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

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:51 AM

I see I got to 1000 by going off-topic. Not sneaky, just accidental!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 04:53 AM

A poignant line from the song

"though it hurt to realise
they could pay John more not to darken their door
than most men earn in their lives"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 09:58 AM

Hi Steve

I watched 3 games yesterday. United, City and Liverpool.

I agree with your comments to a certain extent.

City had an easy game and won it very early on. After that they " show-cased to the end.

Liverpool and Burnley was different. Pool had to work hard to get in front with a somewhat lucky goal. Trent;s attempted cross was drifted into the net by the strong wind. They then scored again straight away. ......End of game. And Trent was not the only culpret. Pool's game eased up somewhat.

Man United are still very poor. Ole is work in progress wrestling with lots of problems with his players.

I think he is trying to build a new team and it will be some years before they will be back challenging for the top.

Despite their problems they were They were a little unfortunate, again getting on the end of a bad decision robbed them of a penalty. But that;s the way things go when you are struggling.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 10:54 AM

Well, Mike, when you're winning 3-0 with not long to go, of course you're going to relax somewhat. But Liverpool were still pushing forward and thereby leaving gaps that Burnley could exploit (they nearly did, too, once or twice). It was a full-blooded, entertaining game. I can't really comment on yesterday's City match because I saw only the highlights, but what I'm talking about was fully on display both in the cup final and in the Norwich game. I hope it comes back to bite them when they come up against Liverpool this season. It nearly did in the Charity Shield in which Liverpool had them on the ropes in the latter stages. If you're used to reducing your pace to a canter once you think it's in the bag, the habit may come back to haunt you. Anyway, at the end of the season I'll ask you again which was the more entertaining and thrilling team to watch.

Trent's goal was a deflection, by the way, not wind-blown. It was put down as an own-goal.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Sep 19 - 11:12 AM

hi Seve

You don't have to wait until the end of the year for me to to see which is more exciting to watch with Man City and Liverpool.

But exciting football does not necessarily mean they will win the trophies.

I would back City in this. !!! It is going to be a great Season and I am looking forward to watch the fight between City and Liverpool.

Could it be that Spurs and Arsenal could create a shock???

cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Sep 19 - 05:40 PM

Raise a cup of good cheer, fellow Mudcatters,
to Eliza/Senoufou and her beloved husband.
The Norwich Canaries beat Man U --
said husband must be
OVER THE MOON.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Sep 19 - 05:52 PM

How many locals were on the field?

Why support a wealthy world 11 who earn about 100 times more than you in your country?

Did they change shirts before or after kick-off?

Now more than 53 years since I was born/Alf Ramsey's team won, do you, my fellow English, wish to win the FIFA World Cup again?

My poem, from WalkaboutsVerse, "Reregulate"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Sep 19 - 05:59 PM

They beat Man City, not Man U, as it happens. A crucial difference in terms of the title race... And the mighty Liverpool sail on!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Sep 19 - 06:09 PM

Just watched the highlights on MOTD. Bloody good gutsy performance by the Canaries. Delia was over the moon!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Sep 19 - 06:27 PM

Well done then, Norwich!
They must ALL be going bananas, er, canaries up there.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 15 Sep 19 - 09:11 AM

Certainly an excellent result from the Norwich perspective. Also one that may cheer some Liverpool supporters... and some neutrals who like to see a lesser club trying to score goals against a top side...

k, As for cheers, dad was Norwich born (1936) and has been a (sometimes bordering on fanatical) supporter all his life and we 4 sons have always supported them (although I'm probably more passing interest than dedicated these days). By that, I'd guess it would have brought joy in North Norfolk, North Wales, South Yorkshire and Queensland Australia..

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Sep 19 - 10:36 AM

Hi

Yes a great result for Norwich. This was no fluke they bossed City right through the game. They are a team that look to attack and they exposed some surprising defensive errors.

Hope that Norwich can keep up that type of football.

Wouldn't like to cross their manager.....look forward when Burnley
play there...

Iwas at Old Trafford yesterday and enjoyed the game. Leicester are a good side and we were delighted to get a result. Both teams are work-in-process and I can't wait to see United where they belong.....at the top.

Cheers
Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Sep 19 - 05:28 AM

Some comical defending this weekend from City (and Arsenal). United are just grinding it out in a rather uninspiring way. This is Liverpool's season for the taking. And you know me, I'm totally neutral...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Sep 19 - 09:03 AM

Hi Steve

AHAAAAAT ??????? You NEUTRAL....!!!!!!!!

I hadn't noticed it !!!!

I watched Arsenal get opened up by Watford after being 2 down.

Yes Liverpool are already 5 points ahead. But beware , City pulled back more than this last year.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Sep 19 - 07:50 PM

Man U rubbish by any standards today. Going nowhere. Liverpool clinical first half, mucho back-pedalling second half, but canny experience always pays off. I think Chelsea look really promising. They won't do much this season but they'll be serious contenders next season. Grand to watch. Go, Frank!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Sep 19 - 11:09 AM

Hi

I watched City ( on TV and the goals were rattling in faster then you could think. Their performance must put fear up most teams.

Liverpool kept up in top place but with this be making them think.
I am looking forward to City v Liverpool.

I agree with your comments about Man U - they are producing rubbish and if they can't improve they will end up near the bottom of the League.
Rumours about a change of Managers ( Give the guy a chance !!!! ).
I think it needs more than that,,,,, I mean " Them upstairs,,,

Spurs seem to be in a similar state as United.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Oct 19 - 06:20 PM

Nah then, Mike. Damn fine show by Man U today. Had it not been for the last fifteen or twenty minutes I'd have said that they deserved all three points, but they sort of went to pieces and were bloody lucky that Liverpool didn't slaughter them in that period. I agree that (within the rules), Sadio's goal should have been disallowed, and it was. But it was outrageous that the Man U goal was allowed. Bloody fouling dirty bugger.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 07:00 AM

Hi Steve


I was at Old Trafford and your summary was about right but I wouldn't have put it in the same way as you did.

Gotta go ....visitor. Be back soon

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 09:01 AM

It was a deliberately sneaky and unnecessary sharp jab to the calf. The trouble with VAR is that the ref is more inclined to let play go on until a move comes to an end. We see that with offsides, where decisions are frequently delayed just in case it ceases to matter anyway. The ref himself should be allowed to view the replays on the pitch side monitor and help in the review. We had a "goal" for the home side with a jubilant and noisy crowd that could easily have influenced the less experienced VAR referee to let the goal stand. Although overall Man U probably deserved their point, that particular decision was a disgraceful injustice, and I'm appalled at the Man U manager for claiming that it was never a foul.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Perry_P
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 09:15 AM

We are flying to Belgium in two days in order to see Liverpool playing against Genk. It's going to be the first stadium experience for my little boy.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 09:28 AM

I envy you! Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 10:41 AM

Hi Steve

I agree that United wilted towards the end. Clearly Liverpool were fitter and it paid off earning them what could turn out to be a valuable point as the Season goes on.

Clearly VAR is not working as well as it should - this was obvious with several games over the week end also having problems.


I don't think the foul was sneaky and maybe if he hadn't thrown himself theatrically to the floor it could have been a different decision.

Klop clearly wasn't a happy bunny.

Then he blamed United for playing defensively. " They always play defensive ". United were certainly not defensive for most of the game;
and only in the last 1o minutes did they do so. They paid for this by fall back to try to protect their lead by doing so.
Most clubs would have done the same.....including Liverpool.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 23 Oct 19 - 02:28 PM

Hi

Just getting ready to watch Liverpool v Genk.

I don't know how good Genk are but all games in Europe can be tricky.

I see Mo is back so that should sharpen up the attacking game as they looked a bit lost the other night.

Fingers crossed for you Steve.

Cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Oct 19 - 06:07 AM

I had to follow it furtively on my phone in a restaurant. Great to see The Ox back on song. I think he's going to be a mighty asset.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Oct 19 - 08:56 AM

Ive just reread my last post. I absolutely assure you that the near-juxtaposition of OX and ASSet was completely unintentional. His nickname, The Ox, the first two letters of his surname, is intended to be complimentary. He's no ass, not even a little one.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Oct 19 - 09:17 AM

Hi Steve

" OX" is certainly no mug....far from it ......

He scored two fine goals of completely different types showing he is capable of scoring many more goals to help Liverpool's drive for the Premiere League.

We would be happy to take him from you !!!!!

United won finally an away match ....mind you it wasn't a great game.
A penalty was their only shot on target Mind you we had virtually
a second team out. one or two young players look promising but the old players looked out of ideas....and puff !!!! as the neared the end.

Jones was lost....I think I could move faster !!!

We play Norwich on Sunday..rumours are that if they lose Olly will be up the road.

heers

mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Oct 19 - 07:44 AM

Hi I will be watching the Liverpool Spurs game. Should be a cracker.

Man Unites Norwich will not be of that standard ....if United don't win it could be curtains for Ole !!! ( sorry Eliza.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Oct 19 - 03:48 PM

And what a cracker. More edge-of-seat stuff. Liverpool showed the mentality of champions. I couldn't believe all those near-misses, and kudos to the Spurs goalie who was magnificent. Harry Kane's play-acting gets on my tits. But Sadio is a total class act. Deadly!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 Oct 19 - 10:11 PM

When I think about it, with Liverpool it's all about attitude. Goal down? Bollocks, just get one! Lose the ball? Bollocks, just press the buggers and win it back! Hendo was brilliant today, as was Fabinho. And Trent. Stop me somebody. what a game!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Oct 19 - 11:19 AM

Hi Steve

Yes great game. Liverpool as you say just got on with it after Spurs scored in the first minute. It was a somewhat strange goal.

I just can't see any one good enough to beat Liverpool. They have the players, the Manager and the attitude plus the plans to carry them trough. And they are great to watch. Great entertainment.

Man U managed a win away 3-1 despite missing two penalties !! There was some satisfaction with United's   game. But they have much to do yet.

As in several games again this week-end VAR left a lot to to be desired. Something must be done.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Oct 19 - 05:54 PM

Well Liverpool beat Arsenal on penalties in the craziest, stupidest, wackiest, most amazingly entertaining game you could wish for! Both teams put their kids on and they played their bloody hearts out, all of 'em. They put the few old timers entirely in the shade. Full of mistakes but fast and furious and with ten goals and exactly what football should be all about. The 18-year-old who shed all his nerves, a scouser and Liverpool fan since birth, put that last penalty in with aplomb. Go, Curtis! Make that man a freeman of Liverpool! And Jurgen, force Divock to sign a ten-year contract!

I believe there was another match tonight but I'll deal with that later...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Oct 19 - 07:09 PM

I hear that Rashford played well. Good to see one of the best players in the country finally let off the leash.

You can criticise the managers of the top teams for fielding weak line-ups in these second-tier cup competitions. But in the Anfield game the ploy worked a treat. Liverpool's final lineup tonight contained five teenagers and just two players over 24. In addition, their star big hitters weren't even on the bench! The same couldn't be said for Arsenal, but dammit, who cares, what a great match. None of that Pep tiki-takka stuff. Know what I mean, 'arry?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 31 Oct 19 - 05:27 AM

well, i know it is not in the same league as the great liverpool team (i enjoyed the spurs game - i don't think i've ever seen a winger play so far up the pitch as full-back andy robertson that night - and that against top opposition (well toppish) in a tight game) but i went up to dundee (from cumbria) on tuesday to see partick thistle at dundee united. i got the supporters bus (the only 2 women on the bus collected the money and organised the draw- with the unspoken assumption that the relatively feckless men weren't to be trusted with the purse strings) from a friend's house in milngavie. well, i won't dwell too much on the game - (we played well and lost 1-0) but i had some great highlights to my trip - the joys of lower league football. i sat beside an older (70s?)couple who were very enthusiastically supporting the jags, and very friendly. when i asked about the accent 'braw, penners, braw laddie! turns out they were dundee fans who come out wherever possible to support whoever are playing against rivals dundee united. all good - another great day at the football spoiled only by the football. we got back to friend's house latish - a small dram, roe deer in the garden and jags bottom of the league

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: peteglasgow
Date: 31 Oct 19 - 05:36 AM

and we had time for a pint in a great wee football pub, the Klep - which is Pa Broon's local

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Oct 19 - 05:53 AM

Well in an odd kind of way last night's Anfield game reminded me of those fast, open third-division games I used to see as a lad at Gigg Lane, full of howlers committed by hairy-arse lads but with plenty of thrills to match the spills. Bury 5 Rotherham 0 was one such that I remember. Freezing cold, standing in the paddock, everybody charging round to the other end at half time, just enough time to grab a bag of Smith's crisps and a cup of hot bovril, trying not to drop your wooden rattle... Happy days!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 31 Oct 19 - 10:44 AM

Hi

I watched every minute of the Man United Chelsea game but kept my eyes on Liverpool as much as I could. Really enjoyed it.The crowd certainly got their money's worth.. Liverpool just don't think about losing they are almost unstoppable !!!

It is not today the only game of it's type,   I can remember some years ago when Man United played .....yes I believe it was Aston Villa, It was a very high scoring game. I remember Fergie when getting interviewed by the press. He asked Fergie was he concerned about his defence having so many goals scored against them. Fergie replied " Not as long as we score one more, as we usually do.

Man United played well last night and took the game to Chelsea. A young side looked good. Rashford was outstanding creating problems for the Chelsea defence. United got a penalty which Rashford chose to take even though he had missed 2 out of the the last three he took.


But it was a later.goal from a fantastic free kick from a long way out.

This was a good win for United but we need much more consistency to convince all the fans that they are back in th race.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Nov 19 - 01:07 PM

The Villa-Liverpool game wasn't televised so I had to listen to Five Live. After losing for almost the whole match, Liverpool snatched it last gasp. Them boys don't know how to lose!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Nov 19 - 10:12 AM

Hi Steve

" them boys don't know how to lose." Yes you are right. I listened on the radio. Fantastic finish....not one but two goals in the last couple of minutes. Phewwww.

I watched Man united v Bournemouth. United don't know how to win.
They had the majority of possession but wasted it with another miserable performance.

cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Nov 19 - 11:13 AM

Liverpool managed it in spite of the anti-Liverpool Jon Moss and the anti-Liverpool Martin Atkinson, the VAR ref. How WRONG is it that a fellow referee and possible good mate should be the one to be challenged to overturn the ref's decision? The whole world could see that Bobby Firmino was onside, but the linesman's wrong call was allowed to stand. If it's a mistake it's a mistake and all this "clear and obvious" guff is a shambles. If VAR can't clear up errors then it should be scrapped. There were ten goals in the VAR-free cup match last week and OK, one was offside, but one error in ten is human. VAR seems to actually set errors in stone. On top of Firmino's "offside" there was a possible handball in the box not given and there was Mané booked for diving when he'd been fouled. Errors going uncorrected. Last week a clear foul by a Man U player was overlooked by VAR and the upshot was a goal for United. Farcical. If it's a foul it's a foul, end of. VAR is just stopping the one thing that makes football the greatest sport, its flow. Get rid!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Nov 19 - 06:26 PM

And just look at how VAR ruined the match at Everton. Shocking decisions. And Martin Atkinson sending off Son? He should never ref a big match again!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Nov 19 - 03:48 AM

I shall have to rethink that last post as I realise that it was VAR wot made made the decision to turn the card red. I still think that Atkinson is a very poor referee. And the Dele handball was blatant yet not given. Clear and obvious.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 Nov 19 - 02:36 PM

Hi Steve

" Dele handball was blatant yet not given. Clear and obvious."

IMHO It was not clear or obvious. His hand was on the top his head when th ball struck it.

This shows the problems with VAR. It is very subjective so it leaves oportunity for argument.

The thing we need to clear this is to decide who is the judge ..VAR or Referee.

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 08 Nov 19 - 10:06 AM

Hi
Last night I went to Old Trafford With my no. 1 son who had organized it as a surprise for my birthday.

It was a great performance by United against Partizan.
The ground was packed despite the weather.

After a 20 min delay United got stuck in and attacked from the start,
It could have been 4or five up after ten minutes. Then youngster Mason scored his first goal in the first team....There will be more I am sure. Further goals by Martial and Rashford both great goals.

All in all for me it was a great night and the beer went down well, plus a tot or two of The Mc Callan.

I hope United can start to play as we know they used to.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Nov 19 - 01:46 PM

Well there's ya go, Mike. Liverpool snuffed out the tiki-takka! Citeh had their moments and they didn't half miss their best goalie. But a lousy defence and a hundred million's-worth of defenders on the bench...? Get a grip, Pep! Is there currently a better team on earth than Liverpool, except for Partick Thistle?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Nov 19 - 08:54 AM

How can I allow this thread to drop off the bottom! So, instead of typing the lame "refresh," I shall simply say, hey Mike, was it handball or not? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 12 Nov 19 - 09:20 AM

Hi Steve

I watched the whole game. Great to watch.
I think that VAR was wrong. It was hand ball.the goal should not have stood.

But I don't think it would have changed the result. Liverpool were

awsome and could have won more easily. Is the League over ????

I can't see Liverpool losing 3 games but that's the thing with football...you just never know.

I listened to Man United v Brighton and then watched the highlights in TV.

Great game as United tore shreds out of Brighton.

Who would have thought 21 shots on target ??????   !!!!!.

We missed a lot of chances and VAR cocked up 2 decisions against.
United.

Green shoots are appearing.!!!!....fingers crossed Cheers.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Nov 19 - 04:14 PM

I'm not so tribal that I don't want Man U to do well. After all, they were me Grandad's team for decades (he was already getting on a bit in the days of Bobby Charlton and Denis Law...), so good luck to 'em, say I. I think it was more the Catholic/Busby ethos than anything else! My grandad was a Salford man who worked in the docks all his life. He loved a pint of Tetleys or Boddies and knew every pub in Salford. Among other things, my gran worked in the Halls sweet factory. They ended up in Whitefield, which is where I remember them from. We gave Grandad a helluva great sendoff in a pub near Strangeways. Many a pint of Boddies was consumed, and that was in the days when Boddies WAS Boddies!

But Mike. The ball hit Bernardo's hand and ricocheted on to Trent's arm. Look at his other arm. Same position. No intent. Point blank. Total accident. I'm puzzled as to how you thought that was a pen but not the blatant Dele one from last week...?

Let's always argue football. It stops the world from fighting wars...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Nov 19 - 05:46 PM

Whatever else, Mike, will you ever see a team score three goals that were all utterly sublime? Brilliant thunderbolt strike by Fab, superb pass from Trent to Robbo then that amazing cross to Mo, then that incredible old-fashioned winger's cross from Hendo on to the head of Mané? No scuffed goals, no in-offs, no penalty goals, none of that. All three poetry in motion. That second goal has to be the goal of the season, though Hendo's cross for the third was world class.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Nov 19 - 09:51 AM

Hi Steve yes they were all great goals. I don't think I have seen better.

Your grandfather sounds very much like my father. He as a Catholic the Followed United and supped his bodingtons etc.He gave up the pits in Barnsley and   worked in Salford too. He worked in construction building multi floored buildings. to come to Manchester.

Maybe they even sat - stood near each other at Old Traford.

Small World eh ?

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Nov 19 - 07:20 PM

Maybe they did, Mike, but my grandad would never have afforded a seat. We can never know, sadly. This getting older malarkey is a bit of a bugger...

Despite the proximity, I only ever went to Old Trafford the once, to see Burnley getting slaughtered 6-0 on a mudbath. Because of family bias, I went mostly to Gigg Lane, occasionally to Turf Moor and Ewood and rarely anywhere else. Good times, though, and a damn sight more affordable than today...