When They’re Not Playing Well

It’s something that you see in the football, that’s not just about the football.

They’re not playing well. It must be the manager. He’s not getting the best out of them. They should be playing a lot better than that. They’re not playing for the manager.

They’re not playing well. For the amount that was spent on them, they’re not producing the goods. Don’t they have any pride in themselves? Don’t they understand that they’re playing for the fans who pay their hard earned money? They’re not fit to wear the shirt.

They’re not playing well. Maybe they’re just not good enough. They’re probably doing the best they can. They’re running around a lot. They say they’re doing their best, but it’s just not good enough. They haven’t got the quality it takes to represent this club.

They’re not playing well. They didn’t get the support that they needed with quality reinforcements. They knew the areas that needed strengthening but refused to do so giving excuses for the decisions. That must have demoralised the squad. They have not invested in strengthening the squad.

They’re not playing well, but it makes you wonder who are they playing for? It’s more than just playing for personal pride. It’s definitely more than just playing for the manager. Important though the fans are, it’s not ultimately about playing for them. When there’s something greater to play for, when there’s something that raises the level of performance time after time. There is an understanding of the system to operate in and the history of the club, there is a sense of something beyond professionalism that inspires consistency and devotion to the cause.

With this in mind, whatever the results say, no one can make a statement that they’re not playing well.

(Photo by Pascal Swier on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden