Paul Scholes makes a fair point

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Man City 1

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Man City 1 - well done boys.

Some trying to knock Spurs after last night's performance, even an element of our negative fans, but it's a victory to enjoy and look forward to, once again, the toughest tie of the round. Trust us to start winning in the season when the trophy is the hardest to win than it has been for the last 14 years! 

Educated Football

Fan: "He doesn't light up a football stadium."

Scholes: "I think he lights up a stadium for educated football people."

Fans might laugh because they think they are educated football people but in reality they are not.

They haven't a clue about coaching, they haven't a clue about systems, they don't know how you play a position, they don't understand how much of a game is actually training ground moves, they don't understand business, they don't understand finances or financial constraints, they don't understand the effect wages have, they don't understand the lasting effect transfer fees have and they certainly don't understand mentality.

They watch, they are entertained, they are either happy or upset, depending upon the result and seek someone to blame... all the time.

The opposite of a winning mentality in fact.

They spout off their frustration on social media because they want people to agree with them for their ego.

If you are better educated in the game and do not agree with them, then their comment they want people to comment on (or they wouldn't post it) they bitch about getting comments on... well don't post it then!

LOL

OK, so as to not hurt anyone precious feelings, I'll explain it without the withering undertone!

The difference between an educated perspective and a casual observer's view lies in the depth of understanding and insight each brings to the subject.

For someone educated in a topic, in this instance football, their knowledge goes far beyond surface impressions, even impressions gained over many many years.

Watching is not necessarily learning.

They understand the nuanced details that define and shape outcomes, while casual fans often only see the end result, like a goal or a victory, without grasping the strategic layers underneath.

I think we had better have another article around this topic. As I write it, it's getting larger and there is more to cover.

In football, educated individuals like coaches, analysts and tacticians have an intimate knowledge of the game’s complexity.

They know that every pass, movement and player position is often the product of hours of training ground drills, where players work on tactics designed to unlock specific defensive setups or exploit particular weaknesses.

They grasp the importance of player positioning, the subtleties of tempo changes and the psychology needed to maintain a high level of performance under pressure.

This in-depth knowledge allows them to recognize value in aspects of play that might not result in goals or flashy moves but are essential to team success.

Fans see Werner miss a chance and throw his whole game into the bin as rubbish. I might come back to this in another article.

When a player like former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes talks about "lighting up a stadium for educated football people," he's referring to actions that might go unnoticed to the untrained eye but are game-defining for those who truly understand the game.

Educated fans, in this sense, appreciate the critical yet invisible contributions that contribute to success, work done off the ball, positioning that forces errors, or an unselfish pass that opens up space.

Don't get me onto the pace of our passing again, we got into trouble because of an ultra slow pass by Romero to Vicario, but everyone will look at Udogie and blame him.

Root cause people, the root cause of City nearly scoring was at least two passes earlier.

Casual observers, lacking this depth, often interpret performances purely on entertainment or outcome, missing the finer points that make or break a team's strategy.

This limitation can lead them to share 'critiques' online (you see I'm making an effort to be polite) or in social circles, expecting agreement without realizing their views may lack the substance and context required for a thorough analysis.

The educated, meanwhile, respect the grind behind the results, understanding that blaming or lauding individuals is often superficial without recognizing the system's dynamics at play.

So, while everyone has a right to an opinion, the insights of those educated in a field can provide a more grounded, reality-based understanding.

It’s the difference between hearing someone describe the mechanics of a car and understanding how to actually build one, both perspectives are valid, but only one is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for truly informed analysis.

Next up... the managers/head coach's view of a football game.

COYS