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The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
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As a Nottingham Forest supporter, Im giving up football for lent. Or something.
I suppose deliberately breaking another players leg highlights the aggressive mindset pretty well lol. It was always satisfying seeing players like Vieira, Fergusson, and Shearer not taking any of his crap.
Modern players are far too apt to dive and when they do come to "blows" it's rather comically halfhearted. On the other hand, historical hardmen were flat-out thugs and we can't have that in the game either.
I think the modern women's game is actually tougher - both in terms of the players's physicality towards each other and their reluctance to dive or roll around on the ground.
I think the modern women's game is actually tougher - both in terms of the players's physicality towards each other and their reluctance to dive or roll around on the ground.
I was the master of the late tackle. Usually get them as they came out of the dressing room after the match!
My dad was a keen footballer. As a defender he taught me
Sometimes the ball gets past you.
Sometimes the player gets past you.
But never the player with the ball!
We often remark how neither of us would stay on the pitch for very long in the modern game!
As a small Centre Forward (think Michael Owen minus the footballing skills) I used to use Centre Backs as ladders.I was the master of the late tackle. Usually get them as they came out of the dressing room after the match!
My dad was a keen footballer. As a defender he taught me
Sometimes the ball gets past you.
Sometimes the player gets past you.
But never the player with the ball!
We often remark how neither of us would stay on the pitch for very long in the modern game!
My dad (former pro in the 50's) who was a defender, always said - "If the Centre Back isn't covered in stud marks at the end of the game, you haven't worked hard enough"...I miss the hoof and biff glory days of 80's football.
Gulp, a man city team that thrashes other teams a lot for our final fixture, can't wait for it to be all over after that one.
They'll be extra motivated by the 3-2 defeat!
They'll be extra motivated by the 3-2 defeat!
I was the master of the late tackle. Usually get them as they came out of the dressing room after the match!
My dad was a keen footballer. As a defender he taught me
Sometimes the ball gets past you.
Sometimes the player gets past you.
But never the player with the ball!
We often remark how neither of us would stay on the pitch for very long in the modern game!
I played left back and keeper in my brief footballing career. My greatest moment came in one my youth's team's knockout matches - late in the game, the opposing forward made a breakaway and looked certain to score in a 1 v 1with our keeper. I overhauled him just as he was opening up his body to shoot past the keeper and put in a perfect tackle to knock the ball out for a corner - and we held on for the win. Scenes.
I also took advantage of the lax refereeing standards at that level to put in reducers on opponents that should, by any sane interpretation of the rules, have been straight reds. Many a parent watched in horror as I scythed down their progeny or, as keeper, directed a two-handed punch mostly at the ball but also quite a bit at my opponent's head...
I've mellowed somewhat since then.
His other advice was always when everyone is getting ready for a corner, if the ref isn’t looking give the Center forward a little nudge. If you are lucky he’ll retaliate when the ref is looking!
Most news outlets are headlining the Man Utd Leicester match, but Man Utd will surely win (barring a historic choke) so I don't think that will be the most interesting match of the day. The real drama is down at the bottom.
I want to root for Villa, but then again if they stay up it will be because Sheffield United failed to beat them a few weeks ago due to a glaring refereeing error and a failure for VAR to check it...it would be survival due to luck/mistakes/a technicality. So if I have any allegiance today I suppose it is for Bournemouth, with the longest of long shots at survival.
EDIT: Both Villa and Watford look wobbly from the start. Antonio missed a sitter against Villa but Watford are not so lucky, already 1-0 down against Arsenal.
I want to root for Villa, but then again if they stay up it will be because Sheffield United failed to beat them a few weeks ago due to a glaring refereeing error and a failure for VAR to check it...it would be survival due to luck/mistakes/a technicality. So if I have any allegiance today I suppose it is for Bournemouth, with the longest of long shots at survival.
EDIT: Both Villa and Watford look wobbly from the start. Antonio missed a sitter against Villa but Watford are not so lucky, already 1-0 down against Arsenal.
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Of the bottom three, I like Bournemouth. So, here's hoping they are able to win, and the others around them 'mess up'.
Time will tell
PS: Seems Liverpool are sleeping, and Bournemouth just scored...!
Time will tell
PS: Seems Liverpool are sleeping, and Bournemouth just scored...!
Yep, Bournemouth have a glimmer of hope, though Everton seem to have woken up now and created a couple of chances.
If all three games stay close this could be a real nailbiter.
If all three games stay close this could be a real nailbiter.
Why do they have water breaks since the restart? Really breaks up the game.
Hoping we can do Bournemouth a favour. I’d sooner see them stay up out of the three.
Hoping we can do Bournemouth a favour. I’d sooner see them stay up out of the three.
Yep, I hate the water breaks. In MLS, it makes sense right now - it's oppressively hot and humid in Florida. But in England?
Arsenal don't look very good today but Watford are both bad and unlucky - and are now 2-0 down. They are in deadly peril now. If West Ham score Bournemouth will really have a shot...
Yes not exactly hot and humid. Quite mild to be honest.
I think there is no way back for Watford now. But a goal from us and Bournemouth leap frog Villa.
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3-0 now. Nice finish for @Scepticalscribe
Practice for the cup?
Yes, Watford are toast now. Even if Arsenal drop off they have a big cushion. It does matter who you play on the final day...This greatly simplifies Bournemouth's situation.
Also, Villa's kit is hideous.
EDIT: Everton catch Bournemouth with a counterattack and it's 1-1. Villa now don't really have to do anything in order to stay up apart from not getting hammered.
Also, Villa's kit is hideous.
EDIT: Everton catch Bournemouth with a counterattack and it's 1-1. Villa now don't really have to do anything in order to stay up apart from not getting hammered.
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Bournemouth got another one back though. Hopefully we can put one past Villa. Is one enough though? I think I need a spreadsheet!
If Villa lose they will be level on 34 points with Bournemouth, so it will come down to goal difference. I think as things currently stand they are both on -26. So if Villa lose by any score and Bournemouth win Villa go down. But if Villa avoid defeat they are safe.
I am rooting for Bournemouth, but if Villa do stay up I hope it is due to a crucial Pepe Reina save. A Liverpool stalwart for many years, he is by all accounts an all-round great guy. It's good to see him still playing at an elite level.
As you say, if Villa stay up it will be down to a very dodgy VAR decision!
VAR would have corrected the call...but they didn't use it. So while this will be called a "VAR controversy" it isn't VAR's fault at all - it's the league's failure to use VAR effectively. This is precisely the situation VAR was implemented to prevent.
Bournemouth's first subs indicate a more defensive approach. They are going to try and control the midfield / protect their 1-goal lead.
Arsenal couldn't defend against a tea cosy.
Mind you, Watford may be rather more motivated today than their opponents.
Mind you, Watford may be rather more motivated today than their opponents.