ponsaelius

Calm, composed start from nufc

wat

Just like Southampton's was keeping cleansheets. The NUFC charity bus is in town.

You need to get over this crush, Willy is a married man.

Interesting. Especially as IMO, I think we have very clinical finishers compared to most. My theories are that: a) our chances are not very good chances - because of poor attacking strategy/movement b) our chances are snatched at, because even groat poachers will slice and snatch at chances when they are irregular, or the product of defensive accidents rather than anticipated attacking movements Basically what I was gonna say. We produce half-chances through our aimless, rigid style of play. Chances that are difficult to put away.

You really saying you've watched them enough to say that?

Sure he mentioned needing bits of magic in games.

The Spy Who Watched Me (during training)

Well yeah he hooked him off at half time didn't he. Victimising and then punishing the youngster thrown in at the deep end who should probably be out on loan, just months after bigging him up. Doesn't come across as fantatsic man management.

As not being a fully paid up member of the 'Perchinho' fan club, can't say I'm too arsed that Willy is ahead of him. Good team on paper, but we all know that means little.

'Spies'

That Coloccini fella is quite alright at football imo. Well yeah, but that's half my point. Most of us love Colo for the class on the ball he brings to the position. It's the same for a lot of the greatest defenders ever, they are often appreciated because they have attributes that lend themselves also to other positions on the pitch. The great defenders weren't just appreciated for their positioning and tackling, but for things like ability on the ball, distribution and for leadership qualities. I'm not saying great defenders can't be appreciated, but there are few out there that I'd generally said I enjoy watching put in a masterclass especially if you are a neutral to the game. Most of the ones in that category in my lifetime are Italians. It's a begrudging acceptance of their brilliance in their position, whereas it will always be easier for people to appreciate the creators and goalscorers IMO.

I'd be interested to know what people think about the lack of defenders that crop up in best player ever arguments. It always seems to be a criticism of awards like the Ballon D'or too, but I'm not sure I agree with it. All defenders are basically just the guys when growing up that ultimately didn't have the skill, vision or artistry to play other positions. They're the stoppers and destroyers of the more naturally talented players at the end of the day. Of course there are some that have turned it into an art and recieve the adulation that they deserve, but these arguments are always weighted in favour of attackers and midfielders for a reason IMO. Fans mainly watch football largely for goals, skill and attacking play at the end of the day.

But your theory is contracting itself man, you say teams/players were given more freedom to be expressive and as such the game was far more open which meant more teams scored... then claim it was harder to score? It makes no sense

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Peyroteo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Bican http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Binder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eus%C3%A9bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferenc_Puskas Look at those goalscorer records Yes, before Pele's era but it shoes you the transformation of the game tactically and in terms of professionalism. There will be short-term trends where the game is more defensive or attack minded (I'd say right now the game is more open in Europe than it was say 5-6 years ago, say) but on the whole the progression of the sport has lead to less goals being scored decade on decade. That's what makes Messi's achievement all the more impressive, I don't think anybody expected Mueller's record to be broken in the modern era.

Then why has the average number of goals scored fallen dramatically? Your argument makes no sense HTT, you say it was harder to score yet the bare facts say that everybody scored more goals?

Hope so, his form for Argentina is on an upwards curve right now. I don't know whether they'll win it mind, but I can't see him not playing well.

Really isn't though is it? CRonaldo has came top 4 in three big tournaments. Messi has in zero. Does the 2007 Copa America not count then? Aye true, it's just that Brazil won that with Robinho being the player of the tournament along with players like Josue, Julio Baptista and Vagner Love ffs. I actually forgot that. Fair enough, 3 to 1. You're talking team achievements here anyway. Apart from those 3 clutch goals in 2 games at the last Euros he's regularly disappointed at major tournaments in the same way Messi has. In terms of performances I'd say Messi had a superior World Cup in 2010 and even in 2006 when he was a kid. Messi played what, a maximum of 100minutes in the 2006 world cup? 1 start man. I'm not saying CRonaldo has been good in international tournament, I just don't agree that Messi has been better. His time will come at major tournaments anyway

Ronaldo was scoring at Messi/Cron current rates when he was like 19. The videos of him on Youtube are great viewing if you're ever bored, his natural talent surely exceeds everybody of the last 20 years.

Really isn't though is it? CRonaldo has came top 4 in three big tournaments. Messi has in zero. Does the 2007 Copa America not count then? Aye true, it's just that Brazil won that with Robinho being the player of the tournament along with players like Josue, Julio Baptista and Vagner Love ffs. I actually forgot that. Fair enough, 3 to 1. You're talking team achievements here anyway. Apart from those 3 clutch goals in 2 games at the last Euros he's regularly disappointed at major tournaments in the same way Messi has. In terms of performances I'd say Messi had a superior World Cup in 2010 and even in 2006 when he was a kid.

Really isn't though is it? CRonaldo has came top 4 in three big tournaments. Messi has in zero. Does the 2007 Copa America not count then?

What do you not like about away games? Over here it's the best thing about supporting a team tbh.

Christ, he's gone loopy