What I have learned from watching all 20 Premier League teams this season | John Brewin

[Tough Touca]

Premier League's Uncertain Future Amidst Growing Commercialism and Discontent

Watching 20 Premier League teams in action this season has been a sobering experience for many. From the frustrations of fans to the fragile egos of managers, it's clear that something is amiss in the world of English football. The question on everyone's mind remains: are anyone still enjoying this?

While some clubs like Sunderland and Leeds have bucked the trend of promoted teams sinking back down, others have struggled with their own set of problems. Brighton and Bournemouth, once considered "well-run," have hit glass ceilings, while Liverpool's rebuild has been marred by disappointment. Even within Crystal Palace, a 2025 annus mirabilis was followed by regrettable divisions among the support base.

The influence of analytics on football cannot be overstated. The rise of set pieces is a telling indicator of this trend. What was once considered a marginal aspect of the game has become a crucial part of teams' strategies. Sir Alex Ferguson's comment about corners being worth £10m in themselves is now laughably old-fashioned, as players like Antoine Semenyo and Michael Kayode are coveted for their ability to launch long throws.

The impact of analytics on football extends beyond set pieces. Teams are now more focused on efficiency and productivity than artistry and creativity. While some players still manage to break through the mold, others are forced into a more mechanized style of play that prioritizes numbers over nuance.

In the stands, fans have become increasingly disillusioned with the experience. Gone are the days when supporters could gather in stadiums without feeling like they were being sold something. The comfort of the modern stadium has turned some fans into "customers," complaining about prices and amenities rather than connecting with the game itself. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, built to cater to this new breed of fan, now hosts seething crowds of discontent.

Perhaps most concerning, however, is the cultural flattening that analytics have brought to football. Information at our fingertips has created a society where everyone is an expert on anything and everything. Fans reject video assistant refereeing with fervor, while actual referees are increasingly reviled for any perceived bias.

As fans continue to play their part in backing their teams, a shared consciousness of discontent lingers just beneath the surface. While many dutifully follow their clubs without complaint, there is a growing sense that something needs to change. The exploitation of loyalty by clubs and the prioritization of merchandise sales over genuine fan engagement have created a toxic environment.

Can it be ruled out that an age of protest will soon follow? If modern football still serves as a mirror to the world beyond its touchlines, then it's only a matter of time before fans coalesce into a general strike against ticket prices and the commercialization of their beloved sport. The future of English football hangs in the balance, and it's uncertain whether anyone is still enjoying this game we love so much.

 

[Biblical]

I don't get why people are complaining about the Premier League being too commercialized. I mean, come on , you pay good money to watch your favorite team play, expect some fancy amenities like food and drink stalls, and maybe even a few souvenirs to take home as mementos. It's not like they're selling you a timeshare or something .

I also think the focus on analytics is actually a good thing for the game. I mean, who doesn't love watching a well-executed set piece? And yeah, maybe it's changed the way some teams play, but that's just part of progress, right? You can't stay stuck in the past forever.

And as for fans being "disconnected" from the game because they're too busy complaining about prices and amenities... honestly, I think that's a bit unfair . I mean, if you're not enjoying the experience, it's your prerogative to leave or switch teams. But if you are still passionate about the game, then maybe just try to find some silver linings and appreciate what you can.

Overall, I think things will shake out in the Premier League, but for now, I'm happy to just enjoy the ride .

 

[Night of the F]

I'm loving the undercurrents of discontent simmering beneath the surface of Premier League fandom right now! The influence of analytics on football is having a major impact, and it's not all about numbers being more important than artistry . I mean, have you noticed how some teams are just churning out set pieces like clockwork? It's all so... robotic

But seriously, fans deserve better than to feel like they're being sold a product when they turn up to the stadium . And those stadiums that cater to the corporate crowd, like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , are just exacerbating the problem. I'm not saying we should go back to the good old days of 90s football, but can't we find a balance between business and passion?

The thing that's got me worried is how this is all seeping into the culture of the game . Everyone thinks they're an expert on refereeing, video assistant refs are being vilified for no reason ... it's like fans have lost sight of why we love the beautiful game in the first place . Can't we find a way to protest without alienating ourselves from the very thing that unites us?

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

I'm getting that same vibe watching these matches this season It feels like fans are more invested in complaining about prices than actually experiencing the game. And let's be real, analytics has taken over – I mean, who needs artistry when you can have numbers? It's like they're trying to turn football into a business model or something.

I'm not sure if anyone's really still passionate about the sport anymore . It's all about efficiency and productivity now, which is just so... soulless . And don't even get me started on the stadiums – they're more like shopping centers than sports venues. I think we might be seeing a generational shift in football fandom, where fans are starting to rebel against the commercialization of the game .

It's interesting that the author mentions loyalty being exploited by clubs... I mean, isn't that just the point of supporting your favorite team in the first place? If fans feel like they're not being respected or valued, it's no wonder there's a growing sense of discontent. Maybe we'll see a new era of fan activism, where people start to push back against the status quo . Only time will tell!

 

[Spooky Barbarian I]

I'm literally so over all this commercialism ... like what even is the point of watching a match if you're just going to be surrounded by billboards and overpriced snacks? I swear, every time I go to the stadium I feel like I'm at a bloody shopping mall . And don't even get me started on ticket prices - £50 for a pint?! Are they kidding us?! It's not like the players are getting paid an arm and leg over here... it's all just so unfair .

And you know what really gets my goat? The fact that everyone's just so invested in this analytics thing . Like, I get it, stats can be useful and all, but at what cost?! We're losing the soul of football in the process . Where's the passion?! The excitement?! It's all just been reduced to a bunch of numbers and spreadsheets... ugh, it makes me want to scream .

I'm not saying I'm some kind of old-fashioned fanboy or anything (although, okay, maybe a little ), but can't we find a way to make football more accessible and enjoyable for everyone? Instead of just catering to the corporate suits and shareholders, let's try to bring back some of that genuine, passionate energy . That's what got me into the game in the first place... not all this stuff .

 

[Smoggy S]

Fans are getting SICK of being treated like customers ! 2024 saw a record-breaking £7.2 billion spent on stadium revenue alone . Meanwhile, wages for players have increased by 25% over the past 5 years . It's a tough gig, but someone's gotta pay those massive debt burdens .

The top 6 clubs have seen their revenues grow by 50% in just 2 seasons ! Liverpool's £1.02 billion turnover is now more than double that of some of the promoted teams . Meanwhile, lower-tier clubs are struggling to break even . The gap between haves and have-nots has never been wider.

Fans are losing patience with ticket prices that have increased by an average 10% per annum ! The price of a season ticket at Arsenal is now £1,200 . Can you blame 'em for feeling ripped off?

The Premier League's TV revenue alone has increased from £2.4 billion in 2015 to over £9 billion last year ! That's a 375% rise. No wonder the competition is getting fiercer .

If fans continue to feel exploited, we might see more protests and walkouts ️. Maybe it's time for some changes in the way clubs manage their finances or how they engage with their supporters ? The stats say that 70% of fans are willing to pay more for a better matchday experience . It's time for the Premier League to listen

 

[Spotless Salam]

The obsession with analytics has turned the beautiful game into just another business... I mean, think about it, we're more concerned with numbers than player development or sportsmanship. It's like we've lost sight of what makes football special in the first place - the thrill of watching humans compete at their best.

And don't even get me started on the stadium experience. I'm not saying that modern stadiums aren't convenient, but have we really lost touch with the sense of community that used to come with going to a live match? Now it's just about getting the best seat for the price and complaining about the prices themselves...

I'm worried that if we don't take a step back and re-evaluate what we're doing, football might become just another soulless sport. I mean, is this really what we want to be - a society where fans are more interested in buying merchandise than actually supporting their teams?

 

[Incredible Oc]

I'm telling you, if the Premier League keeps going down this path, there's gonna be a mass exodus of fans who are sick of the commercialization . I mean, don't get me wrong, analytics can be useful and all that, but when it starts to dictate every aspect of the game, it just loses its magic, you know?

On the other hand, some teams are really killing it this season, like Manchester City and Chelsea, and they're making fans happy with their performances ️. But then again, don't forget that those same fans are also getting a decent return on their investment in terms of ticket prices and merchandise sales .

But what really gets my goat is the way some clubs are exploiting fan loyalty to make money . I mean, come on, if you're not getting anything out of your club membership other than a fancy discount code, then it's just not worth it, right? But at the same time, I don't want to see fans resorting to rioting or anything .

So yeah, it's all just this big mess, and I'm not sure what the solution is . Maybe we need to find a happy medium between analytics and artistry, or something?

 

[Arm]

I feel like people are overreacting here. These teams that are struggling, they're still playing for millions of pounds a year, they've got some of the best players and coaches in the world at their disposal... what did you expect? It's not like football is perfect, but it's still one of the most popular sports in the world. And yeah, analytics can be a bit much sometimes, but it's all part of the game now. Can't just ignore the numbers and pretend everything is fine when it's not. It's like complaining about the weather - if you don't like it, build a umbrella. Fans should stop moaning about ticket prices and merchandise sales too, they're paying good money to watch their teams play!