to whether it’s necessary. And anyways, as I’ve said previously, only a tiny fraction of football matches will ever have the benefit of VAR - it’ll always be a rich man’s toy.
I’m not arguing against VAR per se, but I am suspicious of anyone who is an enthusiast for it or sees it as a no-brainer. I heartily disagree with that point of view.
Johnathan Wilson answered this better than I ever could.
Looks like 2 Fergie time goals might just have saved Manchester United from an embarrassing defeat.
Today is the day for draws then.
I’d have settled for that before kick off against Newcastle.
I’d have settled for that before kick off against Newcastle.
That's simply one opinion, and one I feel is wrong, quite frankly. And the picture used in the article reinforces what I was saying; it's all about hands being in 'unnatural' positions. Hand of God, anyone?
What's his hand doing up there in the first place? Handball, no question.
Ball to hand still exists; that's still not considered handball. And that's how it should be.
Liverpool dropped points again today. They were well off it against Brighton. Who are good, but not that good. It's they who will be feeling relieved at getting a point today.