Football 17/18

[TheGayTent]

1 hour ago, eFestivals said:

There's only one "most popular". Particular things helped create that.

Yes. Those things didn't include controversial refereeing decisions....we've been here...

1 hour ago, eFestivals said:

People saw less footie (no TV) so saw less bad decisions. But when there was a bad decision they saw, guess what?

They didn't react in the same way they do now. We've been here before too...

The sense of entitlement was completely different. The blame culture didn't exist. The need to win at all costs attitude wasn't significant. No one, be it players, managers, or officials had to answer to questions about controversial refereeing decisions. 

[fred quimby]

12 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

Not really.

How much a person cares about a wrong decision tends to be very strongly linked to their team likes/dislikes - so back in the day, while people saw far-fewer wrong decisions they still saw about the same number as now of those they really cared about.

Thanks for the reply. but that has nothing to do with what you were saying about because people saw bad decisions fottie became more popular

[eFestivals]

1 hour ago, fred quimby said:

Thanks for the reply. but that has nothing to do with what you were saying about because people saw bad decisions fottie became more popular

That's not what I said.

I said it's always had wrong decisions and the wrong decisions have been part of the package that is football (which has become the most popular game in the world).

If the package is changed, it's appeal is likely to change too.

Some people think the rules are everything and it will make it better. I say that the (relative) non-stop-ness of the game plus talking points are of a bigger deal for its attractiveness to an audience than being right to the rules.

[DareToDibble]

Not sure if this has already been discussed or not but Man City were fantastic on Sunday. I was lucky enough to have tickets to the match (mother is a steward in the stadium) and whilst I admit Cardiff aren't Premiership quality, you could see the ease with which every City player finds the game. KDB is another level, too.

My one rant though is that at 2-0 down Cardiff still just sat back hoofing the ball. They had 0 players pressing and when the striker did win the knockdown there was absolutely nobody anywhere near him. At 0-0 I understand it but when you're 2-0 down, why not just go for it? You're going out of the cup whether you lose 2-0 or 6-0.

[TheGayTent]

1 hour ago, DareToDibble said:

My one rant though is that at 2-0 down Cardiff still just sat back hoofing the ball. They had 0 players pressing and when the striker did win the knockdown there was absolutely nobody anywhere near him. At 0-0 I understand it but when you're 2-0 down, why not just go for it? You're going out of the cup whether you lose 2-0 or 6-0.

Colin w*nker

[DareToDibble]

7 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

Colin w*nker

Fair point but even he must see that they went out without even attacking City. I remember one cross in the first half that seemed very close to connecting from my view but other than that I don't really remember anything.

[jyoung]

Proper fall from grace for Cech. Not the world class keeper he was at Chels. Horror show tonight versus Swansea...

[thetime]

On 21/01/2018 at 8:11 AM, eFestivals said:

was that a suddenly happy Arsenal 

[CRW5252]

I was starting to get a little optimism (emphasis on the little) about Arsenal with all the Aubameyang talks. Back to being pessimistic now. Today's game reminded me we still have a shite defense and a past it manager. 

[eFestivals]

8 hours ago, CRW5252 said:

I was starting to get a little optimism (emphasis on the little) about Arsenal with all the Aubameyang talks.

according the the guardian the deals are now agreed with Giroud off to chelsea and chelsea matey off to germany.

[The Nal]

More performance art on how to ruin a legacy and a club from Wenger. 

[CRW5252]

2 hours ago, eFestivals said:

according the the guardian the deals are now agreed with Giroud off to chelsea and chelsea matey off to germany.

Yeah, great deal for us. Sad to see Giroud go but he wasn't getting in the team anyway. Our new recruitment team have started well (although we still need a CB). If we start fresh with the coaching staff as well I'd start thinking we have a chance of climbing up the table. 

[pink_triangle]

For all the criticism of Arsenal, maybe Swansea need a bit of praise. When he was appointed a lot of people were questioning why they were appointing a manager sacked by a championship club. The results have been good since he took over including wins against Arsenal and Liverpool. They are giving themselves every chance to succeed.

[Dan R]

4 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

For all the criticism of Arsenal, maybe Swansea need a bit of praise. When he was appointed a lot of people were questioning why they were appointing a manager sacked by a championship club. The results have been good since he took over including wins against Arsenal and Liverpool. They are giving themselves every chance to succeed.

Looks like they've been very clever with Carvalhal appointment. Back to back wins against top 6 sides will do wonders for their confidence and must be a blow for their rivals. The xG shows they were a bit lucky against Liverpool (they deserved it though), but were far and away the better side last night.

[LJS]

Memories...

 

 

[Gnomicide]

13 minutes ago, LJS said:

Memories...

 

 

£5m for Charlie Adam. Stoke were robbed.

[Hugh Jass]

2 hours ago, The Nal said:

More performance art on how to ruin a legacy and a club from Wenger. 

Yup. Should have left a legend 4/5 years ago. Every year that passes erodes his legacy a little more.

[pink_triangle]

4 minutes ago, Gnomicide said:

£5m for Charlie Adam. Stoke were robbed.

Man City were robbed even more in buying Sinclair!

[pink_triangle]

Just now, Hugh Jass said:

Yup. Should have left a legend 4/5 years ago. Every year that passes erodes his legacy a little more.

I think once he leaves, a lot of the negative stuff will be forgotten and he will be remembered for the good times and his influence on the game as a whole.  Arsenal could have been justified moving him on last summer, but with most big teams holding on to their managers, there wasnt a huge amount of viable candidates.  This summer will be a much better time to change with movement both from the bigger clubs but also international sides following the world cup.

[TheGayTent]

Ozil signs a new deal at Arsenal.

[WS_Jack_III]

Loancastle United

[eFestivals]

a fleet of coaches have just been spotted heading down the M6.

[zahidf]

2 hours ago, TheGayTent said:

Ozil signs a new deal at Arsenal.

good take on that

 

[Wooderson]

Great that Utd were able to get Jose to sign a new deal. What with him playing such great ball and being in such demand etc. 

[Wooderson]

A real coup.