Style or Success – what would you rather?
Manchester United have dominated the Premier League era in English football under Sir Alex Ferguson combining young talent, experienced heads and shrewd work in the transfer market over the years. United were able to combine both playing attractive football and winning trophies – something that is becoming less of trend.
The Premier League has always had the teams that are known for long ball, physical football, but I feel that there are more teams than ever in the English game overall that are ruining the way our football it being displayed to the world. Thankfully however, some teams have decided that they will continue to play attractive football and they surely are the teams we all want to watch as a neutral.
After watching Newcastle’s excellent win at Stoke City last night it occurred to me of how much teams have to adapt depending on their opponents. Stoke City only seemed interested in throwing the ball into the penalty area and pushing their way to goal with every attack. It was extremely ugly to watch and I was delighted that Demba Ba dismantled them at the other end for a victory for style, even if they did not play champagne football on the night.
Manchester City are another breath of fresh air, playing exciting attacking football that has been a joy to watch throughout the first quarter of this season. Signings such as David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri evidently show that Roberto Mancini prefers neat passing to long ball football.
Some will argue that the money has made it easy for them to play good football but this is not always the case. When Chelsea came into their fortunes, they signed the likes of Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel and were not as pleasing on the eye as City have been this season. When Chelsea are on Sky, not many non-Chelsea fans will honestly say they are excited to watch them, unlike City.
Arsene Wenger has come under increased pressure to bring in trophies at the Emirates Stadium over the past 12 months, but rather than lose their identity and become a boring, former 1-0 side, they have stuck with what they know and may finally be seeing the rewards. Recent years have been tough for the Gunners lonely trophy cabinet but pleasing for football fans in general who have been able to enjoy watching any game that involves the North London club.
Fans will always want their club to be successful and Mancini and Ferguson have proved that it is possible to achieve this playing great football. Managers and coaches have their own ideas and get reputations how their sides play on the pitch.
Sam Allardyce at West Ham has come under criticism all throughout his managerial career for his style of play. However, West Ham fans seem fairly content that their side can play his style of football and win games and eventually earn promotion.
Some say the West Ham way of playing is the neat, one touch football that has been slightly lost this year in replace for some good results and a positive league position. However, playing the West Ham way over the past two years has not worked and so a change was needed at Upton Park. So if West Ham gain promotion then their fans will be happy and the manager will keep his job.
If your club plays poor football and wins, you will be happy. If it plays good football and loses you will be left frustrated. If you play great football and win then you’re probably from Manchester.
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“I feel that there are more teams than ever in the English game overall that are ruining the way our football it being displayed to the world”
Errr…..
Which teams are these? You mention Stoke, is that it? All the newly promoted teams are playing open, attacking footy, and goal-scoring records are being broken this season already, so I think you are plain wrong.
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m kop Reply:
November 1st, 2011 at 7:07 pm
I guess PL should look up to Serie A.
In Italy defense is so good, they are capable of playing six games a day with no goals.
In England recently players like Kun Aguero are ruining the game by opening up the defense and scoring goals or creating chances for others to score.
Bring back Mourinho and Benitez, put a stop to this madness!
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as the special one says ‘you dont build a house starting from the roof’ sort out the substance and the style will soon follow.
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Kiaora (Greetings).
I love great attacking football
because it is pleasing to view and it excites me especially when results are achieved with winning.
As for playing attractive football, I guess it maybe acceptable to expect that the most superior teams domestically (PL) can win using “attractive football”, but for teams that are struggling and hovering in and around the relegation zone I don’t expect them to adhere to this philosophy…playing attractive football”
Many people are quick to criticise Stoke City as being boring or even being “anti-football”, but their direct, aggressive style has kept this relatively small club with limited resources in the Premier League, no mean feat in today’s money-driven football age. And they have a squad suited to playing in that style.
So, if the ‘Boots Fit…The debate of aesthetics vs success has raged in football for a long time and while certainly the neutral craves exciting, attacking tactics the game has increasingly become a results driven business.
Money dictates…and that can be “extremely ugly” especially for struggling clubs.
Cheers.
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