Has football really got better?

[Andy @ Allerton]

People go on about the pace in the game and the skill and the prestige, but after watching a few games recently from the 80s I wonder if things really have improved.

 

Tackles used to go in then that would make you cringe today and freekicks weren't even given - the player tackled would get up and would attempt to show his opponent that it didn't hurt and that they would just get on with it.

 

The ball was much heavier, the boots also were heavier and more unweildy and the pitches were usually rutted and muddy - with loads of bumps and surfaces that were barely flat - which means to do something good with the ball you had to be a much better footballer than the players today because you're not dealing with perfect surfaces - so you use your skill to lift the game above the surroundings.

 

Players didn't surround refs and whine at every decision and there was elements and examples of fair play and genuine passion for the game on show - these weren't fantastically rich people - they were blokes who had got lucky and were playing the game in front of thousands of rampant fans that could really identify themselves with the players on show.

 

The managers as well seemed to have the air of mystery and decency that a lot of managers nowdays seem to lack - the whole thing was a sport rather than a business.

 

Have things got better or not?

 

Or am I just an old whinging git?

 

In your reply - just to get a feeling of responses - can you include if you used to go to footy matches in the 80s?

[John am Rhein]

I think it's got better in the sense that today's teams would beat teams from earlier eras by six or seven goals to nil. That's mostly down to physical attributes, though - whether that qualifies as 'better' is a bit subjective really.

 

I think one sense in which it's most definitely got worse is the level of media involvement in the game. It's a valid point about the managers formerly having an air of mystery (maybe even decency?). These days the managers seem to get more coverage than the players and the press conference and interviews more coverage than the actual game. This is mainly down to the sh*teness of journalists, IMO.

[Coyler]

Do you think the people who played football in the '50s and '60s didn't think the footballers of the '80s were pampered, overpaid gets kicking balloons with slippers?

 

I agree with most of that, though, even though my limited League of Ireland match-going experience counts for shag-all in the context.

 

I hate knowing so much detail about the non-football goings-on of the club these days, though.

[John am Rhein]

In your reply - just to get a feeling of responses - can you include if you used to go to footy matches in the 80s?

 

Sorry. Yeah, I did. Far more often than I do now, in fact.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I think it's got better in the sense that today's teams would beat teams from earlier eras by six or seven goals to nil. That's mostly down to physical attributes, though - whether that qualifies as 'better' is a bit subjective really.

 

I think one sense in which it's most definitely got worse is the level of media involvement in the game. It's a valid point about the managers formerly having an air of mystery (maybe even decency?). These days the managers seem to get more coverage than the players and the press conference and interviews more coverage than the actual game. This is mainly down to the sh*teness of journalists, IMO.

 

If we were playing todays rules on todays pitches with modern equipment I think you're right - teams of today are fitter and faster and would tonk teams of the 80s.

 

But if you put the teams of today onto 80s style pitches with 80s equipment and 80s rules - most of them would have been off before half time crying for their mums - I don't think they could stand the physical game nowdays

[John am Rhein]

But if you put the teams of today onto 80s style pitches with 80s equipment and 80s rules - most of them would have been off before half time crying for their mums - I don't think they could stand the physical game nowdays

 

We'll never know for sure, but I think you're wrong about that. The modern players might be a bit put off by the amount of kicking they'd get, but (assuming they didn't lose the plot and start throwing punches) I think they'd more than make up for it by generally out-running/out-jumping/etc. the 80s players. At best I think the 80s players might hold their own for an hour or so before the modern players superior stamina found them out.

[Rich Gobey]

We'll never know for sure, but I think you're wrong about that. The modern players might be a bit put off by the amount of kicking they'd get, but (assuming they didn't lose the plot and start throwing punches) I think they'd more than make up for it by generally out-running/out-jumping/etc. the 80s players. At best I think the 80s players might hold their own for an hour or so before the modern players superior stamina found them out.

 

I reckon the 80's lads would pass them to death for an hour then get knackered and lose.

[John am Rhein]

I reckon the 80's lads would pass them to death for an hour then get knackered and lose.

 

This is almost exactly what Emlyn Hughes said about players of HIS era versus players of around 1990 (I think).

 

I don't think this is actually true either - I think the lack of time they'd get on the ball would severely impair their passing game.

[Coyler]

Would our allegedly beloved back-pass rule be in force?

[Andy @ Allerton]

[Bootle Buck]

Real Men v Pampered Millionaires

 

No comparison. Players in the 80's played 50+ games a season without having to be rested or rotated. They were involved in matches that would have 10 players booked and 5 sent off by today's standards and they didn't have anywhere near the training facilities, nutritionists, equipment or technology that today's players have access too.

 

Liverpool's teams of the 80's would wipe the floor with today's team in terms of teamwork, heart and aggression. Don't underestimate the fact that depite maybe not being as in shape as today's player they were much more tougher mentality and physically.

 

I watched the Everton v Liverpool 4-4 game when Kenny decided to leave and that was every bit as high paced as today's game yet tackles were flying in from all angles. The difference being the players got up and didn't roll around acting for 5 minutes.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I am not sure modern players are neccesarily all that much fitter.

 

Look at someone like Mcallister. He played in the 80 and even age 36, he could impress for us. As long as there are players like Maldini, Zola, Zidane, Makelele, Thuram, Cannavaro, Scholes, Giggs and half the Deportivo team of a few years ago who continue to prove they can cut it at the highest level into their 30s without their past fitness, then I think it's reasonable to assume the best teams and players of the 80s could just as easily cut it today as they could back then.

[cymrococh]

I am not sure modern players are neccesarily all that much fitter.

 

Look at someone like Mcallister. He played in the 80 and even age 36, he could impress for us. As long as there are players like Maldini, Zola, Zidane, Makelele, Thuram, Cannavaro, Scholes, Giggs and half the Deportivo team of a few years ago who continue to prove they can cut it at the highest level into their 30s without their past fitness, then I think it's reasonable to assume the best teams and players of the 80s could just as easily cut it today as they could back then.

I think you're contradicting yourself there.

[Foo]

Most of todays players would (or should) cry if they try to get in those shorts they used back then.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I think you're contradicting yourself there.

 

How do you mean?

[meepins]

In my opinion it's the average level that has improved. Citing the Liverpool of the eighties is the exception.They were a cut above.

I'd expect the average level of skill to decrease as time goes by. Mainly due to the fact that you won't have people growing up playing football all day - everyday rain or shine, as the culture shifts.

[Crazy Horse]

Football now is s****, I don't identify which much that happens on the field or off. I'm seriously losing interest in it, does that make me a s***ty fan? Maybe I'm just sick of footballers, rather than the game itself.

[Rich Gobey]

Football now is s****, I don't identify which much that happens on the field or off. I'm seriously losing interest in it, does that make me a s***ty fan? Maybe I'm just sick of footballers, rather than the game itself.

 

it almost makes me cry to realise I'm not alone!

[meepins]

you're growing up, congratulations