NICK FEINBERG: THE JOY OF BEING A SPORTS FAN

HELLO my good football people, I trust all is well your side... Wowzers, I’m certainly buzzing at the moment. It was a big weekend!

Of course there are all kinds of key stuff in life that takes up our time and dictates emotion; political situations, family wellbeing, love, health, children, relationships, whatever…

Not sure where sport fits onto the list as far as priority or importance goes? But for many, like myself, it can, even if temporarily, mean a lot!

I somehow feel justified in saying that, looking at a couple of quotes from clever people… Our very own Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Or George Orwell saying: “Serious sport is war minus the shooting.”

We aren’t abnormal. It is important, it just seems ridiculous to those who aren’t attached to a team(s).

They just don’t have got a clue, they think we are nuts. I get the strength of the anti-sports narrative, “you support a team of 11 multi-millionaires who don’t give a s**t about you or the club they play for”. But we all know the truth, they’re a bunch of unfortunate people who have never experienced the emotion sport can bring.

I mean, where will they find anything that can create the delirious delight of a last-minute winner against Liverpool, jumping on a table, screaming, swearing, clapping like a seal! I can’t think of anything where adults go berserk like that?

Anyway, back to the point and that is that I have four teams that do that to me, the Stormers, England national football team, Chelsea and the Springboks.

And as we all know, it was a huge evening at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday. I haven’t seen it rocking like that for a few years! Chelsea’s win was such a big result, but it shouldn’t have been totally unexpected. I would have taken a draw beforehand because Liverpool have been so dicey the whole season.

Remember last week, I mentioned how “average” Liverpool have been. Reds fans sent messages about what an idiot I am. Remember? Now what? Three losses in a row, that’s what. Another below-par performance, highlighted again by the lack of commitment to the cause by the likes of the usually outstanding Mo Salah. There’s something wrong. Okay, the club has had its pants pulled down for Florian Wirtz, but that wouldn’t upset the team. Then following Saturday’s game Virgil van Dijk alluded to the loss they had suffered from Diogo Jota’s tragic passing.

It had me thinking… But you’d imagine an event like that might create the catalyst to really get the team playing in the deceased’s honour? Whatever it is, as with football itself, we are sometimes fickle.

Before the season, I just couldn’t see anything but Liverpool retaining the league title. They spent a staggering £446million boosting the squad! That’s the most ever spent in a transfer window.

I was so sure I contemplated sticking a bigger than normal bet on them at 6/5! (don’t gamble kids). They are now 5/2.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are favourites at a very generous 9/4.

A real telltale sign of general club health is the demeanour of the coach. And just look at Arne Slot. We all really liked him (when he was winning), super smooth, chilled and a good bloke. He has turned nasty, angry, swearing and shouting at officials.

Conversely, the usually gloomy Blues coach Enzo Maresca, flew down the touchline like Jose Mourinho. It was great to watch, Maresca was celebrating with the players in the corner following Saturday’s last-minute winner against the Reds.

You have to say, Liverpool have won their fair share like that! Both instances really point to where each club is at. Think Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace and Ruben Amorim at Manchester United… same vibes!

So yes, it was great weekend for me, as the Boks just about managed to overcome an increasingly strong Argentina. I guess my weekend enjoyment could have reached another level had Arsenal lost, but unless we see them choke, you’d be brave to bet against them winning the league title this season.

Unfortunately, it’s another international break. For f**k’s sake…

Chat next week either way!

Bye bye.