Football Focus

[murphy]

Atticus Wrote:

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> ???s and Keef, hope neither of you leave the

> thread.

> As for 'plastic fans' etc. not sure who it was

> aimed at but think it's out of order.

>

> At school you were a plastic fan if you didn't go

> the match and thus, your opinion on anything

> football was discredited regardless of your

> passion. Many kids didn't go to the match simply

> because they couldn't afford it.

>

> I took this belief with me to university, (ie

> don't go to the match you're no fan, don't come

> from the town, you're a glory hunter) where,

> thankfully I met enough people to make me realise

> that overall, these claims are nonsense.

> Some of the most passionate, ardent football fans

> I have met (unfortunately Liverpool)aren't from

> the city. Two of the lads I go to Everton games

> with are from Hertfordshire, they are both more

> knowledgeable and passionate about the club than I

> am.

>

> It's easy enough to spot a bullshitter but to

> discredit everyone who neither goes to the match

> or hails from the appropriate town as plastic, or,

> unworthy of debate is a disservice to many.

>

> That said, I do love a chorus of, 'can you spot

> the scouser in the kop'.

OK I'll get on my soapbox. People will support clubs for a variety of reasons, where they live, family connections, and for kids, who is doing well at the time. The number supporting the big teams grows ever larger, they might be passionate about their support for the club, but for me if you are not going to the matches it's just not the same.

Whats really hacks off supporters of smaller teams is the derision from supporters of the big clubs, yet ask them how many times they have been to see their club and too often it's never, or for a special occasion.

I feel sorry for most of the kids who choose the big teams to support, most will never watch them live due to distance or cost. I would like to think a kid would get a lot more joy from going to matches regularly, experiencing the atmoshpere, the odd trip to the pub to feel the pre-match build up, seeing local kids getting a game and appreciating that football has its ups and downs. Going to a game every other week has got to create a lot more feeling and memories than sitting in an armchair with the remote control.

Kids season ticket at Palace or Millwall around ?50-?80 - probably get you to see 2 or 3 games at Chelsea or Arsenal, if you have paid your "membership fee".

I appreciate too many fans are priced out of watching their club but there are too many "plastic/armhchair fans" who follow the best teams from hundreds of miles away, yes they can be passionate and have valid opinions, but I always have more time for people who actually go and watch games at their local club.

[murphy]

Nani still has a long way to go to achieve this level of faking it,

[Jah Lush]

I put that video up a few weeks ago but it seemed to have passed without comment. Unbelievable isn't it.

[Sandperson]

Annasfield Wrote:

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http://cdn.thisisanfield.com/images/boycott_the_sun.jpg

Hear, hear. Filthy rag.

(I give up trying to get the image to show up. Just don't buy The Sun, alright!

[Emerson Crane]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> Emerson Crane Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > After all the crap flying around on here after

> > Nanny nearly died on the pitch after being

> > mortally wounded, we should all be glad that he

> > has risen, Christ like, and is able to play

> > football again. Lordy, lordy its a miracle.

>

> Here we go again. You are a bit tedious Atila.

On the contrary ,its not me that got hot under the collar following THAT game, and accusing all and sundry of having no sympathy after Nannys histrionics, nor did I continue with it for the best part of the following week. And the fact that he's available proves just how ridiculous and unjustified all the rolling around was. This after statements that he would be out until April following THAT challenge.

[Jah Lush]

It was still a bloody awful challenge and Carragher is lucky that it's only a flesh wound and didn't break Nani's leg.

[Emerson Crane]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> It was still a bloody awful challenge and

> Carragher is lucky that it's only a flesh wound

> and didn't break Nani's leg.

And I've not said otherwise at any time. I think you'll also find I said Carragher should have walked, Rafael should have also walked in that game, lest we forget.

[Annasfield]

Carra should have been sent off.

Nani was over the top in his reaction.

Rafael should have been sent off too.

I think nearly all of us have agreed on this. 9 pages on.....

Any predictions for tonight?

[Sandperson]

I think we'll lose on away goals. 1-1.

[kpc]

Have every faith in Man Utd winning in normal time tonight, for it is written in my accumulator with William Hill. There will also be good news for Chelsea, Real Madrid, Man City and Liverpool in the next couple of days.

[Annasfield]

I think you might lose that acca KPC!

[kpc]

Wouldn't be the first time!

[Sandperson]

I'm glad I was wrong but we won't get much further playing like that. Injuries could be costly too. With all the ones at Arsenal as well it could be a war of attrition by the end of the season.

[Bluerevolution]

Happy for you to keep playing like that and injuries >:D

[Jah Lush]

Hmmm... It's weird one about Ballotelli isn't it. Allergic to grass. Most odd.

[Bluerevolution]

Lol ! Not allergic to eastlands grass ! (He's a twat btw)

[Emerson Crane]

Bayern v Inter was a cracking game which ebbed and flowed from start to finish, Inter winning at the death with a well worked goal. They are the dark horses in my book who may yet retain the trophy, but its hard to see past Barca.

[Sandperson]

Robbo has cancer.

United and England legend.

Get well soon.

[Jah Lush]

Emerson Crane Wrote:

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> Bayern v Inter was a cracking game which ebbed and

> flowed from start to finish, Inter winning at the

> death with a well worked goal. They are the dark

> horses in my book who may yet retain the trophy,

> but its hard to see past Barca.

Been there. Done them. Do it again if we have to. COYS!

[Emerson Crane]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Emerson Crane Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Bayern v Inter was a cracking game which ebbed

> and

> > flowed from start to finish, Inter winning at

> the

> > death with a well worked goal. They are the

> dark

> > horses in my book who may yet retain the

> trophy,

> > but its hard to see past Barca.

>

> Been there. Done them. Do it again if we have to.

> COYS!

Pride goeth before a fall.

[Sandperson]

?30K and five matches in the stands for Sir Alex!

[Emerson Crane]

While I have no love for Ferguson and his charges, I find this all a little ridiculous. It has got to a stage where a amnger daren't speak his mind without fear of being charged. The refereeing during the game in question wasn't perfect and he has every right to speak out, as I would expect most managers to.

However, while I have no sympathy with poor referees I also have little sympathy with managers who are happy to take advantage of poor decisions in their favour but rant when they don't go in their way. I guess its all about balance.

Unless referees are brought to book when they turn in a poor performance, I can't see things changing. I also have to say I don't believe that these decisions always balance themselves out over the course of a season as some pundits are so keen on telling us.

[Sandperson]

But at least he hasn't got cancer...

[Ladygooner]

I am wearing sunglasses watching Copenhagen - that pink strip is just a little too much!

[Mick Mac]

Sandperson Wrote:

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> Robbo has cancer.

> United and England legend.

> Get well soon.

Agreed SP. Robbo was a battler. Hopefully he will come through this.