themanupstairs Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Was having a chat with a guy I met recently Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR15 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Where's everyone planning to drink before the game? (I know various pubs are opening from 8am) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenham Mag Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Sam Jacks for the bants. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorJ_01 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Sam Jacks for the bants. I thought you said pants and then I laughed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomson Mouse Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Interesting take on derby matches from a footballers perspective The Secret Footballer: You do get a buzz when beer bottles hit the bus The intensity of some derby matches has to be experienced to be believed as the fans' passion get to the players Liverpool vs Manchester United Manchester United's Patrice Evra can expect a hostile reception from Liverpool fans at their FA Cup tie following his altercation with Luis Suárez, which led to an eight-match ban for the Uruguayan. Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA This weekend sees the latest instalment of the bitter rivalry that is Liverpool and Manchester United. On the off-chance that tensions between the two clubs were not already at an all-time high on the back of United's record 19th league title last season, the flashpoint provided at Anfield three months ago by Luis Suárez and Patrice Evra will ensure a particularly explosive atmosphere this time round. Rivalry in football is nothing new, of course, but it could be argued that in the modern game the animosity has grown as the stakes have become higher. Having played in matches of this nature, I've come to the conclusion that the best thing for all concerned is the sound of the final whistle. In the run up to a grudge match the sense of anticipation around the town or city is inescapable. During the buildup to one of these fixtures, I can recall almost every person I met greeting me with the words: "Make sure you win on Saturday." People say this to me anyway, but in the runup to this particular game it felt like more of a threat, such was the animosity between the two sets of fans. The players feel the tension, too. Both teams that day were represented by a handful of local players and they were extremely anxious to win this game. To these players, the occasion warranted enthusiastic head-slapping of their fellow pros. I tried to ask one of our players what the game meant to him but he simply responded: "You wouldn't understand, mate. Just make sure we win." I haven't encountered that level of hostility from a player towards another team before, and on match day there was no way to reach him. He was almost in a trance. For the most part these games are not particularly enjoyable to play in. The tempo is dictated by the crowd, as are many of the decisions made by the players on the pitch. I have seen very controlled footballers become an extension of the more vociferous fans by going around sliding into opponents unnecessarily and running for passes that they know they're never going to reach. You can almost feel the confidence in a player's technical game drain away because nobody wants to be the person that underhits a pass or misses a gilt-edged chance. Towards the end of one of these matches an opposition player turned to me and said: "Tell the ref that'll do, it's 1-1, blow the whistle and everyone's happy." I felt the same way – avoiding defeat brings a huge sense of relief. The hatred I experienced between two bitter sets of fans can perhaps best be summed up by the last five minutes of one game I was involved in against our fiercest rivals. Losing and desperate for a goal, we began to take chances by committing as many men forward as possible in the hope of salvation. Eventually we mustered a shot that ended up in the stand, among our own supporters, for a goal-kick. The ball, however, did not come back. More than anything else that went on in that derby, the fact that not one of our fans could bring themselves to throw the ball back to the rival goalkeeper, even though we were losing and running out of time, speaks volumes for the hatred that they have for a team that they were desperate to beat. Unless you have experienced that level of hatred it is difficult to understand the mentality behind it. At least that's what I tell myself, because I really don't understand. No surprise, then, that these games see a high number of yellow cards and their fair share of reds, too. Even the sublime football on show in the clásico matches in Spain is marred by the controversy of off-the-ball elbows and cynical challenges. There is no accounting for what too much adrenaline can do to a player but the same is true of the fans. I can remember our team bus crawling its way through the streets before one away game behind a police escort as the home fans' derogatory chants were punctured intermittently by the loud bangs of bottles and beer cans clattering against the side of the bus. It hadn't previously occurred to me as to why the bus company had sent its "infinity touring model" instead of the "luxury cruiser" (by the way, "luxury" is an overused word in the world of coach transportation). But it certainly gets the blood pumping; it's actually quite a buzz to be sat on a bus while it's being hit from all sides with various missiles. You really feel as if you're going into the lion's den and people are depending on you. During one of these games a particularly vicious off-the-ball incident sparked a brawl in the dugouts that, to this day, years after it happened, remains a very touchy subject whenever the coaches and managers meet. This is perhaps an example of a rivalry that exists because of some bad blood and not because of any long-standing historical ties. Even so, both sets of fans, and players for that matter, embraced it wholeheartedly. For a long time I thought it was a clever PR stunt to fill the stadium for one more game; stranger things have happened. If Evra does appear for United on Saturday he can be guaranteed of a pretty intimidating reception. There is one ground that I am routinely booed at because a newspaper made up a story that I refused to sign for them, although I'm not going to try to pretend I've been through what Evra is likely to experience. It is, though, very difficult to play when your every touch is booed. The opposition players also quickly realise that they can get a round of applause for trying to take one of your legs off. Whatever happens at Anfield, for 90 minutes at least, Patrice Evra will walk alone. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jan/27/the-secret-footballer-derby-matches Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brummie Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I have never wanted you to win a match so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 does the secret footballer normally say that much about his own involvement? you could probably figure out what team he played for based on some of the stuff he said Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 does the secret footballer normally say that much about his own involvement? you could probably figure out what team he played for based on some of the stuff he said Howay then Sherlock Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallsendmag Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Where's everyone planning to drink before the game? (I know various pubs are opening from 8am) Do you know which ones mate? We were planning to get into town by about 9am but from what I can gather most pubs aren't opening until 10am. I know the likes of The Black garter will probably be open about 7 as usual but it's not really my cup of tea! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Where's everyone planning to drink before the game? (I know various pubs are opening from 8am) Do you know which ones mate? We were planning to get into town by about 9am but from what I can gather most pubs aren't opening until 10am. I know the likes of The Black garter will probably be open about 7 as usual but it's not really my cup of tea! i know about its reputation but what specifically is so bad about it? never been inside Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Fwiw, someone I work with has told me the Strawberry, the Three Bulls, and the Black Garter are the 3 in town that are opening at 9am or before. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR15 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Aye, Three Bulls is opening at 8am. Have to get a decent breakfast before the drinking begins. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MW Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Fwiw, someone I work with has told me the Strawberry, the Three Bulls, and the Black Garter are the 3 in town that are opening at 9am or before. 3 bulls is the one i go to for the away one and that opens early then. not getting into town for round 10 anyway probably just go to union rooms Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger Kint Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Union Rooms normally opens early too doesnt it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowlingcrofty Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Union Rooms normally opens early too doesnt it? Think they usually let you buy a pint only if you buy a breakfast between 9 and 10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger Kint Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Union Rooms normally opens early too doesnt it? Think they usually let you buy a pint only if you buy a breakfast between 9 and 10. Sounds good, full English & 8 pints for breakfast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bonk Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I have never wanted you to win a match so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bonk Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Union Rooms normally opens early too doesnt it? Think they usually let you buy a pint only if you buy a breakfast between 9 and 10. Sounds good, full English & 8 pints for breakfast. Just the 8? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger Kint Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Union Rooms normally opens early too doesnt it? Think they usually let you buy a pint only if you buy a breakfast between 9 and 10. Sounds good, full English & 8 pints for breakfast. Just the 8? You tried to get served in there on derby day? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowlingcrofty Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Last time they limited it to one drink per meal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roger Kint Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Last time they limited it to one drink per meal. Tbh i think the last time i was there they gave up and served anyone after 9.30/9.45. I went straight to Rafferys at 10am for the last home derby, not going to this one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 1 will do me to go with me breakfast, then on to one of the other bars for the fun to begin pretty sure i was in the milecastle for me breakfast at just after 8 before the 5-1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR15 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Ended up in Aspers last year before kick off. Expensive for drinks, but could not get served anywhere else. Police escort for the mackems is around 10.45 from Central I've been informed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanj Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I'm jealous, wish I could travel from FL for this one. I'll be up at 7 am in my apartment with the sound turned all the way up - I'm starting to get the nerves all the way over here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallsendmag Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Where's everyone planning to drink before the game? (I know various pubs are opening from 8am) Do you know which ones mate? We were planning to get into town by about 9am but from what I can gather most pubs aren't opening until 10am. I know the likes of The Black garter will probably be open about 7 as usual but it's not really my cup of tea! i know about its reputation but what specifically is so bad about it? never been inside I had the misfortune to meet someone in there after the Arsenal game at the start of the season. Couldn't argue with the prices at £1.79 a pint but the place was stinking and when this old fella who was sat just along from us sh!t himself that was the que to get up and find another pub. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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