The 'quality' of Womens Football (2 Viewers)

[Ccfcisparks]

Just watching the highlights of the womens football on the BBC and I have a question to ask regarding the quality of the players. Do you think there are any female footballers out there who could hold their own at a professional club, say League 2 and up. I'm talking your Lucy Bronze's etc. I remember there was a story going round the internet of FC Dallas u14's beating the USA womens team 14-0 before a World Cup game.

 

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[Ian1779]

In the football I’ve seen, the biggest gulf in ability seems to be in goal. I think there are several female players in the WSL that could hold their own in the men’s game - just not the goalkeepers.

 

[shepardo01]

We've discussed this on here before.
Couple of benchmarks to note.
A local non league football and education academy (u19s) played Manchester United ladies when they were in the level below the premier division, of which they currently sit top.
The march was a draw.
I think it has also been documented that the USA women's team, in preparation for a world Cup, played an American college team and were beaten.

That said, the standard is continuing to improve.

 

[rob9872]

The less physical the game becomes the more it's a possibility. I couldn't imagine the 70s & 80s style for them, but some of the technique on show is often pretty decent these days. I kind of agree on keeping and there is a suggestion to narrow the goals. They said it takes away from the integrity of the game but we often say Pickford's issue is not being as big or commanding as some keepers and you simply don't get women at 6ft6 so it makes sense imo. I think they woudl struggle possibly with the pace of the game and athleticicsm side more than anything now, but no reason why they shouldn't show well for a short period of time. The difference is more general natural physique - genetics which they can't really change.

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

I remember watching the Womens FA cup final at the Ricoh.

Arsenal Vs Brizzle.

It was one of the worst displays of professional football ever. Genuinely like a bunch of kids chasing the ball around. It was that bad I remember it now nearly a decade later.

I haven't been able to bring myself to watch a womens game since.

 

[Liquid Gold]

I don't think the gap will start to close until the FA stops the genders from being separated as such an early age. It's all well and good saying the best of them are rubbish but they've only had rubbish competition, I bet half of the men's pro players wouldn’t develop to the level they have if they had to go through women's grassroots.

 

[TomRad85]

Just watching the highlights of the womens football on the BBC and I have a question to ask regarding the quality of the players. Do you think there are any female footballers out there who could hold their own at a professional club, say League 2 and up. I'm talking your Lucy Bronze's etc. I remember there was a story going round the internet of FC Dallas u14's beating the USA womens team 14-0 before a World Cup game.

No absolutely no one, not even close. I don't like this kind of thread as it sounds like I'm having a go at the women, when I'm really not, the Womens game is its own thing. I doubt any would even get close to most semi pro teams.

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[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

I used to go with my ex to watch Gothenburg Women's team in Sweden (known as the Kopparberg's actually).

I was always impressed with the standard of passing but the finishing and particularly goalkeeping were on child level. It was nice to have a couple of brews in your seat as well. Although they played Arsenal in the champions league and alcohol was banned for that game. That was very annoying.

 

[Grendel]

I don't think the gap will start to close until the FA stops the genders from being separated as such an early age. It's all well and good saying the best of them are rubbish but they've only had rubbish competition, I bet half of the men's pro players would develop to the level they have if they had to go through women's grassroots.

nonsense

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

nonsense

Do you not think we should open the possibility for women to play in men's teams even if hardly anyone took it up?

 

[Skybluesince82]

I don’t think any female players would be anywhere near. I was asked this question by a friend not long ago and I genuinely think a top-level Sunday league side would beat a WSL women’s team.
Some of the players have good technique, but the game is a slower pace which means you’re not comparing like for like. Quicken it up, make it more physical and that’s where even a top women’s team would struggle.

 

[Grendel]

Do you not think we should open the possibility for women to play in men's teams even if hardly anyone took it up?

The physical differences make it impossible -do you think women if they wanted to should be allowed to box men over 15 rounds?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The physical differences make it impossible -do you think women if they wanted to should be allowed to box men over 15 rounds?

Well yes because presumably they'd be in the same weight class. If it's voluntary for all parties I don't see the issue.

 

[TomRad85]

Well yes because presumably they'd be in the same weight class. If it's voluntary for all parties I don't see the issue.

With football none of them would get a game, its pointless. Also they could get very badly injured, that applies even more to the boxing.

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[Grendel]

Well yes because presumably they'd be in the same weight class. If it's voluntary for all parties I don't see the issue.

So would you allow men from non league to try and make the grade in the womens premier league?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

With football none of them would get a game, its pointless. Also they could get very badly injured, that applies even more to the boxing.

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I'm not suggesting that in practice any would get a game. Just think on principle the opportunity should exist even if only a very few got to play. We do after all allow 16 year olds to play professional games

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

So would you allow men from non league to try and make the grade in the womens premier league?

Don't know.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I don't think the gap will start to close until the FA stops the genders from being separated as such an early age. It's all well and good saying the best of them are rubbish but they've only had rubbish competition, I bet half of the men's pro players would develop to the level they have if they had to go through women's grassroots.

A lot of sports are allowed to be mixed up until the ages of around 10 - including Rugby Union. The gulf between men’s and women’s football is the physical side of things. Bigger humans, bigger lungs, and more muscle mass makes for an uneven playing field.

Ironically, inclusion of women into the men’s game would have the consequence of killing the women’s game in the process - which in itself is a tragedy.

If there was a demand for mixed gender football, I’d support the idea of organising this, it also solves the issue around transgender athletes too.

 

[Liquid Gold]

A lot of sports are allowed to be mixed up until the ages of around 10 - including Rugby Union. The gulf between men’s and women’s football is the physical side of things. Bigger humans, bigger lungs, and more muscle mass makes for an uneven playing field.

Ironically, inclusion of women into the men’s game would have the consequence of killing the women’s game in the process - which in itself is a tragedy.

If there was a demand for mixed gender football, I’d support the idea of organising this, it also solves the issue around transgender athletes too.

I refuse to believe there aren’t women out there that are capable of doing the same as Peter Ramage, Yakubu, Andre Wright or Peter Vincenti.

 

[TomRad85]

I'm not suggesting that in practice any would get a game. Just think on principle the opportunity should exist even if only a very few got to play. We do after all allow 16 year olds to play professional games

I dunno mate, even if you got some freak of nature that doesn't currently exist, I think it would be awkward for the blokes... something in the back of your mind would tell you to go easy.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

I dunno mate, even if you got some freak of nature that doesn't currently exist, I think it would be awkward for the blokes... something in the back of your mind would tell you to go easy.

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Perhaps, but the novelty would wear off I think. Is it the same when a 16 year old goes out onto the pitch? Not many examples of them either but only the major talents get picked just as I have in mind the top elite female players.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I refuse to believe there aren’t women out there that are capable of doing the same as Peter Ramage, Yakubu, Andre Wright or Peter Vincenti.

Funnily enough, all of those players would be around the tallest players at the last women’s World Cup. The tallest being 6”1 (my height), making Vincenti the tallest by 3 inches.

Again, there’s numerous cases of elite level women’s teams losing heavily to school boy teams (around U15 to U17)

To answer your post directly, the likelihood is that there probably aren’t female footballers who could competitively at League 1 or League 2 level.

There’s a reason the sports are sexes are segregated in sporting competition.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Funnily enough, all of those players would be around the tallest players at the last women’s World Cup. The tallest being 6”1 (my height), making Vincenti the tallest by 3 inches.

Again, there’s numerous cases of elite level women’s teams losing heavily to school boy teams (around U15 to U17)

To answer your post directly, the likelihood is that there probably aren’t female footballers who could competitively at League 1 or League 2 level.

There’s a reason the sports are sexes are segregated in sporting competition.

I guess we're more going on about a footballing equivalent of Serena Williams. Certainly not a call for integrating the teams completely. I don't however understand why segregation is there in non-physical sports.

 

[TomRad85]

I guess we're more going on about a footballing equivalent of Serena Williams. Certainly not a call for integrating the teams completely. I don't however understand why segregation is there in non-physical sports.

Tennis is slightly different as there's no contact, and Serena would still get pumped by anyone inside the top 300, and I'm being kind there.

The segregation exists so the women have a chance to win something, and rightly so.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

Tennis is slightly different as there's no contact, and Serena would still get pumped by anyone inside the top 300, and I'm being kind there.

The segregation exists so the women have a chance to win something, and rightly so.

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Why in things like snooker or darts is it necessary?

 

[TomRad85]

Why in things like snooker or darts is it necessary?

Ah snooker or darts, I'll give you those ones. No reason really. In fact, they do allow women to play in mens darts now don't they?

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

Ah snooker or darts, I'll give you those ones. No reason really. In fact, they do allow women to play in mens darts now don't they?

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Perhaps, I don't follow it.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I guess we're more going on about a footballing equivalent of Serena Williams. Certainly not a call for integrating the teams completely. I don't however understand why segregation is there in non-physical sports.

Serena Williams is a great example. Back in 1998 both the Williams’ sisters challenged the world number 203 (who dropped 100+ places in the rankings a shortly after the event) to a game and both got swept by him. After the matter, the guy who said he ‘played like a number 600 to keep it fun’ and they ‘wouldn’t be able to beat anyone in the top 500’ - referencing a top spin shot that apparently doesn’t get played in the women’s game.

Frankly, the argument female athletes are making is that they deserve equal pay. Tellingly, they are not arguing they should be allowed to play in the men’s game.

 

[TomRad85]

Serena Williams is a great example. Back in 1998 both the Williams’ sisters challenged the world number 203 (who dropped 100+ places in the rankings a shortly after the event) to a game and both got swept by him. After the matter, the guy who said he ‘played like a number 600 to keep it fun’ and they ‘wouldn’t be able to beat anyone in the top 500’ - referencing a top spin shot that apparently doesn’t get played in the women’s game.

Frankly, the argument female athletes are making is that they deserve equal pay. Tellingly, they are not arguing they should be allowed to play in the men’s game.

I wouldn't base the pay on the quality, better to base it on the interest and income it brings in. I would assume tennis is the only sport where viewer levels are similar for men and women.

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[Deleted member 5849]

I wouldn't base the pay on the quality, better to base it on the interest and income it brings in. I would assume tennis is the only sport where viewer levels are similar for men and women.

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Before Federer came along, men's tennis had got really dull - especially on grass. Massive serve volliers, points over in three shots at best. In contrast, the women's game still had grace. The men's game is currently, in my view, better, but Tennis does ebb and flow with the generations.

 

[TomRad85]

Before Federer came along, men's tennis had got really dull - especially on grass. Massive serve volliers, points over in three shots at best. In contrast, the women's game still had grace. The men's game is currently, in my view, better, but Tennis does ebb and flow with the generations.

I only ever had a passing interest in tennis until Feds came along, the bloke is an absolute magician.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

Serena Williams is a great example. Back in 1998 both the Williams’ sisters challenged the world number 203 (who dropped 100+ places in the rankings a shortly after the event) to a game and both got swept by him. After the matter, the guy who said he ‘played like a number 600 to keep it fun’ and they ‘wouldn’t be able to beat anyone in the top 500’ - referencing a top spin shot that apparently doesn’t get played in the women’s game.

Frankly, the argument female athletes are making is that they deserve equal pay. Tellingly, they are not arguing they should be allowed to play in the men’s game.

My view on pay is simply that when they're willing to play 5 sets they can have the same prize money. Fair point on the gap in competitiveness

 

[Nick]

The was a woman on soccer am at the weekend, she had won everything at the top of women's football.

She was absolutely terrible, a bit embarrassing when she was trying to volley a ball and just didn't have any technique.

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

The bits I have seen there is a massive gulf, it’s the same in cricket Sarah Taylor one of the stars of world cricket played for Walmley who are in the Birmingham league and wasn’t outstanding, I played at the same level and was also not outstanding, but I am not being paid to play.

 

[Sick Boy]

I dunno mate, even if you got some freak of nature that doesn't currently exist, I think it would be awkward for the blokes... something in the back of your mind would tell you to go easy.

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I got sent off in a charity 6 a side game for slide tackling a girl in her 20s and then 2 mins later taking out a 6ft6 bloke and then standing over and threatening him Roy Keane style - I still feel bad for the girl Unfortunately for some of us the instinct never goes away