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

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Mar 18 - 10:59 AM

Hi Steve

I have just seen the draw for the European Champions League.

I see that they have drawn Liverpool & Manchester City.

Not the best draw for either of them. But what a great match - can't wait.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Mar 18 - 04:49 PM

Liverpool need fear no-one. Get past City and the cup is theirs. Did you see them this afternoon? They demolished Watford in the most beautiful, clinical fashion, we have the best footballer in Britain bar none and we have a formidable defence coming on. Robertson, Gomez and Virgil are the future. Klopp has some minor midfield issues to fix, but he's the Big Fixer if ever there was one! Be very afraid...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 18 - 11:19 AM

Hi Steve

Yes I did watch Liverpool yesterday buy for some reason I couldn't get into Mudcat earlier than this.

I agree with you about Salah. Fantastic player who jut keeps getting better. Definitely the best player in the Premier League and also most of them out there.

He has traits of Messi, Denis Law, George Best and Jimmy Greaves about him. He had the Watford defence in a complete trance, He even managed to get one defender to twizzle round and fall over without touching him.

I don't share your ( natural ) confidence about The City game and after if they go through.

We managed to win a scrappy game 2-0 against a Brighton team that made us look ordinary....which of course we are at the moment.

But as I said before a win is a win... it's not how but how many.

I believe that Mourninho has lost it !!! Such is my belief that I think had we lost.. Mourinho would be off up the road. And there is plenty of time yet. He's talking rubbish , like inheriting a poor side and needs to spend heavily next year. He's already spent over & 300 Million.!!! He's also criticising his team over the media. Not the best way to operate. He.s not going to get the best from his players that way.

Cheers Mike

Just Watching Wigan go out of the FA Cup.





you

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Mar 18 - 03:32 PM

Hi Steve

According to Metro United are planning to get rid of 11 players in the Summer.

I hope his replacements are better than the ones he made this year.

I know that this is only Press rumours but........

Sorry Neither Linard or Rashford are on the list....lol

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Mar 18 - 09:11 PM

Trouble is, Mike, we get individual players who light up the planet for a while then fizzle. It seems to me that Hazard is fizzling fast. Sterling - can't see him being a superstar for long. Rooney's whole career went in fits and starts. Can think of a few others - Robinho. Balotelli. Sturridge. And Neymar hasn't exactly set PSG on fire, has he? Oppositions work out ways of neutralising individual dangerous players. Liverpool's current strength is their fab three up front. They have an amazing understanding with each other and their egos are firmly in check. They work as a unit and fully occupy defences, so when someone like Salah breaks away at pace he has space and is hard to neutralise. Klopp has a way of seeing raw potential and developing it. I can see Robertson becoming Liverpool's engine room in years to come. True greats such as Best, Maradona, Pele, Iniesta and Messi, Suarez even, are very rare and you can really only shut them up by playing dirty or by their having a manager so inept that his tactics starve them of service. We've seen a lot of that with Aguero, Rooney and Michael Owen, who, unlike Messi, can look a bit lonely and ineffectual up front when the passes don't come in.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 20 Mar 18 - 09:24 PM

Aguero?!?

Just how many goals has he managed to net for City this year, 30 ? !?

And before you start rabbiting about Salah I know he has 36.......... but 30 goals in a season is going some.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Mar 18 - 10:10 PM

He's an out-and-out striker, Raggytash, unlike Messi and Salah, who will get back and forage for the ball and menace the opposition with positional play off the ball. Salah even gets back to defend. City have a great tactical manager and Aguero has had a good time under him for sure. But he does depend on service, and on the few lacklustre City days he can look very anonymous up front. I wasn't criticising him at all but he is a different kind of footballer. I'd have the bugger on my team any day!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 03:49 PM

Hi Steve

Thanks for the comments. I agree entirely with you remarks about players having a honeymoon and then the roof caves in.

Liverpool usually manage to get good strikers and usually manage to keep them. There are more than I can mention but Roger Hunt Ian Rush, Michael Owen, Kenny Dalglish < John Aldridge, Fernando Torres Robby Fowler et aland not forgetting David Fairclough the first Super sub. All have excelled . I could go on but I do remember Albert Stubbins who was a handful for many a defence.

But for me the best Liverpool player I have ever seen is Steven Gerrard. This man was just fantastic and drove Liverpool to great things.

What a great Clubman !!! and we get Pogba !!! Sheeeesh.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Mar 18 - 04:38 PM

I agree about Gerrard. What a shame he couldn't lead Liverpool to a Premier League title though. He was their engine room in the same way that I think Robertson could become - smart, accurate, FAST passing, right to your feet even at long range, getting behind the defenders, making space for the attackers and wrong-footing defences. Had Stevie been five years younger he'd have revelled in Klopp's superfast passing game. I'm afraid Torres was one of those who flattered only to deceive...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Mar 18 - 10:21 AM

Hi I watched the International friendly between England and Holland.

England won 1-0 in a largely ordinary game. England using several young players Had the best of the game and the result was a fair result.

We worked hard and pushed Holland back. But we lacked penetration in the final third.

Individually Henderson was our best player with Colleague Oxade - Chamberlain looking good in the first half. Rashford looked danderous with the few good passes that got to him. Should have had a penalty.
Felt sorry for Joe Rodrigez. getting injured to a wild tackle that the referee did not even see as a foul.

Overall a satisfying start but their are many more difficult games ahead. I don't see this team winning the World Cup.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Mar 18 - 11:02 AM

I watched part of the second half. Very pedestrian. Very non-dynamic. Plenty of passing across the park. Saw a couple of opportunities for some counter-attacking that were not taken. Can't see us playing too many games before we get the plane home from Russia!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Mar 18 - 01:45 PM

hi Steve

As you say plenty of passing but not often moving forward. This passing across and back slows the attack down.

The recipients of the passes don't seem to know how to find space. Last night the were often huge gaps to run into to cause problems for the opposition.

Holland were not what you would call a good team.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Mar 18 - 04:34 PM

That was my take too, Mike. Play safe but forget ambition. Tuesday will be interesting. Italy don't need to practise as they're out, so they can really go for it and give us a workout. I hope they do. Could have said that about the Orangemen too, I suppose...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 10:45 AM

Hi Steve

Italy proved to be a much harder task for England. Some dreadful defending in the first 10 minutes could have seen them 4 down.

The play was drab and unexciting until a bit of very quick thinking by Lingard saw Vardy smash the ball home.

Italy appeared to have accepted defeat but woke up towards the end.

A doubtful penalty - we must get this VAR thing sorted- saw Italy clinch a deserved draw.

I know England have a few missing "stars" but this is not good enough. Things need to improve before we go to Russia.

I have a ticket for United v Swansea on Saturday. No one son has managed to get in a company box. Taking our youngest grandson. Watched him play for school yesterday. Bit one-sided -
they won 15 - 0!!!! He got four.

Have a good Easter.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 11:30 AM

Well he did stand on the bloke's foot, Mike...

Same to you!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 01:59 PM

Hi Steve

Yes he did stand on his foot but I thought he dived first and then
the foot stood on his. It was not an easy one to call....even with VAR.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 07:52 PM

It's pretty difficult to stick your foot under someone else's in order to make it look like he's stood on your foot. Bottom line here is that the penalty would very probably not have been given without VAR. Is that right or wrong? I suppose we want a flowing game uninterrupted by long waits for decisions. VAR isn't an answer at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 29 Mar 18 - 06:39 AM

From: Steve Shaw - PM
Date: 28 Mar 18 - 11:30 AM

Well he did stand on the bloke's foot, Mike...

I thought Mike approved of that:

From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Mar 18 - 02:37 PM

Hi Steve

I am with you on time wasting. Another thing that should be stamped on is the players -


Multiple 'smilies'.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 08:56 AM

Hi
Nigel thanks for comment. I have looked at that tackle very closely in "super " slow motion. To me it looks like the guy was tackled by two players almost at the same time. One of the tacklers slightly nudged the guy and he dived. The second tackler did tread on his foot after he had gone down. I can see why the decision was difficult,it was almost impossible the detect.

I thought the ref signaled no penalty but changed his mind and went for the VAR.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 09:14 AM

Hi Steve

Back to Status Quo......!!!

I managed to watch some of the Liverpool game before watching United.

It was entertaining and for much of the game either team could have won it but a draw looked as though it was on the cards. But up popped Salas again to steal the match. What a player !!! Liverpool are defending better under the direction Van Dyk . They look more settled and organised. He is paying off his fee very quickly.

On to United. They showed more enterprise than recently. Lucacu scoring an early goal. After this it was almost one way traffic with United having several chances, one of which Sanchez scored a long awaited goal.
Lingard had a hand in both goals and was a pain in Swansea's side.
He is starting to develop into a good player. Could be a dark horse in the World Cup team ??

Looking forward to the City game , it should be a belter.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 10:22 AM

Couldn't watch all of it but it looked like Liverpool won ugly. I hear that Sadio was lucky not to be sent off!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 09:12 AM

Hi Steve

Yes for once Liverpool needed to win ugly. At this important time in the season when every game is important either for promotion or demotion teams have to win by whatever method they can. Crystal Palace scored first and then tried to park the bus. You can't do this with a team like Liverpool unless you know what you're doing. Palace did,nt and paid for it.

Most of the remaining games will be a scramble. But non the less exciting.

Hold on to your hat.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 03:11 PM

I suspect the end of the season will confirm Liverpool as the fourth best team in the country.

Tottenham seem to be on a roll to take third spot.

I suppose someone will come back and tell me about when Liverpool won the Premiership .................... !!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 04:50 PM

Devastating performance by Liverpool in the first half. A more worrying second half but the defence wouldn't let City pass at all. I'm over the moon 'arry!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 06:12 AM

hi Steve

Congratulations. Great game to watch. Liverpool overwhelmed City from the start. They were in their faces and pressed and tackled everything in sight.

City were put off their game and fLiverpool's devastating attack took what chances came.

AS you say City improved in the second half and Liverpool ( despite missing a couple of defenders,) held City at bay and prevented that important away goal.

The two fullbacks were fantastic causing havoc in the city defence in the first half and then adapting to the change which meant they had to defend. They were very impressive now in keeping City out.
Of course it is not over yet, this was only the first half - so to speak.

One thing that spoiled things was the attacking of City's Team Bus as they arrived. This could have upset some of the city players.

But as I say, congrats and I look forward to the next one.

Cheers Mike

Ps I hope Maurinho took some notes of Liverpool's approach when we meet City on Saturday.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 09:45 AM

I've just watched a bit of footage from inside the Manchester City as it approached Anfield. The behaviour of some of the Liverpool "fans" is appalling.

"fans"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 11:10 AM

Hi Raggy

Yes I saw it all last night and it was frightening at times.
These idiots spoil it all for real fans and supporters. They damaged the coach so badly that they needed another bus.

I think that the police should have been there to protect the bus and the City team. The " fans " had announced that they were going to " give the bus a lively arrival." But as far as I could see there was no protection.

I don't know if EUFA will do anything about this disgrace to football.

If they don't no doubt the City " fans" will try to respond.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 04:26 PM

The two Anfield matches against City this season have been an absolute credit to football. Last night's was a cracker but the earlier one was the best game I've watched in many a long year. Both teams came out in both games to play fast, exciting, attacking football. Exactly what the fans want to see. Sure, the bus incident was a disgrace ,but it was a handful or two of morons out of tens of thousands of well-behaved fans. Things like that happen a lot less often than they used to so let's hope the police can trace the culprits, with the help of the real supporters hopefully, so that we can put it behind us and remember the evening for the great footie.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 05:34 PM

Sorry Steve, you're not going to like me for saying this, but the behaviour of the crowds outside Anfield was disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful.

I know that football supporters the world over act this this, but that is no excuse.

There is simply no excuse for the actions of some of the assembled fans, even the one's who were "merely" shouting abuse should be ashamed of their behaviour.

To try and put this in context, would you have wanted your Mother to witness that.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 06:00 PM

It's still a very small minority. Liverpool FC is famed for its spirited and passionate good-natured fans and the ethos of the team is to come out and play attacking and entertaining football in a great spirit. The bus incident is indeed a slight on the game. In these days of full CCTV coverage let's hope that the perpetrators will be caught and properly dealt with so that we can move on.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Apr 18 - 08:45 PM

Whilst I have no admiration for Sheikh nor oligarch money in football, nor for the riches of the Premier League in general, I do think that we have by far the best two managers in Europe in Klopp and Guardiola. Pep was brilliant at Barca, the passing game coupled with the hit squad of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi imperious, and he's advanced City to way beyond their level of competence. Klopp's strength is that he really knows how to train players as well as to inspire the team (and crowd) to believe in the themselves. All other managers look like minnows, with the exception of Poch at Spurs.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: G-Force
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 05:15 AM

Didn't United do well?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 06:36 AM

Hi

Yes they did. Down 2-0 and won 3-2 away from home to a team that has dominated the Premiere League all Season.

And we certainly didn't win ugly !!! Yes we had a bit of luck but that comes to everyone at times. This was our time.

The satisfying thing for me was the performance of Sanchez and Pogba. Hopefully this will give that break to give them the confidence to perform and do what we have needed to see from them.

Mourinho must have given a great talk at half time.

Great for us cos we were in the pub with all our mates some of whom are City fans. They were taking the **** up to half time. Lovely to see their faces as the goals rattled in.

good day for United fans. Especially as Liverpool could only draw. Gives us more chance of staying second in The League.

I can't see City holding Liverpool on Tuesday. Clopp will have them attacking. They only need one goal and City will have to come out and attack leaving openings for that ever dangerous Liverpool attack.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 06:45 AM

Well, apart from the cast-iton fact that City should have had a late penalty and a sending-off...

But Man U did play really well in tbe second half, I'll give you that.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 06:54 AM

I'm not being taken in by that Pogba performance. It he played like that every match we probably wouldn't be 13 points behind City. The sooner he leaves the club the better. It says a lot that Guardiola didn't want to sign him.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 08:54 AM

Hi Raggy

RE Pogba I am not totally convinced by this one game. He needs to up his performance or we should get rid. The Pep refusal seems to be "Fake News".

And I think the jury's out on Sanchez too. Also the defence needs strengthening too judging by the way City pierced them at random, especially in the 1st half. Sterling missed at least four easy chances.

Steve - I agree that the penalty was the right decision. But hey I have seen many others worse than this turned down. Some you win and others you don't. We have had several like this turned down this year. The standard of refereeing over here is very poor. No wonder they haven't selected any British refs for the World Cup.

I was happy because at half time in the pub my Son checked the bookies for full time scores. They were offering 50 to 1 on a United win so we took a fiver each on it. £250 quid, plus a great United win.....I had a good dinner..!! "hic"

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 08:59 AM

Meanwhile Brechin City have not won a single game this season

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 11:20 AM

Hi Sandman

I lived in Inverness for four years and watched a lot of football while I was there. In those days Inverness had ( I think ) 3 three teams one of which was an all amateur team. They were called Thistle , Caledonian and clachnacuddin .

I can't remember if any played Brechin, Around this tome the leagues qw
were changed and I think Brechin went into a newly formed East 2. I think Brechin did win a few in fact I believe they won their League one year.

I don't think they winn it this year...LOL

Cheers

Mike

Used to get the "real" football at Aberdeen and Dundee.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 09:07 AM

Hi Steve

I am organised to receive tonight's City v Liverpool game. Pack of Black Sheep ready in my " cupboard.

City are obviously going to go for it....they have no choice. Liverpool may have to play a game alien to them. Still it should be a cracker.

As I am completely unbiased for this game I can sit back and enjoy the ride.

I see that Liverpool asked United if they could use their training facilities. United said they needed them. Have.t Liverpool faciilties of their own? Or perhaps they thought it would save the players tiring
from that long run.

Good Luck

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 05:56 PM

Hell's teeth, I'm an emotional bloody wreck! After the final whistle I immediately wolfed down three of me mum's custard creams, it was that bad! What sheer character Liverpool showed after half-time when they looked like they might be basket cases. Was that goal offside or not? At first I thought not but I need to see replays. Whatever, it was football at its finest, both teams feisty, no negativity, both going out to attack (whenever they weren't under siege!) and win. Brilliant entertainment.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 09:10 AM

Hi Steve

Congratulations for a fine win. It was a very fair result. Liverpool clearly won over the two games.

I have seen some shots that say that the goal was just offside. But I am not convinced. It looked a goal to me. The usual problem of accurately deciding was he in an offside position WHEN THE BALL WAS PLAYED - I believe he wasn't, but there is just a split second in it.

It was similar to the United City game in that city played magnificently in the first halves. They could have scored four or five
But by good luck and fine defence Pool gained their deserved win.
I thought that they looked to be tiring when Salah did what he does best. That one goal completely shattered City but they kept trying.

Cheers Mike

ps I bet you are rather pleased that Barcelona went out.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 02:38 PM

Hi Steve

In my previous post I forgot to say that I was disappointed by the referee who made no attempt to stop Liverpool's attempts right from the kick-off to waste time. They did everything they could to slow the game down and the ref did absolutely nothing about it. Ok most teams do it towards the end of a game but from the start it is a little boring. It worked as it ruffled the City Players which upset their style of play.

I don't blame Liverpool the Ref was to blame. All good players will play to the referee. There was no time added at half time to allow for this and also for some hold-ups for injuries.

I don't think he was biassed just inexperienced.

Perhaps the rugby League method of logging time wasting and stoppages would help.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 09:10 AM

Hi Steve

Just seen the draw for Euro Championship Trophy.

Liverpool by drawing Roma have managed to avoid Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Should have great chance of place in Final. them who knows.......anything can happen.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 09:12 AM

We fear no-one, Mike!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 10:27 AM

Hi Steve

I was not implying that you should fear anyone. The way Liverpool have played this season should give them all the confidence they need. They will fear no one.

I think they will beat Roma.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 09:14 AM

Hi Steve

I watched Liverpool v Bournemouth yesterday.

Liverpool were completely superior in every way. It was so one-sided that it became boring.

Mo Salah should be complimented on reaching 40 goals in one season. Another really good goal made to look so simple.

I have already given my views on the young full backs - Alexander Arnold & Robertson. But I have to commend them again. They are fantastic both in defense and attack. Wonderful range of accurate pinpoint passing feeds their hungry goalscorers through-out the game.

Years ago full backs were huge guys who kicked everything above the grass and lumbered around the edge of their penalty area.

Todays' fullbacks are now wingbacks and are extremely fit and pacey
athletes, These two lads are going to be fantastick players for the future.

Just getting ready to watch United - If we dont't win today they will want locking up.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 09:30 AM

I haven't seen a better goal than that one all season. I also watched the whole game. Good to see Spurs getting licked by City - even if they win their match in hand they won't overtake Liverpool due to inferior goal difference. Chelsea are surely out of it now. Klopp's strengths seem to be getting great camaraderie in his squad and really improving raw talent. Mo, Ox, Robbo and TAA are growing fast. Virgil has settled the defence and Lovren is looking good. Next season be very afraid.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 12:54 PM

Har har! Lock the buggers up!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 02:02 PM

Just remind me will you Steve, when it was when Liverpool last won the Premiership title ..............?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 03:32 PM

Just remind me when you last saw Man U play ninety minutes of exciting, positive, entertaining football first! Who ever said it should be all about winning!