Lack of great players

there seem to be fewer world class players now than there have been in previous generations,

-

There isn't.

Your average footballer is just better than they were a generation ago.

comment by The Lambeau Leap (U21050)
posted 6 minutes ago
there seem to be fewer world class players now than there have been in previous generations,

-

There isn't.

Your average footballer is just better than they were a generation ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

How so and why?

comment by Trigger (U22078)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by The Lambeau Leap (U21050)
posted 6 minutes ago
there seem to be fewer world class players now than there have been in previous generations,

-

There isn't.

Your average footballer is just better than they were a generation ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

How so and why?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The whole culture within football has changed - sports science has resulted in improved training methods / diet / rest etc. This will no doubt have raised the bar across the entire division.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Michael Edwards FC {Proud owner of the 5 000 000th comment} (U2720)
posted 2 hours, 20 minutes ago
I think in midfield and attackers, the game is fine. We just might not appreciate them at the moment but we will in years gone by.

The defenders though, that's where the problem is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think an alternative explanation can also be found in the tactical shifts the game has seen as a result of rule changes and of the hoarding of funds and top players by an elite selection of European clubs.

Nowadays, football is played with a far greater attacking intent than at any time in the '70s, '80s, '90s or early '00s. Defensive lines have been pushed higher and the high press has also resulted in teams increasingly being caught out closer to their own goal when deployed in an attacking formation.

This is the case especially at the bigger clubs, where the remit of defenders (and even goalkeepers) has changed massively. Today, they're expected to participate much more in build up, to be much more capable on the ball and quite often to defend in far fewer numbers. It's no longer enough to hold position when you've got 3 forwards flying at a high defensive line. Very often there's no way your midfield will get back in time to support you, and you're forced into making a high-risk decision to try to anticipate a move and lose your position, no matter how silly you're going to look if you get it wrong.

Likewise, in days gone by defenders would also regularly just hoof the ball up the pitch and leave it up to their fowards and midfielders to scrap for the ball. Not much scope to be made to look poor. Now though, any misplaced pass out of the dozens or even hundreds you have to make each game will leave you looking like a useless idiot.

In reality, the paradigm of what it takes to be a good defender has changed, but quite often they are still judged using the old criteria.

comment by Cheeser (U1422)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Trigger (U22078)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by The Lambeau Leap (U21050)
posted 6 minutes ago
there seem to be fewer world class players now than there have been in previous generations,

-

There isn't.

Your average footballer is just better than they were a generation ago.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

How so and why?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The whole culture within football has changed - sports science has resulted in improved training methods / diet / rest etc. This will no doubt have raised the bar across the entire division.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes. So physically better but not ability wise.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Michael Edwards FC {Proud owner of the 5 000 000th comment} (U2720)
posted 2 hours, 20 minutes ago
I think in midfield and attackers, the game is fine. We just might not appreciate them at the moment but we will in years gone by.

The defenders though, that's where the problem is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think an alternative explanation can also be found in the tactical shifts the game has seen as a result of rule changes and of the hoarding of funds and top players by an elite selection of European clubs.

Nowadays, football is played with a far greater attacking intent than at any time in the '70s, '80s, '90s or early '00s. Defensive lines have been pushed higher and the high press has also resulted in teams increasingly being caught out closer to their own goal when deployed in an attacking formation.

This is the case especially at the bigger clubs, where the remit of defenders (and even goalkeepers) has changed massively. Today, they're expected to participate much more in build up, to be much more capable on the ball and quite often to defend in far fewer numbers. It's no longer enough to hold position when you've got 3 forwards flying at a high defensive line. Very often there's no way your midfield will get back in time to support you, and you're forced into making a high-risk decision to try to anticipate a move and lose your position, no matter how silly you're going to look if you get it wrong.

Likewise, in days gone by defenders would also regularly just hoof the ball up the pitch and leave it up to their fowards and midfielders to scrap for the ball. Not much scope to be made to look poor. Now though, any misplaced pass out of the dozens or even hundreds you have to make each game will leave you looking like a useless idiot.

In reality, the paradigm of what it takes to be a good defender has changed, but quite often they are still judged using the old criteria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't judge a defender on how well he can pass the ball across the back line. I judge them on their positional sense, strength, tackling, leadership.

The fact we can all probably name the Ballon Dor winner for the first 2 or 3 years after Ronaldo and Messi retire says it all.

Good for you.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 4 minutes ago
Good for you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for taking part though