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You're Better Than That!: How To Fix Modern Football
***
With diving players, abusive fans, feckless agents and the dreaded VAR, football has taken a wrong turn. Now, Chris Sutton, the nation's most forthright football pundit, takes an un?ltered look at 25 aspects of the modern game that need to be changed right away - and offers practical and, at times, controversial solutions.
From the standard of referees to the lunacy of the managerial merry-go-round, from shameful racist abuse to exploitative ticket prices and the shocking treatments of ex-players with dementia, How to Fix Modern Football leaves no stone unturned in.
As a former top-level player, Chris knows the game inside out. Now observing from the commentator's perch, his perspective is shot through with passion, humour and occasionally a little anger.
Sutton is a man on a mission, determined to get under the skin of the game he loves and to call out exactly what's going wrong.
With diving players, abusive fans, feckless agents and the dreaded VAR, football has taken a wrong turn. Now, Chris Sutton, the nation's most forthright football pundit, takes an un?ltered look at 25 aspects of the modern game that need to be changed right away - and offers practical and, at times, controversial solutions.
From the standard of referees to the lunacy of the managerial merry-go-round, from shameful racist abuse to exploitative ticket prices and the shocking treatments of ex-players with dementia, How to Fix Modern Football leaves no stone unturned in.
As a former top-level player, Chris knows the game inside out. Now observing from the commentator's perch, his perspective is shot through with passion, humour and occasionally a little anger.
Sutton is a man on a mission, determined to get under the skin of the game he loves and to call out exactly what's going wrong.
304 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2020
12 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 5, 2021
Don’t get me wrong, I like Chris Sutton. He’s very entertaining on the radio, especially with ABB. However, this isn’t great. Lists of the 10 greatest teams and the 10 best defensive midfielders mixed in with what Chris thinks is wrong with game make this feel like a very quick cash-in on his current popularity. The complaints (albeit mostly tongue in cheek) can be summarised as “why isn’t everything the same as when I was young and playing the game”. I rarely put a book down without finishing it but for this I made an exception. Sorry Chris.
January 12, 2026
Even though the book is 3 - 4 years old a lot of points and ideas on how to improve the game are still relevant and need resolving
October 10, 2020
Entertaining! Some good points, some mad points! 😅
May 15, 2022
Decent but only amplifies the fact that Sutton is best enjoyed as the moany, sarcastic part of a double act.
January 19, 2021
The book reads more like a list of complaints by an older uncle, rather than comments on the game by an expert. The book includes somewhat irrelevant complaints about social media, and other changes in society. Making managers travel by the same means as the fans, for example, seems absurd, as does fixing a transfer window for managers themselves. Some other points about fighting dementia and racism are valid, but aren't really explored.
Overall, this reminds me of a Jeremy Clarkson book, in that it is a series of not-very-well-thought-out arguments written in a style that is easily accessible to people who don't like to read.
Overall, this reminds me of a Jeremy Clarkson book, in that it is a series of not-very-well-thought-out arguments written in a style that is easily accessible to people who don't like to read.
October 1, 2020
Chris Sutton, who had his great moments with Blackburn and Celtic, have gone on to write a masterpiece manifesto on how to fix modern football. Direct, frank and no-nonsense.
It isn't a biography which is usually the case when a footballer writes a book. It is a thoughtful reading into the game from many different aspects (on and off the pitch) including the risk of dementia, fans leaving games early, fixing league schedules, away fans returning to their homes at 2-3 am, usage of social media, brokerage fees, stadium naming rights, women football and remuneration, creating new namings for similar positions, World Cup hosting (one, dual or more countries?), number of qualified teams in major tournaments (more needed or less is more?), respecting the FA cup, new rules including offside, handball and of course the VAR controversy and many more.
I have to say that some of the opinions offered are a bit radical - but many were absolutely revolutionary. I disagreed with Sutton on very few points but overall he put forward a strong compelling case over 25 points with relevant, mostly contemporary examples.
It isn't a biography which is usually the case when a footballer writes a book. It is a thoughtful reading into the game from many different aspects (on and off the pitch) including the risk of dementia, fans leaving games early, fixing league schedules, away fans returning to their homes at 2-3 am, usage of social media, brokerage fees, stadium naming rights, women football and remuneration, creating new namings for similar positions, World Cup hosting (one, dual or more countries?), number of qualified teams in major tournaments (more needed or less is more?), respecting the FA cup, new rules including offside, handball and of course the VAR controversy and many more.
I have to say that some of the opinions offered are a bit radical - but many were absolutely revolutionary. I disagreed with Sutton on very few points but overall he put forward a strong compelling case over 25 points with relevant, mostly contemporary examples.
July 15, 2021
I enjoyed this entertaining look at what is wrong with the modern game. One contradiction in my view is that as the English Premier League therefore, anyone still able to play at this level should not go to China for the money.
The reason why the Premier League is the most entertaining because it attracts the world’s best players. The reason for this is that the players were initially and remain attracted to playing in the league due to the money.
Money has changed or corrupted the game depending on your standpoint but when the stakes are so high financially, the rest of its ills become inherent.
The reason why the Premier League is the most entertaining because it attracts the world’s best players. The reason for this is that the players were initially and remain attracted to playing in the league due to the money.
Money has changed or corrupted the game depending on your standpoint but when the stakes are so high financially, the rest of its ills become inherent.
August 11, 2022
A good read for any football fan. Sutton isn't deluded enough to believe that readers should agree with everything he suggests (and there are some points that are outrageous) but I did find myself thinking "huh...that doesn't sound too bad...". The book is overflowing with sarcasm and humour as well as tackling some of the more uncomfortable truths.
There was an onslaught of criticism of my generation and our obsession with mobile phones and how that 'threatens' football which got a bit frustrating, but overall, I can't fault the book much more than that.
There was an onslaught of criticism of my generation and our obsession with mobile phones and how that 'threatens' football which got a bit frustrating, but overall, I can't fault the book much more than that.
September 13, 2020
A very enjoyable ramble about 25 issues with football and how Chris would fix them, some humourous and others genuine fixes. I have to say I found this a very engaging and funny read, agreeing with many of the issues and solutions.
When an ex-pro is complaining about buying their child a £60 replica shirt, they may be overpriced.
A great book I would recommend to any football fan, although given the author maybe not Rangers ones haha.
When an ex-pro is complaining about buying their child a £60 replica shirt, they may be overpriced.
A great book I would recommend to any football fan, although given the author maybe not Rangers ones haha.
October 19, 2020
A brilliant book a manifesto for the future of the games someone with an expert eye looking at what’s wrong with the modern game Chris Sutton a former player turned pundit like always does not mince his words
October 8, 2022
I do like the book and Chris Sutton as a pundit and bloke, but too many whacky ideas for me. Some solid, some impossible to implement and not everything that thought out. Worth buying mind. Only a couple of quid or so!
August 5, 2020
A straight talking essay on the many flaws of modern football. Sutton always says it as he sees it.
August 19, 2020
The Grandpa Simpson of football punditry. Excellent on dementia, agency and fan experience. The answer to the question: 'What do I get Dad for Christmas?'
May 20, 2022
Mediocre ramblings.
September 24, 2022
Very poor English, amateur writer
November 9, 2022
Mr Sutton at his best bemoaning, quite rightly the issues that plague the beautiful game. The book could also of been called 606, My Manifesto. Entertaining and read cheap read for your Kindle.
May 28, 2024
Really enjoyed some of Chris's thoughts and pretty unmoved by others
Worth a grab cheap or from the library
Worth a grab cheap or from the library
December 10, 2025
A bit old school takes, some of ‘em are fair, but some of ‘em are a bit like “back in the days everything was better”. It’s not a bad book, but a bit hard to get through.
December 22, 2021
Football being critiqued by a footballer.
This book takes a look at the state of football today through the eyes of an ex-football player. It’s hilarious at time and very critical in others. He presents some interesting opinions and possible solutions ( some which don’t seem practical). This isn’t a technical book like soccernomics that is supported by data and many facts. He mostly depends on his opinion and common experience.
Overall an enjoyable and easy to read. And if anything, it gives you something to think about.
This book takes a look at the state of football today through the eyes of an ex-football player. It’s hilarious at time and very critical in others. He presents some interesting opinions and possible solutions ( some which don’t seem practical). This isn’t a technical book like soccernomics that is supported by data and many facts. He mostly depends on his opinion and common experience.
Overall an enjoyable and easy to read. And if anything, it gives you something to think about.
August 2, 2021
Great read, Chris Sutton knows his stuff.
September 21, 2022
Ex Celtic and Blackburn player, now a brilliant pundit, Chris Sutton offers his opinions on how to fix everything that is wrong with modern football.
I really enjoyed this. Sutton has become one of my favourite pundits and his ideas on what ails the game are spot on.
He writes with passion at times and with his tongue firmly in his cheek at others.
VAR, the marginalisation of Th FA Cup, coloured boots, modern players, FIFA and smartphones all get both barrels.
Recommended for footie lovers.
I really enjoyed this. Sutton has become one of my favourite pundits and his ideas on what ails the game are spot on.
He writes with passion at times and with his tongue firmly in his cheek at others.
VAR, the marginalisation of Th FA Cup, coloured boots, modern players, FIFA and smartphones all get both barrels.
Recommended for footie lovers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews