Oh, superb post Staff, you've got it in one there buddy, the thrill I used to experience back in the 70's has all but evaporated, in fact the last time I got a real buzz at Deepdale was when Laird smashed that rocket in against United.It’s a case of head versus heart at the moment with North End fans.
Call it Generation X versus Generation ‘xG’.
Those who see football as some form of science, who thrill about stats and Match of the Day analysis think Alex Neil is doing a great job.
Those who go with their heart and think it should be about passion, pride, entertainment and excitement tend to think the opposite.
I understand why the modern football fan often leans to the former; the game is more sterile now than it’s ever been (on and off the pitch). This is going to sound patronising I know, but it’s kind of all they’ve ever known and part of me genuinely feels sorry for them.
For me, if you’re more concerned about dissecting performances like some student dissertation, you’re missing the point.
It’s like when you were a kid in science and the geeks would thrill about the workings of a dead frog, splayed out in the lab: ‘Look at the optimal expected thrust generated by the muscle percentage from those back legs!’ 🤓
Personally, I’d rather the frog was still alive and could jump up and make a run (hop!) for it to great cheers from the class: ‘Go on Froggie lad!!’ 😅
Less educational, but far more entertaining.
I don’t know how the game itself (not just North End) brings these two factions together but unless it can, the long-term future looks bleak.
There have been so many mis-steps and mistakes in recent years, it’s never been easier to fall out of love with a sport that some of us barely recognise these days.
It’s a funny thing, but the more I hear that annoyingly smug catch-all soundbite ‘the game has moved on’ the more I feel it’s left something behind. 😔
I never saw Finney play but my recollection of 'chippy' Clark going like a train down the wing and crossing for either Bruce or Elwiss to smash home gives me a warm glow...how i miss those exciting days.