> On the crowds....although watching this from afar on telly in the US I too > am shocked at the empty >spaces at grounds. Especially in the FA > Cup...what the f*ck has happened to that? I remember as >a kid in the > early 70s the Cup was always something special and the grounds were always > sold out. >On tv this weekend grounds were half-empty. Is it just the > prices, is there just too much football, >did Ferguson ruin it once and > for all?
By fielding the reserves against York you mean? I don't think so - I do think it has become too predictable by half, but Liverpool 3 Arsenal Reserves 6 - fantastic stuff especially if like me you think Liverpool are second only to Manchester in the filthy cheating bastard stakes. I've said it before, but football as played by Liverpool and Manchester is from the dark ages.Both teams look to imitate Italian/Spanish football, but lack the skills throughout the team to make it interesting, to the viewer it's pedestrian, predictable and dull. And it will remain so until we produce some home grown talent that can think, play in different formations and adapt. To pick up on a point made by Mark Humphries, the successful football club has an identity, a culture that all of the playing staff are part of - the 'losing the dressing room' syndrome occurs when some players become disillusioned, for whatever reason (age, fitness, tactics) A good manager gets rid of those individuals quick sharp (Freddie Ljunberg anyone?) and thus maintains momentum. Our current problems probably stem from Kevin Blackwells inability (through lack of finances?) to replace various individuals after or even before the playoff was lost. Whatever his limitations, he did build sufficient momentum to get us to the opposite end of the table and I believe that Dennis Wise is capable of building another promotion challenging team - it may even be a more entertaining team than Blackwells! Think about it, he played under both Ranieri and Vialli, probably the best education you could get short of actually playing in Italy or Spain. The glass may look half empty, but I tell you - it's half full! Chris Wright _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist 'I am in shock,' said Ferguson.
