Morning all.
The Women’s World Cup is in full flow and so far, it’s produced some really good games. Why wouldn’t it though, just because the game has been associated with men until recent years, certainly at the level it’s at now, it doesn’t mean the fairer sex can’t play to a high standard. When it comes to cheating, respect shown to the officials, diving and falling over after the slightest of touches, the women could certainly teach their male counterparts a thing or two that’s for sure.
Women playing the ‘mens game’ will always be ridiculed though, by men usually and by women who think, well, women who don’t think it’s right. Or something like that anyway. Women competing in a mans world just isn’t right is it? Pff!! Those days are long gone and rightly so. Football, cricket and rugby are catching up and it won’t be long before the money does too. It already has in tennis thanks largely to BJK all those years ago. Golf too, although perhaps to a slightly lesser degree financially.
For a few years now, the Euros, World Cup and European Finals have produced disappointing matches. This years two between Chelsea and Arsenal followed by Liverpool against Toots were dire I thought. The international game I’ve found so boring I seldom bother to watch and the same goes for the Premier League. Money comes first and I think the game is suffering because of it. Players who have the clubs blood running through their veins are often being overlooked as the search for better goes on on, usually from a club overseas but regardless of how good that find might be, nine times out of ten, they won’t feel the same for the club as a bloke who grew up round the corner will. Who pays best usually wins. Perhaps that’s why the international game is suffering? As far as I know, a footballer, or any sportsperson doesn’t get paid for performing for their country because the privilege should be enough. That’s a debate in itself though.
However, having listened to a number of interviews with players before and during this women’s World Cup, they really are proud to be in France representing their respective countries. Certainly the English ones. It’s refreshing too and I think it shows on the pitch. The women’s game might not be as ‘hard’ as the men’s, but there’s been some tough tackling and tasty battles nevertheless. Certainly plenty of skill to be admired too and I don’t mean that to be as patronising as it might sound, it’s just that I’m of an age where the ‘women can’t play football’ has always been the view. Wrong, women can do anything a man can, just differently and vice versa.
Back in 2014, I tuned in to watch Germany play Brazil in the World Cup semifinal. Should be a great game I thought at the time, even though better Brazil sides have come and gone over the years. But a more one sided affair couldn’t have been imagined as Germany tore the hosts to shreds. 5-0 up, (four in a seven minute spell) with just thirty minutes on the clock. The final score line was 7-1 but only apparently after the German camp agreed at halftime to take their foot off the gas. As far as I can remember, that’s the heftiest of defeats for a country in a men’s World Cup. Between two well established sides I mean.
In the women’s World Cup, back in 2007 Brazil dished out a 4-0 defeat to the USA, nice but the record breaker came from Germany in the same competition when they absolutely tore Argentina apart to win 11-0. In 2015, the Germans were at it again as they breezed past the Ivory Coast 10-0.
However, just a couple of days ago, the USA broke all records by beating Thailand 13-0. A victory which has brought them much criticism. Thailand women are relatively new to the World Cup scene with this year being just their second time of qualifying so should the Americans taken it a little easier on them once they knew the victory was theirs, or were they right to carry on creating history whilst counting the goals as they went in? At what point does being ruthless change to being arrogance? Or even disrespectful? Tough one to answer I reckon.
Anyway, having written all the above, just because I wanted to, here’s what I know you’ll be interested in, although I suspect you’ve seen it by now. The 2019/20 Premier League fixtures. Ours anyway.
| 11/08/2019 | Newcastle Utd | (a) | 14:00 |
| 17/08/2019 | Burnley | (h) | 15:00 |
| 24/08/2019 | Liverpool | (a) | 15:00 |
| 31/08/2019 | Tottenham | (h) | 15:00 |
| 14/09/2019 | Watford | (a) | 15:00 |
| 21/09/2019 | Aston Villa | (h) | 15:00 |
| 28/09/2019 | Manchester Utd | (a) | 15:00 |
| 05/10/2019 | Bournemouth | (h) | 15:00 |
| 19/10/2019 | Sheffield Utd | (a) | 15:00 |
| 26/10/2019 | Crystal Palace | (h) | 15:00 |
| 02/11/2019 | Wolves | (h) | 15:00 |
| 09/11/2019 | Leicester City | (a) | 15:00 |
| 23/11/2019 | Southampton | (h) | 15:00 |
| 30/11/2019 | Norwich City | (a) | 15:00 |
| 03/12/2019 | Brighton | (h) | 19:45 |
| 07/12/2019 | West Ham Utd | (a) | 15:00 |
| 14/12/2019 | Manchester City | (h) | 15:00 |
| 21/12/2019 | Everton | (a) | 15:00 |
| 26/12/2019 | Bournemouth | (a) | 15:00 |
| 28/12/2019 | Chelsea | (h) | 15:00 |
| 01/01/2020 | Manchester Utd | (h) | 15:00 |
| 11/01/2020 | Crystal Palace | (a) | 15:00 |
| 18/01/2020 | Sheffield Utd | (h) | 15:00 |
| 22/01/2020 | Chelsea | (a) | 19:45 |
| 01/02/2020 | Burnley | (a) | 15:00 |
| 08/02/2020 | Newcastle Utd | (h) | 15:00 |
| Winter break | |||
| 22/02/2020 | Everton | (h) | 15:00 |
| 29/02/2020 | Manchester City | (a) | 15:00 |
| 07/03/2020 | West Ham Utd | (h) | 15:00 |
| 14/03/2020 | Brighton | (a) | 15:00 |
| 21/03/2020 | Southampton | (a) | 15:00 |
| 04/04/2020 | Norwich City | (h) | 15:00 |
| 11/04/2020 | Wolves | (a) | 15:00 |
| 18/04/2020 | Leicester City | (h) | 15:00 |
| 25/04/2020 | Tottenham | (a) | 15:00 |
| 02/05/2020 | Liverpool | (h) | 15:00 |
| 09/05/2020 | Aston Villa | (a) | 15:00 |
| 17/05/2020 | Watford | (h) | 15:00 |
Dates and times to suit television might change of course.
Catch up in the comments guys..
For the 8th season we play Spurs at home first – are the fixture setters Spurs fans?
Tough Christmas for us then …but SO GLad we have our last game at home after the last two years when we were away
I don’t think it makes much difference when we play who, they’ve all got to be played. Nice to see a home game on the final day.
Open the season with Spurs and Liverpool and close it the same way , I wonder if Europa semis will fall in the middle of those games.
As for womens football , why not ? However when they start filling the grounds similar for league matches then they can start talking pay parity.
Or when TV channels show more fixtures re the women. That’s what’s making a big difference in the men’s game in my opinion.
Clubs won’t generate £100m off any other way than securing promotion from the championship, funds which must come from the tv deals.
Looking at the fixture list I reckon well be comfortably ensconced at the top of the league by the time the winter break comes around. We will be presented with the Premier League winner’s trophy when we complete the double over Liverpool on the 2nd of May.
What’s that ringing sound?….Oh it’s my alarm clock, what a lovely dream I was having. .😕
As to the women’s game, parity on pay will only come when major teams can regularly fill their home stadiums for run-of-the-mill league games on a regular basis rather than attracting crowds of a few thousand to the small non-league stadiums most teams play in. Arsenal included.
At the end of August we will be close the relegation… and we can’t buy anyone.
Typical Arsenal for the last 20 years
Pay parity only if women match the men in sets played, in tennis, imo , Rico.
Women should ONLY get 3/5 of the prize money because they only play 3 sets in the Majors. Most womens’ tennis consists of boring interchanges of slugging it out and shrieking while they do it.
Monica Seles started the rot and now Sharapova is coming back soon to rejoin the majority who also shriek.
Men’s tennis so much better than the Womens’ in quality and, better value.
I agree with you regarding Women playing Soccer, Golf, Cricket and Rugby though, which is usually highly entertaining and there’s less cheating.
Maybe I’m getting too old, but I wish they’s change a few of the rules in football which would sort out a few of the overpaid “stars” who think they can get away with almost anything, and they do.
Rugby players don’t argue with the referee, the clock gets stopped for certain infringements and, it is run by an independent person.
You don’t need “Extra Time” added on so when the ball goes out of play the clock should be stopped, so the game IS actually 90 minutes and zero seconds. No time-wasting either.
There should be a Sin Bin, like Rugby and Ice Hockey – Yellow Card plus 15 mins in the Sin Bin.
Red card means they’re off of course.
On top of that Rico (take a deep breath) I would like to see two officials employed behind the goals to spot some of the “wrestling” that goes on during corner and free kick situations, and players being fouled which the referee doesn’t spot.
I think most of the current crop of referees are just useless or maybe, with the amount of Online Betting that goes on maybe they have been “reached”. Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Anyway, I’ve had my rant and it’s the weekend coming up shortly so thanks for your articles Rico.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Andorra, in the Slams, it’s already equal pay. I’m sure. I’m glad you’re not involved in equality and wages… lol
Disagree re your ‘value’ comments, it’s all about personal opinion though I guess and haven’t you heard the men grunt?
Jm, surely we’ve no idea how we’ll be or perform until after the transfer window etc.
I totally disagree with the relegation places by August view.
Sorry Rico but equal pay for equal work . In tennis that clearly is not the case.
We’ll have to agree to differ Potter. To be fair though, my intention wasn’t ever to spark a debate about equality or wages…
My wife grunts everytime she see`s me, probably just a coincidence that a tennis racket looks like a frying pan, the frying pan is less forgiving…………new balls please !.
Thanks Rico. I love the womans game as Arsenal are the best, the skills are just as good as the mens as there is no reason whatsoever why the skills should be any different and I`m sure there`s plenty of woman players who are more skillfull than most of our mens Arsenal team….. the only difference is the strength and fitness!
Hello rico, the premiership kicks off on a Friday nite with games on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sky & BT have been joined by Amazon Prime this season who will be showing some 20 odd games…..ever get the feeling your being fleeced !
Half way through June and still waking up most mornings thinking last season was a Bobby Ewing moment…..what a shit end to the season it was !
Oh I don’t know Lc, I reckon Ozil would lose a 50/50 against most women in the game.. lol
Maybe the sight of my wifes frying pan would make Ozil work harder !……………………Burgess has just lost his job and there` a vacancy ! 😆
Morning all:
The fact is women’s sport doesn’t attract the same sponsorship dollars as men’s sport and that’s why there won’t be equal pay.
Supply and demand.
If we go down that path, then where does it end?
Should every athlete playing a particular game not earn exactly the same money, regardless of ability or gender?
Off topic, it was very Disappointing to see our Aussie national women’s side take to the tactic of hitting the deck at every opportunity this morning but hey, we won so all is well lol
Have we signed anyone yet guys 🙂 🙂
Hope everyone has been well,
I’ve been battling a flu for two weeks and speaking of equality, why does it hit men ten times worse than it does the ladies hahahahaha
Ive lost about 5 kilos though, so two more doses of it and I’ll be at my fighting weight lol
Hi Micko, I missed your comment earlier. I like that analogy, but I would being a Dallas and Patrick Duffy fan. Lol
Stop moaning Scott, a lemsip and soup fixes us ladies… lol
Cheating Aussies, first cricket and now football, whatever next? 😜
Hahaha Rico, I’m not happy about it.
I find it embarrassing!!
Morning Rico. I see that the Arsenal world is bursting with excitement as the realities of last season have been digested and next season becomes the focus.
I wouldn’t either Scott. How Smith and Warner are playing again so soon is beyond me,.
Morning Adam, isn’t it just. I see Kos might be going. Makes sense to me.
Rico. So much to talk about😀
Getting Gayle out Adam. 😂
I’m glad he’s out Rico, 😀
Me too Adam. We need to win this one.
Rico, English, South African and Indian captains have copped 3 game suspensions for the same thing.
At least our own board gave these guys a decent suspension.
Morning all.
Adam,
Social media abuzz lol
The irony is ball tampering is cheating, naturally, but so is diving yet when I’ve called out for a 12 month ban for divers, I reckon 99% disagree with me.
I guess because cricket has always been the gentleman’s game, it’s seen differently but really, it’s no different imo.
India must be favourites to win the World Cup atm, but they’ve been known to implode before.
England Scott? When was that, must have missed it… lol
Scott. Surely a 12 month ban for diving would find most clubs unable to muster enough players for a team. Harry Kane would never play a competitive game again.
At least we wouldn’t see Ozil for a year though…. 😆
Rico, didn’t Atherton get done?
I’m pretty sure he did.
Adam, that’s true.
Plenty of clubs would be light on for numbers in quick time lol
Atherton in 1994.
$2,000.00 fine.
Tendulkar in 2001, one match ban which was overturned because, well, India run cricket lol
Inzam Ul Haq In 2006, 4 match ban.
Shahid Afridi In 2010-2 match ban.
Faf Du Plessis, the South African prick in 2013 AND 2016.
Lost half his match fee, then his full match fee.
Thank goodness Australia’s Cricket board actually care about the best interests of the game, as our boys got what they deserved, imo.
Imagine FIFA made a solid stance against diving, though?
It has to be them as it must be worldwide.
It couldn’t be a bad thing for the game, I reckon.
Warner should have got a life ban for being an arsehole of epic proportions
I remember now Scott. Never liked Atherton anyway. Pompous private schoolboy…
Adam, you’d never hear me defending the little shit!!
I can not stand him.
He’s a low grade human being.
Rico, I’m not suggesting our boys didn’t deserve what they got, just that I hope now all cheats are dealt with in such a manner.
Hi Scott, hope you have have recovered from your near death experience of Man Flu, I too was on a life support system for nearly a month a year ago.
It is a medical fact that men suffer most as a womens immune system is stronger amongst other things like they have a stronger heart etc`………….but if you dont pull through mate, I will name our next puppy after you in your honour…………little Skippy……sorry …..little Scotty !
Hahahaha thanks LC, I’ll make it-hopefully 🙂
Morning Rico and all. That’s true Scott. You’ve never praised Warner and have always been a staunch supporter of fair play with a particular distaste for divers. Good onya. 😃
Morning Adam and all.
Agree re Warner, horrid cricketer but I’m sure he’s a lovely bloke. 😝
Scott, just think a year is a bit lenient..
Lionesses through to the next round by beating Argentina one nil after having a penalty saved. While the Argies did their best to raise women’s football to the level of the men’s game…..at least as far as mobbing the ref, feigning injury and time wasting. They would have gladdened Tony Pulis’s heart the way they played, bus parking of a high degree and some pretty wild challenges thrown in.
I watched it Cicero, wasn’t a game typical of this World Cup that’s for sure. England should have romped it really but their passing was sometimes all over the place. Reminded me of another team although I can’t think who… lol
New post up now