The level of expectation in football today is ruining our game.
Gone is the great era of English football where
supporting a team really meant just that.
In my personal experience, following Chelsea post the great 1970/71 season, the club never built on its success, eventually almost going into bankruptcy before being bought by Ken Bates for a pound in 1982.
But the idea of lifting trophies was never a real prospect.
So why did I travel up and down the country religiously week in, week out full of passion (and bravado)?
Because it was my club, the players gave 110 percent every week, we were a strong "family" of supporters and the wins along the way meant that much more.
But top-end football has been money-driven over the last 15 or 20 years. The "big" clubs with big budgets are now under the biggest pressure.
If you spend big you’re expected to do big things. Boards, coaches and players are continuously scrutinised when things aren’t going well.
Instead of "fans" getting behind their teams, stadiums go quiet, players are booed off the pitch, negativity on social media reverberates around the world and outfits like Arsenal Fan TV become self-appointed club spokespeople.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARSCFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARSCFC pic.twitter.com/9wTQ5gXCtg
— 𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖊𝖚 ➐ (@mmathiieeu)
In Arsenal’s case this is particularly apparent as the spoilt bastards have enjoyed many years of success (under former coach Arsene Wenger) and now even stay away in their droves as some kind of immature protest.
This is the time they should be getting into the stadium and behind their team.
Looking back to the beginning of the 70s when they did the double they were a great side, but subsequent years saw them drop into a mid-table outfit.
But I don’t remember the whining and moaning that goes on today. Saying that, there is a valid point to their outrage in that watching a game at the Emirates costs anywhere between £70 and £100 the most expensive in England with relatively small investment into the squad.
All these idiots on social media, like @MorneDenere here in Cape Town, who try and banter me after Liverpool won the Club World Cup just ain't got a frikkin' clue.
As a teenager hitchhiking across the UK and getting a result meant far more (for me) than watching some bullsh!t Fifa competition and bragging about being some kind of pretend champions of the World.
I know that sounds weird to y’all, as most of you are caught up in the plastic modern game, fueled only by the deliverance of silverware.
I know many Manchester United fans here who don’t even watch their games at the moment? What the f*** is that?
Wednesday is the start of a new year and one of my resolutions is to stop being baited by wannabe fans.
VAR HIT: Norwich's Teemu Pukki goal was ruled out. Picture: Chris Radburn/Reuters.
The second rant I’m gonna have before we turn a new year is the continuing VAR farce. It’s not getting any better, is it?
The promise by officials to limit VAR involvement are just words to help appease growing discontent.
This weekend saw two moments, in particular, that provided proof that we’re in a situation that has to change.
Wolves’ "offside" goal at Anfield was nothing short of diabolical and Jorginho’s shirt tug at Arsenal should have seen him get a second yellow.
I was listening to Glen Hoddle after the Liverpool win and he said something so true: “If we are disallowing goals by such fine margins (and in this case it was arguably less than a hanging shoelace over the front of a boot) we should be scrutinising when the ball was actually played, like when the boot touched the ball.”
OFFSIDE: Norwich striker Teemu Pukki had been found offside by VAR. Picture: Supplied.
Anyway, some crazy results and form anomalies so far this festive, no less than Chelsea’s two massive (and deserved) away wins at Spurs and Arsenal, with a beating at the Bridge by Southampton in-between.
And there are a couple of ‘big’ games this week.
On Wednesday, the Gunners host United at the Emirates (God bless Ole and Mikel) and on Thursday, its Liverpool v
Sheffield United at Anfield.
It's great to be able to consider the Blades as part of a big game, even though Kloppy and the lads will probably castrate them!
Boys and girls, thanks for the support this year, wishing you all a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year! Cheers