Football isn't fun anymore

[Champagneblade]

This covid hasn't half fucked us, has it?

Only Sheffield United would this have happened to.

Tossing a coin between whether we were going to be in the Europe League or Champions League, winning our game in hand to go above Man U while they were without Rashford, Chelsea without Abraham and Spurs without Kane, having just won 2 out of the past three and looking at dumping Arsenal out of the cup at home.

Fast forward and we won about three more the entire season after resuming without our best performing defender, best performing midfielder and those mentioned above got all their stars back.

In terms of pivotal moments you couldn't make it up that a worldwide pandemic would be the force majeure that put a branch in the spokes of our relentless march forward. Bitter? Moi? Too f'in right.

Last time this happened was when United had a great team and that postage stamp mostachioed twat Hitler went and invaded Poland just as we were getting ourselves together once more.

A world war and a global pandemic and the whole Carlos Tevez and Hans Segers affairs and I'm pretty sure VAR wouldn't give a pen to Anders Limpar for tripping over his own feet. You really can't make this shit up!

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Sadly the only team I enjoy watching is.... Leeds United. I am heartbroken but it's true.
Only thing lifting my spirits regarding Blades is
FA Cup run
Billy Sharp might score.
Rest of it is so depressing in empty stadiums.

 

[Badger Blade]

Football at the moment is like watching a teenager play FIFA. Our pitiful performance so far this season hasn't helped either.

VAR is an awful excuse for a video refereeing system that Neil Swarbrick, Mike Riley etc are in too deep with and now can't change because their positions would be untenable if they were to tear it up and start again. They're more concerned with finding reasons to chalk goals off and send people off rather than the other way round.

The only people who have benefitted from the whole debacle at the moment are the companies who produce the big banners that cover the seats in all the grounds who must be making a mint!

 

[BanderSerge]

A conversation me and my youngest have on a regular basis.

He thinks Grealish is quality and deserves to be regular on the international stage.

I think he's a smug looking floppy haired twat who dives easier than the Red October with a fucking leak.

My lad is probably nearer to being correct than I am, but he'll have to tear the truth from my cold dead hand......................

If Girlish had an ounce of brain power he’d be every Englishman’s favourite player, but he hasn’t, so he’s not. He’s the most despised player in the country

 

[BanderSerge]

Diving (or exaggerating contact) is so rife now that there's no real way back from it. Every team does it and players of all positions do it (did anyone see Harry Maguire the other night when DCL brushed him!) and 8/9 times out of 10 it works for them and decisions go in their favour. No good retrospectively doing anything because unless its a blatant dive where there's no contact etc, no one can really say anything if some contact is made. I agree though, it does make it a less fun experience when watching.

You just know in the premier league that if a player has his back to an opponent, he’s gonna bounce his arse into his opponent then fall flat on his face while simultaneously screaming at the top of his voice, and he will always get the free kick because referees are brain dead.

 

[MalvernBlade]

When has No Room for Racism or Kick it Out ever been violent?
You’re looking for excuses and trying to make tenuous ties to an American political organisation who had nothing to do anything.
Let’s keep it simple. Whats your problem with the No room for racism initiative?

I was replying to a post talking about BLM.
The comment was that it's a Marxist movement and as per this thread has nothing to do with football.
You inserted the word racist not me or the other person.
Since the restart the stadiums have been empty
Who the fuck is abusing the players with racist remarks?
I wouldn't expect you to understand who began using the word racist because you come across as a typical useful idiot who is quite happy to jump on any political bandwagon.
My original reply was meant to be humorous but not everyone has the same sense of humour and unfortunately you were triggered.
I'd hate to have been in your house when Father Ted became a racist. Your head probably exploded

 

[haich1889]

This covid hasn't half fucked us, has it?

Only Sheffield United would this have happened to.

Tossing a coin between whether we were going to be in the Europe League or Champions League, winning our game in hand to go above Man U while they were without Rashford, Chelsea without Abraham and Spurs without Kane, having just won 2 out of the past three and looking at dumping Arsenal out of the cup at home.

Fast forward and we won about three more the entire season after resuming without our best performing defender, best performing midfielder and those mentioned above got all their stars back.

In terms of pivotal moments you couldn't make it up that a worldwide pandemic would be the force majeure that put a branch in the spokes of our relentless march forward. Bitter? Moi? Too f'in right.

Last time this happened was when United had a great team and that postage stamp mostachioed twat Hitler went and invaded Poland just as we were getting ourselves together once more.

A world war and a global pandemic and the whole Carlos Tevez and Hans Segers affairs and I'm pretty sure VAR wouldn't give a pen to Anders Limpar for tripping over his own feet. You really can't make this shit up!

Add to that Ched deciding to turn the taxi round to join his mate. Jags sticking his arm in the air for absolutely no reason., the slowest left back ever (forgot his name) brought on in a play-off final because he's a penalty specialist & missing. Being the only team (as far as I know) to be 3 -0 up in a penalty shoot out & losing.
David (Ginner) Hopkins smashing a worldy in the 90th minute.
Seaman's best ever save.

The list is endless. I think I'm a tad bitter too.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I was replying to a post talking about BLM.
The comment was that it's a Marxist movement and as per this thread has nothing to do with football.
You inserted the word racist not me or the other person.
Since the restart the stadiums have been empty
Who the fuck is abusing the players with racist remarks?
I wouldn't expect you to understand who began using the word racist because you come across as a typical useful idiot who is quite happy to jump on any political bandwagon.
My original reply was meant to be humorous but not everyone has the same sense of humour and unfortunately you were triggered.
I'd hate to have been in your house when Father Ted became a racist. Your head probably exploded

You've played a blinder there.

• The knee isn't for BLM and hasn't been all season, it's for "No room for racism" so what is your issue with them now taking the knee?
• I didn't use the word racist in my reply at all, so you're incorrect. Maybe you were triggered so you didn’t actually read it properly and just took offence? Who knows?
• If you are pretending that you are unaware of players being racially abused then you are ignorant or willfully stupid.

Don't try and claim you were being humorous when you've doubled down on claiming taking a knee is for BLM, which it isn't. Then use a really pathetic link which is because it gained traction you want to discredit it by wrongly claiming BLM was a political movement.
No one apart from those with your backward beliefs link BLM with those who tried to use it for their political ends.
No average Joe would even think about the Marixist nonsense but would say it's an anti-racist initiative and you want that removed because it doesn't suit your agenda.
Just put that into simple context. You want an anti-racist initiative which was brought in by the players, to be removed because of some phoney made up reason.
The knee is for "No room for Racism" it's stated before every single game on the TV (not BLM incidentally) and you disagree, and want to remove/boo it.
Don't try and throw the triggered or snowflake accusation at me, we can see how "No Room for Racism" has upset you and can judge you from you own words.

Just be honest and say what you believe instead of pretending and trying to hide in the dark.
You may as well because we see you.
We can all see you.

 

[Booker4]

All the joy has gone
Players diving with no one being penalised for simulation
Goals scored then taken away
Penalties given then taken away
obvious offsides not given until much later , or in some cases not given because the play has moved on
(Chelsea's goal by Mount was started by a pass to a player who came back from an obvious offside position to pick the ball up and pass to the player on the wing)
no physical contact allowed ( particularly if the player falls down & grabs the ball )
VAR not able to interpret slow motion replays

I yearn to go back 20 years when football was actually exciting, and you could understand the rules

I agree with all of hat you said bar the last bit. I yearn to go back to last season and we had VAR then, all the decisions that went against us just seemed to galvanise us even more.

 

[haich1889]

You've played a blinder there.

• The knee isn't for BLM and hasn't been all season, it's for "No room for racism" so what is your issue with them now taking the knee?
• I didn't use the word racist in my reply at all, so you're incorrect. Maybe you were triggered so you didn’t actually read it properly and just took offence? Who knows?
• If you are pretending that you are unaware of players being racially abused then you are ignorant or willfully stupid.

Don't try and claim you were being humorous when you've doubled down on claiming taking a knee is for BLM, which it isn't. Then use a really pathetic link which is because it gained traction you want to discredit it by wrongly claiming BLM was a political movement.
No one apart from those with your backward beliefs link BLM with those who tried to use it for their political ends.
No average Joe would even think about the Marixist nonsense but would say it's an anti-racist initiative and you want that removed because it doesn't suit your agenda.
Just put that into simple context. You want an anti-racist initiative which was brought in by the players, to be removed because of some phoney made up reason.
The knee is for "No room for Racism" it's stated before every single game on the TV (not BLM incidentally) and you disagree, and want to remove/boo it.
Don't try and throw the triggered or snowflake accusation at me, we can see how "No Room for Racism" has upset you and can judge you from you own words.

Just be honest and say what you believe instead of pretending and trying to hide in the dark.
You may as well because we see you.
We can all see you.

So what is wrong with 'kick racism out' of football which has been on the go for ages? Why do we need 2 or even 3 movements against racism??
As far as taking the knee:
1). I remember the 70's & 80's when there was prejudice in this country. I don't see this now anywhere. There will always be some racism/prejudice in every society but Britain has by any yard stick become an inclusive country.
2). 'Taking the knee' is totally connected to BLM and the protests & riots that took place in America & Britain last year. Nobody thought it necessary to take such an action till BLM demanded it last year, in many cases bullying people to do so.
2). In British culture & history taking the knee is, I believe, a form of subjugation to conquering armies or people. There is no person or body of people that I would ever feel the need to bend the knee to.

There would be NO knee bending if BLM had not demanded it so they ARE inexorably connected. Indeed, football in Britain is probably more divided because if BLM than it has been for many years. I don't know anyone that is happy with players taking the knee.

 

[1889]

Raheem Sterling

English Premier League (EPL) players have taken the stance to replace their names on their soccer jersey with the racial justice logo “Black Lives Matter.” The players will wear the jerseys for the first 12 games after competition re-start on Thursday, June 18.
Since May 26 people in the United States and several countries globally have been protesting seeking social justice following the killing of African American George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, last month.
According to the reports, the Black Lives Matter logo will also feature elsewhere on player’s jerseys through the July 26 conclusion of the pandemic-delayed season.
The Premier League also announced it would support players kneeling EPL matches, a gesture featured in the global protests to signify Floyd’s death who died from asphyxiation when the police officer knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

“We, the players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice wherever it exists, to bring about a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their color or creed,” the EPL teams were reported saying in a joint statement.
“This symbol is a sign of unity from all players, all staff, all clubs, all match officials and the Premier League – #blacklivesmatter #playerstogether.”

In a German game this week, Eintracht Frankfurt jerseys featured “Black Lives Matter” in place of the dominant sponsor logo.

The outpouring of anger from footballers — initially with “Justice for George Floyd” messages in the Bundesliga — led to FIFA relaxing its stance that banned political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images featuring on players’ uniforms.

 

[Salmonfarm]

I don't know anyone that is happy with players taking the knee.

I'm happy with players taking the knee!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

So what is wrong with 'kick racism out' of football which has been on the go for ages? Why do we need 2 or even 3 movements against racism??
As far as taking the knee:
1). I remember the 70's & 80's when there was prejudice in this country. I don't see this now anywhere. There will always be some racism/prejudice in every society but Britain has by any yard stick become an inclusive country.
2). 'Taking the knee' is totally connected to BLM and the protests & riots that took place in America & Britain last year. Nobody thought it necessary to take such an action till BLM demanded it last year, in many cases bullying people to do so.
2). In British culture & history taking the knee is, I believe, a form of subjugation to conquering armies or people. There is no person or body of people that I would ever feel the need to bend the knee to.

There would be NO knee bending if BLM had not demanded it so they ARE inexorably connected. Indeed, football in Britain is probably more divided because if BLM than it has been for many years. I don't know anyone that is happy with players taking the knee.

​

Colin Kaepernick taking a knee to protest against racism outdates any BLM protest by a couple of years.
Currently the kneel at the start of games is for the Kick it out movement under the No place for racism. But you take issue, so you don’t support Kick it out.
The fact you have an issue at too many anti-racist movements is an odd take on the matter.
The fact is BAME players are saying they are being abused regularly but your take is, “it’s better than the 70s when bananas were being thrown” and while you’ll give lip service to one anti-racist movement you’d like them to not make too much noise or impact you at all.
Also your claim about them taking a knee in support of anti racism is somehow demeaning to them is just nonsense. Why do you care? You’ve already said you wouldn’t do it because you feel it is a form of subjugation for you, which again is weird. How fragile is your self-worth that taking a knee in support of equal rights would make you feel subjugated?
All in all, it’s pathetic and I just wish you’d say you don’t believe in the “there is no place for racism” initiative as that’s what it represents not what you want to associate with it just to try and discredit it.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'm happy with players taking the knee!

Me too, but we won’t count.
Even if you accept the BLM take, which I don’t and think it’s just an excuse, the end point is do you believe that Black Lives Matter?
No one in their right mind could say it means you support rioting or statue felling just because a very tiny minority who also supported that movement did that. Same goes for any claims it means you support a very minor American political parties views. It’s a simple and basic as do you believe and support an anti racist message?
Ironic that so many are finding excuses to be offended or object rather than just agreeing or disagreeing with the real message. We get the same shit with rainbow laces, because they somehow can also offend people when also just advocating equal rights for all.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

VAR was brought in for 2 reasons in my opinion. For armchair supporters, the vast majority of which have never attended a game in their lives.

And secondly to benefit the top 6 and monopolise their positions in the top flights. Lost track of the number of times there's been a VAR check off screen that isn't even replayed on TV. Happens at Anfield especially a lot

It was brought in because after every match managers would moan about bad decisions and poor quality refereeing. The fans wanted it too. I remember for years every discussion I ever had about introducting technology found me in the minority of 1 saying it wouldn't work. People had seen cricket and rugby and decided it had to be introduced to football. And almost everyone wanted it to sort out wrong offside decisions.
It's alright when people say, "it's just not implemented properly" but I was arguing it couldn't ever be implemented in a way that would work and so far I've been proved right. I still think that.
The thing is, everyone seems to have forgotten that it was wanted by the vast majority of fans for a long time.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Hands up any fan who regularly watches live football in a ground who thinks VAR has improved the experience.

I don't think it's improved the armchair viewers experience either.

 

[SB_90]

im struggling with this at the moment. even in depths of Adkins & weir. i wasnt this meh about football & its not even the losing i remember chatting to utd mate. after Spurs & Chelsea week in july. i should be over the moon we've just beat the champion league finalists & Europa league winners 3-0. so why do i feel like nothing happened. I think the emotional effect is faded because of not being there. i have no idea how vast majority of gloryhunting Manchester United fans do this because how do they sustain a passion when they are watching on tv. ive barely lasted 6 months

i also think removal of Saturday 3pm is a thing. constant moving of games is a problem. i compare with my other joint 1st sport. i love F1 as much as I did 12 months ago. that in part i think is something to do with the scheduling. it has changed a jot always on sunday. they havent stuck 1 on Wednesday 1 on a friday. you know where you stand with it of 19 PL games scheduled for a weekend only 7 have been on a saturday & 2 at Saturday 3pm

 

[AnstonBlade1]

If a game summed our season up that was it.
Mistakes, free headers from corners, not taking our chances, trying to walk it in and Lundstram not being arsed.

 

[SwissBlade]

If a game summed our season up that was it.
Mistakes, free headers from corners, not taking our chances, trying to walk it in and Lundstram not being arsed.

Agree on that game summing up our season.

Disagree that Lundstram isn’t arsed.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

...

 

[ancientblade]

think chris's interview at end of game summed this season up he looks totally deflated and like a bloke that cant wait for may and start of next season in august oh and sorry swiss blade lundstram hasnt been arsed all season like playing with 10 men every game he can f**k right off for me pity he didnt do it last august

 

[Bobby b]

I just want the season to end if that means relegation so be it, I just want it to fucking end, because when it does I'll be glued to rumour mill, and I'll have the summer, hopefully with the pubs open, regrouping with my mates, getting excited again for the new season building up my hopes and dreams.
Just let this shitshow end both covid and this season

 

[Davalon]

Gareth Bale 'towards end of his career', says agent on lack of minutes at Tottenham

Gareth Bale is not playing regularly at Tottenham because "he's towards the end of his career", says the Wales forward's agent Jonathan Barnett.

www.bbc.co.uk

It's not exactly a first for a world class player to lose interest before his days should be numbered but Bale's attitude for years (he's still only 31) and now his agent's comments, sum up modern football.

There's been a few 'super agents' getting angry about the talk around wage caps recently. Hardly a surprise.

Bale should have gone on to be remembered in glowing terms but considering what he's won, I doubt many outside of Wales will do so. Even Spurs fans are starting to lose some patience.

Yeah he's obscenely rich but compare his attitude, desire, and work ethic compared to people like Sharp, Didzy, Basham and Jagielka. All older and blind him for those attributes.

He shouldn't be considered in the same bracket as Messi and Ronaldo. Again all older, more professional, more committed, and no doubt richer.

 

[Davalon]

View attachment VID-20210227-WA0001.mp4

 

[Dkc]

My problem with "taking the knee" isn't because I'm a racist. It's because lots of different forms of discrimination exist in society and the constant focus on racial discrimination is disproportionale.

As one example, age discrimination is rife in society. If you're a young, elequent, sociable attractive 27 year old, you've more chance of getting an unskilled or semi-skilled job than a 56 year old overweight, unattractive bloke or woman regardless of your skin colour.

There are plenty of just causes in the world, why stick to anti-racism?

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

View attachment VID-20210301-WA0007.mp4

 

[bypassblade]

Football has been dying a slow death since Division 1, came the Premier League in 92, the game is now run by TV companies and greedy footballers. I mean KO 7:15pm on a Sunday, get a fucking grip, I had to laugh when OGS said deffo pen at Chelsea fuck me Greenwood ran the ball down his arm and knocked it on.

 

[MalmoBlade]

I'm totally supportive of initiatives to rid football of racism

However I think taking the knee has done nothing to reduce, let alone eliminate, the problem and in fact has arguably contributed to the recent and increased spate of abuse against black footballers because this social media generation makes it super easy for lazy bigots to spout their shit in general with almost complete impunity.

Racism in society is not caused by, nor will it be solved by, football. Why does anyone think some footballers kneeling down is going to change the mindset of some racist arsehole? Maybe if the whole world was forced to kneel at 11 o'clock each day to highlight the problem it might make people think, but "some footballers"? Really? So all people who follow Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Boxing, Ski-Jumping, darts, Welly-Wanging or Dwile-Flonking don't have racist thoughts?

Come on people, all or nothing. My Son-In-Law is Pakistani. Our entire family is not racist in the slightest, but please stop hi-jacking the sport I love to try to make political capital when the effort is completely futile. You can't hide behind football and say that's the problem. Sort society out, and football will follow. Don't expect football to change the world