Season › 2024-25 › Opinion › Talking Points Footie in Yesteryear by Trevor Bailey | 18/09/2024 3 Comments [Jump to last] Just to get away from the nightmare that is supporting Everton these days, I came across an online article re Villa winning the European Cup in 1982. It stated that, in that complete season, they used 14 players: 42 league games (it didn't say how many League Cup and FA Cup matches), plus however many to win the biggie. It got me thinking about how complicated the modern game has become. Weird and wonderful tactics, xG (still unsure of that), 5 subs, bloody VAR – I hate that. I well remember games being played on ploughed fields with most teams having at least 2 or 3 serial cloggers. Seeing the goalie go off injured or sent off and an outfield player donning the green jersey. Fun times. Article continues below video content Every team had proper characters. They were hardly ever injured, certainly never I expect were rested because they were tired. Lots of referees were characters in their own right as well, and had decent rapport with the fans. Except that one from '77, can't recall his name… Welsh bastard. Of course there was the hooliganism, and it was bad at times… Heysel anyone? The days of a winger skinning the full-back, sending in a cross for the centre-forward to thump in a header. I also remember Alan Ball doing Rabonas before it ever became a thing. Yes, I do long for those times again. Players went down only after being tackled or kicked so hard they didn't know what had hit them — not after being breathed on too heavily. No feigning facial injuries when knee tapped, no rolling around and thumping their hands on the ground as if they were in their death throes. Also, why do they do that face in the turf thing when players have been gobbing and snotting all over the place? No histrionics. Yes, times have changed, the game is virtually unrecognisable now and will probably become even worse. Oh for the good old days. I feel a bit better now… Ah shit, 1, 2, 3 and I'm back in the room. Return to Talking Points index : Add your Comments » Reader Comments (3) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Dennis Stevens 1 Posted 18/09/2024 at 22:38:32 I'm sure the ball was a lot rounder then too! Derek Thomas 2 Posted 18/09/2024 at 22:46:17 The shirts were bluer and I miss the sky being filled with cushions.I miss the laughter when the 'official' attendance was announced... that new stand won't pay for itself you know, ah the joys of cash at the turnstiles.The smell of the crowd and the roar of the police hose piss.Being able to get home to Garston in 45 minutes on the 500 bus and being young and fit enough to catch it up if I just missed it. Barry Rathbone 3 Posted 18/09/2024 at 23:05:42 If you watch games from days of yore, the space and time players had was vast compared to today's football and teams predominantly competed – they played to win.Today's game as entertainment is almost beyond redemption as pitches are still the same size but athleticism of players makes it appear 30 are playing rather than 22. Just not enough space and people are bored shitless. The game has become a conduit for angst and hatred rather than joy and admiration. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb