Fans Plead for Mercy
This game was shown in full albeit delayed by five hours in the US, and I had the additional obstacle of having to attend a 1st birthday party whilst attempting to avoid the result. I was confident the birthday boy wouldn't blab, but one of the guests was a bit too keen on English 'soccer' for my liking. "Who's your team?" he asked, "Spurs" I replied, "Great win for you today," he exclaimed, "Yes it was" I responded, delighted that my quick thinking had saved me.Now having actually endured the game, I'm not so sure my deceit actually improved my wellbeing. Six goalless draws in nine competitive games - as The Jam might have said, "That's Entertainment." By my calculations, it's now been three hours since we created a clear-cut chance. Anyone who is considering not voting for Darren Bent as Player of the Year needs to watch a re-run of this game and fantasise about what our season might have looked like without him.
When Premier League apologists proclaim it to be the 'best League in the world', what exactly do they mean? Sure it's well-followed in England, but then football is a popular sport on a populous island, and frankly what else would the fans do on a Saturday afternoon? Go to the beach?
It is usually towards Asia that they point when highlighting its unique appeal. However is it really the Premier League that is keenly followed, or is it actually just Man Utd/Arsenal/Chelsea/Liverpool, all of whom happen to play in it? Are we really supposed to believe that millions of Asians are staying up until the early hours to watch Charlton vs Everton or Portsmouth vs Blackburn? And if they are, it can only be because they are suffering from acute insomnia, for which our game at least would have provided a non-prescription cure.
Despite having lived in America for two years now, I'm still an intelligent enough sports fan to appreciate that low-scoring games can be as interesting as high-scoring ones. And yes, I suppose both defences today did indeed do their jobs efficiently and efficaciously. But was there a single player on the field who demonstrated some flair, or any sign that he could soar above the mediocrity, slow the game down and stamp his authority? I concede that Jerome Thomas showed a few glimpses, but despite all his cabaret, there was nothing productive to show for it.
It's not the fault of Charlton or Everton - they are 11th and 10th respectively by merit. It's the fault of the skewed income distribution (both within the Premier League, and between the Premier League and the rest) which engenders a 'safety first' mentality that emphasises hard work and commitment over glamour and panache. And with the consumer being squeezed from several angles, how long before they too begin to baulk at paying premier prices for the 'Premier' League?
posted by New York Addick @ 1:01 AM
4 comments
As an Addick living in Thailand I read your blog regularly and, being restricted to watching TV coverage, reading the reports and forums on the internet, I must say that we seem to have very similar views as to what's going on and what we would like to see.
Your comment on Asia is spot on. Despite Charlton's not very successful foray into China a couple of years ago, other clubs' similar tours, the Asia Cup, which has seen a few Premiership clubs in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, and the regular live and delayed matches on TV, Liverpool and Man Utd are really all that most Asians are interested in. The other teams are there to make up the numbers, and the main interest in them out here is purely for betting purposes. I am often asked about Charlton, normally so someone can win or lose a few baht on them. I have recently been telling the local punters to bet on 0-0 draws so if they have followed my advice they'll be quids in.
When Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and to a lesser extent Liverpool play, they are actually good to watch, combining the usual English qualities with plenty of skill and flair too. I'm sure Arsenal vs Man Utd this afternoon will be a fine example
Unfortunately the remaining teams show plenty of endeavour but unless there is something huge at stake (eg. relegation), then I find it increasingly hard to watch. At least when you watch a midtable Spanish game, there are at least some cursory attempts to entertain, even if the players roll over five times when fouled.
I would accept that the unadventureous Charlton style was necessary a couple of months back, but I think Curbs could now bring in Ambrose, Thomas and/or Rommedahl to make for a more attacking but also less solid side. After all, loosing two and winning one is the same as three 0-0 draws.
Why do we play Spector who is 6 games away from going back to Man Utd above Sankofa who is young, English, Homegrown and i thought a right back. We are not going to go down, we are not going to get into Europe. Now is the time to see if he is worth keeping. Sam with Lloyd Sam, put him in ahead of one of the midfielders, what is the worst that can happen. we lose, well at least i would see a goal. This seasons football with the xception of the first 5 games has been the worst i have ever watched entertainment wise and sadly i have decided i just cannot justify the price of a season ticket next year no matter how cheap they may be relatively, so after 26years as a season ticket holder i am going to relinquish mine. We may stay in the Premiership but i have a fear that we will have very few fans next year. I would love to see Pardew come in if Curbs goes as he seems to be entertainment minded after his comments after the Charlton game.