BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Jan 21 - 07:14 AM

I was an odd one. Shrewsbury born but I think living in North Wales when I first took an interest in football. The Norwich connection comes from my father who's family have a long history in the city. I think in childhood, there was perhaps a sense of pride in being different to the rest.

I think most football support around the Llandudno area went to the big Manchester and Liverpool Clubs. I can't think of any I knew off hand that supported Wrexham who were the only N Wales league side.

There was someone my age and at one time (family moved to Llandudno Junction) from my village and primary school who got to be on Wrexham's books though. He didn't quite make it but I think played a couple of games for the first team.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 08:39 PM

Another black night for Liverpool, that's just 3 points from the last possible 15.

Last year I had a dream that Burnley would beat Liverpool and placed a small bet on it. Seems I did it a year too soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 04:05 AM

We've been sussed. Low block, pack the box, park the bus. The team are losing heart. A couple of seasons ago we blitzed the opposition in the first 15 or 20 minutes, got goals and forced the other team to come out and play. We have got to get an early goal.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 06:29 AM

Two comments from the 800+ in the Guardian following the match report:

Liverpool have a problem with a more park-the-bus side. Atletico was the template. If you cut off opportunities for Liverpool to counter quickly, then you are in a good place as Liverpool don’t seem to know how to breakdown a team that has regrouped in the box.

Reply to that:

This is the best comment of the night. Not difficult to work them out really. Additionally, no VVD and they’re impotent on corners. Teams now know they score late, they keep the concentration for the full game.

Sez it all really. Put ten or eleven behind the ball all match, pack your box and even a Pele, Messi and Best front three would have trouble. It makes for boring football. I blame Liverpool for not being able to find an answer, but I blame the Man Us and the Burnleys and any team that is run by Mourinho of this world for boring the arse off us. Pack the box and hope for the counter that just might get you that one goal (even if it's a non-penalty as last night). One thing you can say about Klopp's time at Liverpool is that he's given us positive, seat-of-the-pants footie. Even when they're winning 3-0 with five minutes to go, they are still attacking. Ultimately it's the fans who pay all those billions, so he knows that it's the least we deserve.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 12:13 PM

Looking at the table and recent results my money would be on Man City to gain the title this year unless Liverpool can turn their form round.

I don't think either United or Leicester have what it takes to win the premiership this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jan 21 - 01:02 PM

I kind of agree, but Leicester are bloody good at the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 24 Jan 21 - 05:19 PM

Needless to say I am delighted that United have once again defeated our old "enemy"

I still don't think they have what it takes to win the Premiership.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jan 21 - 07:35 PM

The best thing about today was that it was a bloody good game of footie. Flippin' soft free kick that provided Bruno with his goal, but what a cracking free kick. Great stuff. When you get a game like that, fought in a really positive, attacking way that's so good to watch, I have to confess that I'm not that bothered who won it. I might be tribal but I'm only a bit tribal. Kudos to both teams - and Man U are getting bloody good to watch...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Jan 21 - 09:19 AM

Hi Steve .....Yes what a game lot's of exciting Football. A very close game with 5 excellent goals. Yes and Bruno's goal was very clever and planned

I think the score was about right but either team could have pinched it.

Iagree with You and Raggy ...I dn't United will go way either in the League or the Cup. But I hope they give us more entertainment.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 06:19 AM

hi

Last night's performance By Man U will clearly show that we are right
saying we doubt that they are not ready for winning the League !!!!

I watched United play bottom Sheffield, United. They were outplayed .

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 07:44 AM

That was almost inexplicable!

Man Citeh look like a shoo-in now. Liverpool had better concentrate on getting in the top four (and winning the Champions League, of course...)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 09:21 AM

Hi Steve

My computer has decided to play games.....and it's not Football'

It's an old bugger....still working ( or not ). on Windows 7

Cheers
Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 10:49 AM

Mrs Steve uses a MacBook Air that I just don't get on with. I can beat you for an ancient laptop: I have a big old Sony that is running Vista. I don't use it for very much, mostly photos, and run it disconnected from the internet whenever I can as it's totally unsecured. I do most things on this 'ere iPad mini. My iPhone is more up to date but my poor old eyes don't find it easy to spend too much time on it. Anyway, I'd better charge the iPad up for the game...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 05:18 PM

That will do nicely...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 06:54 AM

A much needed win for Liverpool last night. One I was quite pleased to see, not so much that I wanted Liverpool to win, more that I wanted Mourinho to lose. Never can take to the man.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 08:18 AM

...And it was a really good, entertaining game, just wot we pays our money to see. Liverpool have had trouble breaking down parked-bus defences in the last few games, whilst otherwise playing not too badly (apart from giving Rashford far too much space down the left flank for half the match). Ironic then that the breakthrough should come against the team managed by the bus-parker in chief. Noticeable that Spurs' teeth were drawn when Harry had to go off after "winning" two fouls (his modus operandi). Son looked like a little lost soul without him all through the second half. Be very afraid, rivals. By the way, the disallowing of the Salah goal was a travesty. Dier was wrestling Firmino, which led to the totally accidental handling by Bobby, which he couldn't avoid. A perfectly good goal, instead rewarded by giving Spurs a free kick! A collective groan emanates from thousands of Liverpool supporters every time Martin Atkinson is announced as the match ref. He always automatically plays for the other team. Worst bloody ref going...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 09:20 AM

HI Raggy

I wanted Mourinho to lose. Never can take to the man.

I am totally with you, can't stand the man. Tried to ruin United.

Nobody around here will say nothing but relief now he's gone.

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Jan 21 - 06:43 PM

One hundred years from now, in the first human colony on the planet Mars, when there has been a three-month lockdown due to an outbreak of Martian bad-virus and the weather has been shit for weeks, non-stop planetary dust storms an' all that, the colonists will be watching footie repeats on their virtual doodah screens and thrilling again and again to see that second Liverpool goal. The repeat button will wear out. West Ham corner, bam. Trent gets ball, perfect 60-yard diagonal, bam. Shaq gets ball on left flank, 50 yards to go, hits it perfectly into box without taking a touch, bam. Mo controls ball with magical perfection, little flick to back of net, bam. Bloody beat that.

One other thing: in the last two games, in which Liverpool have been imperious, Hendo has been the pivot, the anchor-man, the leader of men. Please stay fit, Hendo...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 09:22 AM

Hi Steve

A LITTLE OVER STATED ....BUT IT WAS A GOOD GOAL !!!!!

" hENDO" IS BINDING THE DEFENCE AND SORTING OUT THE MID FIELD.

tO THINK " fERGIE " TURNED HIM DOWN   ......

bUT THEN HE GOT BECS AND THE 92 MOB. yOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL.

Going to watch United Tonight play SouHampton. Usually give United a run.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 10:19 AM

Overstated? Never! That was the goal of the season so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 03:09 PM

I'm interested enough to watch the game tonight, Mike. You should win it, but what a great night it would be for a Saints resurgence! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 08:14 AM

Arggg!!!!!

I could have watched last nights match on BT Sport, instead I had a ZOOM chat with a friend!

9-0 eh, good eh!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 09:16 AM

Hi Raggy.

I watched Unit swallow up The Saints......

I too would love to see " When the Saints Go........Marching in.

I t was great for me to see United get into gear. But it was a shame for the Saints. They got away to a bad start that got worse every minute.

But we now are level with City we will have to Play like that to go to the top...and of course we want to keep Liverpool at bay.

Interesting ai'nt it ?????

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Feb 21 - 06:11 AM

H!
Guys...Watched Liverpool last night. Pool embarrassed by defeat by Brighton. Clop says they were tired.

well there are plenty more games coming up.

I think that this might be the end of winning the League.

cheers

mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Feb 21 - 06:50 AM

I think you're right. As for embarrassed, that does Brighton a bit of a disservice. They are a lot better than their league position suggests, they are well-organised and they have a great manager. They defended well but didn't park the bus, always up for breaking out, which they did frequently. Man U could learn a lot from that. Parkers of the bus such as Man U and Spurs, sitting back against the big boys and hoping for the odd counter, are not only playing negative football but are in danger of pitching themselves into disarray if the opposition get a goal. Tactics shattered...

Several seasons ago Liverpool had a poor defence but won games by getting very quick goals early on. The opponents then simply have to come out and play. As I said, getting an early goal would have been a game-changer in several of their matches recently. They seem to have forgotten how to do it. This looks like Citeh's season. Note how they run games in a way that saves their energy. With all the problems Liverpool currently have, they're knackered.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Feb 21 - 10:34 AM

Hi Steve


I think United are changing their style. and are playing a more open game.

There is a wave of attacking youths. Nine Nil is NOT parking the bus,

We have won several games by coming up from behind against teams who have scored and " parked the bus,

Look at the League table,,,,,see who is scoring most.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Feb 21 - 11:59 AM

Don't let that 9-0 go to your head, Mike. The Southampton team were already severely depleted by injuries and they had ten men from the second minute and nine men for a lot of the second half. A couple of very dodgy decisions made a difference too (I'm not squabbling about the first dismissal, which was thoroughly deserved), not least the second sending off. Suppose you'd won just 1-0. You wouldn't be bragging about your goals then! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Feb 21 - 02:23 PM

Hi Steve

I am aware about the problems with Southampton. I know that we wern't
playing against them but we had a job to do.

I am happy with United's performances and know that things can change.
We are inconsistent and we need to improve, or games like Sheffiend United will come to haunt us.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 06 Feb 21 - 04:37 AM

"Suppose you'd won just 1-0. You wouldn't be bragging about your goals then! ;-)"

That is very true Steve but United didn't score just one they scored nine.


Very difficult fixture for Liverpool tomorrow, one that they must win to have any remote hope of winning the league again I feel.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 07 Feb 21 - 05:53 PM

I've only watched the highlights tonight so can't really comment on the game as a whole but Liverpool seemed inept, so many basic errors that I wondered if they had actually been champions last year.

They were champions, weren't they?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 07 Feb 21 - 05:59 PM

The problem is "they" are a bunch of foreign footballers whereas, when we won the World Cup, it was still mostly locals in MEANINGFUL competition; or in WalkaboutsVerse "Reregulate"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Feb 21 - 09:38 AM

Hi raggy I watched the whole match live. Yes they were poor. It has been been obvious that things are not right.

Last season they won the league for the first time in 38 years.

Roy Kean last night said " if they play like this, they will have to weight another 38 years. 2 !!!!!

I hope not, they are good to watch.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Feb 21 - 11:10 AM

Until the goalie mistakes, Liverpool played reasonably well against a tough opposition. The two daft errors to make it 1-3 knocked the stuffing out of them. There was never going to be a coming back from that, not against that side.

Anyway, I guess that makes Citeh a shoo-in this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 11:21 AM

Well United are safely through to the next round of the FA cup, the match itself was frankly tedious lightened only by a cracking goal.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Feb 21 - 01:53 PM

Yep. A waste of two and a quarter hours of my life. At least a penalty shootout would have spiced it up a bit...

I think we need a hard think about why good attacking teams are being blunted so often. Could be lack of fans, could be VAR, could be good (or bus-parking) defences...That match sorely needed an early goal to get it flying. When Citeh score early it draws the other team out, they take more risks and we get more goals and more excitement. Shame that City always end up winning though!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 11 Feb 21 - 10:00 AM

Hi Steve

There are other reasons for the more boring games........ MONEY,

Referees ,not just refs on the field..... cameras all over the place. And the players having to play so many games in a short time.

The spectators arw more interested on winning ..not for the Quality of playrers ..

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Feb 21 - 09:08 AM

What odds could I get for Liverpool not being in the top four by the end of tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 05:55 PM

Superb performance from the lads tonight, and a great game to watch. The away goals rule is a bit of a bugger in tbe current circumstances...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 02:41 AM

The game has changed so much from the days of Matthews[ king of dribble] skiils that matthews had, have disappeaerd to some extent eg dribbling round a player.
from the point of views of entertainment, passing to keep continuos possesion is not such an interesting spectacle as the more varied game which had a larger proprtion of dribbling tackling as well as keeping possession.
i think there is a valid argument for introducing a maximum wage

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 07:00 AM

I just want to see good, positive, attacking football. It's a game for the masses who pay handsomely to see it, and the masses want exciting, thrilling games. That means plenty of mistakes and plenty of goals. This season I've seen Liverpool, West Ham, Chelsea (recently) and even City playing like that. On the other hand, I've seen many of the clubs playing against Liverpool (the games I mostly watch), fearful of the front three, playing deep, packed defensive lines and playing most of the game in their own half. They hope to keep a clean sheet and mug Liverpool with an isolated, successful counter-attack. It's the most tedious bloody stuff to watch and is against what I believe to be the spirit of the game. Manchester United did it. Atlético did it against Chelsea (and nothing gave me more satisfaction than seeing them get exactly what they deserved). I think it's a worrying trend that will ruin the game at the top level. It reminds me of the way continental teams played in the 70s.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 07:45 AM

In gheneral i agree , i do like to see all skills dribbling tackling not just passing and keeping possesion.
in ireland THE GAA do a great job by keeping the game amateur, that means everybody gets an opportunity regardless of income to play and each county is only represented by people who live in the county, this is really good for the local community and for getting young people involved in sport

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 07:53 AM

I don't watch much these days or really for quite a few years but remember as a kid and Norwich, so bring back Ken Foggo I say. He was a pretty decent old style winger.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 08:01 AM

I started this thread with the point that Gaelic Hurling and Gaelic Football are FAR more entertaining to watch than Association Football and that all the players are amateurs (I suspect that "boot money" may play a part).

Hurling in particular is said to be the fastest field sport in the world and the skill levels are astonishing.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Feb 21 - 11:00 AM

I enjoy all 3 games [apart from the soccer diving, but as regards benefting the local community in active participation, theGAA have it right and soccer has lost its way

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 03:57 AM

will liverpool beat sheff utd?and will fulham beat c pal;ace

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 04:38 AM

My fingers are crossed and my loins are girded...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Feb 21 - 08:06 PM

Well bejaysus we had the most boring 0-0 ever and then we have Ole whingeing about not getting a penalty over a "handball" that was so bloody confusing that the only proper decision would have been to let it go. And Ole seems to have forgotten that Man U have had four more penalties awarded than any other Premier League club over the last couple of years.

In contrast, once again we had a cracking, positive game at Bramhall Lane...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 02:58 AM

too right roy hodge podge is the epitome of greyfootball

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 04:28 AM

He wasn't the gaffer of a club in either of those games, Dick!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 08:11 AM

Liverpool legend Ian St John has left us. A hero of the Shanks era...