Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: An odd morning

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  • giovanni tiso,

    An older gentleman from a few rows back whispered something about the "sun". More sensible riders hushed him and one voice chastised with: "don't jinx it".

    Here, let me help you with that.

    The game was a cracker, and I suppose that yes, in a funny old way it did make Messi the best player in Europe, if not elsewhere. You've got to come true in games like this and he was everywhere, Ronaldo was nowhere. You can bet the house he'll get the balon d'or come December.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Man U owned, totally outclassed.

    That’s the most one-sided European final I can remember since AC Milan were lording it all 20 years ago.

    As for the Ferg desire to be the first team to win back to back Champion's League titles. That’s tacky and disingenuous and says more about Ferg than anything else.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Llewellyn,

    in a funny old way it did make Messi the best player in Europe, if not elsewhere

    Although if one were to make such a distinction on today's game, then surely the best player in the world is Iniesta ...

    Great game. Thought Man U contributed plenty to the spectacle, and a suprisingly sporting match.

    Mt Albert • Since Nov 2006 • 399 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Although if one were to make such a distinction on today's game, then surely the best player in the world is Iniesta ...

    Iniesta wouldn't be far behind, actually, but it was sort of a final between Ronaldo and Messi based on the rest of the season. I think to an extent it's fair enough.

    Incidentally, it seems ESPN will be carrying the champions league next year as well - I mentioned it since somebody talked recently about the end of the line for Tommy Smyth. He gets another season.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    I mentioned it since somebody talked recently about the end of the line for Tommy Smyth. He gets another season

    A sour taste to an otherwise perfect morning.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew G,

    ...and think he's probably over-rated

    Are you serious?
    Even despite this morning's result that's a big call. I guess the word "probably" suggests that you don't know but he might be because you think he's an arsehole?

    Napier • Since Mar 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Even despite this morning's result that's a big call. I guess the word "probably" suggests that you don't know but he might be because you think he's an arsehole?

    No I say "probably" because I don't know much about his success as a manager. I sort of think you could put an angry Orang-utan in charge of Man U and you'd win the Premiership just as often.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Michie,

    Oh, the Barcelona followers who talked down their pespects from players out will be stoked. Game time was too close to work start but otherwise I'd've been there enjoying the enthusiasm.

    What with how they said above, I'd thought it was to be Man. U. and so commiserations Neil...

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    No I say "probably" because I don't know much about his success as a manager.

    Yeah, you aren't kidding there. I doubt anybody could name more than a handful of managers in the history of soccer that have been either more influential or successful.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    I doubt anybody could name more than a handful of managers in the history of soccer that have been either more influential or successful.

    Yeah but how many can say why

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    An angry red-faced ranga might be able to guide Man U to a premiership next year if they took over now.

    But this one has basically built 4 or 5 different teams over the last 20 years. Probably his biggest strength has been knowing when to give big players the flick.

    And don’t forget they came very close to relegation in his first couple of years.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew G,

    I sort of think you could put an angry Orang-utan in charge of Man U and you'd win the Premiership just as often.

    And that just insults every other manager in the premiership, or Europe for that matter.

    Napier • Since Mar 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Yeah but how many can say why

    Huh? Have a wee look at where Manchester United was when he took over. Have a week look at the success they had, with a budget that wasn't always massive (it became massive largely BECAUSE of his success). Consider his ability to use and mould the players he has had. If he's not the greatest coach ever in the sport, it'd be a close call indeed.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    I had forgotten because I don't care. All I really knew about this match was that Manchester United were trying to be the first team to win back to back Champion's League titles.

    I think that puts Hadyn's analysis of Ferguson's record in its proper perspective.

    But still, I'm delighted Barcelona (the People's Club) beat Evil Inc. If only to piss off their non-supporting non-Mancunian shirt-wearers in NZ.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Have a week look at the success they had

    Shouldn't even take that long.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    No, it'd take abot a week I reckon.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    So Sir Alex does actually train the players, he's not just a glorified scout (although that is also an admirable skill). Good to hear. See, as I've said before, I don't follow the premiership because I don't care for a three (sometimes four) horse race. If he turned Man U from a struggling underdog to the powerhouse of world football then he deserves all the credit in the world for that.

    If, however, he is currently resting on his ample laurels then respect diminishes.

    Also, I think the whole thing would be better if the coaches were replaced by angry apes. That's what you get for not HAILING TO THE CHIMP!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    I don't follow the premiership because I don't care for a three (sometimes four) horse race

    So you don’t like the relegation or European Qualification battles then?

    The Premiership is one of the few competitions in the world where every team has SOMETHING MEANINGFUL to play for.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    No, it'd take abot a week I reckon.

    Hmmm. How long would it take a human?

    (Query, based on profound ignorance: is being a ManU fan a bit like being a Yankees fan? Is the visceral hatred of the Manchester United shirt the same as what the wearers of the Yankees baseball cap get in the US?)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    The Premiership is one of the few competitions in the world where every team has SOMETHING MEANINGFUL to play for.

    Playing in a tournament just to try and not-lose isn't fun. Just ask the Pulse.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    But the PULSE can lose all they like and they’ll be back next year.

    I think a Newcastle fan might find that just a bit insulting.

    But thanks for bringing up the netball. Even at this stage only the Magic of the NZ sides have anything other than pride to play for.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Irvine,

    LB is going to cane me for this, but I don't mind Man U. I really like Fergusson, who suppplied my fav ever sporting quote after their 1999 win ("Foootball... bloody hell"). I really like Roy Keane too.

    They were a bit shit this morning, though. Barcelona fully deserved the win. I've got some thoughts on my site.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 242 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    Danielle: Yes.

    To get a reaction more visceral still, refer to the team as "United". Not a good idea on the streets of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, and so on.

    As for franchises vs. relegation, there's no contest, is there? Apparently somebody will win the Super-Number this weekend, and then the rules will be changed, and then changed again, and nobody really cares much because the marketing people will decide.

    Cut some throats, open trap doors, zoom in on the tears. Without that, NZ domestic sport is dull.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Parker,

    Although if one were to make such a distinction on today's game, then surely the best player in the world is Iniesta ...

    Iniesta wouldn't be far behind, actually, but it was sort of a final between Ronaldo and Messi based on the rest of the season. I think to an extent it's fair enough.

    Although not the best in the world I thought Puyol had a big influence on the game this morning too.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    Everything about the current success at Manchester United is down to Ferguson and the support he gets from the Board. The huge budget, the visceral hatred, are all products of the success he brought the club.

    If he hadn't won the FA Cup in 1989 he probably would have been sacked, and everything has grown from there.

    IMHO he has already earned his place slongside Busby and Shankly as the great managers in English football (all three are Scotsmen, note) even if it takes a few years to acknowledge that.

    I've got no reason to love him, seeing as his Aberdeen side knocked ipswich out of the UEFA Cup in 1982, sparking a twenty-five year spiral into mediocrity (Bring back Lord Bobby Robson I say) but the man has earned a right to say what he likes about football.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

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