I am English..? I moved to the states though.<br /><br />-- Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:18 pm --<br /><br />nashark said:I take it from your post that you are not English or Northern European for that matter?
It's a cultural thing. Without getting into politics or history, in Northern European (especially in Britain) culture, honesty and integrity are valued very high. I would say they are less valued in Southern Europe. The Spanish, Italians, Portuguese, most of the French have always come across a bit deviant to me, and I think that translates into football.
Unnecessarily diving, much more than a strong challenge (which there's nothing wrong with by the way) is anything but honest, and takes away a lot of integrity. When you do it, it's not to stop the opponent, it's to get him sent off.
Fans in Northern Europe treasure those who are reliable, passionate and hard-working. I'd say that's why England and Germany have done well on the international stage, despite the fact that they don't have the most talented players.
I also think it's one of the reasons why the press are getting excited over Jack Wilshere. Couple his talent with an English mentality, and I think you could have a great player on your hands.
It's getting late now, and I can't be arsed making any more points, but yes, diving is sly and not befitting of this culture.
P.S. Obviously, there are exceptions to the stereotypes.
Omg! Deja Vu. I swear I've heard this before.ROCKET80 said:Mind Games
Take the tough tackling midfield general, loves a tough challenge on a classy winger "to let them know he's there" and that they are in for a physical afternoon and get 'inside his head'.....this guy always goes in hard and the majority of the time fair but every now and then can be rash or late.
Take the classy winger, dangerous on the ball loves running with it at and past his opponents. He is wary of the tough challenges/rough treatment that is dished out to him and combats this by being melodramatic when fouled or slightly caught/put off balance ensuring a caution or word of warning from the ref to his opponent therefore 'getting in his head' so he thinks twice before going in for challenge like that again.
Both of these players are aware of it and they both know the other is not going to change the way they play and as both are trying to take away their opponents main threat.....it's all part of the mind games that is football....I love it and wouldn't change it for a thing.
However, exceptions such as blatent horrific challenges (Keane) and blatent 'simulation' (Gerrard/Eduardo)should not go unpunished.