Hello everyone (anyone? ha-ha-ha!?) -
Watching Everton v. Wigan go to intermission 0-0. Everton doesn't look too crisp like they have in the past. But, of course, I don't see them too often, especially here in the states. Wigan looks like a collection of very young guys who are trying to get used to playing in the EPL.
Everton had a free kick and one of the Wigan wall guys started his run to block the ball at the same time the Everton striker was taking the kick. So, of course, he was about two feet from the placement when the ball ricocheted off of his back. The ref immediately stopped play and started walking towards the offender, who proceeded to shake his hands/head and state ignorance on what he had just done. He got a yellow card. The EPL is starting to look like the US NBA; it seems that more and more players are raising their hands in disbelief when they don't get a call or if they get tackled in a manner they don't like - I mean on small things! I've watched a lot of EPL classics, and this constant pouting/body language is a fairly new thing. And the diving has become shameful. And I must be honest - I really don't like foreign ownership in the EPL (or any other sport for that matter). Teams should be owned by citizens/investors of their host countries - period. And my EPL team is owned by an American whose NFL football team has been a disaster for years (Cleveland Browns). I don't want American sporting-type influences on the EPL - period.
I've been watching EPL for about 2.5 years now, when work allows, and I've learned quite a bit about the game (which I completely ignored prior to watching Aston Villa defeat Chelsea 2-0 back in 2007 (?) - John Carew being the player that first made me realize what a great game it is; he was great that day). Understand, I did not watch football/soccer ever. Prior to the AV/Chelsea turning point, I had glimpsed some Argentinian football in mid-summer, which was bizarre because in Texas it is 133* in July, yet these Argentinians were in the freezing cold playing football/soccer ("football" from this point forward - if I refer to American football, it will be in context). I thought the Argentinians were great athletes, and the fans were crazy. Some mental circuit clicked during the viewing, but wouldn't be fully completed until I watched the famed Chelsea vs. Aston Villa match later in the month.
After that, I couldn't get enough EPL and football in general. I subscribed to Setanta (over here it is very expensive compared to the overall cost for satellite), which has been an absolute Godsend for an eclectic like me. I now get to see the SPL, rugby, and Irish Hurling, which is just amazing. Also, having the ability to view sports events in small towns on TV is something we hardly ever see in America. I love it when a small-ish town Rugby team's match is on Setanta - you can see the town behind the intimate grounds, ancient iron work adorning the roof line, usually spelling out the town or team's name. At times, the stands are very empty, but when near full it just gives one a feeling of "this is how sport should be."
I'm a bit off-topic, but so what. In the USA, it's all "biggest and most expensive is best", and this has been growing for a few decades. Team owners blackmail citizens with threats of moving the beloved team unless a brand-new palatial stadium is erected with mostly or full taxpayer backing. Depending on the sport, our athletes are cheating by using performance-enhancing drugs, just to get that big contract worth more money than some small counties' GDP. And the common fan continues to be priced out of the game - try $25.00-$75.00 parking fees and $7.00 sodas. Up your parking fee robbery.
Everyone is making out like robber barons except the fans. No, the fan's only stake is loyalty, and hardly any athlete/owner even knows the meaning of that word. However, the most depressing fact is that we continue to allow it all to happen. I may insist on never paying to watch an NFL football game, but I'll turn right back around and catch the Texans on TV when I can. I'll also pay Setanta's outrageous monthly fee in order to get my extra helpings of European sports, all the while knowing where most of that money goes. I've played and been a fan of sports for too long to just stop cold turkey. Maybe if we had a huge fan rebellion it would be easier. That would be so unbelievably great to put these greedy players/owners behind the 8-ball.
I just wish, somehow, that we could prioritize in this country. Perhaps we've become so depressed at the state of our poor priorities that we'll pay anything for the escapism of sport.
Back to EPL. Of course, during intermission I switched to Setanta, and while "getting into" writing the last few paragraphs, I forgot about the game. I now switch back and it's 1-1. I just love it when I miss goals! Oh, well, back to finishing the Aston Villa topic.
When I tell people who know about these things that I'm an Aston Villa supporter, they usually cringe or act as if I've opted to buy a Pinto over a 300zx. At first I just put it down to regionalism and intense defense of one's football team (which I love about the EPL, though hooliganism is just for true idiots/criminals). But as I gained knowledge, the prevailing view seems to be that Aston Villa is bemoaned by its own fans about as much as by rivals. Support is seemingly okay, but at a constant cost of doubt. And I truly believe that doubt makes its way onto the pitch in Aston Villa's case. Most top-flight teams can overcome shaky support or fan doubt in a trend of success. Aston Villa seem to have a LONG history of this brand of fan behaviour, and I think it has permanently soaked into the team's "soul". It will take a team with remarkable chemistry and grit to overcome this decades-long manic-depressive type fan nature. Losing Gareth Barry was a step in the very wrong direction. And now recently, going out to Rapid Vienna on away goals. How should a supporter react? The team has such an up-and-down, Jekyll-Hyde personality.
Now, if a rabid Aston Villa fan happens to read this post, please don't come with:"What do you know? You're an American, a new fan, and still learning football! I've been watching since '63 and you don't know anything about Villa!" etc etc etc
Like I've said - still learning. One thing you could educate me on is salaries; are they getting completely out of control? They've been just plain stupid over here for about two decades now. I'd be interested to hear a longtime EPL fan's perspective.
Well, this post went WAY too long. Still 1-1 at 89:11. Come on, Everton! 5 on 2 rush by Wigan...GREAT save! This is going to draw. PENALTY KICK GIVEN at 92:11! Close on the penalty, but deserved. PK GOOD! Everton 2-1! Almost 3-1 - really should've got that third. But over now...see, this is why football is the best! One mistake with just a few seconds left in the match and the entire thing is turned around. Shame to see such a hard-fought game by Wigan go up in flames like that, but you just can't do that in the box, young man. Like in the first part of this post, young teams will make crucial mistakes.
Aston Villa v. Fulham tonight 7:00! (tape delay, but that's just fine) GO CAREW! GO VILLA!
Later!
