The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
The quest to win a league in football is one of the most hard-fought, tension-filled, action-packed journeys a player, manager, team or supporter can undertake, and never has this been truer than in the modern day arena of the FA Barclaycard Premiership. Especially this season, where for the first time since 1998-9 there is actually a competitor to Manchester Utd, and, for the first time in what seems like decades five, maybe even six teams can take the title. Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Leeds Utd, Newcastle Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea all have a realistic chance of claiming what 92 league clubs aspire to win – the Premiership title.
But no-one will admit it. Why? Well the primary reason is a little competition you might have heard of – the Champion’s League. This money-fuelled obsession has destroyed the essence of competition, the desire to be first. Now its okay to be second or third, as long the chairman can still see pound signs in his eyes and the manager can stay in the hot seat a while longer. They should stop insulting our intelligence and do away with the name. Plus it’s affected our domestic league. Some might say it’s the taking part that counts, but in this day and age more is required by the trophy starved supporters and the greedy fat cats sitting in boardrooms. People want results, and they want them fast. If managers are scared of saying they’ll win the title they can fob the supporters off by saying they want a Champions league place. The revenue is obviously important, but what are managers thinking of? The prestige of being champions or the bank balance? Second place has become acceptable. But why? After all, you’re in it to win it, aren’t you?, and as my favourite ‘No Fear’ t-shirt says, “second place is the first loser”.
But it would appear that is no longer the case, as with second, third and even fourth place teams getting a Champion League spot that drive to win has been diluted, and the respectability and pride associated with being the only team representing your country in Europe’s greatest club competition has gone. I am sick to the teeth of managers claiming ‘we’re aiming for the Champions league this season’ after spending £30 million in the close season (are you listening, Mr O’Leary and Mr Ranieri?). Why not say your aiming for the title? Its as if managers are hedging their bets because they’re scared. If they get a Champions league place they can pretend they have fulfilled their objective, but if they win the league they can pretend they have done better than expected. But why be in it if you don’t think you’ve got a chance? This hedging of bets just in case thinks work out or don’t is what I have termed ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Let me make myself clear. This isn’t addressed to all clubs, as extenuating circumstances prevent them mounting realistic title bids, but to the aforementioned top six who spend, spend, spend, but then moan, moan, moan that they haven’t got a chance of winning. It has even affected Sir Alex, who declared that Manchester Utd were out of it just a couple of months ago. Where are they now? Sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership. It’s the huge amounts they spend that make this even worse. Chelsea bought Petit, Zenden, and Lampard, Arsenal have bought Jeffers, Wright, and Van Bronckhorst, Leeds have bought Johnson, Fowler as well as Ferdinand the year before, and United have bought Veron and Van Nistelrooy. Bobby Robson and Newcastle can be excluded from that list because he hasn’t had as much to spend, but even he has spent money recently. Even with that hefty expenditure managers still don’t seem to want to say outright they can win.
What’s wrong with a little optimism, why not try and inspire confidence amongst the troops by saying we will win it? Alf Ramsey said it in ’66, and it turned out all right for him, look what happened - England won the World Cup. Players must develop a certain mentality if they keep on hearing they’re not good enough to win. If the manager doesn’t believe in them why should they? From this perspective its no wonder how the England team performs at international level – good, but not quite good enough. Maybe we should start pointing the finger at club managers and not the international one. We have got to the point where managers are too scared to stick their neck out and put their reputations on the line. Maybe they’re scared they will get a hammering from the press like Keegan did after Euro 2000? I read the press and I don’t care what they say, I have immense respect for Keegan, a true football man who is passionate enough to say what he thinks.
Another excuse for this is a term that I hate, and that is ‘kidology’. Whether football managers think they are clever by applying a bit of ‘psychology’ is debatable, and although it’s shown its worth in the past (think Ferguson vs. Keegan), its obvious that the pessimistic words of Messrs Wenger, Ferguson, Thompson etc. don’t wash with anyone nowadays. I never believe them when they say they are out of it, and they don’t either. They are just covering their tracks, but hoping all the same they can win. It’s what I call ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Thanks for reading; I’d love to hear your thoughts, as this is what most annoys me about the modern day game.
But no-one will admit it. Why? Well the primary reason is a little competition you might have heard of – the Champion’s League. This money-fuelled obsession has destroyed the essence of competition, the desire to be first. Now its okay to be second or third, as long the chairman can still see pound signs in his eyes and the manager can stay in the hot seat a while longer. They should stop insulting our intelligence and do away with the name. Plus it’s affected our domestic league. Some might say it’s the taking part that counts, but in this day and age more is required by the trophy starved supporters and the greedy fat cats sitting in boardrooms. People want results, and they want them fast. If managers are scared of saying they’ll win the title they can fob the supporters off by saying they want a Champions league place. The revenue is obviously important, but what are managers thinking of? The prestige of being champions or the bank balance? Second place has become acceptable. But why? After all, you’re in it to win it, aren’t you?, and as my favourite ‘No Fear’ t-shirt says, “second place is the first loser”.
But it would appear that is no longer the case, as with second, third and even fourth place teams getting a Champion League spot that drive to win has been diluted, and the respectability and pride associated with being the only team representing your country in Europe’s greatest club competition has gone. I am sick to the teeth of managers claiming ‘we’re aiming for the Champions league this season’ after spending £30 million in the close season (are you listening, Mr O’Leary and Mr Ranieri?). Why not say your aiming for the title? Its as if managers are hedging their bets because they’re scared. If they get a Champions league place they can pretend they have fulfilled their objective, but if they win the league they can pretend they have done better than expected. But why be in it if you don’t think you’ve got a chance? This hedging of bets just in case thinks work out or don’t is what I have termed ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Let me make myself clear. This isn’t addressed to all clubs, as extenuating circumstances prevent them mounting realistic title bids, but to the aforementioned top six who spend, spend, spend, but then moan, moan, moan that they haven’t got a chance of winning. It has even affected Sir Alex, who declared that Manchester Utd were out of it just a couple of months ago. Where are they now? Sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership. It’s the huge amounts they spend that make this even worse. Chelsea bought Petit, Zenden, and Lampard, Arsenal have bought Jeffers, Wright, and Van Bronckhorst, Leeds have bought Johnson, Fowler as well as Ferdinand the year before, and United have bought Veron and Van Nistelrooy. Bobby Robson and Newcastle can be excluded from that list because he hasn’t had as much to spend, but even he has spent money recently. Even with that hefty expenditure managers still don’t seem to want to say outright they can win.
What’s wrong with a little optimism, why not try and inspire confidence amongst the troops by saying we will win it? Alf Ramsey said it in ’66, and it turned out all right for him, look what happened - England won the World Cup. Players must develop a certain mentality if they keep on hearing they’re not good enough to win. If the manager doesn’t believe in them why should they? From this perspective its no wonder how the England team performs at international level – good, but not quite good enough. Maybe we should start pointing the finger at club managers and not the international one. We have got to the point where managers are too scared to stick their neck out and put their reputations on the line. Maybe they’re scared they will get a hammering from the press like Keegan did after Euro 2000? I read the press and I don’t care what they say, I have immense respect for Keegan, a true football man who is passionate enough to say what he thinks.
Another excuse for this is a term that I hate, and that is ‘kidology’. Whether football managers think they are clever by applying a bit of ‘psychology’ is debatable, and although it’s shown its worth in the past (think Ferguson vs. Keegan), its obvious that the pessimistic words of Messrs Wenger, Ferguson, Thompson etc. don’t wash with anyone nowadays. I never believe them when they say they are out of it, and they don’t either. They are just covering their tracks, but hoping all the same they can win. It’s what I call ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Thanks for reading; I’d love to hear your thoughts, as this is what most annoys me about the modern day game.
1-0 Van Nistelrooy in the 54th minute. Mark my words...
I posted my prediction for Wednesday's match in another topic, 3-0 I reckon. And yes, I am obviously a United fan!
Solskjær_24 wrote:
> I read it, and it's a good post!
I also think that manager's don't say
> "YES! We are definitley gunna win the league, cup and EVERYTHING this
> season!!!" (or something like that) as it can build up too high
> expectations from younger players and fans. And what if they won nothing?? Then
> they'd be left there feeling terrible, feeling like they've made complete idiots
> out of themselves earlier in the season!
So managers do have their reasons
> for keeping their feelings to themselves, and the media is another reason why!
> There are also loads of others that will probably come up in this topic too!
Thanks! I was referring in particular to managers like O'Leary, who moan that they won't win anything because their squad isn't good enough despite spending £100m. I just didn't want single him out. I take it, that like me support Man Utd. Whats your prediction for Wednesday?
> I read it, and it's a good post!
I also think that manager's don't say
> "YES! We are definitley gunna win the league, cup and EVERYTHING this
> season!!!" (or something like that) as it can build up too high
> expectations from younger players and fans. And what if they won nothing?? Then
> they'd be left there feeling terrible, feeling like they've made complete idiots
> out of themselves earlier in the season!
So managers do have their reasons
> for keeping their feelings to themselves, and the media is another reason why!
> There are also loads of others that will probably come up in this topic too!
Thanks! I was referring in particular to managers like O'Leary, who moan that they won't win anything because their squad isn't good enough despite spending £100m. I just didn't want single him out. I take it, that like me support Man Utd. Whats your prediction for Wednesday?
I read it, and it's a good post!
I also think that manager's don't say "YES! We are definitley gunna win the league, cup and EVERYTHING this season!!!" (or something like that) as it can build up too high expectations from younger players and fans. And what if they won nothing?? Then they'd be left there feeling terrible, feeling like they've made complete idiots out of themselves earlier in the season!
So managers do have their reasons for keeping their feelings to themselves, and the media is another reason why! There are also loads of others that will probably come up in this topic too!
I also think that manager's don't say "YES! We are definitley gunna win the league, cup and EVERYTHING this season!!!" (or something like that) as it can build up too high expectations from younger players and fans. And what if they won nothing?? Then they'd be left there feeling terrible, feeling like they've made complete idiots out of themselves earlier in the season!
So managers do have their reasons for keeping their feelings to themselves, and the media is another reason why! There are also loads of others that will probably come up in this topic too!
The quest to win a league in football is one of the most hard-fought, tension-filled, action-packed journeys a player, manager, team or supporter can undertake, and never has this been truer than in the modern day arena of the FA Barclaycard Premiership. Especially this season, where for the first time since 1998-9 there is actually a competitor to Manchester Utd, and, for the first time in what seems like decades five, maybe even six teams can take the title. Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Leeds Utd, Newcastle Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea all have a realistic chance of claiming what 92 league clubs aspire to win – the Premiership title.
But no-one will admit it. Why? Well the primary reason is a little competition you might have heard of – the Champion’s League. This money-fuelled obsession has destroyed the essence of competition, the desire to be first. Now its okay to be second or third, as long the chairman can still see pound signs in his eyes and the manager can stay in the hot seat a while longer. They should stop insulting our intelligence and do away with the name. Plus it’s affected our domestic league. Some might say it’s the taking part that counts, but in this day and age more is required by the trophy starved supporters and the greedy fat cats sitting in boardrooms. People want results, and they want them fast. If managers are scared of saying they’ll win the title they can fob the supporters off by saying they want a Champions league place. The revenue is obviously important, but what are managers thinking of? The prestige of being champions or the bank balance? Second place has become acceptable. But why? After all, you’re in it to win it, aren’t you?, and as my favourite ‘No Fear’ t-shirt says, “second place is the first loser”.
But it would appear that is no longer the case, as with second, third and even fourth place teams getting a Champion League spot that drive to win has been diluted, and the respectability and pride associated with being the only team representing your country in Europe’s greatest club competition has gone. I am sick to the teeth of managers claiming ‘we’re aiming for the Champions league this season’ after spending £30 million in the close season (are you listening, Mr O’Leary and Mr Ranieri?). Why not say your aiming for the title? Its as if managers are hedging their bets because they’re scared. If they get a Champions league place they can pretend they have fulfilled their objective, but if they win the league they can pretend they have done better than expected. But why be in it if you don’t think you’ve got a chance? This hedging of bets just in case thinks work out or don’t is what I have termed ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Let me make myself clear. This isn’t addressed to all clubs, as extenuating circumstances prevent them mounting realistic title bids, but to the aforementioned top six who spend, spend, spend, but then moan, moan, moan that they haven’t got a chance of winning. It has even affected Sir Alex, who declared that Manchester Utd were out of it just a couple of months ago. Where are they now? Sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership. It’s the huge amounts they spend that make this even worse. Chelsea bought Petit, Zenden, and Lampard, Arsenal have bought Jeffers, Wright, and Van Bronckhorst, Leeds have bought Johnson, Fowler as well as Ferdinand the year before, and United have bought Veron and Van Nistelrooy. Bobby Robson and Newcastle can be excluded from that list because he hasn’t had as much to spend, but even he has spent money recently. Even with that hefty expenditure managers still don’t seem to want to say outright they can win.
What’s wrong with a little optimism, why not try and inspire confidence amongst the troops by saying we will win it? Alf Ramsey said it in ’66, and it turned out all right for him, look what happened - England won the World Cup. Players must develop a certain mentality if they keep on hearing they’re not good enough to win. If the manager doesn’t believe in them why should they? From this perspective its no wonder how the England team performs at international level – good, but not quite good enough. Maybe we should start pointing the finger at club managers and not the international one. We have got to the point where managers are too scared to stick their neck out and put their reputations on the line. Maybe they’re scared they will get a hammering from the press like Keegan did after Euro 2000? I read the press and I don’t care what they say, I have immense respect for Keegan, a true football man who is passionate enough to say what he thinks.
Another excuse for this is a term that I hate, and that is ‘kidology’. Whether football managers think they are clever by applying a bit of ‘psychology’ is debatable, and although it’s shown its worth in the past (think Ferguson vs. Keegan), its obvious that the pessimistic words of Messrs Wenger, Ferguson, Thompson etc. don’t wash with anyone nowadays. I never believe them when they say they are out of it, and they don’t either. They are just covering their tracks, but hoping all the same they can win. It’s what I call ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Thanks for reading; I’d love to hear your thoughts, as this is what most annoys me about the modern day game.
But no-one will admit it. Why? Well the primary reason is a little competition you might have heard of – the Champion’s League. This money-fuelled obsession has destroyed the essence of competition, the desire to be first. Now its okay to be second or third, as long the chairman can still see pound signs in his eyes and the manager can stay in the hot seat a while longer. They should stop insulting our intelligence and do away with the name. Plus it’s affected our domestic league. Some might say it’s the taking part that counts, but in this day and age more is required by the trophy starved supporters and the greedy fat cats sitting in boardrooms. People want results, and they want them fast. If managers are scared of saying they’ll win the title they can fob the supporters off by saying they want a Champions league place. The revenue is obviously important, but what are managers thinking of? The prestige of being champions or the bank balance? Second place has become acceptable. But why? After all, you’re in it to win it, aren’t you?, and as my favourite ‘No Fear’ t-shirt says, “second place is the first loser”.
But it would appear that is no longer the case, as with second, third and even fourth place teams getting a Champion League spot that drive to win has been diluted, and the respectability and pride associated with being the only team representing your country in Europe’s greatest club competition has gone. I am sick to the teeth of managers claiming ‘we’re aiming for the Champions league this season’ after spending £30 million in the close season (are you listening, Mr O’Leary and Mr Ranieri?). Why not say your aiming for the title? Its as if managers are hedging their bets because they’re scared. If they get a Champions league place they can pretend they have fulfilled their objective, but if they win the league they can pretend they have done better than expected. But why be in it if you don’t think you’ve got a chance? This hedging of bets just in case thinks work out or don’t is what I have termed ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Let me make myself clear. This isn’t addressed to all clubs, as extenuating circumstances prevent them mounting realistic title bids, but to the aforementioned top six who spend, spend, spend, but then moan, moan, moan that they haven’t got a chance of winning. It has even affected Sir Alex, who declared that Manchester Utd were out of it just a couple of months ago. Where are they now? Sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership. It’s the huge amounts they spend that make this even worse. Chelsea bought Petit, Zenden, and Lampard, Arsenal have bought Jeffers, Wright, and Van Bronckhorst, Leeds have bought Johnson, Fowler as well as Ferdinand the year before, and United have bought Veron and Van Nistelrooy. Bobby Robson and Newcastle can be excluded from that list because he hasn’t had as much to spend, but even he has spent money recently. Even with that hefty expenditure managers still don’t seem to want to say outright they can win.
What’s wrong with a little optimism, why not try and inspire confidence amongst the troops by saying we will win it? Alf Ramsey said it in ’66, and it turned out all right for him, look what happened - England won the World Cup. Players must develop a certain mentality if they keep on hearing they’re not good enough to win. If the manager doesn’t believe in them why should they? From this perspective its no wonder how the England team performs at international level – good, but not quite good enough. Maybe we should start pointing the finger at club managers and not the international one. We have got to the point where managers are too scared to stick their neck out and put their reputations on the line. Maybe they’re scared they will get a hammering from the press like Keegan did after Euro 2000? I read the press and I don’t care what they say, I have immense respect for Keegan, a true football man who is passionate enough to say what he thinks.
Another excuse for this is a term that I hate, and that is ‘kidology’. Whether football managers think they are clever by applying a bit of ‘psychology’ is debatable, and although it’s shown its worth in the past (think Ferguson vs. Keegan), its obvious that the pessimistic words of Messrs Wenger, Ferguson, Thompson etc. don’t wash with anyone nowadays. I never believe them when they say they are out of it, and they don’t either. They are just covering their tracks, but hoping all the same they can win. It’s what I call ‘optimistic pessimism’.
Thanks for reading; I’d love to hear your thoughts, as this is what most annoys me about the modern day game.