Woke up this morning with significant chunks of my memory taking an extended nap. Or maybe, I’m just clueless about the paradoxes enveloping sports and government. They say America is a beacon of freedom but yet they insist on parity in sports. Salary caps, first picks and spread of revenue all seem to be the antithesis of the freedom of corporation. On the other hand, in Europe, the birthplace of Marxism and Fascism, the exact opposite prevails. The business of sports, notably football, is cut throat with the weak fending for themselves and the strong helping themselves to choice pickings. Inevitably, the few that survive will also find the pot of gold shrinking.
The aura of an invincible team can only be created by the existence of weaker ones. Hence, the need for West Broms, Norwich and Palaces of this world. So sustain them, for they do serve a purpose.
On the balance, America has got it right. Sports is for the community and that community doesn’t exclude the weak and impoverished. Football in Europe needs to return to the communities and the current solution is on the verge of a meltdown financially and structurally, with the G14 looming as a dark and dangerous force to the little guys. LFC sits on the G14 (Chelsea doesn’t), but this does not guarantee their existence unless theycontinue to perform.
LFC is at a crossroad. They’re spending like a team who’s consistently in CL and yet, they’re not. Figures don’t lie and ultimately, it has to be balanced. Or perhaps, we should just curtail our ambition to ensure survival and accepts fate as a 2nd tier team scrapping for the occasional Euro excursion. Better still, if we can get Moores and Parry out and bring in new money. Unfortunately, unless you've got money to launder from dubious privatizations of Russian assets notably oil, this cycle of investment is unsustainable as football clubs generally do not generate the prerequisite sort of returns that excites serious money.
An old adage applies to football, "To make small fortune, you must start off with a big one". Is there a way out? Of course. When the bubble burst.
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2 comments:
I disagree on what you say about liverpool being a second tier team. No doubt liverpool are not the firepower they used to be back in the 80's but there is no doubt that we are one of the clubs that can achieve stardom without the need of money. The lads have been performing lately and the good ol scouser will bring back the glory days. That is something i'm certain of. Many players are starting to pick up the pace, starting to learn that they're not playing for any club but for a club that deserved to be feared, to be spoken with respect. I believe we will make it... YNWA.... see ya...
ps = great blog.. good reads to be honest.. all the best mate... nitez
2nd tier in the way, they're managed. Moores and Parry should go. LFC market value is a quarter of ManU and that's criminal considering that both clubs have similar sized fan based.
liverpool21, thanks for vsiting and for the kind words.
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