Am I alone in thinking Sunderland's efforts at Old Trafford were anti football? It is clear they came out with no intention to play a game of football but rather to throw ten players in the way of Man U attacks in the hope of frustrating their way to a 0-0 result. Yes there was effort yes there were moments of skilled defending...but mostly just bodies being thrown on the way of crosses and shots.
I was pleased when Man U scored from a deflection onto the post by one such body.
The sight of Cisse hacking the ball away into touch when operating as an additional defender was pitiful.
There is a difference from having a tactical plan which is more cautious and what we saw this weekend which I thought was disgraceful.
I was pleased when Man U scored from a deflection onto the post by one such body.
The sight of Cisse hacking the ball away into touch when operating as an additional defender was pitiful.
There is a difference from having a tactical plan which is more cautious and what we saw this weekend which I thought was disgraceful.
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Yeah? Stoke have been doing it all season but no thread was made about them?
Three for me, and two for them.
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Yeah? Stoke have been doing it all season but no thread was made about them?
Yeah, but Stoke do get forward occasionally. Don't they? 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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Reading did the same thing last season, only they actually managed to get the draw.
Nothing unusual, happens quite often in the Premiership actually.
Nothing unusual, happens quite often in the Premiership actually.
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Happens all the time when lower teams come up against the top teams in the EPL.
Liverpools games against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham (all 0-0) were exactly like this. Get 11 men behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes to get the point.
Not much you can do except work out how to break it down. No use complaining about it.
I just don't understand the mentality of going into a game saying "we can't win so let's try not to lose". I guess that's why they're where they are in the league.
Liverpools games against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham (all 0-0) were exactly like this. Get 11 men behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes to get the point.
Not much you can do except work out how to break it down. No use complaining about it.
I just don't understand the mentality of going into a game saying "we can't win so let's try not to lose". I guess that's why they're where they are in the league.
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I can perfectly understand the "we can't win so let's try not to lose" mentality. When there's millions of pounds at stake if a team gets relegated, then why shouldn't 'lesser' sides go out to gain a point rather than lose 3. Would you rather they played 5 up front against you and came away being hammered but making lots of friends because they attacked.
It's always amusing to hear supporters of the "fashionable" clubs sl*gging off smaller clubs for playing like this. "How dare these clubs, who haven't got anywhere near the quality of players that we have, come here and try to play for a point. Outrageous"
Yeah, it's not great to watch and it might be anti-football, but the points gained or less goals conceeded might be the difference between staying up or being relegated at the end of the season.
Happens in European Cup competitions all the time but nobody whines about it then.
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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Wow, back the wagon up buddy.
I think you misunderstand what I'm saying. What I mean is that it is not in my nature not to try and win. I've never walked out to play a game, no matter what the sport, with anything other than the intention of winning. Sure I've been in matches against clearly superior opposition that my team has ended up just hanging on but that was never the intention in the first place. And, yes, I understand that there are millions of dollars at stake but despite all that I don't get not trying to win.
I will say one thing tho'. You can't say that it is ok to play that way and then turn round and say how boring the EPL is these days (or the SPL for that matter) 'cos it's always the same teams at the top. If lower teams don't try to beat them then it only perpetuates the status quo.
Malky2008-12-08 11:14:07
I think you misunderstand what I'm saying. What I mean is that it is not in my nature not to try and win. I've never walked out to play a game, no matter what the sport, with anything other than the intention of winning. Sure I've been in matches against clearly superior opposition that my team has ended up just hanging on but that was never the intention in the first place. And, yes, I understand that there are millions of dollars at stake but despite all that I don't get not trying to win.
I will say one thing tho'. You can't say that it is ok to play that way and then turn round and say how boring the EPL is these days (or the SPL for that matter) 'cos it's always the same teams at the top. If lower teams don't try to beat them then it only perpetuates the status quo.
Malky2008-12-08 11:14:07
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The wagon's fine. No chill pill required, Malky. 
Wasn't having a go at you, more at a general "how dare these little teams come to our place and not attack us" attitude.
I don't think many professional footballers (or any footballer, for that matter) have it in their nature to go out and try not to win but there is a difference, in my opinion, between not trying to win and not wanting to lose. As a Coach I've never sent a team out not to win, I have sent teams out on several occasions not to lose tho'!
Most fans, myself included, want to see open, attractive, flowing football but I can understand why some teams choose not to play that way. I didn't say I agree with it, I said I can understand why it happens.
As for the EPL and SPL, I've never actually said I found either of them boring but I think there's a helluva lot more to why the status quo is being retained in both leagues than smaller clubs playing for a point against the big boys.
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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Those teams are generally trying to win also. Even by way of a lucky goal.
Funnily enough,this tactic can be seen as their best chance of winning
You could argue that throwing 5 up front would be them saying "well we arent going to win,but lets make it look good."
Because it usually results in them losing. At least if they defend,they can hold the opposition to 0-0,and maybe even get a lucky goal and win 1-0
Allegedly
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Happens all the time when lower teams come up against the top teams in the EPL.Liverpools games against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham (all 0-0) were exactly like this. Get 11 men behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes to get the point.Not much you can do except work out how to break it down. No use complaining about it.I just don't understand the mentality of going into a game saying "we can't win so let's try not to lose". I guess that's why they're where they are in the league.
Apart from when Craig Bellamy hit the post right?
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There best chance of winning is to keep the score close, keep it to 0-0 and try to maybe catch them on the counter when they are frustrated and pushed one to many man forward. Or perhaps fluke a goal from a corner or free kick. It's a game plan, that, although negative, gives them the best chance of winning when they are obviously not as good as the side they are playing. happens at every level
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Precisely,so its a bit wrong to go out and say theyre not trying to win the game...when in fact it gives them their best chance of doing so
Allegedly
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As a certain Mr B. Clough once said "You start every game with one point". Priority one has to be not to lose that point, then aim to take all three. Jag2008-12-08 12:09:30
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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in cloughie's day that was even more true becuase (at least for most of clough's career ??) a win only got 2 points
re the sunderland 'effort', i was backing them all the way and would have been more than happy to see them nick a point or even all 3 - all part of the drama of football
then again, as a Tigers supporter 'i just can't believe' that they didn't go for the throat and lose 4-3
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in cloughie's day that was even more true becuase (at least for most of clough's career ??) a win only got 2 points
re the sunderland 'effort', i was backing them all the way and would have been more than happy to see them nick a point or even all 3 - all part of the drama of football
then again, as a Tigers supporter 'i just can't believe' that they didn't go for the throat and lose 4-3
See, this is all your fault. If only you'd go to places like Old Trafford and defend for 90 minutes like your supposed to....... 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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I found the Sunderland/Man Utd game intriguing, and was hoping that they'd hang on for a point. The in the Prem this season there are all sorts of teams and styles of play, and to win it you are going to have to be the best at combating all of these styles. Man Utd were (just) good enough to break down Sunderland, and good on them for their sheer perseverence in what must have been a very, very frustrating game for them. They were also good enough to account for Stoke quite emphatically, something many (Arsenal and Liverpool included) have been unable to do. That's why I'm picking United for the title.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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...we all want to see sexy football but, hey, sometimes reality gets in the way.
Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
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I can just accept that people with a strong understanding of football and tactics might appreciate that game (ManU v Sunderland) but what a turn off for youngsters wanting to see flair and speed, and skillful movements. I know Cisse and Diouf can play good football and watching them hoof the ball into touch was sad.
Hull are doing fine....the 4-3 defeat cost them points but didnt affect morale and team structure. Are Sunderland really going to be able to switch like magic next week into attack mode with confidence and a well known team structure?? Did Cisse practice his runs, shots and positional play this last weekend?
Hull are doing fine....the 4-3 defeat cost them points but didnt affect morale and team structure. Are Sunderland really going to be able to switch like magic next week into attack mode with confidence and a well known team structure?? Did Cisse practice his runs, shots and positional play this last weekend?
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Happens every other week against Arsenal, get used to it. 
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Happens every other week with Arsenal, get used to it.
fixed
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
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Poor windup SB
2/10
2/10
Three for me, and two for them.
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Sunderland were never going to get anything on the counter attack. The ball was just belted up the field rarely anywhere near Cisse, their lone "striker", who often still wasn't even near half way. I did get a giggle that Man U found it so hard to get through though. Thought nothing was going to go in. Gutting at the end.
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I found the Sunderland/Man Utd game intriguing, and was hoping that they'd hang on for a point. The in the Prem this season there are all sorts of teams and styles of play, and to win it you are going to have to be the best at combating all of these styles. Man Utd were (just) good enough to break down Sunderland, and good on them for their sheer perseverence in what must have been a very, very frustrating game for them. They were also good enough to account for Stoke quite emphatically, something many (Arsenal and Liverpool included) have been unable to do. That's why I'm picking United for the title.
Chelsea also accounted for Stoke City quite empatically too, even if the score didn't look as bad. That's why I'm picking it will be a contest between United and Chelsea for the title.
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�That's why I'm picking it will be a contest between�United�and Chelsea for�the title.
Goning on a limb there, eh? I still think Albion will get right and storm to the title by late April...
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That's why I'm picking it will be a contest between United and Chelsea for the title.
Goning on a limb there, eh? I still think Albion will get right and storm to the title by late April...
No way. Arsenal are gonna win the league until they next lose, then they're going down and Wenger should be sacked
Three for me, and two for them.
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So it's agreed, Liverpool aren't good enough to stay top.
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That's why I'm picking it will be a contest between United and Chelsea for the title.
Goning on a limb there, eh? I still think Albion will get right and storm to the Championship title by late April 2012...
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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United always have problems dealing with Anti-football. We never seem to hit the long-range shots the Chelsea seems to average one a game. I think that's got something to do with it when you can't pass your way to goal.
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LONG BALL!
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL...
LOOONG BALL!
cam-bwfc2008-12-11 00:27:46
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL
WE ONLY PLAY LONG BALL...
LOOONG BALL!
cam-bwfc2008-12-11 00:27:46
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Am I alone in thinking Sunderland's efforts at Old Trafford were anti football? It is clear they came out with no intention to play a game of football but rather to throw ten players in the way of Man U attacks in the hope of frustrating their way to a 0-0 result. Yes there was effort yes there were moments of skilled defending...but mostly just bodies being thrown on the way of crosses and shots.
I was pleased when Man U scored from a deflection onto the post by one such body.
The sight of Cisse hacking the ball away into touch when operating as an additional defender was pitiful.
There is a difference from having a tactical plan which is more cautious and what we saw this weekend which I thought was disgraceful.
I was pleased when Man U scored from a deflection onto the post by one such body.
The sight of Cisse hacking the ball away into touch when operating as an additional defender was pitiful.
There is a difference from having a tactical plan which is more cautious and what we saw this weekend which I thought was disgraceful.
when it comes down to it, football is a business for these clubs, and taking a point from Man United would be a good result for Sunderland.
I think I read somewhere that there is a difference of �800,000 payout for each 1 position higher or lower in the table come the end of the season, not to mention the possibility of a relegation battle where 1 point could make or break a teams future in the league
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its hideous to watch and I see a lot of it because I watch a few Arsenal games.
I care not a whit about the financial implications, I want to see beauty.Was it the Arse v Middlesbo game last year?
that was truly cringe worthy
I care not a whit about the financial implications, I want to see beauty.Was it the Arse v Middlesbo game last year?
that was truly cringe worthy
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
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