It was never dull when he played
However MOTD makes the PremierLeague games look like cliffhangers. I’ve been to a good few where nothing much happened. Tactically and technically it may be on a different planet from what we watch but that doesn’t make it entertaining. Neither do the huge crowds always mean a good atmosphere. The problem is specifically with ICT. Duncball would make your eyes bleed. OK we were all spoiled watching Pele’s teams but It doesn’t have to be this way.
Just on another tack, I recently saw extended highlights of Celtic v Inter from 1967. Regarded as a massively entertaining game but in many respects the standard was shocking compared to nowadays. Loads of unforced errors and missed sitters.
I also watched the whole of England 2 Scotland 3 recently. What a contrast. Both sides were allowed to carry the ball in space in the middle of the park but about 30 yards out the (brutal) tackles flew in. I think the trainers were on the pitch 6 times in the first half alone, but the players just got up and got on with it. Also a distinct lack of shepherding it out for a bye kick, they just tried to play it. Never noticed any gobbing either