You can put an Arsenal shirt on a cage full of monkeys but it doesn't mean I'm going to support them in a shit-throwing contest. The standard is appalling - and it really fucking is, I've actually got a fair amount of perspective on women's football - but that's not really it. I wouldn't give a shit if it was half-decent, just like I don't really give a shit how the U16s team do beyond what it means for our future prospects. For me supporting Arsenal is about supporting THE Arsenal team, not just any bunch of people who wear the shirt.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
Really??northbank123 wrote:You can put an Arsenal shirt on a cage full of monkeys but it doesn't mean I'm going to support them in a shit-throwing contest. The standard is appalling - and it really fucking is, I've actually got a fair amount of perspective on women's football - but that's not really it. I wouldn't give a shit if it was half-decent, just like I don't really give a shit how the U16s team do beyond what it means for our future prospects. For me supporting Arsenal is about supporting THE Arsenal team, not just any bunch of people who wear the shirt.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
Absolutely. To me the women's team are like the Masters team - I can understand why some people care but really I couldn't give a flying fuck. As I said the standard is appalling and despite the rise in participation and rebranding the reality is that the women's teams are still generally disengaged from the clubs - a couple of pages in the matchday programme and the odd presentation on the pitch doesn't really make them an integral part of the club imo.Basil is a Gooner wrote:Really??northbank123 wrote:You can put an Arsenal shirt on a cage full of monkeys but it doesn't mean I'm going to support them in a shit-throwing contest. The standard is appalling - and it really fucking is, I've actually got a fair amount of perspective on women's football - but that's not really it. I wouldn't give a shit if it was half-decent, just like I don't really give a shit how the U16s team do beyond what it means for our future prospects. For me supporting Arsenal is about supporting THE Arsenal team, not just any bunch of people who wear the shirt.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
Its comments like that which do my head in about Women's football ... and make me post at length on something I don't want to even think about.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
The aspect that would likely mean that a men's team from Hackney Marshes would beat a ladies team has nothing to do with their ability. It is simply down to the fact that a man going into a tackle with a woman would likely result in her being crippled. It's totally down to strength not ability. The standard in respect of the skill level is wthout question as good as some lower league mens teams. I played in those leagues and can see that some of these girls are better than players I played with.Clash wrote:As for the standard, I'm sorry but it is still woeful. The comment above about it being a higher or similar standard than the men's lower league (something I have seen said by far too many people) is just so untrue it defies belief. The women's teams around the country would win virtually no games against anyone that plays on Hackney Marshes let alone ay pro or semi pro teams. And having grown up watch the men's game, what the women produce is unwatchable for me ... unless I'm watching for non-football reasons!
Still trying to ride Basil, huh Spuddy...?SPUDMASHER wrote:The aspect that would likely mean that a men's team from Hackney Marshes would beat a ladies team has nothing to do with their ability. It is simply down to the fact that a man going into a tackle with a woman would likely result in her being crippled. It's totally down to strength not ability. The standard in respect of the skill level is wthout question as good as some lower league mens teams. I played in those leagues and can see that some of these girls are better than players I played with.Clash wrote:As for the standard, I'm sorry but it is still woeful. The comment above about it being a higher or similar standard than the men's lower league (something I have seen said by far too many people) is just so untrue it defies belief. The women's teams around the country would win virtually no games against anyone that plays on Hackney Marshes let alone ay pro or semi pro teams. And having grown up watch the men's game, what the women produce is unwatchable for me ... unless I'm watching for non-football reasons!
In comparison to professional men it is without doubt woeful but I think your observations are harsh to say the least.
I get what you're saying about the technique / ability thing and there is no reason why women cant be very skilful but women playing against other women means they're getting time to show their ability. I've seen male players who look like cloggers when they're playing for their clubs look a different class to almost everyone else when they play in a park game and have more time on the ball etc.SPUDMASHER wrote:The aspect that would likely mean that a men's team from Hackney Marshes would beat a ladies team has nothing to do with their ability. It is simply down to the fact that a man going into a tackle with a woman would likely result in her being crippled. It's totally down to strength not ability. The standard in respect of the skill level is wthout question as good as some lower league mens teams. I played in those leagues and can see that some of these girls are better than players I played with.Clash wrote:As for the standard, I'm sorry but it is still woeful. The comment above about it being a higher or similar standard than the men's lower league (something I have seen said by far too many people) is just so untrue it defies belief. The women's teams around the country would win virtually no games against anyone that plays on Hackney Marshes let alone ay pro or semi pro teams. And having grown up watch the men's game, what the women produce is unwatchable for me ... unless I'm watching for non-football reasons!
In comparison to professional men it is without doubt woeful but I think your observations are harsh to say the least.
Its comments like this that do MY head in!Clash wrote:Its comments like that which do my head in about Women's football ... and make me post at length on something I don't want to even think about.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
In response to that comment ... no they are NOT Arsenal and never should be seen as anything to do with Arsenal. Their achievements do not have even the smallest fraction of importance to me and I refuse to say otherwise just to look like I am open minded and modern in my thinking.
I do not want to be told about their latest results while I am at an Arsenal game and I hate it when they are allowed to parade their latest meaningless trophy around pitch at half time of a 1st team game. Are we meant to feel obligated to congratulate them? What this really boils down to is a group of people taking applause of off someone else's crowd and there is something a bit pathetic about that. Get your own crowd if you're that important. And I wonder, who funds this nonsense? Does it pay for itself? If not it should be scrapped immediately!
I totally agree with NB123's comments on here and I did not know that the Bristol Academy have tried to create something of their own. I too have much more respect for that than I do the other ladies teams latching on the names of established clubs to give them a kick start and a ready made fan base. Women's football doesn't have any extra relevance because they play under the famous club names from the men's game.
As for the standard, I'm sorry but it is still woeful. The comment above about it being a higher or similar standard than the men's lower league (something I have seen said by far too many people) is just so untrue it defies belief. The women's teams around the country would win virtually no games against anyone that plays on Hackney Marshes let alone ay pro or semi pro teams. And having grown up watch the men's game, what the women produce is unwatchable for me ... unless I'm watching for non-football reasons!
) that it is down to physicality alone, the women have the skill. What was different from Kelly Smiths fa cup free kick to Santi's? Unbelievable.Are you being serious?Basil is a Gooner wrote:Its comments like this that do MY head in!Clash wrote:Its comments like that which do my head in about Women's football ... and make me post at length on something I don't want to even think about.Basil is a Gooner wrote:In all seriousness, can you all explain to me why you don't support the Arsenal Ladies? Whether the standard of their game is (in your opinion) not as good as the mens, or whether you think they should be at home ironing your pants, or for whatever sexist other reason you may come up with, surely they are still Arsenal (you know - the team we all support?)
In response to that comment ... no they are NOT Arsenal and never should be seen as anything to do with Arsenal. Their achievements do not have even the smallest fraction of importance to me and I refuse to say otherwise just to look like I am open minded and modern in my thinking.
I do not want to be told about their latest results while I am at an Arsenal game and I hate it when they are allowed to parade their latest meaningless trophy around pitch at half time of a 1st team game. Are we meant to feel obligated to congratulate them? What this really boils down to is a group of people taking applause of off someone else's crowd and there is something a bit pathetic about that. Get your own crowd if you're that important. And I wonder, who funds this nonsense? Does it pay for itself? If not it should be scrapped immediately!
I totally agree with NB123's comments on here and I did not know that the Bristol Academy have tried to create something of their own. I too have much more respect for that than I do the other ladies teams latching on the names of established clubs to give them a kick start and a ready made fan base. Women's football doesn't have any extra relevance because they play under the famous club names from the men's game.
As for the standard, I'm sorry but it is still woeful. The comment above about it being a higher or similar standard than the men's lower league (something I have seen said by far too many people) is just so untrue it defies belief. The women's teams around the country would win virtually no games against anyone that plays on Hackney Marshes let alone ay pro or semi pro teams. And having grown up watch the men's game, what the women produce is unwatchable for me ... unless I'm watching for non-football reasons!
Have you seen the Arsenal Ladies honours list - or does their FA Cup etc not mean as much as the one it took the men 9 years to win? Have you ever watched the Arsenal Ladies play? Did you know Rachel Yankey is the most capped England player (over the men)? Need I go on? At least Spud has agreed with me (for the first time ever
there just isnt the interest and I dont think that there ever will be.Basil is a Gooner wrote:I think all I am trying to get my head round is my original question, why are Arsenal Ladies viewed differently to Arsenal men?!
Because Arsenal are the team that everybody grew up supporting from a kid, the team who most people's parents probably supported, a team with well over a century of tradition, history and class.Basil is a Gooner wrote:I think all I am trying to get my head round is my original question, why are Arsenal Ladies viewed differently to Arsenal men?!
Just out of curiosity ... if Arsenal entered a football team in a dwarfs only league ... would you follow them as passionately as you do the men's and ladies teams? If not why not?Basil is a Gooner wrote:I think all I am trying to get my head round is my original question, why are Arsenal Ladies viewed differently to Arsenal men?!
OneBardEwok would be on it like a light!Clash wrote:Just out of curiosity ... if Arsenal entered a football team in a dwarfs only league ... would you follow them as passionately as you do the men's and ladies teams? If not why not?Basil is a Gooner wrote:I think all I am trying to get my head round is my original question, why are Arsenal Ladies viewed differently to Arsenal men?!
With Lefty and Spuddy close behind. 