BTID, on 26 August 2011 - 00:54, said:
I don't know how you can just brush away my comments regarding both nations. Qatar, a country with 3 times less our population is hosting the biggest football event in the world...albeit with a lot of investment. South Africa had/has a lot of issues with crime and poverty - but they hosted a WC. Also Austria Switzerland are pretty similar to us as a footballing nation in terms of abilty, club
level, size etc and they held 08. Aside from
that, I think we are a great nation at hosting events.
Also, with regards to Uraguay, I brought it up to show what can be done in a country with a small population - as it seemed to be the reason to dismiss us v anyone most populated. As you have then discussed, you can appreciate there is a lot more to ones population. My point is that I feel, despite our small population, we can do more to improve the running of our game. We need to do more to be the best we can be. Can we honestly say that everything is being done to improve our game?
...And now you've become a slave to population. Next you'll be telling me "but China has lots of people and shite football!1". You know fine well why Qatar got the bid, it is because they are ludicrously rich and can afford to build magnificent stadiums. They are also from a part of the world that has not hosted the World Cup and FIFA is keen to expand there. Hint : We aren't. I don't think the likes of Scotland or England will ever host the world cup again, you can't make football bigger here so what's the point? The Euros is slightly different but Scotland are out as of 24 teams anyway.
So because South Africa has "issues" that means Scotland can host a Euros? The two situations are not even remotely comparable, there was always going to be a world cup in Africa and in sub saharan Africa South Africa was really the only viable option. And yeah it does have problems but it hosted a pretty good tournament.
Austria and Switzerland are both considerably larger nations than Scotland, with the latter being more than twice the size. The fact we are on the level of them is an incredible achievement but it doesn't relate to having the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament. Scotland and Ireland combined still doesn't have the population of Switzerland alone.
What, you think the Uruguay example is some kind of kryptonite? Sure they've done well but it's not as if they are some footballing powerhouse over the past few years, they've only qualified for 2 of the last 5 world cups. And of course you can only beat what is in front of you but how many footballing giants have they beaten on this incredible run? 1, Argentina, and that was on penalties. They were in the easy side of the draw in the World Cup and only beat Ghana on penalties, after they missed a last minute penalty. When they faced a decent side they were pumped out.
Even in Copa America they only won three games in normal time in the entire tournament. Sure they are better than us, sure they are better than nearly every footballing nation on earth, but do you think they prove that population is
not a factor? Player quality is cyclical, and they have a golden generation at the moment. If 5, 10 nations below our size were doing a lot better then it would be concern, 1 is an anomaly.
This is always the favoured retreat, but we can still improve! Do you think we are doing absolutely everything!? Of course we aren't, and of course we can improve, just like Messi can improve at dribbling, just like Xavi can improve at passing. I've already highlighted my severe misgivings with youth football, but there is a difference between wanting to improve (continuous improvement) and screaming crisis every fucking year. What happened last night was a failure of the Old Firm and, specifically, the Old Firm managers. It doesn't matter how they try and spin it it does not relate to "Scottish football" at all. St. Mirren are the best they've been in 20 years, we are doing very well at the moment both on an off the pitch. So Scottish football is hardly dying, just our two biggest clubs have hired a shaved orangutan and a man who spent most of his post playing career being laughed at on television.
BTID, on 26 August 2011 - 01:13, said:
Yes I'd tend to agree with that point on aspiration not expectation.
As to a revamp, as I've mentioned already, I really think the german model is excellent. Firstly, clubs have to have long term financial stability otherwise everyone just spends money on players they can't really afford
to ensure they remain at the top...hence
the reason clubs take such a hit when going down to div 1.
In order to be on a sound financial footing you need a strong backing from the local
community/town/city. IMO there needs to be more fan input into clubs. Issues such as ticket pricing, travel etc is driving customers away. We need more members of their communities to feel inclusive to their club...clearly that is not the case with a
lot of clubs. I always feel if you have some
affilication with a club ie you play for a supporters team, you are a coach/parent of
a boys club under that team name etc then you are more likely to become involved with the club. Perhaps community hubs is the way forward, which is a social enterprise - an inclusion for all project. Just a thought.
Clubs in the SPL are on a very sound long term financial footing compared to, say, England.
And all this talk of community is window dressing. St. Mirren are apparently in a 'community based takeover' which apparently means nothing substantial.
Uncle Psychosis, on 26 August 2011 - 07:25, said:
All the hand-wringing and "Scottish football is dying" stuff is clearly OTT nonsense and I for one had a right good chuckle at the results last night. However, that doesn't mean that should just sit here and be happy with "we're a small nation who has punched above our weight".
Yes, we're small. Yes, in terms of results we probably have done better than we should have "on paper". Yes, we have far less money than the English game so comparisons to them are pointless.
The problem, for me, is that judged purely on its own merits Scottish football is chronic. Basic skills are lacking, fitness levels are poor, matches are overpriced, and police/stewards/administrators seem intent on sucking any enjoyment supporters might have right out of the game. For too long we've stuck with a "blood n' snotters is best" approach to how football should be played and that brand of football just doesn't work at a decent level anymore.
We don't need to be a massively rich or populous country to create footballers who actually behave like athletes, or who are comfortable with the ball at their feet instead of just hoofing it every time they get into a little bit of trouble.
So, we can't sit there thinking it despite the fact it is true?
Given the myriad of problems we apparently have its a wonder we punch well above our weight at all. Even when it's right it's wrong, apparently.
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