The Football Thread 2011/12

[Denster]

All of this bollocks harkens back to when Holland failed to win the world cup in 74. Undone by a solid german team in the final when they couldn't take their chances.
It's a myth that's pervaded since.

[jamcc]

I can understand the point Ginga is making. Chelsea have spent a lot of money and they playing like that, but it's up to them how they want to play.

Torres aside, Chelsea haven't spent that much in recent years, with an eye on the fair play rules coming in. Cahill and Marin were both picked up cheap. The team next season will be a lot different and won't have to play defensive like that.

I've never ever said a team has deserved to win a game just for having more possession, playing better football, having more of the chances or any combination of the three. Dodgy officiating decisions (e.g. Barca in 2009), you deserve to win games if you score more than the opposition.

[Pancake]

I'm surprised that so many adults don't know the definition of "deserve".

You seem to be the only one who doesn't understand the word. How does 'to have earned as a right by one's actions' work in favour of your argument?

[Denster]

strawberry floating hell, glad I stayed out of here tonight

Good game, was very pleased to see Chelsea win, especially for Lamps, DDA and RDM. Thought it was pretty shameful of Torres not to step up for a penalty, especially if Cahill was 6th! But then Munich pussied out so much they made Neuer step up

3 different English sides winning the CL in 8 years, 5th (?) English side to win it overall, more than any other country (?). Class

Also an English team in 7 of the last eight finals. Two in 2008.

Doesn't exactly hide the fact English sides did horribly on both competitions this year. That kind of dominance a few years ago is obviously dead and next season should be very interesting with teams like Dortmund and Juventus adding to the Champions League mix. Like I said earlier too, the Europa League could also be better than expected.

How is it dead?

Our top two underperformed - no question

But our sixth placed team did better than the best of Spain and Germany et al.

English football has been getting weaker defensively, other clubs are getting stronger. We're not going to see that kind of dominance again I don't think.

Couldn't disagree more. City and United will strengthen. Chelsea will be bolstered by this (and Abramovic opening his wallet in glee) and all three should be contenders again next year.

[Ginga]

If you disagree with me, fair enough but it's becoming a particularly British way to play football – all these other countries are running miles ahead of England in youth development and have national squads that embarrass the Home of Football, but no, tonight was "all about English spirit" according to Gary Neville, forgetting the match-winning Czech keeper and Ivorian striker.

And no-one questioned that.

[Cuttooth]

Yes they have.

[Pancake]

I don't see why this has to be about nationality? I certainly don't see it as such and I feel like that's a cheap shot to make.

[Denster]

And there go the goalposts.

[Ginga]

I'm surprised that so many adults don't know the definition of "deserve".

You seem to be the only one who doesn't understand the word. How does 'to have earned as a right by one's actions' work in favour of your argument?

Through the creation of chances. If you work more hours, you deserve more pay than someone who works less, no?

[Qikz]

I for one as a non follower of any teams are glad an English team won it in the end.

[jamcc]

If you disagree with me, fair enough but it's becoming a particularly British way to play football – all these other countries are running miles ahead of England in youth development and have national squads that embarrass the Home of Football, but no, tonight was "all about English spirit" according to Gary Neville, forgetting the match-winning Czech keeper and Ivorian striker.

And no-one questioned that.

England have a lot of good young players coming through. But it's fine, you can pretend to be Spanish, sitting there in deepest Scotland, hugging your Lionel Messi cuddly toy.

[Preezy]

If you disagree with me, fair enough but it's becoming a particularly British way to play football – all these other countries are running miles ahead of England in youth development and have national squads that embarrass the Home of Football, but no, tonight was "all about English spirit" according to Gary Neville, forgetting the match-winning Czech keeper and Ivorian striker.

And no-one questioned that.

That's because no one gives a gooseberry fool, it was 1 comment by a football pundit.

Don't know what that's got to with the current discussion anyway.

[Pancake]

I'm surprised that so many adults don't know the definition of "deserve".

You seem to be the only one who doesn't understand the word. How does 'to have earned as a right by one's actions' work in favour of your argument?

Through the creation of chances. If you work more hours, you deserve more pay than someone who works less, no?

Not if you do a bad job, no.

[Ginga]

And there go the goalposts.

The reason England are shite is an inferiority complex. One that your teams keep showing in setting out their stall in Europe. The only difference is when it comes to the national team, you don't have the Spaniards and the Ivorians and the Italians and Brazilians to bail you out.

Ya'll are real easy to wind-up.

[Preezy]

I'm surprised that so many adults don't know the definition of "deserve".

You seem to be the only one who doesn't understand the word. How does 'to have earned as a right by one's actions' work in favour of your argument?

Through the creation of chances. If you work more hours, you deserve more pay than someone who works less, no?

Not if you aren't any good at your job

[jamcc]

Ginga is so bitter at being born Scottish.

[Preezy]

And there go the goalposts.

The reason England are shite is an inferiority complex. One that your teams keep showing in setting out their stall in Europe. The only difference is when it comes to the national team, you don't have the Spaniards and the Ivorians and the Italians and Brazilians to bail you out.

Ya'll are real easy to wind-up.

This has taken a very dark turn

Showing your true colours now eh Ginga?

[Ginga]

I'm surprised that so many adults don't know the definition of "deserve".

You seem to be the only one who doesn't understand the word. How does 'to have earned as a right by one's actions' work in favour of your argument?

Through the creation of chances. If you work more hours, you deserve more pay than someone who works less, no?

Not if you aren't any good at your job

How do you define good at your job? I'd say the guy out working the shop floor is doing more for the money than the bloke sitting in the office watching him.

No, no dark turn. I just find it funny that when I post at least eight people rush to tell me I'm wrong then resort to insults about being Scottish or enjoying how Barcelona play. Like really terrible traits of mine, y'know?

[Pancake]

Ya'll are real easy to wind-up.

The last bastion of defence...

[PaperMacheMario]

Does... does Ginga realise Messi isn't Spanish?