Why football is becoming boring

[Deleted]

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/7ruba7shs4/the-slow-death-of-the-screamer

Really interesting article on how and why the game is less exciting. The title refers to the decline in the number of long range 'screamer' goals and links to another article on a 2006 Goal of the Month competitions with footage that beggars belief compared to today.
Shows how the data analysts have taken over the way the game is played - we pretty much know that, but here is the proof - and also how social media has affected players attitudes to 'having a go'. It seems they fear the backlash of fans' opinions and essentially are playing safe, far too much.
There's also stuff on how match analyses are sucking the life out of games by showing that, for example, long range shots had a very low success rate, with a far greater chance of scoring once in the goal area.
Ok, not exactly rocket science, but managers and coaches are now actively promoting the 'percentages' approach, leading far fewer chances being attempted.
Remember when Arsen Wenger's Arsenal were accused of wanting to walk the ball into the net? It probably all started then.
Well worth reading.

[Deleted]

At the top level, I would agree that the game is becoming more stats driven and less entertaining.

The perfect example is the Pep effect. Not going to deny his ability to organise a team and win games but it is dull to watch unless it’s your team. He has turned Grealish from a maverick and entertaining player into a robot. It gets results though.

[Deleted]

This was an interesting listen on my commute to work the other day. Not exactly an expose but an interesting listen to how it all works and the profiling that goes on.

[Deleted]

Some cracking goals there. The video in the article didn’t work for me but here it is on YouTube for anyone having the same issue.

youtu.be/lhYLwinj-kI?si=BV0kbGHM54JIFmzJ

[Deleted]

Sept 12, 2024 7:55:13 GMT @61666 said:

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/7ruba7shs4/the-slow-death-of-the-screamer

Really interesting article on how and why the game is less exciting. The title refers to the decline in the number of long range 'screamer' goals and links to another article on a 2006 Goal of the Month competitions with footage that beggars belief compared to today.
Shows how the data analysts have taken over the way the game is played - we pretty much know that, but here is the proof - and also how social media has affected players attitudes to 'having a go'. It seems they fear the backlash of fans' opinions and essentially are playing safe, far too much.
There's also stuff on how match analyses are sucking the life out of games by showing that, for example, long range shots had a very low success rate, with a far greater chance of scoring once in the goal area.
Ok, not exactly rocket science, but managers and coaches are now actively promoting the 'percentages' approach, leading far fewer chances being attempted.
Remember when Arsen Wenger's Arsenal were accused of wanting to walk the ball into the net? It probably all started then.
Well worth reading.

I must be a genius then, I've always known that!

[Deleted]

But if you don’t shoot, you can’t score. Bearing in mind how crowded it gets in the penalty area, it must be worth mixing it up and trying long shots sometimes. Like George’s goal in his last match as a player, for example.

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2024 6:35:50 GMT headstone said:

But if you don’t shoot, you can’t score. Bearing in mind how crowded it gets in the penalty area, it must be worth mixing it up and trying long shots sometimes. Like George’s goal in his last match as a player, for example.

Of course - always worth a try, and frequently the great goals that everyone remembers.

But if that's all you ever did, you wouldn't win many games. The bread and butter goals that win games nearly always come from close in. If you're not in the area, you're not likely to score.

Of course, there is also the minor matters of accuracy and not kicking it straight at the goalie...