Hello my good football people and how are you all doing?
It’s been a worry seeing increasing outbreaks of infections in the Western Cape, but it still feels like it’s being managed by the authorities and the diligence of the public.
It is a very different story in America and Europe where the virus riding its “second wave” and causing havoc.
Thankfully the mortality rate is down, but governments are locking down left, right and centre.
On a positive note, in England, while Boris “The Knob” Johnson confirmed that elite sport would continue!
For those of us who include football or rugby as a facet of our existence, it’s a relief.
He knows that shutting down sport would cause major discontent and could well increase demonstrations we’re seeing in cities across England, Europe and the US.
The fact that people now have to pay £14.95 (R315) to watch a game on the telly is a whole different matter.
I’m really happy to see fans boycotting this rip-off scheme and rather donating the equivalent amount to food banks across the country.
The campaign to stick a finger up at the Premier League seems to be gaining traction and incredibly, viewership figures in the UK are averaging around 40 000! Less than most stadiums hold.
It’s a massive mistake to treat supporters like this and it feels like there’s gonna be a U-Turn on the decision.
As the saying goes, “football ain’t nothing without the fans”.
And (possibly) one of the positive outcomes of this goddamn virus is that the crazy ideas emanating from England (and Europe’s) elite of creating super leagues etc. will be extinguished by the galvanising of people sick and tired of the game being used as a vehicle strictly to drive revenue.
That being said, we’re so lucky in South Africa to be able to watch all the games on a single subscription.
Whether people share spaces and costs, watch in bars, or have the means to afford R900 a month, it’s a hell of a lot better than England!
The worry of course is that these money-crazed brotherduckers push on and control the game worldwide on a “pay-per-view” basis.
I mean I love my Saturdays and Sundays after a long week, sometimes I just sit in my boxers watching four games in a row. That would all disappear.
Anyway, onto the football and again I’m questioning my own reading of games.
People are raving about the Chelsea show against Burnley.
Yes, lots of possession, solid win at a sometimes tricky ground, but I didn’t see a “complete” performance? Nor did I witness an unstoppable attack?
Timo Werner didn’t see much of the ball, Kai Havertz was a bit sloppy and Hakim Ziyech (despite the reviews) was at best average. Mason Mount put in some good work and Tammy Abraham made a nuisance of himself.
The big positive was another clean sheet, and a standout performance from N’Golo Kante in his preferred role. Chelsea are getting better but there’s a long way to go.
The same can be said for Liverpool, not at their best, but logging the results and as for Man Utd? The less I say the better, I guess.
Unbelievably it’s back to Champions League football, with City and Liverpool in action tonight… Chelsea and United play tomorrow. Stay safe people.