BS: Football 2011

Subject: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 03:01 PM

We need a common thread for football. I was searching for an appropriate place to post an observation about the Premier League's web page but none exist which simply say "football".

Soooooooo... any comments on the Premiership or any others? I shall begin trying to watch some games as soon as the Canuck women's curling championship is over on Sunday and reading insightful commentary is interesting for me as we get so few games televised here in New Brunswick, Canada.

Regarding my observation... not a good way to start a thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 03:04 PM

Man City v Aston Villa FA Cup live next Wednesday on ITV. Well I never. It isn't Man U for once.

Up the Villa :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 03:07 PM

We will likely see that one on TV here... a good start to my football season.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:23 AM

Well that suggestion went down well. The thing is, its a bit like talking about the 1941-45 war. here in Europe the football season has been going on since August. Try again next August.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 11:34 AM

Oh? Football is done for this year? No more Premiership? No FIFA? No... ? I did not know that.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Den
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:12 PM

The Premier league for the season 2010-2011 will end in May Gnu. It started in August 2010. The FA cup final will also be in May, followed closely by the Champion's league final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:15 PM

Our club football should be REGULATED back to how it was - mostly locals in MEANINGFUL competition; or in verse - http://walkaboutsverse.webs.com/#98

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:53 PM

I always use this link to see what is coming up on TV

http://www.livesportontv.com/football/

And this may get you some internet football :-)
http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/index.html

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:56 PM

Den... can you let Al know? I am sure he will be pleased he doesn't have to wait until August.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:57 PM

Thanks Arthur.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 01:59 PM

I know this sounds conceited and egocentric - but actually we don't take international football very seriously. Its better than watchng golf or crown green bowling, but its not the real stuff to English people. Its a harmless frippery. A chance for a booze up and fight for those in desperate need - but the thing is the league and FA cup. And really the knock out rounds are always better than the final.

Anyway, best of luck looking for a few decent matches. Theres bound to be some, but most of the decent players are knackered and being rested, or have been on the sick list by now.

i remember being asked by some Germans once why the English season was so intense and had so many games.

I think I'd say to you what i said to them

Imagine you're a top class footballer. You have all the money you could possibly need. The pretiest girls. the biggest car.
Now what do you want to do? Obviously you want to play football - against top class oppostion, a couple of times a week - the english league lets you do this. try to catch it from the start.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 02:16 PM

Thanks Al... as far as watching is from August on, I haven't the time. My true love is Yankee football (the reasons for which I have posted many times). Then there is Canuck curling and the Championship events are riveting to those who know the game. Throw in a few fav hockey rivalries and there just isn't enough time in the day. Soooo, I watch the late season games of real football.

Rugby... well, we get such limited coverage here that it's not worth the effort. Cricket even less. And ONE, ONE, ONE game of footy, the final, per YEAR. It sucks big time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 03:10 PM

David Beckham Gnu :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 03:32 PM

Huh?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: maple_leaf_boy
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 08:13 PM

I follow SPL football more than the EPL. Rugby is a fun sport, too.
Every year in Central N.S., there's a big indoor sevens tournament in
the winter that features over 70 teams. It attracts a lot of fans. The
teams come mainly from Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. I
think they even had reps from the U.S. there before. It's a big boom
to businesses in the area.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Feb 11 - 08:29 PM

Gee, mlb, I must see if they have that here.

I have a great nephew who is rather good at football... he can run like the wind and his name is Owens. Looks a bit like that other Owens. >;-) The day he was born, I bought a rather expensive "official" ball (back then, they were expensive) and delivered it to the hospital rather than the regular card or cuddly toys. I said to my nephew, "I expect you to get him to the World Cup." But, he didn't make the national team... some shit about becoming a lawyer or some such has been getting in the way. Wasted a good football I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 12:54 PM

Good win by the Villa today 4 - 1. Moves them a little bit more out of the danger Zone.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 11:35 AM

Wenger almost licking himself with pleasure at the thought of meeting Blues in Wembley today.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 02:00 PM

What a pratt is Wenger, letting the Small Heath win.

Must be their first piece of Silverware.

Us Villa supporters have to now put up with that lot going on about it.

Could betting be involved... ooh err diud I just say that. Check the Arsenla goalkeepr out.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:58 PM

well they didn't take the possibility of Birmingham winning too seriously. and really you can't blame Wenger for that - given how the two teams have been playing this season.

great result for the bookies. I wouldn't have bet on the Blues.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: FaldingworthDave
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:54 AM

What were the odds on Blues winning?

I am not a betting man.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 05:47 AM

7/1

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:04 PM

I wonder how many Blues supporters put a bet on?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:32 PM

hi guys

I watched yesterday's game between West Ham V Liverpool this morning having recorded it.

I am not absolutely sure but I thought I heard the strains of the Fields of Athenry being sung ( with different words) by the fans of one of the teams. ???

Think it was Liverpool's. Anyone else hear it???

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 02:24 PM

It's Manchester City vs Aston Villa tonight and after our insipid display against Fulham on Sunday, I fear for Man City. If we draw, which is not unlikely, I fear there will be a rather tame surrender in the replay at Villa Park - as there was against Stoke City at the Victoria Ground in last year's FA Cup. City have plenty of big names, but no real playmaker in the middle of the park. Silva is out for a few weeks and Adam Johnson's season is over. We also do not function properly when Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong are out. I guess we will try to bludgeon it out - but it is unlikely to be pretty!

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 02:39 PM

alanabit, I wouldn't be too worried.

As a staunch villa supporter, I would have given us a chance with a full fit team, which is what we need against Man City.

On paper, Villa's team looks very bitty.

Aston Villa make eight changes from the team that beat Blackburn. Fabian Delph deputises for the left-back for Nathan Baker who is out with concussion. Ciaran Clark is at centre-back with James Collins and Carlos Cuellar missing.

Man City: Hart, Richards, Boateng, Lescott, Zabaleta, Barry, Vieira, Toure Yaya, Kolarov, Silva, Balotelli.

Subs: Taylor, Michael Johnson, Dzeko, Jo, Tevez, Boyata, Wabara.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Herd, Clark, Dunne, Delph, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Bradley, Bannan, Heskey, Delfouneso.

Subs: Marshall, Downing, Ashley Young, Pires, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Walker.

Up the Villa. Time to go and watch it on ITV.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:40 PM

Villa were never in it in the first half.

Man City deserve their 2 - 0 lead.

I have to ask GH, why he has changed the side from Saturday and left the key players on the bench. It just doesn't make snese to me, other than not wanting to continue in the FA Cup.

The Villa youngsters haven't done badly, but they are too inexperienced to handle MC

Ah well Villa need to make sure they do not get relegated from the PL so probably just as well.

Where has the pride gone in wanting to win the FA cup?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:44 PM

Yes where DID Martin O'Neill bugger off to?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 04:37 PM

The selection of the Villa team from GH said it all. They never went to even try and win.

I would be very unhappy if I had made the effort to go up to Manchester, spend my hard earned money to see that. I think the Villa owe those supporters an apology and should pay their costs back.

Good luck Man city but you had won before the kick off.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:11 PM

Of course I am pleased, but we beat Villa's reserves and nothing more. I actually agree with your comments Arthur. We were very lucky to have David Silva back tonight and Ya Ya Touré had a good game. I am sure a full strength Villa would have tested us more - particularly in the gaps behind Kolarov and the absence of an established pair of centre backs without Nigel de Jong in front them. I wonder why Houiller values the FA Cup so little?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:16 PM

He is French :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:32 PM

Yes it was a distressing sight. Villa looked like an endangered species hunted down ruthlessly whenever they had the ball.   Man City was everywhere.

Still theres always another Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Den
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 08:45 AM

MikeL2, yes a version of "The Fields of Athenry" is regularly sung by Liverpool supporters. That and "You'll never Walk Alone" are often heard at Liverpool home games.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 03:03 PM

Hi Den

Many thanks.....I thought it sounded familiar but I couldn't make out the words that the "Scousers" were singing.

WE play them on Sunday and I am going so I maybe will get a better chance to hear it - not that I want to other than out of interest.

Thanks

Mikel2

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: jonah77
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 04:01 PM

the mighty potters (stoke city) play west ham on saturday and in the next round of the cup.semi finals would be nice but i think i would prefer 3 points.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 06:31 PM

Being a season ticket holder at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane - I have to get my pleasure watching footie on TV.

Not possessing TV I go to the neighbour house where just about any game in the world is available via his computer:

http://www.myp2p.eu/

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 06:33 PM

I didn't know that you knew that as well Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 01:22 PM

Barcelona or Manchester United?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 May 11 - 01:44 PM

Tonight and only tonight, I will be rooting for Man U.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 01:51 PM

Ten minutes to kickoff... or whatever it's called... game on?

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 02:16 PM

Well... it's all hype at the moment... dunno when it's gonna start.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 May 11 - 03:38 PM

1 - 1 at half time

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 28 May 11 - 04:39 PM

Barcelona were outstanding. Well deserved to win.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 May 11 - 04:58 PM

Must agree there. I am no big fan of football but I must say it was a pleasure to watch Barcelona. How come all big clubs don't take a leaf out of their book? If you can be so accurate in passing and shooting you must be unstoppable. At times they made United look like a Sunday league team!

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 05:04 PM

Indeed, the technical ablity in set up and execution was superb after the initial mistakes which were fast and furious and quite shocking in the first several minutes...to the point that I thought Man U might win. Well done.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: autolycus
Date: 28 May 11 - 05:07 PM

I sometimes think teams and coaches don't think they need to learn anything.

Everyone is paid enough that i'd have thought they'd be spending most of their time seeking to improve.

I don't think it was just the pinpoint passing and shooting. Barca players always seemed to be in the right place; they were brilliant off the ball, which is crucial to success; there always seemed to be plenty of them everywhere; and they know how vital it is to have and keep possession.

"Shows" how much even football is half-won in the head.

Congratulations to the deserved winners from a Spurs fan.


Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 05:07 PM

And might I add... that ref did an amazing job by not calling fouls which did not matter to the flow of the game. I was aghast at some of the no-calls early on but soon appreciated his "take" on the play and flow. He is to be commended for making it an enjoyable game to watch.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 28 May 11 - 05:28 PM

Barça in every sense the epitome of cool: never flustered; just a fine flowing style of play, with an uncanny knack, it appears, of knowing just where & when to pass, confident that a team-mate will be there to receive it. Uncanny, almost, the perfection of their play.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: gnu
Date: 28 May 11 - 06:29 PM

autolycus... as for there being plenty of them everywhere... that struck me from the first touch. No matter what was on the go they were voraciously attacking. They "stayed as close to the ball as possible" even if it was just one man alone forcing England to play quickly, even charging the goal when there was no chance of doing anything but "hurrying up" the keeper.

I saw that in Rooney who was out of position many times trying to force play and turnovers but not so much from ALL of the others. Odd to me. But I am a Canuck so I don't know much about football.

Subject: RE: BS: Football 2011
From: alanabit
Date: 29 May 11 - 04:15 AM

Barca are probably the only team in the world who could do that to Manchester United. It was a superb performance. There is no disgrace in losing to a team of that quality.