By Hugh Southon
I want to believe it’s going to get better!
But when after just two games we see one of the worst refereeing cock-ups ever, a game of 3 out of 10 quality and in the case of Sheffield United a team looking as though they were entirely disinterested I’m not that hopeful.
The later game – between Man City and Arsenal was better but then that’s to be expected given the quality. However, David Luiz became a red card victim through. I’d suggest, lack of fitness and a couple of injuries demonstrated the fears many managers had expressed – the return my have been too quick.
Ok, the Premier League is back but in a form which is entirely unrecognisable and let me be honest I didn’t enjoy it.
Like most right minded people I have 1,000 per cent sympathy for the Black lives Matter movement. Taking to the knee and wearing shirts bearing the slogan however, demonstrated we are in an entirely different world to the one we left behind 100 days ago.
In truth, as far as everything connected with my lifelong devotion to the game is concerned, the only word I can find to describe my feelings is WEIRD.
Like most of us i guess I live my life in a Hammers bubble – ‘scuse the pun – and really hope the feelings i have become used to experiencing come flooding back on Saturday evening.
Eventually of course everything will be ok again but right now it all feels manufactured and artificial.
If I was rating the return from my own point of view I would give last night’s experience around that 3/10.
COYI
Don’t worry Hugh, I’m sure it will definitely improve. I watched the Bundesliga from the restart and it got better as the teams returned to match sharpness and got used to the conditions.
That Villa game really needed that disallowed goal so breathe some life into it!
I couldn’t give it 3, for me it was 0.
I for one never do pre season games because lack of passion, loads of substitutions and lack of atmosphere.
This is what we have now.
Subs, clearly big clubs have an advantage the difference between Man City and Sheffield United options is huge, so they have changed the basis of competition mid season and it shows.
Why drinks breaks 10 mins either sides of half time are needed, if players need a drink walk off the pitch and get one when there is an injury.
My friends who all love football of various clubs all turned off at half time.
For me for Saturday, I would keep the pacy guys on the bench until the last 25 mins, both games the players were on their knees for last 20 mins and games opened up.
Wasn’t worth the rush back in mine and friends view.
Hopefully the play off games are more interesting..