I was never a big fan of women's football (apologies to the sisterhood), but l must say the lack of rolling around, surrounding the referee and spitting everywhere makes for a big improvement. Watching the Charity Shield game yesterday really brought the difference into sharp focus (and l speak as a Liverpool supporter).
Another thing of note is that while members of the Lionesses are openly gay, the men's game has a long way to go. I think l'm right in saying there's only one player in the higher echelons who has "come out".
The young lady celebrating in the stands really made me smile. Makes a change from someone getting their head kicked in, or hurling abuse. Apologies, not curmudgeonly.
I was never a big fan of women's football (apologies to the sisterhood), but l must say the lack of rolling around, surrounding the referee and spitting everywhere makes for a big improvement. Watching the Charity Shield game yesterday really brought the difference into sharp focus (and l speak as a Liverpool supporter).
Another thing of note is that while members of the Lionesses are openly gay, the men's game has a long way to go. I think l'm right in saying there's only one player in the higher echelons who has "come out".
The young lady celebrating in the stands really made me smile. Makes a change from someone getting their head kicked in, or hurling abuse. Apologies, not curmudgeonly.
totally agree. The men's game does seem to have inbuilt violence and hostility issues
Don't you think that is down to the money? At the moment, the womens' game is worth peanuts. But if/when the female players get paid a fortune because the clubs earn a fortune due to media rights and worldwide support, then I'll think you'll see the same traits appearing.
The approaching the officials bit is encouraged within the male game by the managers simply because no matter what people say, it put doubts in the officials' minds - and maybe that slight edge will affect the next decision...or if not that one, the one after or...
@steveTu, you're right, l'm not naive enough to think that it will stay that way, especially with more investment in the game.
I read a post somewhere else where someone commented that it reminded them a little of the games in the 50s and 60s, where the game flowed and there weren't these constant interruptions. (Don't get me started on the lengthy VAR decisions).
I can't see the women's game staying the same as it is at the moment, it will be interesting to see when these changes to start to show.
You can understand why the Charity shield - a 'friendly' was so contested yesterday - Liverpool go into the season with that mentality of beating City. That may be worth a point in subsequent matches next season and a point may win the league.
The money is insane isn't it? If you're in the business, getting to the Champions' League is the goal eh? It amazed me with the idiots at Arsenal, who were calling for Wenger to go, when the man had delivered something like 20 consecutive seasons of CL football (and doing that whilst - and I follow Spurs - playing some of the best football and in general revolutionising the English game) - and each season that earnt enough for Arsenal to buy another top class player. The CL kept that 'league within a league' of Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at the top.
Given all that - you see the pressures then placed on the players to 'achieve'. They all then have their own ways of gaining an edge on the pitch - whether that's abusing another player, officials or simply falling over a lot - but whatever, the managers want that edge if the player then gets the team results - and the directors want managers who 'get the best' out of their players. All a very fine line between fair play and outright cheating.
I did see a report that many tickets for earlier matches cost as little as £5 and kids were allowed in free. No wonder they have big crowds. Low ticket prices will possibly encourage some kids to get more involved in sport which is no bad thing.
The fact that there are only 8 teams in the Women's Super League suggests there is a massive gulf between those teams and all the rest, even in England.
@Stevetu The 'Champions' League' really isn't that any more it should be called "The Champions, Runners Up and possibly Third and Four finishers League".
I'm heartily sick of seeing people referred to as heroes when they are doing something which is not in the least heroic. In today's paper the England Women's Football team were referred to as heroes. Dictionary definition - "a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities"
...did I just hear the commentator say in the 'lionesses' game that obviously Germany had been told by their manager to go out and rough up the England players and the England players had responded by kicking the Germans? What?! in the womens' game - and did I see a nasty German hurling abuse at an official because a decision didn't go their way? Slippery slope - all downhill from here - you'll hear loads of high pitched voices singing dubious songs soon...
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Watching the Charity Shield game yesterday really brought the difference into sharp focus (and l speak as a Liverpool supporter).
Another thing of note is that while members of the Lionesses are openly gay, the men's game has a long way to go. I think l'm right in saying there's only one player in the higher echelons who has "come out".
The young lady celebrating in the stands really made me smile. Makes a change from someone getting their head kicked in, or hurling abuse.
Apologies, not curmudgeonly.
The men's game does seem to have inbuilt violence and hostility issues
I read a post somewhere else where someone commented that it reminded them a little of the games in the 50s and 60s, where the game flowed and there weren't these constant interruptions.
(Don't get me started on the lengthy VAR decisions).
I can't see the women's game staying the same as it is at the moment, it will be interesting to see when these changes to start to show.