Game has definitely gone

[LBA_Blade]

Reading an article about the Boxing Day fixture list https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn86jp1wn10o

Not even quoting anybody but the BBC here “The Premier League is a global brand. Not every place where they have a TV deal celebrates Christmas - and hardly any of those countries play matches on Boxing Day, so 27 December seems an easier fit”

Although naturally the Premier League is the pinnacle of football, when the “host nation” interests aren’t looked out for, you have to wonder. They are complaining about not having enough time to fit the fixtures in. If you scrapped the league cup which is pointless anyway, you would free up the 3rd round mid week date for an early round of midweek fixtures.

 

[cahill]

FA Cup lost its lustre as well, clubs in the top two divisions field reserve players. Clubs seem to deliberately try to get knocked out, astonishing I appreciate eg us v Barnet several years ago

 

[dexter101]

Reading an article about the Boxing Day fixture list https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn86jp1wn10o

Not even quoting anybody but the BBC here “The Premier League is a global brand. Not every place where they have a TV deal celebrates Christmas - and hardly any of those countries play matches on Boxing Day, so 27 December seems an easier fit”

Although naturally the Premier League is the pinnacle of football, when the “host nation” interests aren’t looked out for, you have to wonder. They are complaining about not having enough time to fit the fixtures in. If you scrapped the league cup which is pointless anyway, you would free up the 3rd round mid week date for an early round of midweek fixtures.

I thought it was interesting when they were talking about public transport also being a reason.

I would argue that this whilst obviously affecting away fans, doesn't really affect clubs with strong local support.

If there was no public transport running, I would guess that BDTBL would still be well attended.

Not sure I could say the same for some PL sides.

 

[SwissBlade]

I’m sure plenty will say that’s progress but Boxing Day, for me is the first game I look for. It’s the game when I used to know that everyone would be there before and after for a drink and to be honest the game doesn’t always have that much importance as the occasion.

Transport is always a pain in the arse on Boxing Day, but it’s never stopped people filling grounds and pubs. Nor has the weather. Wasn’t it port vale a few years back that a lot of hardy blades went to?

I guess eventually people will have enough of being fucked around by the global brand and the drop down impact that will naturally happen. I certainly am.

 

[NuddysGloves]

I’m sure plenty will say that’s progress but Boxing Day, for me is the first game I look for. It’s the game when I used to know that everyone would be there before and after for a drink and to be honest the game doesn’t always have that much importance as the occasion.

Transport is always a pain in the arse on Boxing Day, but it’s never stopped people filling grounds and pubs. Nor has the weather. Wasn’t it port vale a few years back that a lot of hardy blades went to?

I guess eventually people will have enough of being fucked around by the global brand and the drop down impact that will naturally happen. I certainly am.

Yep getting back from Port Vale in the snow was eventful to say the least!!

 

[Snake]

The Premier League started pissing me off years ago. Add VAR to it and now I really can't be arsed. I am a Blade, a Sheffield United fan, I am not a football fan in general. Well done, the powers that be and the money men you battered me into the ground and eventually I surrendered. Apart from us when we've been there, I haven't watched a PL or European game in quite a while now - maybe 2 or 3 years. It has no appeal to me whatsoever.

 

[Nesh Blade]

I thought it was interesting when they were talking about public transport also being a reason.

I would argue that this whilst obviously affecting away fans, doesn't really affect clubs with strong local support.

If there was no public transport running, I would guess that BDTBL would still be well attended.

Not sure I could say the same for some PL sides.

Bet it’s a bit tricky for these out of town stadiums where public transport is the route lots of fans take- Brighton is one.

Makes you appreciate our location at the heart of the city centre

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Am I going crazy thinking this isn't the first time. Think when the Saturday is next to boxing day they keep it the same

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

The game went the day Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea and the reign of the super owners started. Before that the ITV Digital collapse happened where teams realised that they couldn't rely on TV money. Transfer fees and wages came down and clubs were run sensibly. Abramovich then arrived and ruined English football forever. Spending and wages went ridiculous. Without a super billionaire owner financing your summer there's little chance of staying up. The FA can't do anything as the Premier League put everything to the vote and the teams veto everything. Teams constantly find loopholes i.e. Chelsea selling their women's team to themselves, Everton and Forest buying academy players from each other so they can record it as profit to avoid FFP. Manchester United rarely play at 3 on a Saturday giving them significantly more TV money than everyone.

The game as we once knew it is dead. It's why I prefer the Championship to the Premier League. I don't watch any Premier League football unless we're in it.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I’m sure plenty will say that’s progress but Boxing Day, for me is the first game I look for. It’s the game when I used to know that everyone would be there before and after for a drink and to be honest the game doesn’t always have that much importance as the occasion.

Transport is always a pain in the arse on Boxing Day, but it’s never stopped people filling grounds and pubs. Nor has the weather. Wasn’t it port vale a few years back that a lot of hardy blades went to?

I guess eventually people will have enough of being fucked around by the global brand and the drop down impact that will naturally happen. I certainly am.

It should always be remembered that the football authorities couldn’t give a flying fuck about the paying fans

 

[Nick Jansky]

The game went the day Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea and the reign of the super owners started. Before that the ITV Digital collapse happened where teams realised that they couldn't rely on TV money. Transfer fees and wages came down and clubs were run sensibly. Abramovich then arrived and ruined English football forever. Spending and wages went ridiculous. Without a super billionaire owner financing your summer there's little chance of staying up. The FA can't do anything as the Premier League put everything to the vote and the teams veto everything. Teams constantly find loopholes i.e. Chelsea selling their women's team to themselves, Everton and Forest buying academy players from each other so they can record it as profit to avoid FFP. Manchester United rarely play at 3 on a Saturday giving them significantly more TV money than everyone.

The game as we once knew it is dead. It's why I prefer the Championship to the Premier League. I don't watch any Premier League football unless we're in it.

I have a season ticket and don’t miss home matches. I no longer go away because it has become an unpleasant experience.

Instead, I have gravitated to watching a lot of Scottish football. Obviously there is the major problem of the hegemony of the Old Firm, but step beyond that and it is a hugely enjoyable experience. The quality of the football is lower but the atmosphere, passion and all round matchday experience of even the smaller clubs is brilliant. It hasn’t had the life sanitised out of it by money, it reminds me of English football before the PL.

 

[Billyblade]

The only bright spot about losing at Wembley was not having to play in the Premier League.

This is the thing I struggle with the most as a lifelong supporter of this football club. As a supporter you should support obviously. That involves wanting your team to succeed. So when we're at the top of the Championship pushing for promotion I should be buzzing. I should be pushing them on. I subconsciously find a small part of me hoping it goes tits up so we don't have to play there and can have another season in the Championship.

That's not right. I'm not proud of it. Slate me all you want but I'm being honest about the way I feel. I thought it was an age thing (I'm nearly 55 and have been attending for 40+ years) but my lads at 19 and 24 are of the same opinion.

As a brand, the Premier League has global success. Unfortunately, it's leaving behind the people that were the foundation and it doesn't give a shit.

 

[Whiston Blade]

Boxing Day games are always a stand out for me and many others. Family and friends who don't always go to games will make the effort. Imagine the NFL not doing their Thanksgiving Day game, it just wouldn't happen.

 

[SwissBlade]

I have a season ticket and don’t miss home matches. I no longer go away because it has become an unpleasant experience.

Instead, I have gravitated to watching a lot of Scottish football. Obviously there is the major problem of the hegemony of the Old Firm, but step beyond that and it is a hugely enjoyable experience. The quality of the football is lower but the atmosphere, passion and all round matchday experience of even the smaller clubs is brilliant. It hasn’t had the life sanitised out of it by money, it reminds me of English football before the PL.

I’m the same regarding away games. Stopped going in the Slav post lockdown season when it seemed that a lot of our fans had become feral

 

[Bladesince59]

The Premier League started pissing me off years ago. Add VAR to it and now I really can't be arsed. I am a Blade, a Sheffield United fan, I am not a football fan in general. Well done, the powers that be and the money men you battered me into the ground and eventually I surrendered. Apart from us when we've been there, I haven't watched a PL or European game in quite a while now - maybe 2 or 3 years. It has no appeal to me whatsoever.

I was thinking I was on my own. I only watch United.

 

[DifferentClass]

I don't complain when the Saudi league does Eid fixtures, why should games being on Boxing Day bother people who don't celebrate Christmas?

 

[Tarqs]

Reading an article about the Boxing Day fixture list https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn86jp1wn10o

Not even quoting anybody but the BBC here “The Premier League is a global brand. Not every place where they have a TV deal celebrates Christmas - and hardly any of those countries play matches on Boxing Day, so 27 December seems an easier fit”

Although naturally the Premier League is the pinnacle of football, when the “host nation” interests aren’t looked out for, you have to wonder. They are complaining about not having enough time to fit the fixtures in. If you scrapped the league cup which is pointless anyway, you would free up the 3rd round mid week date for an early round of midweek fixtures.

Or scrapped the immediate tours they have (man u jetting off to asia the day the premier league finished)....

Or scrapped the ridiculous 32 club world club cup.

Clubs complain about fixtures, until it suits them financially.

 

[Tarqs]

I’m sure plenty will say that’s progress but Boxing Day, for me is the first game I look for. It’s the game when I used to know that everyone would be there before and after for a drink and to be honest the game doesn’t always have that much importance as the occasion.

Transport is always a pain in the arse on Boxing Day, but it’s never stopped people filling grounds and pubs. Nor has the weather. Wasn’t it port vale a few years back that a lot of hardy blades went to?

I guess eventually people will have enough of being fucked around by the global brand and the drop down impact that will naturally happen. I certainly am.

Nobody cares about you though, they're interested in Wei Lee who once bought a knock off shirt.

 

[SwissBlade]

Nobody cares about you though, they're interested in Wei Lee who once bought a knock off shirt.

Yeah and that’s fine. It’s the way the game has gone as the OP said.

It’s not a dig at our American owners but it’s always interesting when owners of clubs talk about the fans and reference the support that we bring, like they did the other day. That’s just what they do.

But once into the PL the individual club owners are then in a 20 team club agreeing huge deals for TV overseas, agreeing more subs, agreeing VAR, agreeing fixture time changes…

 

[Tarqs]

Yeah and that’s fine. It’s the way the game has gone as the OP said.

It’s not a dig at our American owners but it’s always interesting when owners of clubs talk about the fans and reference the support that we bring, like they did the other day. That’s just what they do.

But once into the PL the individual club owners are then in a 20 team club agreeing huge deals for TV overseas, agreeing more subs, agreeing VAR, agreeing fixture time changes…

More money comes into the prem from those overseas fans than comes via sky subs etc.... They've no interest in match going supporters, boils my piss.

 

[shorehamview]

Or scrapped the immediate tours they have (man u jetting off to asia the day the premier league finished)....

Or scrapped the ridiculous 32 club world club cup.

Clubs complain about fixtures, until it suits them financially.

This needs many likes.

It's true that the clubs moan like hell about fixtures, then fuck off to Asia or America to play lucrative friendlies because they'd rather sell ten million shirts in the far east than give their players the break that a few weeks earlier they were determined were needed no matter what.

The World Club Cup is there to benefit the big clubs, to give them even more money to hose at even more players and agents. It's Infantino's vanity project.

And the game's not recently gone, it went a long time ago.

 

[Tarqs]

This needs many likes.

It's true that the clubs moan like hell about fixtures, then fuck off to Asia or America to play lucrative friendlies because they'd rather sell ten million shirts in the far east than give their players the break that a few weeks earlier they were determined were needed no matter what.

The World Club Cup is there to benefit the big clubs, to give them even more money to hose at even more players and agents. It's Infantino's vanity project.

And the game's not recently gone, it went a long time ago.

Not only this, but allowing players they've just signed to participate, meaning these clubs actually get time to bed in new players for the upcoming season way before anyone else does.

 

[Flumps]

I can't quite articulate it (maybe because I'm stupid) but football just doesn't feel like it used it. PL football feels a bit dreary, international football is the same. I've no real interest in European football.

I can't put in to words how it feels but there was a time watching top PL teams felt like a big occasion and it would be a good match. As most have said I barely pay attention to any matches other than United ones. Don't get me wrong I'll have football on in the evening as it's generally on telly and there's piss all else to watch but I might actually watch about 5 minutes of the whole match while I'm messing about doing other stuff.

Few times people have said to me "wanna go to the pub its Liverpool Arsenal" or something to thst effect and I can barely even muster up the enthusiasm to reply nevermind watch the bloody thing.

 

[S17 Blade 1889]

I can't quite articulate it (maybe because I'm stupid) but football just doesn't feel like it used it. PL football feels a bit dreary, international football is the same. I've no real interest in European football.

I can't put in to words how it feels but there was a time watching top PL teams felt like a big occasion and it would be a good match. As most have said I barely pay attention to any matches other than United ones. Don't get me wrong I'll have football on in the evening as it's generally on telly and there's piss all else to watch but I might actually watch about 5 minutes of the whole match while I'm messing about doing other stuff.

Few times people have said to me "wanna go to the pub its Liverpool Arsenal" or something to thst effect and I can barely even muster up the enthusiasm to reply nevermind watch the bloody thing.

Agree with you on this, the football saturation has spoiled football for me. No matches are an occasion any more just more football.

24 hour news, 4,500 matches a day, bigging up Crystal Palace v Fulham as a large London Derby .

 

[Rodley]

The Prem is just shit if you go up there and stink it out. Our season finishing 9th was one my best ever seasons. Forest, Brentford, Brighton, Palace have all had cracking recent seasons and some have had a dash of European football as well.

I agree VAR is complete garbage and arguably corrupt, but I don’t think the Prem is as bad as everyone makes out.

 

[Flumps]

Agree with you on this, the football saturation has spoiled football for me. No matches are an occasion any more just more football.

24 hour news, 4,500 matches a day, bigging up Crystal Palace v Fulham as a large London Derby .

I honestly think we as fans are too involved with the clubs now to be honest. I mean there are members on here that will happily delve in to the accounts of the club, run stats on everything down to which blade of grass grew the fastest, we ask for 24 hour updates on what's happening, who's coming in, going out, who's on twitter spouting rubbish and despite the club having nothing to do with the rumours people get wound up that there's no response or update from the owners about a rumour they might not even know is floating around because they're too busy trying to run the club.

I think we can get too obsessive, too in demand, analyse every tiny stat or metric then realise we're 0.2% less likely to win Saturday so we go in already unhappy.

It's slowly becoming less fun. Football for me is an occasion, a day with your mates or an evening in with them. If we go to a home or away match we make an evening or day of it. If we win, great, if we lose be annoyed for a bit then enjoy the rest of the day. There was a thread on here not long ago about how long people were pissed off about a bad result and that was quite something.

 

[TopBoy]

Sounds like we're all on the same page. None of my mates or their kids watch the Premier League unless their side is playing, and all prefer the Championship or non-league football. The Championship is edging towards the same model, I fear. The game at the top level is now more like a TV entertainment show than a sport I identify with. I often go to watch my local side, Stamford, when I have a spare weekend, and it's proper football, similar to what we grew up playing and watching. I only renewed my Blades season ticket in the hope it would be watching Championship football; otherwise, I'd be at Stamford every other week.

 

[coaxingstar71]

The Premier League started pissing me off years ago. Add VAR to it and now I really can't be arsed. I am a Blade, a Sheffield United fan, I am not a football fan in general. Well done, the powers that be and the money men you battered me into the ground and eventually I surrendered. Apart from us when we've been there, I haven't watched a PL or European game in quite a while now - maybe 2 or 3 years. It has no appeal to me whatsoever.

Same here. I always used to watch MOTD and support english teams in europe but now I couldn't care less about the Premier League or Europe. Not paid any attention to the Club World Cup, which sounds like it's just another way of funnelling more money to the richest clubs.
I read the article about the fixtures and I just added it to the list of things that piss me off about the Premier League.

 

[cahill]

I have a season ticket and don’t miss home matches. I no longer go away because it has become an unpleasant experience.

Instead, I have gravitated to watching a lot of Scottish football. Obviously there is the major problem of the hegemony of the Old Firm, but step beyond that and it is a hugely enjoyable experience. The quality of the football is lower but the atmosphere, passion and all round matchday experience of even the smaller clubs is brilliant. It hasn’t had the life sanitised out of it by money, it reminds me of English football before the PL.

Ayup pal, I never get to away games but was thinking of going to a few next season, what is it that puts you off them ?
Cheers

 

[Tezza1889]

The mooted European Super Leage has a lot to answer for regarding the state of the PL and the chasm between 1st in the Championship and 3rd bottom of the Premier League.

Because, as soon as they got wind that the big hitters were thinking of leaving the division, the PL got round to doing deals with the big teams, I think it was Klopp who brought the idea of 5 subs to the table, and time wasting rules which stop the clock dead after analasys of passages of play (adding It all up) leading to more added time..

The result was that they filled thier benches with world class players, and then enjoyed extended periods of injury time to get the maximum out of them, this was most obvious at our away loss to Spurs.

So weve got a goal, the TV around the world was not getting the result it deserved, so now on 85 minutes or so Spurs send on 3 or was it 4? Players who would normally start the game, this is against our team who have under 23s on the bench, adding another 23minutes injury time, and it was only a matter of when we'd lose our legs and our hope before they equalised, and won...

The changes guarantee an advantage to the wealthy clubs at the top, becuase they'll have better squads, better players and can take more financial risk because the PL is a guarantee next season, keeping them sweet..

Spurs and Man Utd have had thier worst seasons for years, and were never under threat of relegation, had it been between Ipswich and Spurs, do you really think they play 5 mins added time?

VAR is a tool to sway the outcome of the result, clear and obvious went out the window a long time ago, nobody was upset when Villa turned off the goal line technology to guarantee thier safety that season, other way around then the VAR panel get involved, even though they shouldn't if hawkeye failed..but its Villa that score, so I think the ref would have blown that game for them.

Bigger clubs get the rub, always have and always will.. didn't help us that the future king was in the stands with the young prince, surely villa can't lose...

Yes I think its corrupt and bent, hopefully Amazon or Disney get the rights off sky..

We can watch at 00.30 on a Sunday then, bout all it deserves..

I wanted to see us win at wembley, wasnt bothered about the season after.