Football 2011-2012

[eFestivals]

Neil - Are you talking the Bolton of a few weeks last season, or Bolton as they have played for the majority of the last 15 years?

for the majority of years.

I'm not saying they play football in the same style btw, and I know I've over-stated it (I'd rather watch Utd than Bolton) .... but Man Utd are not, overall, an exciting team to watch as a neutral.

[eFestivals]

Utd haven't been dull at all really. Counter attack football, always press high up the pitch

Counter-attacking football - not attacking football. They tend to sit back and soak it up.

That brings them results, so it's been exceedingly successful for them to do that. But it doesn't make for a great spectacle overall.

As I say, it's more exciting for a fan because it's exciting to see your team win (more exciting with the same tactics than it is to see them muddle thru and get a draw, or lose, anyhow).

[TheGayTent]

for the majority of years.

I'm not saying they play football in the same style btw, and I know I've over-stated it (I'd rather watch Utd than Bolton) .... but Man Utd are not, overall, an exciting team to watch as a neutral.

[eFestivals]

Hmm, whether a team is exciting to watch or not is completely subjective, and therefore your opinion is your own and you can't be wrong.

You're wrong though !

Yeah, I agree it's subjective .... but the majority of peeps would probably prefer to watch Henry-era Arsenal than they would Big Sam Bolton.

[eFestivals]

was trying to think of the worst style of footie in recent years .... and I ballsed up saying Big Sam Bolton, I should have said Megson Bolton.

[The Nal]

was trying to think of the worst style of footie in recent years .... and I ballsed up saying Big Sam Bolton, I should have said Megson Bolton.

[TheGayTent]

Trouble is the most entertaining football rarely equates to successful football over the course of time.

[eFestivals]

Christ yeah they were bad.

And the Henry-era Arsenal comparison isn't comparable. You're talking about one of the greatest club teams ever to watch, total one offs.

I was trying to name the best and worst playing styles I could think of, just to demonstrate that most people - neutrals, anyway - would rather watch the best than the worst.

Henry-era Arsenal were named for that comparison only, to back up that part of my point.

[eFestivals]

Trouble is the most entertaining football rarely equates to successful football over the course of time.

Absolutely - I've already said as much in relation to Utd. Their style isn't the best to watch, but it would be nuts of me to try to claim it doesn't bring them results.

[The Nal]

I was trying to name the best and worst playing styles I could think of, just to demonstrate that most people - neutrals, anyway - would rather watch the best than the worst.

Henry-era Arsenal were named for that comparison only, to back up that part of my point.

[eFestivals]

A balance of both is the best solution if possible.

Nope. The best solution if a team is able to do it is an awesome style AND results.

Just like Henry-era Arsenal.

[pink_triangle]

One of the best abilities of fergie is being able to make average players like fletcher, oshea, the neville brothers etc perform a lot better than their ability would allow, it makes for a succesful team but no neutral gets excited watching these types of players. In fact when I see Man utd at present there is no player who realy excites me, I can appreciate rooney as a very good footballer however I dont love watching him play football as I would a xavi, iniesta, silva etc. Man utd are very short in terms of flair and skill in the midfield ( hence having to bring scholes back) however theres always a danger that these types of players can disrupt the team ethos.

[thetime]

giggs ince keane kanchelskis hughes cantona

if you cant get excited watching that team, you dont like football.

[strummer77]

I loathe United so this hurts to say, but always thought they're style was quite exciting personally. Lots of men forward etc. Always a few talents who could pull something amazing out. It was more direct and it wasn't "beautiful" like Arsenal (who were nowhere enar as successful it must be added) or Barcelona (who are) but it was exciting for a neutral I'm sure. They've certainly been dull at points this season, but I think they've certainly been one of the better teams to watch over the last twenty years.

Well that's if you are a neutral or support them. For me it's been hell...

[The Nal]

giggs ince keane kanchelskis hughes cantona

if you cant get excited watching that team, you dont like football.

Edited March 5, 2012 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

Djemba Djemba...

he's playing at a few festivals this year.

Oh, my error. That's Django Django.

[The Nal]

he's playing at a few festivals this year.

Oh, my error. That's Django Django.

[pink_triangle]

giggs ince keane kanchelskis hughes cantona

if you cant get excited watching that team, you dont like football.

[strummer77]

and when you have players like carrick getting significant game time, there will always be limitation on the style a club can play.

Edited March 5, 2012 by strummer77

[pink_triangle]

If everyone played the style of like Barca though, football would be dull. That's not justifying a Stoke-esque kick everyone approach, but I mean there are plenty of ways to play exciting, winning football even with limited players and that's what makes it such a good sport. There's more than one way to skin a cat. Barca (and to a lesser extent Arsenal's early 00's) style is just one of those.

[thetime]

I agree different styles make the game interesting, however as a neutral I dont care about exciting winning football, I just want to see exciting football! I dont believe any neutral watches man utd and is excited before the game about the prospect of seeing Carrick, If you are a man utd fan you may think it doesnt matter if he is exciting or not if he can be effective in producing results, if like me you dont care if man u win or lose then your unlikely to share the feeling. As I have said adding great players doesnt always improve results. I would have been happy watching veron playing every game for man u and them not getting results, but obviously a fan would not.

[TheGayTent]

I agree different styles make the game interesting, however as a neutral I dont care about exciting winning football, I just want to see exciting football! I dont believe any neutral watches man utd and is excited before the game about the prospect of seeing Carrick, If you are a man utd fan you may think it doesnt matter if he is exciting or not if he can be effective in producing results, if like me you dont care if man u win or lose then your unlikely to share the feeling. As I have said adding great players doesnt always improve results. I would have been happy watching veron playing every game for man u and them not getting results, but obviously a fan would not.

Edited March 5, 2012 by TheGayTent

[strummer77]

I guess there's a difference between enjoyment and excitement. For me I wouldn't get excited prior to the game at the thought of seeing Carrick.

However, there are few things I enjoy more in football than a player who has the vision and skill to make 60, 70 yard passes to pin point accuracy regularly. Molby, Beckham, Scholes, Bishop, and Carrick could/can all do that - and I very much enjoy watching them do so.

[The Nal]

Thing is players like Carrick also allow other more exciting players to show off their full talent. It's part of the reason some of the attacking midfield talent e.g. Gerrard, never did as well for England as at club level.

I don't find the prospect of Busquets exciting. But the fact he allows Iniesta to go do what he does is exciting.

Edited March 5, 2012 by The Nal

[strummer77]

A lot of people wouldn't find Xavi particularly exciting to watch. Depends if you appreciate the mastering of the game exciting or prefer tricks and flicks and crazy Italians with "Why always me" tshirts exciting.

I like both personally.

Dont like Suarez though. Hes worse than Klinsmann. I was in tears laughing at his antics for the pen at the weekend.

Edited March 5, 2012 by strummer77