Football thread 2016/2017

[towny44]

Foxy, I am in no way saying that Leicester did not deserve to win the Premiership, they were without doubt the best team in the division last year, what I am saying is that all the normal contenders under-performed, which meant that fortune certainly favoured them last season.

[oldbluefox]

Foxy, I am in no way saying that Leicester did not deserve to win the Premiership, they were without doubt the best team in the division last year, what I am saying is that all the normal contenders under-performed, which meant that fortune certainly favoured them last season.

In that case it should have opened up the doors to other teams which were in a much stronger position than we were at the beginning of the season. The poor performances of the bigger clubs were a factor in our own success but it should also have favoured other teams and there is no substantial evidence of that.

[towny44]

Foxy, I am in no way saying that Leicester did not deserve to win the Premiership, they were without doubt the best team in the division last year, what I am saying is that all the normal contenders under-performed, which meant that fortune certainly favoured them last season.

In that case it should have opened up the doors to other teams which were in a much stronger position than we were at the beginning of the season. The poor performances of the bigger clubs were a factor in our own success but it should also have favoured other teams and there is no substantial evidence of that.

What do you want me say Foxy, I have already agreed that Leicester were the best team in the division, and by inference none of the others were able to take the same advantage of the under par performance of the bigger clubs.
I just hope that if we ever achieve promotion, and perform as well, we can have a similar fortune favouring season as Leicester.

[oldbluefox]

Hi towny

luck
noun: luck
1. success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.

I am responding to your earlier post where you said 'Of course you do need a huge slice of luck to do as well as Leicester did'. I disagree.
Last season's achievement was not based on luck, nor necessarily on the under performance of the top teams. There was still plenty of quality throughout the league but so many teams looked on Leicester as the underdogs, which they were. 'They will fall away', 'Wait till the winter comes', 'They can't keep this run going' etc etc and now we hear they were lucky.
The truth of the matter (having watched nearly all of their matches last season) is they played with grit and determination, chasing lost causes, never giving up. They defended deep, content to give possession to the other team but were then able to break quickly. Tactically it worked and their opponents found it difficult to counter. Although obviously biased I found it exciting and a far cry from the pass it sidewards, pass it back routine we had become accustomed to.

Best wishes for the second half of the season.

[Manoverboard]

During my working years I was of the opinion that the harder I worked the luckier I became .... just saying

[oldbluefox]

During my working years I was of the opinion that the harder I worked the luckier I became .... just saying

That's a load of old pap Mob. The harder you work the more they load onto you (unless you're self employed, in which case you're working for yourself)!!!

[Manoverboard]

Did any of you spot Watford's mascot ' Harry the Hornet ' doing a dive in front of Zaha at the end of our match against Palace ... the ref had booked him ( Zaha ) 3 minutes earlier for simulation in the penalty box .

The Sun newspaper reported that the FA may ban Harry for diving as insects cannot simulate.

[oldbluefox]

I hope he insists on a personal hearing. I would love to see photos of Harry the Hornet in front of the FA panel. It would be no more farcical than some of the rulings they make.

[barney]

After the most abject performance that I've ever seen from a Gillingham team on Monday, the manager was swiftly sacked.
He had clearly lost the plot when he decided to play no recognised strikers but played two wide men up front and a centre back at left back.
He left two strikers on the bench until ten minutes to go.
Clearly the Chairman was watching the fans reaction and did the right thing.

He has been replaced by an ex-player with no league management experience at all so it's a gamble, but maybe one worth taking.
Otherwise the same old recycled failures get the job.
He was coaching at Stoke and has the contract until this season ends, then to be reviewed.
What motivation that is, and all of the under performing players will be crapping themselves.

I'm not expecting wonders, but in my book, a 100% effort is the minimum requirement.
Maybe he can bring back the winning mentality.
Time will tell.

[gfwgfw]

Dear Footy Mates

It sadly seems to me and my Ferrets that the once prestigious FA Cup has now been severely tarnished by the negativity of mainly the managerial "imports" of foreign managers/coaches

A good example was played out at St Mary's yesterday

After a huge success at Liverpool midweek booking a Wembley extravaganza next month

Our much respected Manager fielded a team of rotten tomatoes who were well and truly pulverised by Arsenal

Minimal seat price £50

RIP FA Cup

[gfwgfw]

BTW There are other examples

Lubbooo all

Graham

[Manoverboard]

Arsenal 1 : Watford 2

There's no better tribute for the gentleman who made Watford FC .... RIP Graham Taylor

[barney]

An excellent 3 points for 'Uddersfield

Well done !

[oldbluefox]

They're playing good football too. As for my lot they are as bad this season as they were good last season. I think some of them have nice fat salaries and have had their heads turned by instant fame. A few backsides need kicking.

[towny44]

Six points out of 2 consecutive TV games in 4 days, and 6 points from 2 Leeds derbies, life is looking extremely good today.

[qbman1]

....until you look out of the window and remember you are still in 'Uddersfield !

[towny44]

....until you look out of the window and remember you are still in 'Uddersfield !

That's another bonus Cubie.

[oldbluefox]

Six points out of 2 consecutive TV games in 4 days, and 6 points from 2 Leeds derbies, life is looking extremely good today.

Wish I could say the same. Champs to chumps within six months..................

[qbman1]

I reckon you hit the nail on the head earlier - they have been ruined by money and glory !

[Manoverboard]

Those Foxes won at last , albeit against a Wally with a Brolly in extra time

[oldbluefox]

Thank God they weren't playing the Dagenham Girls Choir!!!
It's the big one at the weekend against Swansea. Hopefully they will have had a reality check and woken up to the fact they can't strut around and expect to win. Hopefully there will be changes to the line up and a bit more grit and determination shown on the pitch similar to what we saw last year. It didn't help losing all our expensive signings to the AFCON but times have been hard.
Nice to get your support Mob

[qbman1]

Well, it's happened !

Football has finally lost the tiny bit of credibility and decency it may have had left.

How can anyone possibly have any interest whatsoever in these badly-run multi-national corporations that masquerade as UK football teams ?!

[barney]

Claudio = Gone io

Dilly Dong!

[Manoverboard]

The owners should have sacked whosoever sanctioned the players bought in to strengthen the squad this season .... he / she / it / they failed miserably.

Dilly Dong Claudio

[qbman1]

I think any supporter with a shred of self-respect or sense of what is right should stay away from the next home game