KB1862

It could be seen in 2 ways. The first could be that the people in the club have spoken to him, like you've mentioned, and told him how valuable he still remains within the club and he's took that on board feeling appreciated enough to stay on. Secondly, it could have been agreed that this club can be used as a stepping stone for him that when the right offer comes a long the club won't be standing in his way and he'd be free to discuss with other clubs providing a fee has been agreed. It could even be neither of these were had in the discussions, it could be something totally different but whatever was said, as mentioned in this thread, seems to have worked.

Some were sceptical about his arrival, with reason, due to his goalscoring record. But he's proving what he's capable of in front of goal so far hence being given this award which has been well deserved. Long may this form of his continue.

Precisely this. If the team sits back absorbing pressure, what fan can really go to a game and enjoy seeing that? Even if the team comes away with the win. You might get a win here and there but more time than not they'll come away with a loss because there's only so much pressure a team can absorb. However, as mentioned previously, if a team sticks to the game plan and performs to their game fans will still like what they saw even if they come away with a loss probably not as much as getting the win but they can still come away saying the team played well.

That could be solved. It sounds like something that needs to be worked on on the training ground. Pressurised play keep ball. Aligning the players in areas to make options visible and having a get out rather than having to boot it aimlessly long. But, it could also come down to not quite having the suitable players able to carry those tasks out.

Unfortunately, that's the modern day goalkeeping. Keepers much rather punch or parry the ball away rather than catching it these days. Mark Schwarzer has mentioned it on a number of occasions that when he's watched a game he's noticed a keeper has palmed it away or punched it clear when it could have easily been claimed. Apparently, that's what is being taught to them whether it be from the coaching side of things or personal preference. More saves for the cameras as they'd say rather than being safe and catching it. It might not be either one of them, he could genuinely be a goalkeeper that struggles in certain situations to claim the ball and attempts the safety option of getting it gone by punching it away. When I played, I'd get a talking to (it was more than that) by my manager if I used my feet to save the ball or palmed it away when it could have been caught. Sometimes, you have to also look at how the defence has allowed the situation to arise. If there has been an attack where the defence hasn't covered themselves in glory and left the goalkeeper stranded as to what to do, it doesn't fill the confidence of a goalkeeper which can lead to them being more cautious about coming for the ball, reacting to attacks or even general goalkeeping abilities that never normally evaded them.

Of course. There have been some great 0-0 games over the years, not many but still there has been a few, but a 3-3 shows attacking football from both teams and more than likely an end to end game which is always great to see. That's how football used to be and why it was so much more enjoyable to watch than today's game. Teams used to live by the saying "if you score 3 we'll score 4". Especially during the 90s/00s this was the case, it was a faster paced end to end kind of game back then. Now, as has been said, the game today is more about stats and teams seem to be falling in line by playing a generic style of play where it's play out from the back possession based game. Which doesn't always make for great viewing seeing how slow the building up tends to be. Sometimes you do have to win ugly. Obviously managers don't plan out their teams to go out and win ugly they still want to play the style they've worked on in the training ground but that all just depends on how the opposition sets out, how well you can keep them out defensively and how effective it can be to execute the game plan set out by the manager. Sean Dyche has mentioned it on a podcast, I can't remember it word for word but it was something a long the lines of teams must set up for the opposition rather than sticking to a game plan. It's hard to argue with that especially when, as I've already said in this, teams set up generically by playing a build up from the back possession style won't necessarily work against teams that press high up. Sometimes you do just have to re-adjust and ping it over the top due to the high line of the opposition to get in behind. I get the feeling that's what Paterson was referring to in his post-match interview when he said "there's a reason I play Jatta and Dennis together, you can do the maths on that one". Big man little man partnership, unless I'm mistaken by that.

Agree with this. As football fans, we want to go to a game and be entertained watching free flowing football, players performing week in week out, executing game plans perfectly and giving the fans something to admire. But, unfortunately, that can't always be the case there will be days where the players have an off day or the opposition make it tough for the team to get anything going which at that point if they grind out a win despite not being at their best, being second best in the game or having that one lucky break any football fan would take that even with a bad performance. They may not be overly impressed with the match itself but they'd be a little bit happy to have gotten the win. But, if a team doesn't get the win but the players have played exceptional and it just happened to be on a day that it was just against them, fans may come away disappointed because they didn't get the win but they won't be deflated because they acknowledge the fact that the players gave it their all and were just unfortunate not to get the result.

I agree with this. Some prefer Messi while others back Ronaldo. They both have their positives and negatives but they have both been a joy to watch with the "rivalry" and have both achieved greatness during their careers. There is no fact about one being better than the other, it is as you said all about opinions.

Absolutely, people tend to discredit him in this type of conversation due to him playing in teams that have won less than that of Messi or Ronaldo but you can't judge players too much based on team performances. However, as you mentioned, he raised average teams rather than the other 2 mentioned already playing in great teams. Maradona manged to showcase how skilful he was on pitches that ripped up at his feet and having defenders trying to hack him down. That was the goings on during his time. Imagine if he was around during Ronaldo and Messi era where the tackling isn't as hard as it was, defenders aren't able to hack you down and pitches are smooth to play on. Messi is the more skilful of the two but when you compare individual attributes, Ronaldo is definitely the more complete player when comparing them.

I don't think he would have been as dominant in the Premier League as most people think he would. People assume just because of his performances in the Champions League against English clubs that he would come in and do his business. But, doing it week in week out is completely different to having a game against a Prem side on the odd couple occasions. I think if he came against a tough side that get stuck in, he'd struggle in those type of games and in the English game there are plenty of those. Ronaldo did challenge himself by going to teams and leagues where he managed to keep up the competitiveness. Messi could have challenged himself more as he had the ability but as you mentioned he took the easier route. As much as he has lit up the MLS, it doesn't scream greatness given the league he's performing in. Not to discredit the MLS because they've come a long way and it has become more and more competitive but when you've got a team like Busquets, Alba, Suarez and Messi you'd expect Inter Miami to blow that league apart. There's no disputing Messi's greatness but this has certainly helped Messi on his way to greatness by being surrounded by great players who made him look world class. Ronaldo has also been a detriment to his National team. Especially in the last 2 tournaments. Portugal without Ronaldo are a better team than Portugal with Ronaldo in their team. Most of this comes down to his ego. At times it often feels like players must go through him and not be able to do their own thing. As great as Messi and Ronaldo are, I'd place Diego Maradona above both of them in terms of greatest ever.

Twitter was my go to social media platform but due to the toxic feel of the platform I decided to leave a while ago. I have been tempted to go back on it but then I realise why I left it in the first place. Just like @liampie said, there are people on there just looking for reactions and it seems like that's all they're on there for rather than discussing, debating or having conversation. Also like @Chris said, people used the platform just to gain a following and often looked down on people with lesser followers which led to them mocking them just because of the lack of followers they had. Blue Sky has caught my interest about joining but when I first heard about it, I thought it was Twitter 2.0 but after reading some of the comments on this post, I might be tempted to join. Is it still worth joining? It would be great to have a social media platform once again where you can engage with people without having the issues you quite often experience on twitter when it comes to commenting or posting.

I think Paul Mace said what he said in the way that he said it to purposely get this sort of reaction and get people excited about the possibility that Langstaff could return. It would be great to see Langstaff return to the lane but it's doubtful that it is him. As everyone else is saying it could be Etete and I think that's the more likely.

I would love Jatta to stay but maybe these comments along with the rumour of a "former Notts" striker coming in on loan could mean that there is something is in the works for Jatta to depart.

@liampie had Vardy gone for the corner, Vicario was never gonna stop it and it was still a save that needed to be made. The build up play was good to watch. Against a team like Spurs who like to play a high line under Ange this was a way to exploit it.

Got asked about Damian McCrory about a month or 2 ago by my Wife and Kids. They asked if I had heard of a footballer by the name of McCrory and it turns out he has a daughter that goes to the same school as my kids. Apparently, he's often there during pick up times. Don't think I've spotted him though, maybe I have but just didn't twig at the time.