i love to watch messi - particularly when he picks the ball up about 40 metres from goal. he can do anything from that point and without advancing a step he has already terrified every defender in front of him.

it seems almost every other player we watch is programmed to play a 15 metre pass across the pitch or behind to the full back who is cautiously taking 5 steps forward and another 5 back. this tactic can go on for a couple of minutes til clumsiness takes over or the ball is played forward towards a winger and usually goes out of play. at this point the opposition take their turn to do more or less the same.

this 'tiki-taki' style should only be employed by barcelona or spain when there is evidently a sometimes thrilling purpose.

any other team is just farting about and boring us.