Following from the var kerfuffle and my assertion that it would likely stop me attending matches eventually I was curious to know if others had things that would or could stop them. Everyone of course has their own preferences/morals so would be interested to see who places what highest and most important to them. Betting company as sponsor? Certain person being at the club? General football decisions such as B Teams etc.?
I have a few issues with football, one's I over look because of my lifetime fascination with Saints. I don't think they could ever really put me off going completely, but I wouldn't swear to that. I think VAR is a giant step in the wrong direction though. Like others have said, its still down to opinion, something I can take from the ref in his one millisecond moment, but not from someone in the shadows making his call. And for anyone saying that's just not true, I can give a little example. Boufals goal against WBA. Had VAR been present that evening, they could well have chalked that off three minutes after he'd scored it because of a 50/50 challenge just before. Seriously, there is a lot at stake here. Sorry, what was the question? ...................
For me is age and the cold....the latter being linked to age. Apart from that only the threat of trouble...which luckily is unlikely at Southampton. I tend not take issue with things...my rule for principles is try not to have any which ruin your enjoyment of something.
I tend not take issue with things ____________________________ How did you feel when var was checking last night? Their goal & ours? I laughed when theirs got ruled out, but I also felt they'd been cheated by the slimmest margin. Someone will probably now tell me it was correct, but for me, it was a goal. When we scored, I just waited, thinking there was a problem. That is not a normal reaction. It spoiled it for me.
A sponsor who I took issue with would certainly make me think twice. The club is not exactly short of cash, so no need to get into bed with any mucky scumbags. Although i guess everyone's definition of who or what constitutes a mucky scumbag will differ.
Perceived big club bias from referees. Seriously, I am likely to stop watching games, am seriously falling out of love with football. Will someone help me. Please, I need some help.
And not bothered by gambling, as long as I was winning lots of cash from it. If it enticed me to lose my house, and subsequently lose my wife and kids, I may, at that juncture, re think my comments. Likely would retract this statement actually.
Obviously pleased it wasn't given, but such small margins cannot be said to have given them an advantage so might as well be a goal/no goal decision by the match officials. VAR can hardly be said to be righting a wrong. 'Correcting' decisions like that is hardly worth the risk of ruining the game.
What about if traditions were eroded? Extreme example but say if Gao wanted us to play in all red and change our name to Southampton Saints?
Saints are Saints.........for me they are the team I support and have done since a nipper. I can’t see anything stopping me supporting them...certainly not technology........not poor referees.......nor poor managers. Once a fan always a fan for me.........
I try not to attend the "glamour" ties if possible,i remember a couple of seasons back city scored and loads of starstruck "fans" were clambering for pictures of Augero etc.
I think most people will cross each bridge as it comes. Mine happened in the 1980’s when fans were herded around like cattle and began being stuck in pens like cattle. Then Hillsborough happened and confirmed my worst fears, so I stopped going, for nearly 30 years. Now pretty much everything is OK, and it’s all a question of perspective. VAR is a tiny pimple on the arse of that which is football, and will be a minor irritant until they sort it out, when it cease to be noticeable.
Didn't Cortese try that? Some years ago, my brother showed me an article about James Beattie buying a boat (not a little dinghy, a big **** off boat fit for a Saudi arms dealer), and pointed out that I was paying for it. That made me think twice but it didn't stop me going.