BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'

Subject: BS: CLAUDIO RANIERI:'THE SPECIAL ONE'
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 May 16 - 05:00 AM

Leicester City - Premier League champions - odds at the beginning of the season 5000/1 - longer that Elvis being found alive.

Any other Foxes fans out there

Subject: RE: BS: CLAUDIO RANIERI:'THE SPECIAL ONE'
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 May 16 - 05:18 AM

I would most of the country who are interested in football (with the obvious exception of Tottenham fans) are delighted that Leicester have won the title. All credit to them.

Subject: RE: BS: CLAUDIO RANIERI:'THE SPECIAL ONE'
From: Stu
Date: 03 May 16 - 12:28 PM

Well done Leicester! Great to see a proper football club win the league, putting one over the rich clubs. City? United? Chelsea? Arsenal? Ha ha!

Subject: RE: BS: CLAUDIO RANIERI:'THE SPECIAL ONE'
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 May 16 - 12:54 PM

i am pleased for leicester and Ranieri.

Subject: RE: BS: CLAUDIO RANIERI:'THE SPECIAL ONE'
From: alanabit
Date: 03 May 16 - 01:02 PM

I love the title to the thread. Ranieri is a so much more likeable and dignified man than the sulky, whining other "special one"! And yes, congratulations to Leicester on a very fine achievement.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 16 - 03:48 PM

Sometimes, I just don't know what people are talking about. Probably a good thing, because it makes me learn something. Wikipedia says that Claudio Ranieri born 20 October 1951) "is an Italian football manager and former player." And that made me wonder why all these people from the British Isles are so interested in him.

The Wikipedia article continues: "He is the current manager of English club Leicester City."
Oh.

Are we Americans the only ones who call the game "soccer"? Where did the name "soccer" come from?

Anyhow, it's good for us Americans to know these things. I was pleasantly surprised to find that an Italian would be manager of an English football club. If "Brexit" takes place, will such things still happen?

America wants to know.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 03 May 16 - 04:00 PM

Great Result by Leicester City and Claudio Ranieri
I compliment their style of play as "Catenaccio with a smile"
A solidified defence encouraged by Claudio kept them in the premiership and allowed the talent he had to flourish the following season. Top marks to Claudio Ranieri for "bolting the door" and smiling all the way to a premiership win. , on a relative shoestring.

I think he remembered the system while the others were contemplating which prima donnas to spend millions on.
Back to basics ?

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 May 16 - 05:15 PM

Joe -- "Soccer" was originally Oxford University slang for Association Football, "Rugger" for Rugby Football. The addition of -"er" at the ends of words was a late C19 Oxford University affectation -- a waste-paper-basket was called a "wagger-pagger-bagger"!

≈M≈

As a Cambridge man myself, I am ambivalent about this particular affectation; which, it must be admitted, did add some useful terms & distinctions to the language.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 May 16 - 06:52 PM

"America wants to know" my arse. A country that has men playing a game that is played elsewhere only by lusty schoolgirls with too-short skirts and slightly chapped thighs (we call it rounders) has the nerve to call their league a "World Series." It was only ever of even the faintest interest when Leslie Nielsen was playing it. Football is the beautiful game, a game of skill, pace, fitness and grace. There is no other game like it, not even arm wrestling. Embrace it, yanks. It'll take you two hundred years to get any good at it, of course (and we don't allow guns in it), but you'll love the journey. And let's celebrate Leicester and allow them their unalloyed place in the sun. Bloody fantastic it is. I'm over the moon here, Gary.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Raggytash
Date: 03 May 16 - 07:27 PM

Joe, Your "American Football" has a slight similarity to our Rugby Union Football. The major difference being we do not wear Kelvar armour plating or helmets or stop every 30 seconds to get inappropriately dressed young girls to show their knickers.

It is a fierce contact sport with no prisoners taken by either side.

After they have knocked seven shades of shit out of each other for 80 minutes they shake hands, have a shower and retire to the bar where they try to drink each other under the table.

A very civilised sport.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 16 - 10:14 PM

I dunno, Raggytash. I think you're missing something. Even my dad, age 96, really enjoys the "inappropriately dressed young girls."

I was able to visit him in his Florida nursing home this year on Super Bowl Sunday. My sainted brother-in-law has made a tradition of watching the Big Game with my dad every year on that day. This year, I was able to visit from California and join in on this sacred male bonding ritual. Trouble is, my vegetarian sister bought the pizza, so the carnivorous aspect of the ritual was missing...and she reminded us not to get too excited about the "inappropriately dressed young girls."

But the beer was good, and so were the "young girls." But I have to say that those "young girls" looked very mature to me. Don't know that I've ever seen so much silicone in my life.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 May 16 - 12:40 AM

credit must also go Ranieris predecessor Pearson

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 May 16 - 08:42 AM

If you saw the silicone, I'd say they definitely WERE inappropriately dressed. I'd almost have had to avert my gaze, I imagine.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: banjoman
Date: 05 May 16 - 06:03 AM

Well done to Leicester. Wonder what the odds on them doing it again will be? I hope they finish second to Liverpool next year.
(Wishful thinking)

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 May 16 - 07:42 AM

You're a man after my own heart. The lads have got a job on tonight. I'm a bag of nerves.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Acorn4
Date: 05 May 16 - 11:03 AM

Agree about the tribute to Nigel Pearson who laid the foundations and put together an incredible run at the end of last season.

Ranieri should take a great deal of credit to recognise that things were moving in the right direction and add a bit of his tactical nous.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 May 16 - 02:29 PM

Hi

Yes my compliments to Leicester and Rainieri. Fantastic season - they sorted out some early problems with a shaky defence and ended up playing open attacking football.

I was at Old Trafford on Sunday and saw a highly entertaining game. Many of Unitrd fans wanted Leicester to win when the would have won the league had they won. It is easy to see the reason why Leicester do well. They are a team. Every man gives 100% for the whole game. They have a great attitude and all play for each other. Of course they have some outstanding players which always helps. Congrats.

Steve - I am sitting down to watch Liverpool. If they play at their best I think they will win they will win. I hope they do and I send my best wishes for tonight.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 May 16 - 02:35 PM

Even for me, a Man U follower, I hope Liverpool succeed tonight.

When I return, united we will be (up the reds)

Can't help myself when I hear that song !

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 May 16 - 05:12 PM

Bloody brilliant. Watched every second of it on BT Sport. I need re-entry shields. I'm over the moon, Gary!

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 May 16 - 05:22 PM

Well done, Liverpool. Constant and persistent effort paid off. Congratulations from a lifelong supporter of some other distinguished players who play in red!

≈M≈

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 06 May 16 - 10:12 AM

Hi
Steve

Congratulations for the win.

i watched it all and to be frank I was a little bored. Villa Real were piss poor - totally disorganised at the back - absolutely no marking and no pressing. That team would not survive in our League 1.   !!

However Liverpool can only play against who they are drawn to play against.
Sometimes it can affect the better team, and to Liverpool's credit they did not let it.

I will be watching the Final and I just hope it is a better game.

I am trying to get Wembley tickets for United's final but my usual contact is ill in hospital. so I just have to check one or two other contacts.....but no luck so far.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 06 May 16 - 07:02 PM

Now come off it, Mike. Liverpool were unfailingly positive, always looking for attack, superb pressing play, great teamwork, sharp and accurate passing, yeah, missing chances at times and doing what Liverpool do best, keeping us on the edges of our seats. Most premier league games I've watched this season (on me iPad, admittedly) pale in comparison. Liverpool under Klopp are exciting to watch, full of flaws but developing fast into a great team. Which is more than can be said for Man U, who have spent most of the season, apart from the last few weeks, grinding out the odd tedious result and boring the arses off us. Mike, the beautiful game exists just thirty miles from you along the East Lancs Road. It's never too late to undergo that road to Damascus conversion!

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 07 May 16 - 01:14 PM

Hi Steve

I agree about Liverpool's intensity and agression. But my point is that it is easy to do this when you have little or no opposition.

I agree that under Klopp they have improved immensely. I believe that Liverpool will become one of the best teams in the Premier League.
Klopp and Liverpool " go together like peaches and cream".

Unfortunately I have to agree with your comments about United. Frustrating and boring to watch. Even today as I watched them struggle to beat lowly Norwich Like many United fans I am not at all happy, and I am concerned about the future should van Gaal stay around.

Despite all this we are in with a shout for an undeserved place in Europe. Also we have the FA Cup Final....so we may scrape something from the ordinary season we have endured.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 May 16 - 07:09 PM

Well Villareal seemed fazed by the Anfield cauldron. But they are not little or no opposition, Mike. They're right up there in La Liga, and that league is no pushover. I love to watch the consummate skill of the tikka-tikka Barça lads but I also love the contrast of the pressing game, a great way to play if your team is a little less stellar but full of great team spirit and energy, and a bit of pace in the counter-attack is the icing on the cake. Gone are the days of those dreary defensive games we had to endure in the 70s and 80s, largely thanks to baleful European influence, now a thing of the past. But Leicester are the archetypal hairy-arse underdogs, nowt to prove and capable of embarrassing teams that cost ten times as much as them. So positive. I love it! Viva footie!

Mike, my boyhood hero was the great Jimmy McIlroy, the finest man ever to grace the beautiful game. I admit that Georgie was a bloody genius. But, apart from him, can you match Jimmy Mac?

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 May 16 - 10:50 AM

Hi Steve

No I can't match him. He was a wonderful player and a marvelous club man.

I saw him many times and never saw him play badly. Great sportsman and though I never met I understand from others that did, he was a great person.

They don't make them any more.

Georgie was a one off and as far remove off the field to Jimmy McIlroy as could be.

I never met him but my wife who ran a pub at the time actually served George with AN ORANGE JUICE !!!

Regards Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 May 16 - 12:14 PM

Jimmy still lives in Burnley and goes to home matches. There's a set of interviews with him on YouTube, well worth catching up with. I'm useless at links but it's easy to find!

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 May 16 - 01:07 PM

"served George with AN ORANGE JUICE !!!"

Thought it the Best thing for him, no doubt...

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 May 16 - 09:27 AM

Hi Michael

"< Thought it the Best thing for him, no doubt... >"

Ha Ha ....not the best Best joke I have head...lol

Steve - I watched was what must be the most Hyped up football game ever last night. Ater all it was only the also-ran's Cup. !!

Not a classic by any means. Certainly " a game of 2 halves. Liverpool should have wrapped it up in the first half.

After Seville scored immediately after the break the game was never going to go Liverpool's way. "The Dream" exploded ( or should that be imploded".

Their chance will come again. Maybe next year the Premier League and/or the FA Cup titles.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 May 16 - 09:38 AM

They need more guts and courage. And they don't need Moreno. Liverpool win when Coutinho's on fire, and he wasn't. When Firmino's in the mood he's deadly. But he's only in the mood about one match in four. Klopp needs a good summer with them.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: G-Force
Date: 19 May 16 - 11:57 AM

As for next season, I think Leicester's main problem will be keeping the team and management together. The big clubs are bound to come sniffing for their players. Also, the other clubs will gradually start to get the measure of them. I don't see them winning next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Claudio Ranieri: 'The Special One'
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 May 16 - 02:34 PM

Hi Steve

" Klopp needs a good Summer with them".

I read somewhere that Klopp is to up their fitness training to 3 times a day. A shorter holiday break and a tougher pre-season schedule. He has vowed that they will be the fittest side in the Premier league.

I agree about Moreno and I think Coutino is a great player on his day.
Kolo Toure is too slow for the Premier League. Sturridge is a good striker but he is injury prone and I think he has attitude problems.
I am sure that Klopp knows what he needs and I just hope he can persuade the powers that be to back him. We need a strong Liverpool to make the North West strong enough to challenge the Southern teams.

I see a recovery by Chelsea that will make a powerful South with Arsenal and Spurs.

I agree that Leicester will be hard pushed to make the top four next year. But it was great to see them win against all the odds.

Cheers

Mike