Players’ lack of professionalism only makes matters worse
It is very difficult for an ex professional player to look at modern day football without the odd shake of the head, or questioning how the game has changed in such a short space of time. It has massively, although in some cases not for the better.
I question the professionalism of some current players within the game. Don’t get me wrong, off the pitch a lot of the guys are absolute saints – eating and drinking correctly so they stay in peak physical shape and not falling out of night clubs and bars (well some of them), but on it many choose to cheat and disrespect the game, by diving, feigning injury, trying to get opposition players sent off and in short conning the referees and ruining the spectacle for supporters. It is becoming far more frequent and I question the personal pride of some of these players.
Yes I know some will point the finger at perhaps the lack of professionalism of players in my era off the pitch, and in many cases you are right, but on the pitch you couldn’t question it as we played the game in the way it should be played with 100% honesty and commitment. We didn’t look to get players sent off, throw ourselves to the ground at the slightest touch, or wave the imaginary cards; we had too much self pride and a respect for the game that is sadly lacking today. When I was playing I used to have a huge amount of respect for Thierry Henry, for the way he always attempted to remain on his feet, even after a challenge, and he never looked to show any weakness against the opposition. You compare that with someone like Emile Heskey who on occasions would hit the ground at the slightest nudge. What is frustrating is that whenever you go around a Premier League training ground you will undoubtedly see hard tackles flying in, physical battles throughout, yet as soon as the weekend comes along that goes out the window, leaving the referees with the thankless task of dissecting what is foul play and what is not. Their lack of honesty is destroying the game and in some cases making a mockery of it.
The worst thing about the change in players’ attitudes is that it puts an extra onus on the referees and their assistants to read through the lines to make the correct call. Being an official is an impossible task, made harder by the increase in camera angles and, more significantly, the ever changing laws of the game. Players don’t do anything to make the situation any easier and therefore it is a vicious circle that the refs find themselves in, and where they are simply in a no win situation.
I question whether the refs are given enough assistance over such matters and maybe the introduction of some panel or committee to root out these players, who are cheating and conniving, would go some way in bringing a little more honesty and professionalism on the pitch back to the game. It certainly needs it.
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Totally agree. A game of football has become something of a farce with cards given out like confetti. The players are accountable just as the ridiculous rulings. Rafael, Tiote, Kaboul, Defoe are just some of the ridiculous red cards that have been given out, due to stupid regulations
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Couldnt agree more Razor. The likes of Berbatov, Torres – in fact most strikers go down at the slightest touch. I wouldnt want to be a referee, what chance have they got.
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I think the players play on the fact that the referees have these stupid rulings that they look to provoke to get a reaction out of opponents, instead of playing the game. The game has gone down hill for some time, but I think it is a combination of players cheating and referees facing a fine line with their rulings they have to carry out. They have been drained of all common sense officials
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The game has been spoilt by the over pedantic officials. I think Jarvis is right that players understand this and play on it in anyway possible. Football use to be about outplaying the opposition and fighting for a result, now it is becoming a farce. Spurs United was a great game to watch yesterday, but the referee didn’t allow the game to flow and the sending off Rafael was a joke. I think the players do play on it, but the referees union need to sort out their guidelines for the sake of games becoming a non event
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One thing that would help the game move quicker, reduce some of the on field theatrics, would be to adda rule which would limit only the captain of each team to talk, protest or make representation to the referees,including the coach/managers..
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Excellent article – however I think the damage is done and we have reached the point of no return in my opinion. Unfortunately the players have watched the foreigners come over to English fotball and they have all adopted if you cant beat then then join them mentality. Lampard and Gerrard go down far too easy, but why shouldnt they when referees are clearly fooled.
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Unfortunately it wont change and we will be forever witnessed anything but fair play in English football. The modern day player lacks any passion these days, largely down to their huge wage packets.
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Even worse. When the referee himself tell players to help him make a decision. I recall reading somewhere that Webb told Blackpool players to go to ground as soon as minimal contact is made so that his decision get’s easy. Shame.
This is exactly what Berbatov did, and it worked.
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Agree Razor, although as Rob pointed out when you have referees saying to players that they have better chances of getting decisions if they were to go down then what chance has anyone. Football has totally changed since you were playing and as you were saying a lot of passion and commitment has been drained out of the game.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8mk7MfBd8
sure, always stayed on his feet.
and never cheated either. See anyone irish for details
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