I was just on the Man City/ Man Utd forums (scouting potential fantasy football recruits) and it made me realise that all across the country, the vast majority of fans seem to be repeating the same phrases: The quality of the league is poor. The players are poor. The football is dull. The players don't seem switched on/ sharp. We can't keep playing like this or we will plummet down the league etc. The common denominator is clearly how Covid has severely impacted football. Reduced pre-season leading to lack of base fitness More regular games/ playing catch up with fitness, meaning worse general condition More chance of key players being ill/ injured No fans to inspire clubs lacking confidence/ increase adrenaline (so matches feel more like friendlies) Players less happy in their lives/ can do fewer activities to switch off and relax/ potentially homesick and unable to see family Impacted summer transfer window, so clubs are more likely to be stuck with bad eggs/ depleting players Greater importance being placed on football by fans, who are suffering from/ bored with lockdown And this at a time where high intensity, committed, pressing football is the tactical zeitgeist.. Whilst it makes sense to discuss Ivic's tactical nous, or lack thereof, we do need to understand that at the same time as most on here are relying on football more than ever, football is also struggling the most. Covid has been the big leveller in terms of the competitiveness of games. And, as everyone is actually in pretty much the same position, we are going to need a bit of patience and a bit of perspective as to what to expect this season. A bit more in terms of some quicker, more ambitious moves perhaps (the change to 4231 was vital, as will be switch to a direct 424 when we are losing), but I doubt we'll get the sharp incisive football we played under Joka/ Zola with any manager we could recruit. The other best sides in the division seem to be scraping by on luck at the moment, as we did against Stoke for instance. I could see why managers might be trying to get by/ rotating more than they usually would at the moment, leading to generally stagnant football. Therefore, it's probably going to be a pretty crap winter for football, as it will be for many in life. But it'll get better. And we've always got some Udinese rejects to come into the squad in January, so let's all look forward to 2021 and our inevitable rise. ComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGInoComeonGIno
Well it’s true Man City and Man U certainly won’t be happy with their league season so far. Mid table won’t do for them. As for us - some in form attackers might help and a basic ability to pass the ball forward to each other.
Is football more important to fans during lockdown? I've watched every Watford game out of a sense of duty (and, obviously, I'm a masochist) but not bothered to switch on the box for any other matches at all.
Yeah, except no one is asking for searing tiki-taka heavy metal gegenpressing, it's just a popular red herring here - we're looking for players to be deployed in the positions that favour them and for them to be coached in such a way that they can play anywhere near their potential. As I said here (probably) yesterday, I'd be perfectly happy to Burnley our way to the title. I don't give a **** about the 'style' right now. What I do care about is that the football and the way we play is effective, and again, there is a big and important difference between that and any demand to become Cruyff's Ajax. The biggest of those being that we won't win many more games if we don't; certainly not enough to escape this hellhole of a division. And if we don't, there'll be a whole other reckoning to come that none of us will enjoy.
The Watford games help the weeks pass but everything else is irrelevant. Didn't even know England were playing recently, don't care about Premier League now we're not in it, no way am I watching more of the dirge that is the Championship than I have to.
Great post. I don't think there are any sets of fans who are completely happy atm - maybe Aston Villa and Southampton? Even the game tomorrow, Preston seem to have a real injury crisis and we have 3 of our best player out with Covid. This season was always going to be an odd one.
I haven't watched any. Not the same without crowds. I never watch us on TV anyway because my heart can't cope, but I would usually watch some PL and CL matches. I wouldn't say football is less important, it just doesn't feel the same.
I completely agree. I’ve barely been watching any of it. But for me, it’s because football universally this season is shiite. Everyone is playing badly. If Watford were playing blistering football and romping the league, I’d be watching it twice weekly and it would make me a lot more positive about lockdown.
I think football will probably be ***** for a good few years. This summer is the euros, then next year is the world cup. There is too much football and I say that as a huge football fan.
Unless I'm in a pub or a have a bet on a game I usually don't bother watching anyone else other than Watford
Are they allowed to complain that they're being used as a sportswashing tool for a human rights abusing regime?
Yes. Just not too loudly, it's the Premier League. And let's not get started on the role of betting companies in football again.
I like fantasy football as I’m a bit of a statto nerd. But this year that’s boring too, as it’s all completely random who gets Covid and misses 3 games.
‘I know Zaha is but Salah seems to have only missed one game I think but fair point. Does add some sort of a lottery to it all.
I think this is the main point - the atmosphere from fans can make even a pretty crap game seem a bit more tense and exciting.
I quite enjoy this big picture... https://www.nmrn-portsmouth.org.uk/wl-wyllies-panorama-trafalgar 'Ivic expects every man will do his duty'
Same. For me, this season still feels surreal. I don’t know if it’s because of the lack of fans, or because the football itself is boring and uninspiring, or both, but I just can’t get into this season at all. Even when Watford have been on the TV, I’ve just had it on in the background and haven’t paid that much attention to it. It all feels a bit flat.
It’s definitely not the same. I’ve sat and watched four premier league games on a Sunday and felt dirty. It’s basically quality over quantity at the moment.
It feels like watching games of Fifa 21 when the computer AI plays itself. Results are just as random in every league and the robotic like football fits perfectly.