Search results

That BOAT GOAT theory has been a thing for many years to be fair elsewhere. But yeah, Macedonia is the guy who made it popular on here.

Thanks, lots of that makes sense. And yeah, you give good explanations for most of the flaws I pointed out. Good point too that cumulative xG is more misleading and it's more about the bigger chances. I assume a lot of nothing chances would often accumulate a bigger xG than two very very good...

Ahhh good point, I overlooked the slave descendant aspect. That obviously makes sense then as lots of African people mixed into their lineage. As you say, allied to hunger and culture for the game, investment and good coaching. Hahaha good stuff, Gale Clichy.

Yeah you're a good guy. And nobody is a better person than another because they chose to support a greater club. It's not like fans really contribute on the park (only way fans can is putting money into the club and being fan spokespeople etc). I don't see how a Man United fan with no...

Interesting comments on Ecuador from @Messi983, @Porque and @soul24rage (which I recently realised is soul to forage, not soul 24 rage). It seems like it's been heavy investment accounting for a lot of it, with girls game particularly reaping some benefits. To take what Porque said - that is...

Agree fully, apart from the last line.

Americans reading this will take it a completely different way... @Porque

I agree with you - to a point. The problem is xG still has flaws (needs to measure game state because teams will build xG when 3-0 down and the other team takes foot off gas etc, and should take into account who's shooting - obviously Haaland is more likely to score than Ake). To be fair those...

Nah I don't eat popcorn. Not really my thing. I am trying to eat healthier but I like the chips (fries) they do at the cinema. I know it's not good for me but always tempted to get a small portion. I smother it with ketchup too as I just cannot eat fries without ketchup or vinegar. I just had...

I don't have Facebook. Probably just people who always think negatively or worst-case scenario, or think physicality is the main thing in football over technique. It makes sense if they were English football fans as they always place a premium on athleticism and have underestimated how...

Who said that? Physicality is a concern and concerned me, but when you have the technique and football IQ of Pedri it will always matter more. As I said strength and pace are levelers, but technical ability and football IQ tends to win out when it's as astronomically high as Pedri and De Jong's.

Yeah he has the consistent game breaking dribbling ability and thinking outside the box to break down stubborn defences on a regular basis. His movement in between lines and pockets he picks up to then go on the half turn and dribble against defenders is very intelligent, especially for such a...

Yeah pedri, De Jong, the goalkeeper and the defence were the main protagonists last night (and of course Rashford with the two goals). Wasn't impressed by Raphinha and especially Robert. I noticed Raph took a lot of poor touches too and was falling over the ball at times. Moves were breaking...

He's been through a lot with injuries, the poor lad. Let's hope he gets an injury-free run and plenty of game time.

Also the worry that he does well and then he gets a permanent contract and loses hunger. I don't tend to subscribe to the notion that lack of hunger is his main problem, but for the people who do, it has to be a concern if he is ever signed permanently. Not sure that signing will happen at all...

Will be interesting to see how Donnarumma copes with Arsenal's set pieces. He did really well with United's - he was coming off his line and getting distance on his punches, makes a huge difference because look how meek and glued to his line Bayindir is - but Arsenal are several orders of...

Thanks for all the info lads - I will post something worthy in response later when I have more time/more inclined to put a bit of effort in.

Nah I have been more balanced recently. I give credit when it's due. But it's way too early to get so carried away like you are doing. There's still a lot for him to prove at Barca, and it is too early to draw firm conclusions. But he scored two quality goals last night and - as I say - if he...

It was poor defending but to be fair to him he generated good power on it and directed it well. Poor marking and he had acres of space but he did finish well - they can both be true at once. But yeah, if he's more tightly marked or the cross is read better, he doesn't score. I am not much of a...

That#'s just the type of player he is. Has plenty more bad games than good, but when he scores a goal or something it tends to make an impact. Like I said, thread will be bipolar. Obviously I want Barca to do well, so by extension him too.