Now this is undoubtably a kneejerk reaction to a truly abject performance against Chelsea, but bear with me. Is it just me or is it really getting harder and harder to keep up any excitement for Palace any more?
I've lived on the other side of the world for approaching a decade now, during which time the passion has felt like its faded slightly and gradually, but always endured. But recently it's started to feel different. Maybe it's just the perfect storm, but the combination of factors at the moment has left me feeling more numb and disconnected to Palace than I have in my whole life.
Our whole game plan, whilst often effective, has become like a chore to watch. It really is anti-football. When we pull it off, it makes it seem bearable, but when we concede and inevitably have no plan B whatsoever, Jesus it's gut wrenching. I don't mind losing, it's par for the course as Palace fan, but the lack of any kind of real attacking or footballing intent is what gets me. In the odd game sure, but as the starting point against every single side?
This of course has been a fairly long standing issue, but it feels like the arrival or VAR and all that comes with it has really accelerated what feels like downward spiral in fans connection with the game. Nobody can properly celebrate a goal any more, everything is pulled back and examined in slow motion at snails pace under a microscope, sucking the emotion out of the game. Which is compounded when it feels like the professional game itself is drifting further and further away from what most of us know as actual football. Today seemed like the most extreme example I've felt to date, where every player (Palace included) just goes down so easily. Fouls are now given for minimal or no contact every other minute. Fouls that 99% of us would be baffled if they were awarded in game you actually play in. But now it happens in the Premier league and no opposition players protest, no commentators even bat an eyelid. It all just seems so disgustingly accepted that this is how football is played now. as somebody throws themselves to the ground and grabs the ball in the same motion. Popping back to their feet to take the freekick as nobody anywhere on screen disagrees, as if thats how the game is meant to be played?
Then of course the final cherry on top. No fans. This all seemed pretty horrific last season too. But with hindsight, I suppose at least having fans in the stands retained enough compassion to mask the worse of it. Now getting up to watch us play with no little to no attacking intent, whilst never keeping the ball, as 22 players throw themselves to the ground, with VAR lurking around every corner to stiffle any remaining spontaneity, in empty silent stadiums. Just not sure I can be bothered much longer.
As I said at the start, undoubtably a kneejerk reaction, I know. But today really did feel like the straw with broke the camels back. Just me?
I've lived on the other side of the world for approaching a decade now, during which time the passion has felt like its faded slightly and gradually, but always endured. But recently it's started to feel different. Maybe it's just the perfect storm, but the combination of factors at the moment has left me feeling more numb and disconnected to Palace than I have in my whole life.
Our whole game plan, whilst often effective, has become like a chore to watch. It really is anti-football. When we pull it off, it makes it seem bearable, but when we concede and inevitably have no plan B whatsoever, Jesus it's gut wrenching. I don't mind losing, it's par for the course as Palace fan, but the lack of any kind of real attacking or footballing intent is what gets me. In the odd game sure, but as the starting point against every single side?
This of course has been a fairly long standing issue, but it feels like the arrival or VAR and all that comes with it has really accelerated what feels like downward spiral in fans connection with the game. Nobody can properly celebrate a goal any more, everything is pulled back and examined in slow motion at snails pace under a microscope, sucking the emotion out of the game. Which is compounded when it feels like the professional game itself is drifting further and further away from what most of us know as actual football. Today seemed like the most extreme example I've felt to date, where every player (Palace included) just goes down so easily. Fouls are now given for minimal or no contact every other minute. Fouls that 99% of us would be baffled if they were awarded in game you actually play in. But now it happens in the Premier league and no opposition players protest, no commentators even bat an eyelid. It all just seems so disgustingly accepted that this is how football is played now. as somebody throws themselves to the ground and grabs the ball in the same motion. Popping back to their feet to take the freekick as nobody anywhere on screen disagrees, as if thats how the game is meant to be played?
Then of course the final cherry on top. No fans. This all seemed pretty horrific last season too. But with hindsight, I suppose at least having fans in the stands retained enough compassion to mask the worse of it. Now getting up to watch us play with no little to no attacking intent, whilst never keeping the ball, as 22 players throw themselves to the ground, with VAR lurking around every corner to stiffle any remaining spontaneity, in empty silent stadiums. Just not sure I can be bothered much longer.
As I said at the start, undoubtably a kneejerk reaction, I know. But today really did feel like the straw with broke the camels back. Just me?
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