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

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 05:52 AM

Hi Steve

What a bloody mess !!! United came out and for 90 minutes looked like a disorganised rabble.

They should have had an early penalty but it appears that referees have decided not to give them. But after that United reverted to passing backwards allowing West Brom to organise their defence.

They are a bogie team to United but that is no excuse for the tripe they displayed yesterday.

cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 05:55 AM

Who ever said it should be all about winning!

Don't bring him into it!

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 05:58 AM

Heheh!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 05:59 AM

Hi Steve

Yes Chelsea look as if they are out of it now. Just like Arsenal who might just sneak in the back door ( like we did last year).

Yes Clopp has galvanised Liverpool - but don't think too far ahead. Clopp is already being tagetted by several Euopean clubs.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 06:46 AM

He will not go. Clopp was destined for Liverpool. Even rhymes with Kop...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Raggytash
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 06:54 AM

Even better than that Dave, his name is spelt with a K just like the Kop.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 06:55 AM

Well I knever!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 02:48 PM

Hi Dave

At the moment I do not think Jurgen will leave Liverpool. I hope he doesn't because he has blown a stream of fresh air to our football.

But a year is a long time in football these days. In the 20 teams in the Premiere League less than a quarter have been with a club for more than a year.

" Money is the root of all evil.......

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 04:23 PM

He won't be tempted to move to a better club because there isn't a better club.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 07:02 AM

Hi Steve

I don't know what you are using to compare "Better" clubs.

I think the Real Madrids and Barcelonas of this World not to mention Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain etc, could disagree.

We will soon see how they compare in the Europe Championship.

Klopp is only human and may be persuaded by BIG MONEY.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 07:32 AM

PSG are hopeless at the moment and Barca are a waning force, far too dependent on Messi, and Iniesta is not the force he was. Real Madrid are having a clean-out this summer, Ronaldo is getting on and Bale is going out of favour. Jurgen is doing a mighty job at Liverpool, he's building a team, not a bunch of superbrats, he's amazing at getting the best out of young, developing players, morale is great and why would he move?

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Apr 18 - 11:26 AM

Hi

We'll see Steve. We'll see.

Getting ready to watch United ( I must be mad !!)

Like United Bournemouth are an inconsistent team. So anything could happen.

Don't know what team Mourinho is going to turn out.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 19 Apr 18 - 02:51 PM

Hi Steve

United won quite easily despite some enterprising play by Bournemouth.
This despite 7 changes to the usual United team. Pogba was deservedly
Man of the Match.

This win keeps United in second place, where judging by the run ins they should be able to stay there. Of course I am not able to judge what impact on this will be with their involvement in the FA Cup.

Of course Liverpool have similar involvements in Europe.

Could be only decided on last day.

" Many a slip............"

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Apr 18 - 03:23 PM

Well Spurs slipped up so the probable identities of the top three at least are becoming clearer. I watched part of last. night's match. At least Man U seemed to want to play football but the match hardly set the night on fire.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Apr 18 - 09:19 AM

Great article in today's Guardian (as ever with me you'll have to google):

Collective triumph

"Liverpool’s success without Coutinho is a testament to Klopp’s genius"

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 20 Apr 18 - 11:24 AM

Hi Steve

Yes very good article. I was one of the many that thought Liverpool would struggle when Cortinho went. Rightly much of the credit goes to Klopp's bringing in Van Dijk. This move has steadied, organised and energised the defence.

I don't know how much Van had to do with the emergence of the full backs, but I believe he has given the kids opportunities to attack something which they have taken on to great effect.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Apr 18 - 11:21 AM

hi Steve

Oh Dear !!! Not a bad team West Brom eh ??

Just settling down to watch United v Spurs in FA Cuo Semi Final.

Should be good.

Not betting on United though.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Apr 18 - 06:01 PM

Well, Mike, it was an outrage. Liverpool were denied a stonewall penalty and West Brom should DEFINITELY have been down to ten men after Hegazi punched Ings in the stomach, apparently unseen by the referee.

Having said that, I thought that Joe Gomez was below par and Alberto Moreno was still the give-the-fans-a-heart-attack merchant. Maybe Jurgen rested one too many of his best.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 22 Apr 18 - 04:58 AM

hi Steve

The Referee certainly wasn't on Liverpool's side. I wouldn't have said it was a certain penalty but we have seen many given for less. Liverpool ( due to team changes) lacked their usual aggression and sparkle. But when you are in multiple competitions you have to try to manage it. Klopp was not happy....he even complained about a dry pitch.!!!! Does he not know that it is the same for both teams??. Pity they didn't play today....it's p****** down here.

Last week United made 7 changes and still won 2-0.

Yesterday this paid off big time. He brought his top players back with great results.

This was United at their best. Aggressive and with pace they deservedly beat Spurs and they had to come back from a goal down.
This was a great match to watch with both teams going hammer and tongues at each other.

The ref was poor here too. He ignored Spurs constant diving, their were more dives than in the Commonwealth games diving competition.

Pogba and Sanchez both were great and for me Matich was the best player. He works under the radar very much like Michael Carrick he just gets on with it.

I will be watch the Pool next weak and know it will be a great game in which I hope Liverpool get a good result.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 23 Apr 18 - 02:26 PM

Hi Steve

Many congratulations on Liverpool's Mo Salah'S award of the PFA Player of the Year Award.

It was well deserved. Not only has he achieved 40+ goals this season it is the manner in which he scored them. He has a wonderful temperament and takes everything in his stride without any of the usual Hype associated to footballers these days.

A wonderful recognition for both him and the Liverpool team that has assisted him in this honour.

Cheers Mike

PS hope he doesn't score against Man United in the coming season.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 09:55 AM

I'm on the edge of my seat even though it's five hours to kickoff. Tonight I'm having risotto off my knee out of a big bowl and drinking wine even though it's Tuesday and I'm not supposed.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 10:14 AM

Hi Steve

Don't spill your risotto whatever you do. One of my favorite
dishes. I do them here at home and vary the dish to suit what we have in the fridge. Lovely grub.

I understand your excitement as I often feel the same, and not just when United play.

I too am looking forward to the game - have had to move wifie into the another room because my BT box is connected to my large screen TV in the lounge.

I will be willing Liverpool on. They deserve to get something out of this season.

Fingers Crossed

Regards Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 02:27 PM

Hi Steve

In position ready for kick off. Already a fantastic atmoshere.

Klopp has got his wish about not having a dry pitch- it has not stopped raining all day here. Has this guy got contacts up there /

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Apr 18 - 04:43 PM

Bejaysus, at least Liverpool have kept it interesting for the second leg. I always like to look on the bright side, tha knows!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Apr 18 - 06:16 AM

How's about this for a gorgeous piece of purple prose from Barney Ronay in today's Guardian, describing Mo's first goal:

"It began with the most vital of all his many beautiful goals this season, one of those moments when the game seems to stop. Salah took the ball inside the penalty area found himself with a tiny pocket of space. With a shift of feet he looked up and produced with no real backlift a shot that did something extraordinary, the ball seeming to hang under the lights, generating a strange moment of hush as it arced under the bar before crashing down over the line."

Heheh. I agree with every word!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Apr 18 - 09:24 AM

Hi Steve

WOW WHAT A GAME

I agree whole-heartedly with the description of Mo Salah's first goal.
Magnificent in it's simplicity and in it's importance.

Up until this goal both teams were slugging it out and attacking each other. The goal seemed to affect Roma and their defence crumbled.

From this point Liverpool tore holes in the shakey defence and should have had more then the five they, Sane alone missed three good chances.

There was a blip near the end which as you say leave a small chance for Roma to hit back.

Riveting stuff.

Man of the match undoubtedly Salah with 2 goals and 2 assists. Van Dyjk Looked composed and for the most part held the defence together.

Looking forward to next week. I cant see Liverpool giving away a 3 goal lead.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Apr 18 - 06:04 PM

Cheers, Mike.

Well I've just watched the Bayern/Real match and what a debacle it was. Bad tackles, injuries galore, stop-start, no class, no quality, golden-balls Cristiano hardly getting a look-in (I have a great photo of Mrs Steve next to his bronze statue in Funchal, where he was born and where he's the stellar man of all time). As Real got two away goals and are winning, it should be Liverpool-Real in the final, but who knows. And Real have an absolutely terrible goalie, which could help...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 02:53 PM

Hi Steve
I did not see the match. Visitors arrived unexpectedly, so all I know is what the papers said.

We were out in Funchal many years ago and we were walking uo near the Sports arena where there was a schools competion going on. It was very hot so we called in the ground and got some cold drinks. As the children were playing the Funchal football league football team were training. Me & my wife took some great pictures of the children and one or two of the Footballers.I had taken some videos. Some years after we were sorting out a huge pile of pictures and lo and behold on my videos there was a familiar face ( not then) of Christiano Ronaldo training.

Of course I saw him play for Man United many times after this.

Small World eh ??

We did go to Madeira a few times after this but never saw him again.

On one of our walks way off the beaten track on a levada we came across a Manchester United supporters club.

We were made VERY Welcome !!!

Cheers   Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: olddude
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 09:11 AM

Mo is the man in my books amazing

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 29 Apr 18 - 11:12 AM

Hi Dan - long time no see.

Yes Mo has been a fantastic winner for Liverpool this year. He is backed up brilliantly by Roberto Firmino who has assisted Mo.....and has scored a good many goals himself.

Actually neither of them scored against lowly Stoke City yesterday but the team had some changes and no doubt an eye on next week's Euro semifinal second leg. They are in a good spot but the have to finish it.

Good to hear from you.. Hope you are well and pulling in some big ones.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 30 Apr 18 - 02:43 PM

Hi

I went to Old Trafford yesterday. Went to see Wengers' Goodbye .

He picked a weakened team which lowered the game. Even so United did not dictate as we all thought they would. They scored early on on then went to sleep. An Arsenal equaliser woke United up and they attacked a now packed Arsenal defence without looking like scoring. In injury time United clinched a game they should have won hands down.

One consolation is that they still hold the second place that they have held all year and in doing so they have now qualified for next years'
European League Championship.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 May 18 - 01:40 PM

What about Brechin City, they lost every match apart from four draws, still they are a part time team in a league of full timers[apart from dumbarton

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 May 18 - 04:27 AM

One more win will see Cardiff City automatically make it back into the Premiership.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 May 18 - 04:41 AM

I'm actually in a location where there will be areas I need to avoid this evening... More on that later...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 May 18 - 02:20 PM

Hi Nigel

Hope that Cardiff get the win they need. I always enjoyed watching them when they were last in the Premiere League#
Good luck

Mike

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

Hi Seve

Sounds interesting !!

I am just getting ready to watch Liverpool v Roma. On paper Liverpool should win but sport does not always work out like this.

If Liverpool produce their fantastic away game there should be no problem.

I will be shouting for them.

Good luck

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 May 18 - 11:21 AM

Hi Steve

Well done Liverpool. Not the best football I have seen from either team. Lots of misplaced passes and some dull passages. Both teams tried to to score from break-aways. Liverpool scored an early goal which gave them some confidence. Unlucky own goal equalised. Roma's attacks were spoiled by reckless shooting giving the Liverpool goalkeeper little to do. Despite all this the game was exciting.

A second goal seemed to have decided the game but even tho Roma scored two late goals Liverpool never looked like losing.

So now it is Real Madrid. If liverpool turn up with their best game I think they can beat Ronaldo and mob. Hope so....we need to have an English team to win.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 06 May 18 - 09:26 AM

Hi

Oh dear we managed to lose to Brighton. We beat top teams and lose to lowly placed teams. Did not see it had a do with my in-laws -hic...hic.
Just coming round after drinking far too much beer and Scotch.

Sorry to hear the sad news re Alex Ferguson. We wish him well and hope that he can turn this around.

We are still not able to claim second place but West-Brom beating Spurs helps;

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 07 May 18 - 02:34 PM

hi Steve

It has gone very quiet here since the Chelsea v Liverpool game!!!

The 1-0 loss for Liverpool whilst not too surprising but it could leave a period of anxiety on Merseyside especially if Chelsea win their outstanding games. I can see a situation where Liverpool finish outside the top four, unlikely but the end of season matches have turned form round and nothing is impossible.

Of course Real Madrid rightly has to be their priority and if they win their position in the premiere League will not be o problem.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:33 AM

Hi Steve

United finally sealed 2nd place in the Premier league. They have held this position all season, not bad for a boring team eh?

The points they have dropped are mainly to the lower teams which They should beat. Still I think this is easily solved.

Liverpool have yet to clinch a place in the top four. Sunday's games will solve this.

United and Liverpool both have important Cup Finals shortly this may affect Sunday's team selections. .......Chelsea too are in this position but they will want a top four place.

Still a lot to play for.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:49 AM

Anyone going to watch the FA final next week? USA vs Russia... :-D

I remember when it used to be the first Saturday in May. When Mrs G and I got wed (5 May 1973) Sunderland beat Leeds. Loads of people kept nipping out of the wedding with transistor radios glued to their ears :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 18 - 06:50 AM

FA Cup final that is...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 11 May 18 - 07:44 AM

Loads of people kept nipping out of the wedding with transistor radios glued to their ears :-)
Don't give Prince William (and other guests) ideas. Although these days it would be mobile phone screens.

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 18 - 09:04 AM

I knew there was something else going on that day! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 11 May 18 - 11:06 AM

Hi Dave

My No 1 son cancelled his wedding because he realised after booking the day. Man united were playing at wembley.

Ironically they were playing Liverpool. Think it was 197 they won 2-1..

I was playing cricket some years ago and I was batting when Man U scored in a different game. I pushed the ball and started to run and as I passed my partner he stopped and was run out. He had heard someone give the score from the pavilion!!!. WE lost 3-2 to Arsenal.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 11 May 18 - 02:28 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 May 18 - 03:18 PM

One point from Brighton, lads, that's all. Let Brighton have the other one...

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: MikeL2
Date: 12 May 18 - 09:56 AM

hi Steve

based on recent games involved with lower teams anything can happen. I wouldn't back against Liverpool getting the point they need but it could be " an itchy bum " game to quote Alex Ferguson. Alex is still poorly but hopes are high.

Cheers

Mike

PS. We will be going to North Wales for a few days so you will miss my sparkling humour etc.....lol

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 18 - 01:06 PM

Well we did it at a stroll. We're in the CL next season whether we beat Real Madrid or not, so that's one lot of pressure off. And Liverpool play the most beautiful football. Adelante!

Subject: RE: BS: Football (not the U.S. kind)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 May 18 - 03:38 AM

Still one Welsh team in the premiership, Cardiff going up, Swansea going down.
Ah well.