A very subjective look into AWFC

If you were to look at my twitter page, you will see three very recognizable players as my header picture. These 3 dutch players are the main reason why I started following AWFC. Two of them have left and come back to play us with their new teams, and now one of those two will be coming back with yet another team. Jill first came back with Wolfsburg and now she’s back in the WSL with Man City which is a very interesting situation on many levels.

Since I first saw her play til today, and regardless what happens on Sunday I can tell you that I LOVE Jill Roord. I have always have and I always will. She’s one of my favorite players ever, and she’s one of my favorite dutch players too.

Jill seems to somehow divide opinion on social media but to me it’s very, very clear that she is an incredible player. She’s a unique talent and a serial winner. She has won titles with Twente, Arsenal, Wolfsburg and I can see her winning titles with Man City, as I actually believe they are currently the best team in England. She has also won the Euros with The Netherlands, made it to WC Finals, etc. So, regardless of what her detractors might say, she’s in fact very fucking good.

When she left Arsenal people gave her stick which really bothered me because they were doubting her professionalism. When they did that, they also doubted her abilities and implied that she wasn’t good enough for AWFC, which was very strange and basic.

This whole abuse she seems to get is irrational to me and there’s no way to rationalize irrational behavior, there just isn’t. For the sake of this blog post though, what I will mention is how some people take digs at her and I wonder how they will react when they see her live.

Some bloggers and people that work very close to Arsenal have tweeted things about her or made snarky comments and I truly wish I could be a fly on the wall when they interview Jill and act as if nothing has ever happened.

I tweeted this back in July: Jill Roord doesn’t owe anything to any AWFC fans. Get over yourselves. No player ever has to justify x decision just to please you. They are elite and have designed their lives to make whichever decision fits them, while you’re on your couch watching love island.

And I stand by this now in November. But more than fan criticism this was mostly about the overall symbolism of hate towards someone which ultimately is a testament of the ones carrying out the hateful behavior.

The bottom line is that Jill doesn’t deserve any abuse, regardless of what people think she has said or what she has meant or whatever. Whatever misunderstanding, insults and hate are definitely not something she should be hearing or reading. It’s just not cool.

If nothing else, Jill is one of the most misunderstood players I’ve ever seen and that is a compliment in a way. That’s how artists are, true artists. They are misunderstood, they are different, they are hard to read. Blessing and a curse I guess, but I for one think having Jill in any squad makes it stronger and that’s what she has been doing with Man City.

The whole team is stacked. Bunny, Hemp and Kelly up top is insane, and Jill with Angeldal and Hasegawa makes this front line pretty incredible. With that said I truly believe we can get a result, specially being at Meadow park which I think will be great for the girls.

Meado didn’t travel with England did she? We know Viv did and played, but I’m curious to know if either of them feature in such a big match.

d ❤

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