Can We Get Our Game Back?

[Billingham Black Cat]

Not only SAFC, but all Premier League clubs perhaps apart from the top 5 or 6, may be about to see the begining of the end as far as the financial gravy train is concerned. Cannot come soon enough for me.

In more than 40 years of watching football, never before have I seen so many players not fit enough to grace
England's top division. Yes there are some great players there, but now I'm talking about the class of player below the superstars, and this is where you'll find the problem lies.

Before the big money came and ruined the game, the one thing you got every week from these kind of players was 100% pure graft and honesty. Their livelihood depended on it.

Now the Premier League is awash with multi-millionaire average players who don't have a care in the world, and it shows with the lack of commitment we see all too often on the field.

The recent walk-outs at SOL and the boycott at Newcastle (even if somewhat half-hearted) might just be the start of supporters claiming the game back.

One thing for sure, no matter which teams are playing; the game is a complete non-event without the atmosphere generated by supporters. Half empty grounds will temporarily kill the game as a spectacle and the Sky cash machine will surely grind to a halt. The top clubs cannot play each other every week and they'd be left with a very poor product to sell.

I do think that supporters in general fail to realise how much power they have if only they are prepared to accept short term disruption to the game.

 

[grimsby mackem]

I agree with a lot of the things that you've said there mate but the only thing that will effect sky sports and the TV money is if people start cancelling their Sky subscriptions and stop going to the pub to watch the games forcing pubs to cancel subscriptions, which as far as I can see isn't happening any time soon regardless of the occasional poor attendance.

 

[SAFCDRUM]

Not only SAFC, but all Premier League clubs perhaps apart from the top 5 or 6, may be about to see the begining of the end as far as the financial gravy train is concerned. Cannot come soon enough for me.

In more than 40 years of watching football, never before have I seen so many players not fit enough to grace
England's top division. Yes there are some great players there, but now I'm talking about the class of player below the superstars, and this is where you'll find the problem lies.

Before the big money came and ruined the game, the one thing you got every week from these kind of players was 100% pure graft and honesty. Their livelihood depended on it.

Now the Premier League is awash with multi-millionaire average players who don't have a care in the world, and it shows with the lack of commitment we see all too often on the field.

The recent walk-outs at SOL and the boycott at Newcastle (even if somewhat half-hearted) might just be the start of supporters claiming the game back.

One thing for sure, no matter which teams are playing; the game is a complete non-event without the atmosphere generated by supporters. Half empty grounds will temporarily kill the game as a spectacle and the Sky cash machine will surely grind to a halt. The top clubs cannot play each other every week and they'd be left with a very poor product to sell.

I do think that supporters in general fail to realise how much power they have if only they are prepared to accept short term disruption to the game.

I like the post mate. However the football is the highlight of many peoples week and therefore missing it is sadly not an option. This has been the worst season for quality that I can remember. The failures in Europe just highlighting how crap most teams are at the moment.

 

[The Relic]

I remember posting something similar on here in October or November last year. In the 1950s, American boxing generated a t.v. programme called Friday Night Fight Live (or something similar). It became almost an American way of life that guys would meet up on Friday, have a few beers and a game of cards, then switch on the t.v. to watch the fights. But it became so popular that people stopped going to the boxing halls. The atmosphere dwindled away, and it became less compelling t.v. Eventually, the t.v. companies pulled out, leaving U.S. boxing without a live audience and without t.v. either! They got lucky when a brash young kid made the scene - Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali). He made such an impact with his mouth, that crowds started to come back just to see him get beat! But he didn't, and by 1966, they were beginning to wonder if the kid really wasn't the greatest, after all. The same thing could happen here, and which English player do you think has the talent of an Ali? To me, Gazza was the last with a hope of being that.

 

[Nads]

People won't stop watching it though, and a massive chunk of the money comes from overseas subscriptions rather than the UK.

You've got people round the world who genuinely class themselves as United or Liverpool fans and they will always watch, and despite what you say and my general agreement that we have less mega stars in the league etc, I think this applies to all leagues right now, there aren't as many real 'wow' players about as there were 10 years ago.

What remains in the Premier League is the 'anyone can beat anyone' factor, you simply do not get that in Spain or Germany (although the Bundesliga is the closest to us in that respect).

Key to this are the often critisised FA and there utterly phenomenal marketing team, that will continue to convince the world markets to pay premium rates for often moderate product.

These are some of the best PR, marketing and sales guys on the planet, make no mistake.

I don't see any reason, given the tiny overall impact of gate receipts on clubs in the PL, that they don't just slash process though and make live football for everyone again, I remember paying £4 at Roker Park for cup games! Different world, but the atmosphere was better because the mix of attendees was there, everyone could go.

 

[Billingham Black Cat]

People won't stop watching it though, and a massive chunk of the money comes from overseas subscriptions rather than the UK.

You've got people round the world who genuinely class themselves as United or Liverpool fans and they will always watch, and despite what you say and my general agreement that we have less mega stars in the league etc, I think this applies to all leagues right now, there aren't as many real 'wow' players about as there were 10 years ago.

What remains in the Premier League is the 'anyone can beat anyone' factor, you simply do not get that in Spain or Germany (although the Bundesliga is the closest to us in that respect).

Key to this are the often critisised FA and there utterly phenomenal marketing team, that will continue to convince the world markets to pay premium rates for often moderate product.

These are some of the best PR, marketing and sales guys on the planet, make no mistake.

I don't see any reason, given the tiny overall impact of gate receipts on clubs in the PL, that they don't just slash process though and make live football for everyone again, I remember paying £4 at Roker Park for cup games! Different world, but the atmosphere was better because the mix of attendees was there, everyone could go.

The clubs are happy to continue taking as much as possible from gate receipts even though TV money is massive. This is money that simply leaves the supporters' pockets and is used to over-inflate the wages of greedy players.

However, clubs won't reduce prices voluntarily and supporters will need to make a stand before anything happens. If enough people do sacrifice their footbal short term, you can be sure of some reaction from the clubs. Problem appears to be though that too many are not strong enough of character and cannot make that small sacrifice for the long term good of the game.

 

[monty987]

Too much diving, poor refs and pubs now showing every match is a worry.

 

[Nads]

The clubs are happy to continue taking as much as possible from gate receipts even though TV money is massive. This is money that simply leaves the supporters' pockets and is used to over-inflate the wages of greedy players.

However, clubs won't reduce prices voluntarily and supporters will need to make a stand before anything happens. If enough people do sacrifice their footbal short term, you can be sure of some reaction from the clubs. Problem appears to be though that too many are not strong enough of character and cannot make that small sacrifice for the long term good of the game.

Sad but true mate, we are fortunate that we have 40k plus that will turn up, but you see other clubs with under 20k and you wonder, how does that inspire the team (not that it's helped us and the Toon like....).

Just seems incredibly backward to me.

 

[E.T. Fairfax]

I don't think teams playing in front of empty stadiums would hit the clubs financially initially. However it would totally spoil the game as a spectacle, whether being at the ground or watching from home. I'd expect, or hope, that the lack of atmos from the ground would spread from the venue, through the TV's and into the homes and pubs. Then, quite possibly, people will stop watching and the clubs would then be hit hard. If people stopped going to the grounds in their droves then the powers that be would surely have to take notice!

 

[Billingham Black Cat]

Sad but true mate, we are fortunate that we have 40k plus that will turn up, but you see other clubs with under 20k and you wonder, how does that inspire the team (not that it's helped us and the Toon like....).

Just seems incredibly backward to me.

I'm waming to the view that we are actually unfortunate to have 40k turn up at the SOL. This is what indicates to the club that what we have is acceptable.

 

[Billingham Black Cat]

I don't think teams playing in front of empty stadiums would hit the clubs financially initially. However it would totally spoil the game as a spectacle, whether being at the ground or watching from home. I'd expect, or hope, that the lack of atmos from the ground would spread from the venue, through the TV's and into the homes and pubs. Then, quite possibly, people will stop watching and the clubs would then be hit hard. If people stopped going to the grounds in their droves then the powers that be would surely have to take notice!

Exactly, nail hit on head.

The problem will be the weak-willed who cannot be bothered to try and change things.

 

[Tel (they/them)]

Just go to the match if you can afford to go, don't expect to win games for your money because ultimately you have an opposition to play, in the toughest league in the world. If you go into a season ill-prepared chances are you're gonna turn up and watch your team beaten more often than not in this league, you can't get away with patching things up and fixing it the following season, unless you're very lucky.

If you finish 17th, without dropping into the bottom 3 even once this season, well last season you'd have snapped anybody's hand off for that but for some reason, the goalposts moved, despite going into this season with arguably a worse squad than last season.

Poyet had a good vision but the bloke spat his dummy out long ago, because things weren't going his way, maybe a different manager would have been less stubborn and recovered your season earlier rather than letting it rot, but Poyet was happy to piss it down the drain in pursuit of his stupid philosophy.

Fans not turning up when the team plays **** is something I'd reserve for City, Wigan, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and so on... it doesn't suit you lot, or Newcastle.

 

[Billingham Black Cat]

Just go to the match if you can afford to go, don't expect to win games for your money because ultimately you have an opposition to play, in the toughest league in the world. If you go into a season ill-prepared chances are you're gonna turn up and watch your team beaten more often than not in this league, you can't get away with patching things up and fixing it the following season, unless you're very lucky.

If you finish 17th, without dropping into the bottom 3 even once this season, well last season you'd have snapped anybody's hand off for that but for some reason, the goalposts moved, despite going into this season with arguably a worse squad than last season.

Poyet had a good vision but the bloke spat his dummy out long ago, because things weren't going his way, maybe a different manager would have been less stubborn and recovered your season earlier rather than letting it rot, but Poyet was happy to piss it down the drain in pursuit of his stupid philosophy.

Fans not turning up when the team plays **** is something I'd reserve for City, Wigan, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and so on... it doesn't suit you lot, or Newcastle.

But the definition of madness is to do the same you've always done and then expect things will turn out differently.

Not just SAFC and Newcastle I'm talking about here btw. All supporters are getting a raw deal with so much TV money now being paid. The atmosphere generated by the crowd is what makes football exciting. We all undervalue our worth to the 'product' and simply let the clubs continue to line the pockets of players.

 

[Tel (they/them)]

But the definition of madness is to do the same you've always done and then expect things will turn out differently.

Not just SAFC and Newcastle I'm talking about here btw. All supporters are getting a raw deal with so much TV money now being paid. The atmosphere generated by the crowd is what makes football exciting. We all undervalue our worth to the 'product' and simply let the clubs continue to line the pockets of players.

I'd agree with that, fans are integral to the success of the sport on the whole, for sure. But fans aren't represented officially are they? There's 'supporters trusts' and so on but until there's something a little more official put in place, they'll continued to be exploited I believe.

 

[Sidthemackem]

The OP raises a fair point. When you see Steven Fletcher with a Bentley and a new Lambo outside his mansion it does make you wonder where his incentive is to get his mojo back. I rate him as a player, but his goal return lately has been shocking. He's already making more in a year than some will in a lifetime...

 

[Brian Storm]

Football in this country has been going down hill long before the money injection. The money doesn't help but the main problem for me is the number of poor and average overseas players over here. For me this is much more of an issue than the money.

 

[malagamackem]

I don't think teams playing in front of empty stadiums would hit the clubs financially initially. However it would totally spoil the game as a spectacle, whether being at the ground or watching from home. I'd expect, or hope, that the lack of atmos from the ground would spread from the venue, through the TV's and into the homes and pubs. Then, quite possibly, people will stop watching and the clubs would then be hit hard. If people stopped going to the grounds in their droves then the powers that be would surely have to take notice!

This completely. There is an absolute economic argument that's better not to charge so that a stadium is full and the receipts from Sky stay high.
TBH...I grew up with the likes of Shaun Elliott, Ray Train, Kevin Arnott, Bob Lee, Marco Gabiaddinni, Eric Gates, Gary Rowell, Paul Buckley , and then the Reidy teams before I became an expat and those lads were proud to wear the shirt. With the exception of 2 players in this team (Pants ad Defoe) they can't be included in the same sentence...although I just have

 

[Nostalgic]

All of the things wrong with the game at the minute are self-inflicted through money and the need for instant success based on outlay. Teams are bought and not built, with top wages offered to average players because they fill a need at the time. Contracts are worked out to best the two parties involved rather than the good of the club and so on. Success by the player and he looks to a better contract 12 months before he leaves for nowt and so on.

Loyalty and dedication are commodities measured in wallet terms by agents and players. Two cases in point are Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling both of whom are sitting tight waiting for the highest offer to come along. Pogba apparently was offered starter terms by ManU when his time to turn pro arrived but Milan were willing to pay the top rate, but they maybe struggling to match what could be on offer from more desperate clubs. Sterling we all know about but an offer of 100K a week maybe peanuts when, or if, ManC come in for him. Just about every player on the continent will be after a move here when the increased Sky money is given and they will seek a top share.

Football has changed for the worse and only the fans of a few clubs get the reflected glory, and that is a tight knit club because of the ECL, which should be scrapped in my opinion, and revert to Champions only.

 

[Disco down under]

It's not our game any more. Hasn't been for a long time.

 

[mackemwelder]

People won't stop watching it though, and a massive chunk of the money comes from overseas subscriptions rather than the UK.

You've got people round the world who genuinely class themselves as United or Liverpool fans and they will always watch, and despite what you say and my general agreement that we have less mega stars in the league etc, I think this applies to all leagues right now, there aren't as many real 'wow' players about as there were 10 years ago.

What remains in the Premier League is the 'anyone can beat anyone' factor, you simply do not get that in Spain or Germany (although the Bundesliga is the closest to us in that respect).

Key to this are the often critisised FA and there utterly phenomenal marketing team, that will continue to convince the world markets to pay premium rates for often moderate product.

These are some of the best PR, marketing and sales guys on the planet, make no mistake.

I don't see any reason, given the tiny overall impact of gate receipts on clubs in the PL, that they don't just slash process though and make live football for everyone again, I remember paying £4 at Roker Park for cup games! Different world, but the atmosphere was better because the mix of attendees was there, everyone could go.

Surely this is a good thing? look at the SPL when the 'Old Firm' dominated, unless they played each other, it wasn't worth watching. I can see the EPL going the same way unless the FA step in and make changes. This so called 'Fair Play' rule is a waste of time as there are so many loop holes that the big (rich) teams can exploit. Changes need to be made, and fast.