A Culture of Clichés

I was recently watching an episode of MNS and I was intrigued by some of the comments that Richie Sadlier made regarding the clichéd and tired way that U.C.D are talked about in the media. We all know the well worn stereotypes about Martin Russell's side by now. You can hardly read an article or hear any discussion about the Students without being constantly told that "they play good football" , "they give youngsters a chance" and that "they deserve to be in the league". 

Don't get me wrong, I 100% agree with all of those above comments especially when considering that some of the league's most exciting talent like Ronan Finn, Evan McMillan and Paddy Kavanagh (to name just a few) have all had their first experience of professional football at the Bowl. Simply put, am I the only person that wants to hear about what actually happens on the pitch at Belfield this week rather than the same old clichés?

I totally agree with Sadlier's opinion that all debate about U.C.D seems to be in almost a patronizing tone. Have you heard an expert recently provide some tactical analysis, observations and genuine original insight about Martin Russell's men? We all know that the Students are able to play good football but I'm sure at times these words mean absolutely nothing to the U.C.D players.

They are professionals like every other team in the league and the only thing their players care about on a Friday night is three points. It's almost like the public are being brain washed with the idea that the UCD are ok loosing football matches. Why? Because they play good football and this is their priority. Total rubbish.
 

For example, all the recent discussion in the build up to this season has been about the players who have recently left the club like Paul O’Conor, Danny Ledwith, Paul Corry , Ciaran Nangle and Chris Lyons. Ok this is a valid story but it is one that all League of Ireland fans are familiar with by now. It's the nature of U.C.D to produce players and then move them on. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

What the public haven't heard about is what are the new crop of players like? I'd love to hear some discussion about how the Students new forward line is playing. Have they gelled yet? Why have their back four been unable to keep a clean sheet so far this season? Who has the potential to be the latest star from the Belfield assembly line of talent? 

No League of Ireland fan will know everything about every other team in the division because they spend their Friday night watching their own beloved club. This is where journalism and insightful reporting can play a massive role in generating interest and increasing our understanding of the league.

From the outside looking in though it seems that most observers are just willing to offer a condescending pat on the back towards U.C.D rather than any serious analysis or debate. Experts and pundits should absolutely offer praise to Martin Russell's side when they play well but they should also hammer them when they play poorly also.

You can't come out with the old line that they played good football after seeing Derry City spank them 6-0 at the Bowl a few weeks ago! If Shamrock Rovers, Sligo or St Pats suffered a huge defeat like that there would be column inches, TV debate and plenty of analysis. U.C.D should be no different. 
 

The Students have been playing in the top flight of Irish football since 2010 but the only real insight that I get from them is mostly gathered from seeing them in person. It seems that the media at whole almost shy away from the issue of debate and analysis about their players.

Are they just an easy target to ignore, maybe in part due to the small numbers of fans that attend their games, or is it just a general cultural of apathy towards the Students?