Football’s FAFO Moment: Why Negativity and ‘Borebags’ Are Killing the Game
Football is far from rubbish; in fact, it’s no more rubbish than it’s ever been. We often forget that when we look back at past decades, we remember iconic moments like Collymore’s goal against Newcastle rather than the more mundane Stoke matches. The real problem, however, isn’t the game itself—it’s the relentless negativity that has dominated the conversation around football, pushing fans away.
There seems to be no space for positivity anymore. Years ago, we celebrated Tony Yeboah’s stunning goals regardless of whether we supported Leeds. Today, every moment is over-analyzed, dissected to death. We’d be treated to endless “analysis” about a keeper’s positioning or why a manager wasted money on pointless transfers. It’s exhausting.
Now, there’s little room for joy. Anything positive is immediately shut down, with a focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s good. We’ve forgotten that there’s enjoyment in the journey, not just the end result. Beating Real Madrid? That should be a big deal—but it’s been overshadowed by endless criticisms of “borebags.” The constant negativity becomes a suffocating cycle, where happy moments are quickly crushed, and any complaint about the endless pessimism is met with further negativity.
Even when a team like Leicester is relegated, the response from pundits is less about empathy and more about blame. No one seems to offer any meaningful insight—just tired, recycled opinions that lack substance. The result is that we’re all left questioning why we’re listening to people who add nothing of value to the conversation.
It’s even harder to be excited about teams like Bournemouth and Brentford, who are defying expectations, because there’s always an attempt to downplay their success. Instead of celebrating their achievements, the conversation always turns back to negativity. This constant barrage of pessimism is wearing people out, and the only escape is to disengage entirely from the game.
Football’s at a crossroads—it’s reached its “FAFO” moment. In chasing engagement from the loudest, most negative voices, it risks alienating the true fans who love the game. The irony is that the very people trying to grab attention with clickbait are the ones driving the sport into the ground. The parasites are killing the host.
SC, Belfast (It’s been a tough week at work, by the way.)
One Liverpool Fan’s Perspective: Three Topics That Are All Liverpool
- On Arsenal Fans Criticizing Liverpool’s League Position
Arsenal fans claiming Liverpool only wins because of VAR bias are mistaken. Liverpool’s success this season is down to consistent performance, not external factors. Arsenal’s drop in form and failure to handle weaker teams is what’s really keeping them from the top. It’s not just about City’s form, it’s about the strength of the competition. - Manager of the Year Debate
There are plenty of worthy contenders for manager of the year. Should it go to the rookie who’s managed to win the league in his first season with limited resources, or to the English manager breaking a long drought since Harry Redknapp? Maybe it should be the manager bringing a fallen European giant back to glory? There’s no shortage of great candidates this year. - On Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent’s defensive ability has been harshly scrutinized. Sure, he’s not world-class, but neither is he terrible. It’s frustrating to see other defenders go unmentioned when they make similar mistakes. The obsession with Trent’s flaws is puzzling.
Why Arsenal’s Horseshoe Strategy Might Be Their Achilles’ Heel
Arsenal’s recent form against teams that sit deep has exposed a flaw in their tactical setup. When teams like Palace defend with a deep block, Arsenal struggles to break them down. The problem lies in Arteta’s cautious approach—avoiding defeat above all else. Against teams that sit back, Arsenal’s reliance on wing play becomes predictable. But when faced with teams that press them or have superior attacking options, they’ve often struggled.
On Why Stewie Needs to Enjoy Football Again
It’s hard to understand why Stewie continues watching Arsenal matches if they bring him so much misery. If supporting Arsenal feels like a chore rather than a joy, maybe it’s time to take a step back. Football should be fun, so why not focus on finding enjoyment again? There’s no shame in taking a break and rediscovering the love for the game, especially if it’s causing so much frustration.
Bolo (If you’re looking for better football, maybe try watching Arsenal Women—they seem to be playing better!)