The football (or soccer) matches that I’ve watched recently haven’t exactly had me on the edge of my seat. The familiar pattern across multiple leagues is that half the game seems to be short passes in each team’s own half. They all play out from the back – rarely is there an attempt to go long or mix things up. Often when watching a match I feel glad that I haven’t had to buy a ticket.
Football managers obviously want their team to win. It’s a results-based business. However, I think that the typical fan wants to be entertained by the match they have paid to see. They want something to justify the price of admission. I don’t think it’s particularly entertaining watching a methodical passing game with little individuality.
There needs to be room for the illogical in football if it is to be enjoyable. Nowadays the optimal option tends to be chosen. Don’t shoot from long range, because statistically there’s less chance of scoring. Don’t do any fancy step-overs or flicks, because statistically it’s not beneficial. Statistic after statistic, xG, possession, chances created, yadda, yadda yadda. Has it been forgotten that there’s meant to be a bit of passion and romance to this game?
People debate on Twitter about who had the most expected goals and various other statistical ephemera. I used to engage in statistical football conversations on Twitter but now it just feels a bit meaningless. It’s perhaps a sign of a game that’s taking itself too seriously. This approach is surely present in academies. Young players are probably being told about running stats and what the optimal thing to do is. This all has its place but there needs to be some individual character.
There used to be players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Adel Taarabt and Dimitar Berbatov who were maverick showmen. A bit like the cliched American cop who doesn’t play by the rules. They had a swagger and a penchant for the unexpected. They weren’t focused on the most statistically correct decision. They did what felt right to them, whether that was a rainbow flick, a roulette or a bicycle kick. Football, like any sport, needs its characters. It needs people who justify the admission fee. It doesn’t need boring possession play that entertains absolutely no one.
Mark McKillen, Kilrea, Co Derry
