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

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 May 18 - 04:40 AM

It would've been good to see two. It was good to see all last year's promoted clubs surviving. Sadly, the PL is still an elite Top Six then the rest. Quite often this season, teams from "the rest" have shown the big boys that spirit, tactics and sheer hairy-arsed determination can trump the spoiled-brattery fed by oil or oligarch money...

I see that Cristiano is demanding pay parity with Messi otherwise he may leave Real Madrid. Half a million quid a week. I wouldn't even know what to do with one week's-worth of his salary....

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 May 18 - 12:42 PM

Fer chrissake, the ref is playing for Man U. Phil Jones should be OFF - cast-iron! Come on Chelsea!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 May 18 - 01:45 PM

Ashley Young - blatant handball - penalty - NOT GIVEN!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 May 18 - 04:17 PM

Correct result! Brilliant defensive display by Chelsea, Man U terrible in the first half, better but still a bit clueless after half-time, their £95 million man missing the sitter of the season. Justice done!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 20 May 18 - 06:36 AM

Hi Steve

I don't agree with your harsh description of the game.

The bad decisions by the ref were not only against Chelsea.

The deliberate vicious back header against Jones went unpunished and several wild tackles mowing Sanchez down were completely ignored.

Chelsea had clearly targeted him. There were other fouls ignored.

The second half was all United and only desperate defending held them out.

Yes Pogba missed a sitter which would have leveled the game.

But Chelsea deserved to win as we were just not good enough on the day.

Now we await Liverpool v Real Madrid. I promise the I am not biased and will give a fair comment on how I saw the game. I am hoping Liverpool can achieve a victory.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 May 18 - 09:26 AM

Hi Steve

We are very close to the Euro Championship final.

I am looking forward to a great game between two fantastic attacking sides. Real Madrid are slight favourites but that will not worry Liverpool.

Having said that it should be an attacking game, I think the game will depend on the performance of the defending sides.Real has a defence that has been together and have lots of big game experience. Virgil Van Dyjk has toughened up Liverpool's defence and if he can hold them together Liverpool can cause a huge surprise.

I hope so as I will be behind Liverpool for this one.

Best of luck

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 25 May 18 - 09:34 AM

You and me both MikeL. come on Liverpoooooooooooooooooool!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 May 18 - 09:56 AM

Apparently, in recent times, a Prince getting married and Liverpool winning have boded ill for the Pope!

Coincidence?

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 May 18 - 02:43 PM

Hi Dave

I did not know that...... but if ( when) Liverpool win Jurgen Clopp will be King and Pope of the city.

Just revving up for the game.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 May 18 - 02:49 PM

Hi

I live next d oor to a "scouser". Salt of the Earth. He is trying to get to the match - his flight was cancelled so he is trying alternatives. I haven't heard how he is going on.

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 May 18 - 03:41 PM

Hi

Half Time 0 - o; Sad to lose Salah. Real Madrid lost one too.

Scoreline about right. Liverpool had a good start but Madrid coming back just before Half Time.

A lot of football t o come.

Cheers mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 May 18 - 05:13 AM

Hi Steve

Twas not to be. The injury to Salah seemed to affect the whole team.

Of course the blunder by the keeper didn't help. Although Liverpool Equalised Real were superior and another goal seemed likely....and what a goal !!! Worth winning any Cup Final.

Real's midfield dominated and Liverpool visibly tired as another Bale goal was gifted by fumble fingers in goal.

The clash between Salah and Ronaldo never happened. Ronaldo was poor and did next to nothing.

For me Man of the Match for me was Marcello - all over the place both in attack and defence. but the whole of the Real midfield overcame Liverpool.

So Liverpool join Man United in the no trophies this year club.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 27 May 18 - 05:23 AM

Unbelievable. I had to wonder how they managed to get to the final.

Certainly not the Liverpool who have run riot through other teams defences this season.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 May 18 - 08:55 AM

Hi Raggy

No this was a very low version of Liverpool. I know that Salah was missing for most of the game. But that happens in Football. Remember Man United lost Lucaccu their leading scorer.

It does show a weakness in Liverpool's squad. Compare their sub's bench to Real's. Most of the players on their bench are all potential first team players.

Salah's replacement was Allana who ran all over the place but acheived absolutely nothing. Don't think he will have impressed Southgate.

Mohamed Salah's injury and Loris Karius' calamitous keeping will haunt Liverpool's broken dreams for years to come.
We all knew about Liverpool's weakness with goalkeepers. So Clopp certainly must have been aware of this.

It went very quiet in the pub last night - the Liverpool fans have been taking the **ss for the last few weeks.

What goes around......

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 May 18 - 06:49 PM

Sergio Ramos cynically took out Salah. It was perfectly deliberate and premeditated from a man who has form. It knocked the stuffing out of Liverpool, who had dominated up to that point. Ramos knew that the only way to win was to scupper Salah, and, by doing so, he wrecked the match. Adam Lallana hasn't had much football this season so we can excuse his relative quietness on the night. The goalie made two horrible mistakes, 'tis true. When a goalie makes a mistake, it's a goal. When an outfield player makes a mistake, it's a free kick. Had Salah survived, it's pretty certain that neither of those goalkeeping errors would have happened.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 May 18 - 10:59 AM

Hi Steve

I don't quite agree with your comments re Salah/ Ramos. Yes of course Salah was targetted. Every team picks out players that are going to be a problem.

Having said that I don't think it was a brutal tackle. There was a bit of wrestling as Salah tried to push Ramos off - they were holding each-other as they fell to th ground. Unfortunately Salah fell awkwardly with Ramos on top. He unfortunately landed on his shoulder. Sad but this happens in sport.

I can't see a connection between the Salah injury and the goalkeeper's blunders. It should have made him more determined to keep Real out.
In any case I believe it was a Clopp problem. Surely he shoud have changed the Keepers.

Salah is going to be targetted and he will need look after himself and get protection from his team.protection.

I am old enough to have seen Stanly Matthews. He took loads of stick but learned to avoid it. George best was another.( Tommy Smith ??) More recent was Paul Scoles who was targetted by Teddy Sheringham in his ( Scoles's first game. Brian Robson " had words with Sheringham He stayed away.

All part of the game.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 May 18 - 05:09 PM

Watch it again in slo-mo, Mike. It was a typical Ramos piece of cynical play. His clear intention was to take out Salah. The fact that it "happens" doesn't make it any fairer. Ramos knew that up to that point Liverpool were dominating. He knew exactly what he was doing. Hope he reflects on that in years to come when he contemplates his trophy cabinet. He's a cheat.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Jun 18 - 06:18 AM

Hi Raggy

I hope you don't mind me using you thread to use for The World Cup.

I have watched parts of most of the games already played. I felt that the first three were boring to watch, with a poor standard of football.

However last night I watched Spain v Portugal. What a game !!!
A fantastic game to watch with some of the best football I have seen for a long time. Spain went behind twice and each time then they equalised. Then Spain went ahead near the end and it looked all over.....but no.....up stepped Ronaldo with a fantastic free kick to bring the game level. ( He had already scored 2 so this made a fantastic hatrick).

I think the result was a fair one even though Spain did bominate to some extent.

Seeing this game made me think that England are way behind the top sides and will do well to get through the qualifying games.

I hope I am wrong but we will see.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Jun 18 - 09:05 AM

Hi

Just watched France v Australia.

Poor slow game. France the supposed favourites were held in check by a stron Aussie defence and an occasional foray into the French penalty area.

France looked tired and clumsy with many misplaced passes.

Some controversial decisions. France were awarded a penalty which was disputed. So they introduced the VAR service from which the Referee awarded a goal which in my view was wrong. Soon after Var again was difficult to prove ball fully over the line. Goal again awarded.

No such problems when French defender crazily punched the ball in the penalty area.

France ran out very lucky winners 2-1. They will have to improve if they want to qualify for later rounds.

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 16 Jun 18 - 10:12 AM

What you post has nowt to do with me me old love.

As for sport I would far rather watch Hurling, Gaelic football, Rubgy or Cricket than these nancy boys feigning injury, cheating and generally being very unsportsman like.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Jun 18 - 10:14 AM

Hi

Phew !!! I watched Yesterday's games.

Some great football and some surprises. Mexico beat current World Champions - and it was no fluke !!!

Equally surprising was Favorites Brazil only managing to draw with Korea.

Cant wait to see England tonight but I think that they will have to play their best to win this one. Fingers crossed.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 18 Jun 18 - 01:19 PM

Not chopped liver on the pitch, ICELAND played international powerhouse, ARGENTINA to a draw. Argentina has three cities which each have populations about the size of all Iceland, and overall population 120X times that of that opponent. Iceland is my new hero.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Jun 18 - 04:37 PM

Hi John Thanks for reme that I missed out that fantastic performance by Iceland. I was not surprised because I remember watching them Beat England in the Euro Championship.

As you say How they manage to get a team like that with such a small population is fantastic.

Cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Jun 18 - 04:46 PM

Hi

Just watched England beat Tunisia. After a great start where we could and should have scored 3 or four goals, we lost our way a little and a soft decision gave Tunisia a penalty to put them level.

We kept at it and towards the end we got the winner which we deserved.

Harry Kane scored both goals but rest of the he was being wrestled to the ground by one of their "heavies".

to our credit we tried to play attacking football to the end, despite Tunisia parking the bus.

So onward and upward,

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Jun 18 - 04:48 AM

The ref was terrible, and, but for that last goal, there would be ructions today. Several of the Tunisians were play-acting cheats and they got away with it almost entirely. Apart from the great start and the period after Rashford and Loftus-Cheek came on (way too late), England were very uninspiring. Every time Stones got the ball in deep midfield the game almost ground to a halt as he sat on the ball looking around indecisively, allowing Tunisia to regroup. Time and time again that happened in the second half and he wasn't the only one. Swift passing and running, scaring the opposition with pace, are the way to intimidate inferior teams. That's how we got 'em in the end but we'll need more than a few minutes of that per match if we wish to survive against the big boys. I think our turning point will come, one way or the other, in the Belgium game. If we sit back and throw it because "we've qualified anyway" the main contenders will see us as easy meat and our confidence will be shot.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Jun 18 - 10:49 AM

Hi Steve

I agree with all your comments about the England game.

How Tunisia got away with their sneaky foul tactics I don't know.
Apparently the ref used VAR but he mustn't have had it switched on!!!

I think even when England eventually got round Tunisias's penalty area they just used short passes and tried to walk the ball into the net.

They may have enough to beat Panama but if they do get through they will need to improve. How about Vardy,Rashford and Kane as the strike force ???

My man of the Match was Jordan Henderson.   

Cheers Mike

PS just seen that Japan beat ten mn Colombia.....getting interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 20 Jun 18 - 10:10 AM

Hi

Just watched Portugal struggle through against Morocco to win 1-0 ( Scorer Ronaldo with a brave header).

Good physical game with Morocco's attacking game unable to get that important goal.

Portugal just did enough and played much of the game at half pace.
Very professional performance which we have come to expect from the Euro Champions.

Morocco unfortunately go out of the competition at this early stage.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Jun 18 - 10:36 AM

Hi

The last couple of days have made it plain to see that top teams nhave all had a difficult time. Today Brazil just beatCosta Rica in injury time. They have not an easy ride this year. Germany, Argentina and today Brazil struggled and are not sure of qualification.

The Referee today was excellent and was booking players for wrestling and shirt pulling. He also booked players for diving and for time wasting. Hope other refs were watching.

By and large most teams are capable of beating any other team. except Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Pity, Salah never got a chance to shine.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Jun 18 - 01:31 PM

Hi

Watched England v Panama. England were excellent and they ignored the stupid dirty fouls that were made by a far inferior team. The referee did penalise the worst of the fouls and Harry Kane slotted away the spot kicks.

John Stones got in the act by scoring two headers and Jessie Lingard scored a beautiful goal. I thought Lingard was the best player in a fine English performance.

As the teams went in for half time at 5-0 it appeared that the referee had words with the Panama coach and things got more settled in the second half. They stopped the foul play and the looked a better side for it.

England obviously eased up which made sense in the heat.

They have qualified for the next round and will play Belgium to see who wins the Group.

Well done England. They have a long way to go yet but this was encouraging.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Jun 18 - 01:41 PM

We were cheering for Senegal, but the result was a two-all draw.
My husband thought that Japan played with a lot of agility, and that Senegal were a bit disappointing in comparison with their performance in the past.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Jun 18 - 10:13 AM

hi Sen

I watched the game and thought that a draw was a fair result as Senegal were not up to there usual high standard.

Still as the song says.......ther's always Tomorrow ( sic).

Regards Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jun 18 - 11:35 AM

This Golden Boot malarkey. Harry Kane, much as I like the bloke, is El Capitan and gets to decide who takes the pens, i.e., him. So he scores five goals in two games, three of them pens, one of them a flukey deflection from someone else's shot that he knew bugger all about, just one a proper striker's goal. John Stones score two classy headers in the one match. I know who I think deserves the kudos more...

Lingard is brilliant. As with Rashford, he seriously needs to get away from Mourinho.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Jun 18 - 09:23 AM

Hi Steve

I agree with you comments about Harry Kane and the Golden Boot.
This is the man who a couple of months ago claimed a goal to try and boost his goal total. By doing so he was a) Cheating his colleague and b) Cheating the other runners for the title.

With regards to Lingard and Rashford I disagree. It would be like Liverpool getting rid of Salah.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Jun 18 - 09:29 AM

Hi

The competition is really hotting up.

Last night Spain and Portugal were run very closely by lower rated teams.

What is also clear is that the standard of referees is poor and the appearance of VAR has muddied the water.

One thing ( among others) that needs to happen is to stop groups of players surrounding the Ref at the slightest chance. Captains only should be allowed to approach the Ref.

cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jun 18 - 10:32 AM

Jose is a very long way from getting the best out of those two, Mike. They'd blossom away from Man U. Agreed about refs getting mobbed. Disgraceful stuff. And look how long it's sometimes taken the ref to get control before a penalty can be taken. If you stand in your own six-yard box and have to be repeatedly ordered to get out of it for a penalty to be taken, you should be sent off. It's cheating. You know the rules.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Jun 18 - 09:31 AM

Hi

Possibly your right but both of those players have joined Man United as children and have been brought up and are being developed by the Club.

I think that Mourinho's style maybe cramps the attacking talents of both players. However They will be being developed in the next year or so.

United have a history of buying top players for " loads of money"This can at times cramp the younger players. But they get well looked after and they will be given their chance a la The Class of 92 .

Getting ready to watch the Germany game. Don't like this playing two games concurrently. My remote is smoking...lol

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 Jun 18 - 01:28 PM

The Krauts are knocked out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 27 Jun 18 - 01:40 PM

And by South Korea!! They didn't even score a goal! (2-0)
Husband still at work - can't wait to tell him when he gets home, he'll be astonished.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Leadbelly
Date: 27 Jun 18 - 04:37 PM

Yeah,Bonzo3legs,but after all this was not unexpected at all and - therefore - no real surprise. It will not take too much time until Mrs. Merkel will make a same experience. Hopefully, Kraut-Manfred from Germany...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Jun 18 - 09:01 PM

I'm almost as deliriously happy about Germany getting kicked out as I am when Man U get beaten. I don't understand myself when it comes to such things, but by Christ it's pleasurable...

"Is that goalkeeper allowed to do that?!" cried Mrs Steve. "When it comes to Germany, the more often the better!" retorted I!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 03:45 AM

"So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye
The German team decided not to try-y"

(With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 04:02 AM

Husband has been watching the South Koreans' second goal over and over again. He thinks it's hilarious - it sort of popped in, with no opposition, and the goalie seemed to be otherwise occupied.

He's going to be at work again during the England match tonight, much to his annoyance. He reckons it'll be a draw.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 04:05 AM

Hahahahahaaaa Nigel! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 04:30 AM

Don't mention the VAR...

(Not one of my originals, I hasten to add!)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 04:46 AM

Extended slightly, feel free to add to:

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye
The German team decided not to try-y.
    Dum diddi dum dmm dum dum dum,
    Dum diddi dum dum dum.

With South Koreans trying not to lau-augh
The German goalie’s in the other ha-alf.
    Dum diddi dum dum dum dum dum,
    Dum diddi dumb dumb DUMB!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 06:00 AM

Hee hee Nigel. I just sang this to my husband (he's not left for work yet) and he roared. He knows 'The Sound of Music' very well.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: keberoxu
Date: 28 Jun 18 - 04:43 PM

Did I read that right?
Belgium defeated England ??

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 05:36 AM

hi

England were beaten by a clearly superior team. Of course this might not be a "real" game because both teams played sustantially weakened sides.

The plan of playing Rashford and Vardy up front was a failure neither really got in the game. Some of the fault could be put down to a weak midfield    Rashford did have a couple of runs, including a missed chance.

It proves that Mourinho.s plans and development of Rashford is correct he is not yet quite ready for the big time, he can feature as an impact player when coming off the bench.    I think the same goes for Alexander Armstrong and Loftus Cheek, bright futures but not quite ready for the World Cup.

So it's Colombia next. Should be interesting.

Cheers

Mike k

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 07:44 AM

What a shame. Couldn't bring myself to watch what was a charade and a smear on this so far hard-fought World Cup. Colombia are a tough ask. I don't fancy our chances against them.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Senoufou
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 08:42 AM

My husband has hung two enormous England flags on the front of our bungalow. Strangers might think we've joined the English Defence League.
But after watching yesterday's match repeat, he was tempted to take them down again.
As my old Irish mother would have said, he was 'torolly disgosted'.