2012, the season football died

[Fredo]

Not jealous and certainly not bitter, the City and Chelsea fans wont care and why should they, but as a football lover, to see 2 billionaires plaything clubs win the 2 biggest trophies makes me sick but also depresses me.

Football has been going down the drain in reason years but i think thats it, we have finally reach the point when its died.

Amongst other things: The greed race from players who do not care about their clubs anymore and would sell their kids for a few quid(once the likes of Carragher, Gerrard, Giggs, Scholes and the last few one club men left retire, we wont see the likes of them again), the billionaires splashing millions of questionably earned money and then the like of Carlos "he will never play for Man City ever again" Tevez and John "pick your choice of scumbag things ive done" Terry lifting these trophies :puke

[nAz]

There has been a lot that has made me sick this year but dont worry, you will still be watching etc

There have been some good things as well...

The way City won the title was still amazing, Swansea and Norwich have done well. Im sure there are other positives.

[Da Fat P0rn Sta]

Yeah, must have been really difficult for the likes of Gerrard Scholes etc tay at a club like Man U or Pool and paid a fortune for winning stuff. That's exactly the same as jumping from team to team

[Z31Fanatic]

A frenchman crying. Who would have thunk it?

















:P

[Fredo]

There has been a lot that has made me sick this year but dont worry, you will still be watching etc


Am already only watching Arsenal games and the odd big game. I used to watch 5 or 6 games every week end. But am falling out of love with the game...

[EarZ]

wtf? football is more exciting than ever imo

[Fredo]

Maybe its because am older than most here and i remember how football was when i fell in love with the game...

[Fowksee]

Am already only watching Arsenal games and the odd big game. I used to watch 5 or 6 games every week end. But am falling out of love with the game...

Montpellier are about to win the league (hopefully) despite PSG millions, good things still happen.

[Sheva7]

More like......2006 The season football died
Since then.....it has being going down the crapper

[PIB2]

Football is entertainment and City and Chelsea have been involved in the most entertaining moments of the season. That's all I'm going to say.

[Fowksee]

Football is entertainment and City and Chelsea have been involved in the most entertaining moments of the season. That's all I'm going to say.

Its not just entertainment though is it, otherwise you wouldnt get people following Oldham, Rochdale etc here there and everywhere watching their teams serve up dross!!

Its why stories like Swansea and Norwich are good for the game, gives those clubs hope.

[Gadger]

Best. Thread. Ever.

[Fowksee]

5 years ago City were saying the same thing about United, thats whats hilarious. :D

[Gadger]

5 years ago City were saying the same thing about United, thats whats hilarious. :D

5 years ago we also beat you home and away, that's right!

[PIB2]

Its not just entertainment though is it, otherwise you wouldnt get people following Oldham, Rochdale etc here there and everywhere watching their teams serve up dross!!

Its why stories like Swansea and Norwich are good for the game, gives those clubs hope.

When your own team is involved, it's more than entertainment. But for the neutral football is all about entertainment, and Chelsea v Barca and it's vs United/QPR were entertaining

[Fowksee]

5 years ago we also beat you home and away, that's right!

:laugh It didnt win you a trophy though!

[PIB2]

5 years ago City were saying the same thing about United, thats whats hilarious. :D

Lol, no I wasn't. I love these presumptions statements that people make

[Foley87]

Not jealous and certainly not bitter,

course not. now go and read your annual figures. you go to sleep in the safe knowledge they balance

[Rorge]

I do think the game is getting out of control.

I'm not talking about City's money, or Chelsea's money, or frickin' Anzhi Makhachkala's money. Just the whole game, and the money involved, and that includes United.

Players holding clubs to ransom, kissing badges one week and demanding new contracts the next, kids who've achieved nothing thinking they deserve the same amount as seasoned professionals, agents scoffling up fortunes for doing bugger all. People being paid two hundred thousand pounds a week. A week! For kicking a ball around for a couple of hours every saturday. And now we've got a 21 year old kid who thinks he's the centre of the world, ready to tell us all where he's deigning to ply his trade next season.

It's lunacy, and it really is enough to make you stop and wonder whether this is still the game you fell in love with. Or maybe the game is still there, but it's not to be found in the top flight. I know a guy who goes to watch Droylsden FC in the Conference North every week, and he loves it.

[Ugh]

I think it's actually been a pretty epic season myself. Don't like clubs going out and splashing a load of wonga but City and Chelsea did do it in the most dramatic of fashions imaginable.

Even north of the border it's been a terrific season whereas people prefer to focus on the negatives.

Certainly a year in football I'll never forget.

[SMG316]

People speak of it being less competitive because of chelsea/citys money....but even before their money- it was mainly just to-ing and fro-ing between utd/arsenal...and yeah, whilst the latter 2 clubs did it without sugar daddies, the outcome was still pretty much the same.

The main downer is the lack of genuinely world class players we seem to have in the league nowadays...fvckers all seem to have congregated at Barca/Real.

Besides Van Persie, Vidic, Rooney and Toure (Silva- faltered away as the season went on)...there doesn't seem to be any others.

We've lost some big names through transfers abroad/retirement/ageing, and don't seem to have replaced them with the same calibre.

I know an English team just won the CL, but still, we pwnd this competition hard a few years ago.

I think it's actually been a pretty epic season myself. Don't like clubs going out and splashing a load of wonga but City and Chelsea did do it in the most dramatic of fashions imaginable.

Even north of the border it's been a terrific season whereas people prefer to focus on the negatives.

Certainly a year in football I'll never forget.

What?! You've been the one crying the most about how the game is ruined etc etc etc, I thought this thread would've been cream central for you.

[Ugh]

]Ugh will cream himself when he reads this thread[/b].

People speak of it being less competitive because of chelsea/citys money....but even before their money- it was mainly just to-ing and fro-ing between utd/arsenal...and yeah, whilst the latter 2 clubs did it without sugar daddies, the outcome was still pretty much the same.

The main downer is the lack of genuinely world class players we seem to have in the league nowadays...fvckers all seem to have congregated at Barca/Real.

Besides Van Persie, Vidic, Rooney and Toure (Silva- faltered away as the season went on)...there doesn't seem to be any others.

We've lost some big names through transfers abroad/retirement/ageing, and don't seem to have replaced them with the same calibre.

I know an English team just won the CL, but still, we pwnd this competition hard a few years ago.

Fail.

Twice!

[SMG316]

Fail.

Damnit.

Too slow with my edit...

Double fail.

[Sheva7]

This quote by Arrigo Sacchi pretty much describes why football is crap nowadays
Sacchi:“You see defenders today who follow an opponent everywhere. The defender's point of reference should never be his opponent but a team-mate. I see kids who are 14 or 15 years old who are already specialists. But football is not a sport of specialists.

"I was watching the under-15s the other day – 14-year-old boys – and the central defenders arrived and all they did was mark their man. They took themselves out of the game. This is suffering, this is not joy, this is not football. If someone does just one thing over and over, they will get better at that thing. But is football just one thing?”

[Rorge]

I think it's actually been a pretty epic season myself. Don't like clubs going out and splashing a load of wonga but City and Chelsea did do it in the most dramatic of fashions imaginable.

Even north of the border it's been a terrific season whereas people prefer to focus on the negatives.

Certainly a year in football I'll never forget.

It's not a question of whether it's exciting, for me. Because yeah, it has been a very exciting year, some fantastic football, some freak results. But when you look at your favourite team, the one you've supported all your life, and see it's mostly full of arrogant young millionaires who don't give a **** about what shirt they wear, as long as they're getting paid, it's hard for that attachment not to take a hit.

Guys like Giggs and Scholes certainly are a dying breed, and there aren't many young players at any club that I can see being one club men. There will always be the lure of more money, more success, somewhere else.

Who will United have after they've gone? Rooney? The guy who publicly stated he wanted to leave eighteen months ago?

[Bossanova]

For every Man City,Anzhi or Chelsea, you have an FC Porto.

Actually, we are just one.

Owned by the fans. Loved around the world. Famous for our brand of fuyebo.

Creators of the finest managers ever, the finest defenders of the modern era, and winners of European trophies in classic matches people still talk about years later.

Madjers back heel... oh yeah
Derleis ET winner...hell yeah
Carlos Alberto shirtless <3 fk yeah
falcon flying MUTHAFK YEAH

[Fredo]

I do think the game is getting out of control.

I'm not talking about City's money, or Chelsea's money, or frickin' Anzhi Makhachkala's money. Just the whole game, and the money involved, and that includes United.

Players holding clubs to ransom, kissing badges one week and demanding new contracts the next, kids who've achieved nothing thinking they deserve the same amount as seasoned professionals, agents scoffling up fortunes for doing bugger all. People being paid two hundred thousand pounds a week. A week! For kicking a ball around for a couple of hours every saturday. And now we've got a 21 year old kid who thinks he's the centre of the world, ready to tell us all where he's deigning to ply his trade next season.

It's lunacy, and it really is enough to make you stop and wonder whether this is still the game you fell in love with. Or maybe the game is still there, but it's not to be found in the top flight. I know a guy who goes to watch Droylsden FC in the Conference North every week, and he loves it.

Thank god, someone who gets my point.

I was hoping we could go past the partisan bullsh*t and look at the game as a whole.

I fell in the love with the game not because of trophy wins but for the skills aspect (individual and tactical) but also the camaradery, team spirit and "belonging" to a club.
The skills have improved no end and on that side of things, there's nothing to complain about but as for the rest... Now one minute you sing a players name, the next he'll be gone to your worse rival because they offer him more money. Am sorry but there are very few examples of this from 20years ago, now its the norm.

[Rorge]

Thank god, someone who gets my point.

I was hoping we could go past the partisan bullsh*t and look at the game as a whole.

I fell in the love with the game not because of trophy wins but for the skills aspect (individual and tactical) but also the camaradery, team spirit and "belonging" to a club.
The skills have improved no end and on that side of things, there's nothing to complain about but as for the rest... Now one minute you sing a players name, the next he'll be gone to your worse rival because they offer him more money. Am sorry but there are very few examples of this from 20years ago, now its the norm.

I find myself looking at the United team sometimes and thinking, 'if I had a son who wanted a player's name on the back of his shirt, which of these guys would I be happy with? Which are guys who I think are decent role models? And which of them will even be at the club by the time the next shirt comes out?'

And I don't have many answers.

[EarZ]

its not the death of football though is it?its evolution.

in 20 years time someone will probably be saying the same as u but in 100 years time, football will still be here.

[Jere Markus]

Fredo, all this development started about a decade ago and it has been a down spiral since. Ticket prices going up. Foreign Billionaire owners who dont know football, and some are clearly criminals. The players forgetting to love the game, but only love the money. Overspending, crazy money that ruins the sport and hits the fans pocket hard.

2012 is only the pinnacle of the corruption and anti-football.

[Fowksee]

Yeah I do have to agree with Fredo etc.

How many players at your club can you say are there because they love it?

I mean take this Hazard situation, we have someone who is deciding where he is going, and announcing it publicly. Then doesn't because in his words 'A big offer from Chelsea has come in'. Pathetic in all honesty.

And Rooney is just as bad before anyone jumps on me, threatening to leave to get a pay rise.

Tevez goes AWOL for 6 months or whatever and is welcomed back because he holds all the cards, wins a title and is like nothing happened!

RVP dragging heels on contract talks the list goes on and on.

It seems the ultimate goal for the modern footballer is to earn the most they can. :(

[illmatic]

Where does it stop though?...you get players turning down 150 thousand a week because someone else offers 160 thousand..does that extra ten thousand really matter to them more than the club?

Its become like formula one now and horse racing...football is just a billionaires playground..they come and go throwing mad money around just to show off to their friends what they won..without any passion or love for the game

[Bossanova]

Yeah I do have to agree with Fredo etc.

How many players at your club can you say are there because they love it?

I mean take this Hazard situation, we have someone who is deciding where he is going, and announcing it publicly. Then doesn't because in his words 'A big offer from Chelsea has come in'. Pathetic in all honesty.

And Rooney is just as bad before anyone jumps on me, threatening to leave to get a pay rise.

Tevez goes AWOL for 6 months or whatever and is welcomed back because he holds all the cards, wins a title and is like nothing happened!

RVP dragging heels on contract talks the list goes on and on.

It seems the ultimate goal for the modern footballer is to earn the most they can. :(

seems to be the ultimate goal of most people these days

[Sheva7]

You all ignored the Sacchi post I posted....he summed it up best in Why Football is going down the drain

[Rorge]

You all ignored the Sacchi post I posted....he summed it up best in Why Football is going down the drain

In Italy maybe. But that's certainly not the case in England. If anything, I'd say young players are getting more and more versatile, able to play in a number of different positions. That wouldn't have happened twenty years ago (unless you were Mal Donaghy).

No, football in England is going down the drain for reasons completely unrelated to training methods.

[Sheva7]

In Italy maybe. But that's certainly not the case in England. If anything, I'd say young players are getting more and more versatile, able to play in a number of different positions. That wouldn't have happened twenty years ago (unless you were Mal Donaghy).

No, football in England is going down the drain for reasons completely unrelated to training methods.

Well this thread doesnt specify english football....just football
I meant in General
And only player I know in EPL that is versatile is Yaya
Also It was also making a point about defenders....you must have your team-mate as reference point not your opponent
I agree with him.

[Sheva7]

That's just one of the many reasons though

[EarZ]

toure is the only versatile player in the premiership?

[Sheva7]

I said the only one I know of

[EarZ]

shows how much you know

[Sheva7]

Well I dont watch the EPL much often....saw a couple of City Games but that's it

[EarZ]

it shows

[Sheva7]

Heck I dont watch much games outside of Milan Matches
Except for UCL
I know one thing though.England sucks at producing Players from their own country....and that's why their NT is so Bad

[EarZ]

tell us something we don't know

[Sheva7]

Well exxxxxxcccccccccccccccccccccuse me Princess :galliani

[Dave_BCFC]

Another top four club that has spent many millions in the past moaning about being outspent, go join Man Utd in the toy throwing section :rolleyes:

[Gaurav]

I spoke to a Manchester United fan from Manchester, who must have been in his early 50s and he was disillusioned with football. He told me how the game was about going with mates but also said most of his friends have been priced out.

[Fowksee]

Another top four club that has spent many millions in the past moaning about being outspent, go join Man Utd in the toy throwing section :rolleyes:

When have Arsenal spent 'millions' :laugh

[PIB2]

Bergkamp, Reyes, Wiltord, Henry, Pires, Jeffers, Overmars, Petit

[Fredo]

I find myself looking at the United team sometimes and thinking, 'if I had a son who wanted a player's name on the back of his shirt, which of these guys would I be happy with? Which are guys who I think are decent role models? And which of them will even be at the club by the time the next shirt comes out?'

And I don't have many answers.

Same here. Ive only ever had one shirt with a name at the back (RVP, the year he signed for us would you believe, i cant believe he has been at the club so long) and it will probably be the only one.
1st, i dont buy shirts anymore, a new "design" every fvcking year is a joke anyway) but like you said, there isnt one player i can see as a good role model. Even the likes of VP, Vermaelen and even Wilshere, players we see "dedicated" to the club will fvck off eventually to whoever offers the most.

[Fowksee]

Bergkamp, Reyes, Wiltord, Henry, Pires, Jeffers, Overmars, Petit

The most expensive of them being Wiltord at £13m?

Sunderland have spent more than that FFS! :laugh

[PIB2]

About 15 years ago it was money that clubs outside the top 4 couldn't afford, and it won them the league. Not saying its on a par with what's or Chelsea are doing but they were one of the first clubs to start signing foreigners who have no links/love to the club

[nAz]

I spoke to a Manchester United fan from Manchester, who must have been in his early 50s and he was disillusioned with football. He told me how the game was about going with mates but also said most of his friends have been priced out.


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3cvadLRnS1rna86e.gif

[Dave_BCFC]

When have Arsenal spent 'millions' :laugh

Your looking at it from a Man U point of view Fowks, put it this way, could you ever see the likes of Everton or Sunderland afford Thierry Henry in his prime ?.

The Arse might have spent less than you, but it's still a Sh!tload of money compared to 75% of the Prem.

[moom210]

Bergkamp, Reyes, Wiltord, Henry, Pires, Jeffers, Overmars, Petit

The difference between this list and now is that they were bought when they were not at their peak so no ludicrous price. This was pure scouting skills not stealing your rivals best players cos you can, where is the competition in that. Do you remember when even low clubs had gems in their team, such as Niemi for Southampton, they didn't get poached the second the transfer market opened.

In total its like looking at football as an Oligopoly market were 2 or 3 major forces dictate what they want and for any price; whilst the others will work hard to try and produce talent to get sold the next year.

[EarZ]

Arsenal > everyone else...

[moom210]

Lol Earz please note Tottenham spend more than arsenal in the market yet I'm happy you do actually invest in players you think will turn out to be stars. That's what was great about football when you see a team unravelling a star,e.g. Van nisterooy or Ronaldo. Not jus getting the best players, this ain't FM

[EarZ]

I know mate, arsenal >>> everyone else. You just do things better on a tighter budget. That's a trophy I want to win too

[Sheva7]

:galliani rarely spent money lately...yet we did better then Tottenham :galliani

[Sheva7]

For every Man City,Anzhi or Chelsea, you have an FC Porto.

Actually, we are just one.

Owned by the fans. Loved around the world. Famous for our brand of fuyebo.

Creators of the finest managers ever, the finest defenders of the modern era, and winners of European trophies in classic matches people still talk about years later.

Madjers back heel... oh yeah
Derleis ET winner...hell yeah
Carlos Alberto shirtless <3 fk yeah
falcon flying MUTHAFK YEAH

Bullcrap.You only had Mourinho.Nobody mentions Porto Classic Matches but Porto Fans.No you didnt...Italy did...Maldini,Nesta,Cannavaro etc.
And then there's others from Serie A like Stam(also EPL),Zanetti,Chivu,Thuram,Zambrotta etc.
I only know of Carvahlo that was from Porto(I think he was)
Conclusion Porto is a small team :galliani

[Zeman]

lol

[moom210]

Conclusion Porto is a small team :galliani

To make matters worse, Benfica are a more famous and popular team than Porto lol.

[Sheva7]

To make matters worse, Benfica are a more famous and popular team than Porto lol.

Benfica produced Eusebio and Rui Costa....who did Porto produce exactly....they cant even take credit for producing Deco cuz they didnt produce him
:galliani

[Tic_Tac_Addict]

I'm in that half way house where I wouldn't say football has died...in fact, I couldn't wait for the City/United games. As a football fan, I'd love to watch some of the best players in the world play United....

As a football supporter, then I think the trend of billionaires bankrolling clubs is a negative one for football as a whole and I think the FA/UEFA etc have to put in controls otherwise the smaller teams (and the competativeness of the top league) will slowly decrease

[Bossanova]

Benfica produced Eusebio and Rui Costa....who did Porto produce exactly....they cant even take credit for producing Deco cuz they didnt produce him
:galliani

vitor baia :cool

the player with the most trophies ever. suck on that one :cool

[EarZ]

vitor baia :cool

the player with the most trophies ever. suck on that one :cool

he's been banned, so he won't reply. or haven't you worked that one out yet?

[Bossanova]

he's been banned, so he won't reply. or haven't you worked that one out yet?

I'm not that one that asked if he was banned (when it was clearly obvious he was) in another thread am I?

Or did my pwn not convey the message?

I bet he's still reading the forum, and will reply with an alias eventually.

Back to your hole now pls.

[Zeman]

He had a 2 days ban so, if he wants to, he will be able to reply soon enough

[EarZ]

I'm not that one that asked if he was banned (when it was clearly obvious he was) in another thread am I?

Or did my pwn not convey the message?

I bet he's still reading the forum, and will reply with an alias eventually.

Back to your hole now pls.

:laugh

keep 'pwning' kid

[Lazarus1]

For every Man City,Anzhi or Chelsea, you have an FC Porto.

Actually, we are just one.

Owned by the fans. Loved around the world. Famous for our brand of fuyebo.

Creators of the finest managers ever, the finest defenders of the modern era, and winners of European trophies in classic matches people still talk about years later.

Madjers back heel... oh yeah
Derleis ET winner...hell yeah
Carlos Alberto shirtless <3 fk yeah
falcon flying MUTHAFK YEAH

Well, you had Mourinho, and to be fair he learned under Sir Bobby first at Barcelona, then again at Porto...neither are Porto products...oh wells.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh Sheva got banned, who did it troll?

[Keano]

Not jealous and certainly not bitter

Bollocks. You'd LOVE it if a billionaire bought your club and turned you into European champions. You have to realise people stopped believing that Arsenal fans are content with the "financial prudence trophy" a long time ago.

[EarZ]

Bollocks. You'd LOVE it if a billionaire bought your club and turned you into European champions. You have to realise people stopped believing that Arsenal fans are content with the "financial prudence trophy" a long time ago.

:holy247

Every club wants a sugar daddy because all fans want success. Goons all seem to be financial experts and are so smug about the fact that their books balance.

[Bossanova]

I'd hate if a billionaire arab bought porto (its impossible anyway, because club owned by fans)

But at least when Porto win, I feel proud because the club is from top to bottom, part of the region

[Zeman]

I'd hate if a billionaire arab bought porto (its impossible anyway, because club owned by fans)

But at least when Porto win, I feel proud because the club is from top to bottom, part of the region

You are not Athletic Bilbao thought.

[Fredo]

Bollocks. You'd LOVE it if a billionaire bought your club and turned you into European champions. You have to realise people stopped believing that Arsenal fans are content with the "financial prudence trophy" a long time ago.

No, i wouldnt. Am already not happy to have a criminal like Usmanov on the board.

[Paradox]

Your looking at it from a Man U point of view Fowks, put it this way, could you ever see the likes of Everton or Sunderland afford Thierry Henry in his prime ?.

The Arse might have spent less than you, but it's still a Sh!tload of money compared to 75% of the Prem.
Henry was bought off the back of selling Anelka for 23m. We made a net profit of 6m that summer, Sunderland made a net loss of 11m.

You can keep trying to tie it back to money but any "domination" of the league by Man U and Arsenal over the millennium is so closely tied to our respective managers that it sounds like you are just upset that two of the best managers in the history of the PL are good at their jobs.

Bollocks. You'd LOVE it if a billionaire bought your club and turned you into European champions. You have to realise people stopped believing that Arsenal fans are content with the "financial prudence trophy" a long time ago.
Bollocks.

Once again next season it will be our 4th spot that will be targeted by Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and any other challengers. That "financial prudence trophy" is the only reason there's any hope of competition there at all. No football fan wants to see the top 4 even more walled off than it already is especially if it comes as the result of a billionaire's pocket rather than a manager's skill

[EarZ]

so if a billionaire bought arsenal tomorrow, bought everyone and you won the league, would you celebrate less than you would if you did with the current owners?

[moom210]

Well with Wenger I wouldnt be suprised if we didnt buy anyone and sold our main players xD

But truthfully we would celebrate, but that matters whether the style we play in is compromised, also we wouldnt celebrate like we did the last time we won a cup.

[Fowksee]

I love how Keano tells people what they are thinking :ninja

[Scholesy18]

Fredo is allowed his opinion, I can believe what he posts because he is pretty consistent with his views elsewhere on the forum on non-football related matters.

[Gadger]

I love how Keano knows what people are thinking.

[Paradox]

so if a billionaire bought arsenal tomorrow, bought everyone and you won the league, would you celebrate less than you would if you did with the current owners?

Absolutely. Trophies aren't the be all and end all of football, 90% of teams won't win anything of significance in their fans lifetimes but it's the promise of progress and achievement that makes it worth turning up on a Saturday. I don't see where the achievement is in blowing everyone else out of the water through some billionaire's wealth.

[Fowksee]

I can also tell you that City fans would prefer it to have won the league through hard work and not sacking managers every year.

[Scholesy18]

Where does it stop though?...you get players turning down 150 thousand a week because someone else offers 160 thousand..does that extra ten thousand really matter to them more than the club?
I have to admit this is something I can never quite understand, I'd like to think i'd never be like that if I was a player, but who knows. Don't like it tbh but I suppose once you've become accustomed to a certain lifestyle you need that extra 10k to spend on the luxuries. It must also be something to do with how much someone earns in relation to another player. Player X may feel Player Y isn't as deserving compared to himself, not certain X would be privy to such info, but my assumption is with the locker room culture wages are probably not the biggest secret.

I also think it's damaging in a way for the player to demand more money simply cause he delves deeper into squandering it, lets face it most players are thick, I wonder how much the agents do in terms of advising the players where to put their money, for the agent it's probably beneficial to keep him in that cycle of lavish spending on pointless material items as he earns a bigger percentage when it comes to contract negotiations. But I was reading earlier apparently Gestifute have a department specifically to advise players on where to invest their money etc, quite interesting I thought, so guess they do serve a purpose in that sense and not all agents are useless or look after their own interests rather than their clients.

[EarZ]

Absolutely. Trophies aren't the be all and end all of football, 90% of teams won't win anything of significance in their fans lifetimes but it's the promise of progress and achievement that makes it worth turning up on a Saturday. I don't see where the achievement is in blowing everyone else out of the water through some billionaire's wealth.

I understand where you are coming from, when we beat city to 4th it was satisfying to know that we did it on a much smaller budget but when i am watching spurs, the last thing on my mind is the bank balance or what other fans think of my club.

Ask any city or chelsea fan what was going through their head when they were celebrating their victories. i bet you not one of them was thinking "yeah this is nice but i would be much happier if we had spent less"

In an ideal world, spurs would win the league while making a massive profit but that will never happen. football has evolved and like it or not, it's not going to go back to teams winning things on a shoestring budget.

so while the politics and the money in football has changed dramatically, the actual football on the pitch is more exciting than ever and that is why i will never fall out of love with the sport.

I feel all emotional now.

[Paradox]

I understand where you are coming from, when we beat city to 4th it was satisfying to know that we did it on a much smaller budget but when i am watching spurs, the last thing on my mind is the bank balance or what other fans think of my club.

Ask any city or chelsea fan what was going through their head when they were celebrating their victories. i bet you not one of them was thinking "yeah this is nice but i would be much happier if we had spent less" I'm not debating over what makes City or Chelsea fans happy though. At some point you have to step back and look at how widening the financial gap even further affects the league as a whole. Liverpool's owners wanted to do that earlier this season by negotiating separate TV deals but rightly they were condemned, even by Liverpool fans because it was hugely detrimental to other league clubs.


In an ideal world, spurs would win the league while making a massive profit but that will never happen. football has evolved and like it or not, it's not going to go back to teams winning things on a shoestring budget.
Enforce FFP fully and do you not think under the right manager Spurs could compete? It might not be instant but it certainly gives them a better shot at getting into the CL with some regularity and building from there.

so while the politics and the money in football has changed dramatically, the actual football on the pitch is more exciting than ever and that is why i will never fall out of love with the sport.


but how long will that excitement last? Barca and Real are great to watch but that doesn't make for an exciting league. If Ferguson were to retire now and City continued as they are then who do you think would be able to challenge them? Are we waiting for another billionaire?

I do think it will start to dawn on people next year that City aren't the plucky disruptors to Utd reign anymore, they have the resources and intent to dominate for far longer than Ferguson could ever dream of

[Keano]

God, you all get so precious on this subject.

Just admit you're jealous that City got lucky and have an owner who wants to bankroll success. Consider the admission therapy.

[Lazarus1]

Money doesn't always get you what you expect, we did finish above Chelsea and Liverpool, both have spent considerably more money in making their teams. I do advocate financial prudence, and tolerate United winning as it is money they have generated through the clubs branding, not through some rich playboy blowing money.