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

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 May 19 - 04:25 PM

No derision Steve, Liverpool have played some exceptional football this season .................

And thoroughly deserve to be runners-up!!


.................

Just remind me ........... when did you last win the Premiership??



Sorry me old lover but if you will support Liverpool what did you expect.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 May 19 - 04:37 PM

Tit.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 May 19 - 04:47 PM

I presume you mean as in:-


On a tree by a willow a little Tom Tit
sang willow, tit willow, tit willow ............

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 May 19 - 05:39 PM

By a River !!! by a river &^$"**^$! !!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 May 19 - 07:00 PM

"From: Raggytash - PM
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 10:13 AM

Let's hope the next manager can build Man Utd back to where the supporters expect them to be ........ at the top."

A bit of tribalist bollox from Raggytash from five months ago. Keep hoping, pal. United, for all their money and their massive wage bill (remind me: how much did they pay Rooney, then Pogba, then Sanchez, among other three-legged carthorses...?) have been shite all season except for a few honeymoon matches for Ole. Icing on the cake was that they got smashed today by a relegated team, with their £95 million chappie starting a scrap that should have seen him getting sent off. There's been a sickness at the heart of Old Trafford dating back to before Fergie left. In contrast, just look at the sheer positivity at clubs like Palace, Wolves, Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool. They've given us a terrific season. Ok, Citeh have been good to watch too, but they are seriously oil-tainted...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 May 19 - 07:21 PM

Oh I've no illusions about the problems at Old Trafford Steve.

If you want to quote my past posts perhaps you would care to regurgitate the one where I said the first thing to do was to get rid of Pogba.

There is a lot wrong at Old Trafford, every thinking United supporter acknowledges that. It will take at least one full season to rebuild, possibly more.

However I know you're feeling sore tonight but for much of this season you have been telling us how Liverpool were going to win the Premiership.

Kitchens, heat and personal whereabouts come to mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 May 19 - 07:38 PM

Just one more thing Steve, if United never win another match in my lifetime I won't lose any sleep about it.

It's really not very important.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 May 19 - 07:47 PM

I'm not feeling sore at all. A few of my posts ago I told you that the title race has been so amazing that, at the end of it all, neither club could possibly be described as "the loser" and that the winner would be football. That's how it's turned out. Kudos to the Citeh players, some of the best in the world, but no kudos to the club's owners and bankrollers, who also bankroll some very dodgy pursuits in the Arabian peninsula...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 19 - 02:27 AM

Swinton played Rugby League at Gig Lane for a while. Apropos of nothing at all. Of more interest, to Steve anyway, we have moved my Mum to a new and much better care home which takes us past his favourite coffee shop when we now visit. Back to football. The new care home is on a street facing the main gates of The Cliff!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 19 - 05:41 AM

"...if United never win another match in my lifetime I won't lose any sleep about it.

It's really not very important."

Oh yes it is. In the words of Bill Shankly (aka God),

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

I'll take his POV over yours any day!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 May 19 - 01:19 PM

In the great scheme of things football is utterly and totally meaningless. If it were banned tomorrow I wouldn't give a toss.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 May 19 - 02:47 PM

Hi Steve... et al

Another Shanks classic. When talking to his wife she said

" You and your football.. You love Liverpool more than you love me. " He rplied " " I love Everton more than I love you"

I am Just back from North Wales. It pissed down nearly all the time.

So if you want to take the piss out of Man United ...go ahead there's plenty still left on me. lol

First I have to congratulate Liverpool on their fantastic win against Barcelona.

Then again about the way they fought to try to topple Man City for the League Title. It made fantastic watching.

MANCHESTER UNITED - I am aware of United's problems and that they will not be easy to get back to the top. There is obviously something drastically wrong at the Club. Strange how United had that run of winning games which dried up once Ole got the Manager's job. At the end we could not beat teams like Huddersfield etc who are going down.

Like Raggy I think the first step should be to get rid of Pogba and Sanchez for a start. Other players will want to leave eg De Gea, Valentia, etc. .
They are going to find that the top players will not want to come and that many fans will not come to watch especially those with Season tickets.

Football runs in our family with our son coaching young players and my eldest grandson has just agreed to coach very young starters. Although I played rugby ( both codes ) I am the odd one out; but on retirement from rugby I supported Man United like my Father and grandfather before him.

cheers

mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 19 - 04:28 PM

You're a saintly man, Mike. My grandad was, and at least one of my cousins still is, a fervent Man U supporter. I didn't care for Fergie at all, not ever, but I've always secretly wanted United to do only very slightly less well than Liverpool. What you need is another Eric. That's a great yarn about Shanks. Apparently, he once said that Merseyside had two great teams: Liverpool, and Liverpool reserves. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 14 May 19 - 02:36 PM

hi Steve

I don't know about Eric....he is now a poet. But he was a much better
footballer than a poet.

" The Seagulls follow the trawler because they think sardines are thrown into the sea. !!

Our grandfathers may have been in the stadium at the same time.

Looking forward to the Liverpool v Spurs match. I believe they are a stronger and better team than Spurs but you know that, like Liverpool they can pullout a surprise.

Fingers crossed

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 17 May 19 - 01:16 PM

will this close season ever end?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 May 19 - 02:35 PM

hi pet

YES....as far as Manchester United is concerned the Season has closed..Boo Hoo

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 May 19 - 03:54 PM

"Hi pet" - a bit over-familiar there, Mike... :-) :-) :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 17 May 19 - 06:38 PM

it's ok - we can pretend to be geordie dinner ladies

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 18 May 19 - 01:22 PM

With 70% foreign, our Premier League is a greedy meaningless free-market foreign farce that, if we are to win the World Cup again, must be regulated back to how it was: mostly LOCALS in MEANINGFUL competition; or in verse, my poem, from WalkaboutsVerse, "Reregulate"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 May 19 - 02:04 PM

Well that's capitalism for you. At the end of the day football is about entertainment. We've had that in spades from Liverpool, Spurs and City this season and some damn good stuff from less wealthy clubs such as Wolves, Newcastle and Watford. That's why I watch it. Yep, shame about the silly money. Can't disagree. But I've decided to carry on watching. It keeps me off the streets. Imperfect world and all that.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 18 May 19 - 03:24 PM

there are many beautiful things about the game that have nothing to do with money. there is nothing but good that comes from players from many nations joining together in a shared endeavour. similarly it's great that millions of fans don't care where someone comes from as long as he is good. but if that bothers you could always watch lower league football - at partick thistle we can't afford foreigners (or much at all, really) except pogba. sadly it was Paul's brother, maurice, who was half his height and twice his weight and with none of his talent.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 May 19 - 05:48 PM

Cheers, Pete. Exactly.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 May 19 - 09:54 AM

Hi

I take yours points about the money market that is called Football. Not just over here but several' European clubs are just as much involved.

I Manchester City had to play under the threat of investigation into their financial dealings.

They obviously ignored it and thrashed a pretty good Watford team yesterday at WWembley Stadium.

When we were in North Wales recently we discussed the possibility of Premier League supplying the players to all the semi & final teams.

We tried to calculate how many Brits were involved - we came up with not very many !!!!

I love football and I am aware of it's problems but I will continue to watch it.


Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 31 May 19 - 02:47 PM

Hi Steve et al.

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur June 1st. - Madrid.

Zero hour approaches for what I hope is the game of the season.

Red supporters are winging their way out in their thousands to Madrid.

My neighbours have gone early this morning leaving me to look after their property ,especially the garden and husky dog. They have no tickets and are hoping to get some when they arrive. Not much chance
according to TV.

I am gearing up to watch the game on TV. Have banished My wife to one of her friends.

When I think of who will win I can't see anything but a Liverpool win.

I will be cheering them on ( this from a Man United follower!!!).

They have been impressive all season except for a couple of " itchy Bum" moments.

I know you will be following it where- ever you are Steve. Here's hoping you will be able to enjoy the game for days to come.

Oh Lord what have I said ?? lol

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 01 Jun 19 - 09:12 AM

I too would like to see a Liverpool win but acknowledge that Spurs will be up for the game and are likely to be a very tough opponent.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Jun 19 - 09:36 AM

Hi Raggy

Yes Spurs are a goo side and will give Liverpool a good game. they

They have got themselves out of some scrapes and the return of Harry Kane should help.

Liverpool will have to be at their best, the lay-off may affect them giving Spurs a chance.

In the pub at lunchtime " football professionals have all gone for Liverpool. For that reason alone it would satisfy me if they should be wrong.

Cheers

mike

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Jun 19 - 05:41 PM

I'm saying nothing.

Yes I am.

Just three little words.

Piss off, Citeh!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 11:13 AM

What's the score in the silverware stakes this year?

Just asking :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 12:24 PM

Don't just say God, say Shankly.

In Klopp we trust.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 02:04 PM

Hi Steve

Congrats for Liverpool win. But I was very disappointed with the game.

Pool were lucky to get a penalty in the 1st minute. After that Spurs were shocked out of action for most of the game.

Both teams were poor and although Liverpool won easyly it was a turn off for many people.

Harry Kane was almost non-existant apart from the most ridiculous dive in the penalty area. He flopped down like a jelly on a plate. Why he wasn't sent of I don't know. If we are to get rid of diving we have to strictly punish offenders.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 02:40 PM

I did'nt see the game as I was at a concert, on a ship, in a Fjord


.............. in Ireland


.......... and yes that is true.


I saw the news this morning and from that I think the penalty decision was harsh .... to say the least, but all credit the Liverpool they have won the trophy for the sixth time.

Can anyone recall the last time they won the Premiership though?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 04:45 PM

The ones that really count: Premier League/Division One: Man U 20 Liverpool 18

European Cup, far and away the most important club competition in the world: Liverpool 6 Man U 3.

So the point here is that Liverpool are numerically ahead if you tot up the things that matter, but, far more importantly, Man U are currently shite, and likely to be so for years to come, whereas Liverpool have been superb and are in the ascendancy, topped very slightly (by a single point) only by a team put together with totalitarian oil money. Carry on, lads...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Jun 19 - 04:53 PM

Incidentally, there was nothing" lucky" about the penalty. It was stonewall. If you think you can pose in the penalty area like Christ The Redeemer with both arms out and stop a cross via TWO illegitimate touches with your arm and hand, your hand way above shoulder height, and expect not be penalised, you are in cloud cuckoo land. You guys talk as if it was the first football match you ever watched. Harsh my arse. Time you looked up the actual rules of the game. It was a penalty every minute, every hour, every bloody day of the week. Suck it up, chaps.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Jun 19 - 03:17 PM

Hi Steve

" Pool were lucky to get a penalty in the 1st minute. After that Spurs were shocked out of action for most of the game."

Can I clarify my comment. I was not challenging the penalty or the reason for giving it.....What I meant is that the extremely early score knocked Spurs out of any plans they may have had. They blew it.

They seemed to think that they had a mountain to climb making it so that Liverpool really didn't have to play well to win. They were always in command and rightly held themselves together to create an easy victory.

Incidently Virgil had Kane in his pocket through-out the game....fantastic player ( and man ) . both he and the goalkeeper have been responsible for the improvement that Liverpool has demonsrtrated this season. And I suspect there is more to come.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: G-Force
Date: 25 Jun 19 - 04:57 AM

Having always thought of the womens' game as a pale imitation of the real thing, played out in empty echoing stadiums, I never thought I'd find myself saying this, but I've been watching and enjoying and been impressed by the womens' World Cup so far.

In particular it's been fascinating watching how the game pans out when it's played with all the intelligence and skill of the mens' game but without the strength and speed. Also some of the games have been refreshingly free-flowing, as there seems to be less tackling, hence fewer fouls and injuries. Great stuff. Pity I can't see England winning it, but I'm used to that from the mens' game.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jun 19 - 05:21 AM

Agreed. The only thing is that my 90-year-old mum thinks I only watch it because of shapely bums on show. She doesn't think women should be playing football at all (or being PM or chairing Question Time, etc). I couldn't agree less but she's a sod to argue with. She swore blind that she was watching a women's match the other day and noticed that one of the players "wasn't even wearing bloomers" under her shorts.

Anyway, I like it a lot and shall be tuning in on Thursday. It's going to be uphill against Norway I fear.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 25 Jun 19 - 07:11 PM

rumour has it that thistle are about to be bought by a chinese/american billionaire. well....we have about 3,000 bitter and witty resigned old guys ( 'thistle do.....thistle do....we're the only team in glasgow for the likes of me and you' ) waiting for the good old days to return - i have no idea how we would react to a major realignment of our universe.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Aug 19 - 11:37 AM

Hi

I hope Steve doesn't mind me using this thread. ( can't type due to an accident I had when trimming my hedge. Am spending a lot of time at hospital and at my GP. Hope to be back soon.



Congrats for winning the cup last night.

They cut it fine and Chelsea had chances to take this game.

Mind you Man United " murdered " Chelsea Last week. !!!!!!!

Isee that the Premiere League is starting the way that it finished With Man City and Liverpool competing with each other.


Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Aug 19 - 12:27 PM

Get well soon, Mike. Hope it was not too serious!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Aug 19 - 09:57 AM

Hi Dave....not two serious it took out the tops of two fingers.

It is very painful but the NHS are being fantastic. They were great when the accident happened and I now go to my GP because I have to have daily examination and dressings.

Should be OK soon.

Cheers

Mike

I will be going to Wolverhampton on Monday night to watch Man United play Wolves.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Aug 19 - 07:41 PM

Liverpool often give me the eebie-jeebies, seat of the pants stuff, but they are superb to watch. It's all pace, pressing and positivity. For me, with City, it's not at all like that. When they're great they're superb. But that awful possession game they play... people pay mucho good money to watch... Where's the passion...?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Aug 19 - 02:45 PM

Hi Steve

Yes Liverpool have rocked a bit at the start of this Season. But they go for it and play very exciting football.
Man City are not as full on as Liverpool's game but City have some brilliant games ... admittedly they have some quiet periods but these are part of the tactical approach employed by the current Premier League Champions.


It makes for a absorbing picture for the rest of the Season.

Looking forward to an exiting time.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Aug 19 - 04:35 PM

Slow possession cross-field football is not what fans pay for and want to see. Big money isn't a good excuse for not taking risks and entertaining the fans. City are guilty of time-wasting negativity. Pep honed that method at Barca with his tiki-taka stuff. But then he had Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, who could make it look good. There's simply no-one at City to compare with those.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Aug 19 - 02:53 PM

Hi Steve

The thing that most supporters want is to WIN !! OK it is great if the " beautiful game is played by all." No Chance I'm afraid ..." Money is the root of all evil.

Bury played good football at their level....and what happened ???

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Aug 19 - 09:33 AM

As a youth I went to more matches at t'Gigg than to all other grounds put together. My mum and dad's house until this year was a ten-minute walk down Radcliffe Road. For years my mum was the registrar at the cemetery next door and returned many a ball that had been booted over the quite-low stand. I was somehow wishing that the community could keep the club afloat, as it did at Portsmouth. Bury is a relatively thriving place these days, not without plenty of Tory-caused problems, of course. It's a terrible tragedy.

On a brighter note, congratulations to Lucy Bronze and Virgil on winning the women and men's UEFA Players of the Year awards. Nice to see Lionel and Cristiano doing internal grrs! Great speech by Eric, too, causing a fair amount of head-scratching. Legend!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Aug 19 - 08:14 PM

Poor do from Man U today, Mike. See that Scholesy reckons nothing for the lads for two years. More, I'd say. Meanwhile, Liverpool reign supreme so far. I must say I came out in sympathy with Sadio over his frustration. Mo is a tad too selfish. Two sitters awaited Liverpool, one for Bobby, one for Sadio, had Mo only done the obvious thing instead of going for hopeless shots. Still, you wouldn't part with the three of 'em for less than a billion, would you!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:06 AM

From Steve:

"Slow possession cross-field football is not what fans pay for and want to see. Big money isn't a good excuse for not taking risks and entertaining the fans. City are guilty of time-wasting negativity. Pep honed that method at Barca with his tiki-taka stuff. But then he had Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, who could make it look good. There's simply no-one at City to compare with those "

I've been thinking about this. Last season City scored 95 goals to Liverpools 89. This season City have netted the ball 14 times in just 4 matches to Liverpools 12.

Hmmmmmmm .................

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:39 AM

I only saw the highlights of the City-Brighton game, so any longeurs had clearly been edited out. What we see sometimes in their games is an infinitely superior team finishing off their opponents in style then toying with them for the last half-hour or so. If you watch any Liverpool match, it's blood and guts until the whistle. The losing team still gets chances to attack and Liverpool are always in danger of breaking. It's edge-of-seat stuff and that is what fans pay big money to see. You don't need your top players "saving themselves" for the next match. They are super-fit and you can use your subs anyway. There was an incident at a Liverpool throw-in yesterday in which Trent wasted time (about 30 seconds). It looked outrageous and so it was, and he was lucky to get away with it. But it stood out because it's a rarity. Having said all that, gotta give the oil club credit for some sublime footie. I'd even sheikh their hands if I could.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:47 AM

There is a Peter Bond song entitles "Sheikh My Hand"

It's the old story of one man being given a golden handshake and the worker being kicked onto the dole queue.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:50 AM

Euphemisms used by blokes in pubs going for a wee:

Young bloke: Just off to shake hands with the wife's best friend...

Old bloke: Just off to shake hands with the unemployed...