Barcelona - a lot of moaning about them and some praise

I still think that Keane - Viera thing at Highbury was the best TV ever.

It is, 'Tell him I'm not a very noice guy...I'll see him out there,' or something to that effect. What a legend.
 
It is, 'Tell him I'm not a very noice guy...I'll see him out there,' or something to that effect. What a legend.

"He thinks he's such a nice guy" or the like. There had been a two page thing in the Observer the previous week about some really good work Viera was doing in Africa, so of course genial Roy fecks it straight back at him ... all's fair etc.
 
Off topic as feck but it deserves a post:



Keane was fecking ready, the Arsenal players looked a bit shocked to be honest.
 
Who was it that said: "If he loves Senegal so much why doesn't he play for them"?

That was Roy too.

edit

"It makes me laugh, players going on about how they are saving this country and that country," he continued. "But when they have the opportunity to play? well, it's probably none of my business."
 
Diving, card waving, surrounding the referee after every decision.

If United ever, ever acted in such a way, no matter how many trophies were being won, I'd be disgusted.

They, and their fans, will tell you it's self defence against teams that will commit deliberate fouls to kick small skilled players out of a game and that they only go to the ref in 6's because it makes it less likely that they'll get booked. as each individual only complains for a few seconds.

It's a skill Guardiola introduced to correct a weakness in Rijkaard's team that used to see them routinely slapped around away from home.
 
Diving, card waving, surrounding the referee after every decision.

If United ever, ever acted in such a way, no matter how many trophies were being won, I'd be disgusted.
So I guess you don't want Mourinho to succeed Fergie then, given how his teams down the years have acted in a similiar manner.
 
They, and their fans, will tell you it's self defence against teams that will commit deliberate fouls to kick small skilled players out of a game and that they only go to the ref in 6's because it makes it less likely that they'll get booked. as each individual only complains for a few seconds.

It's a skill Guardiola introduced to correct a weakness in Rijkaard's team that used to see them routinely slapped around away from home.

Get over it.

Don't see how Barca are a lot different to most of the Spanish/Portuguese/Soth American teams .
 
From the start of every game, all game. I'm a football fan and as a footballer he did all he could for the team when he played.

You can't ask for any more really, it frustrates me when you see more talented players moping about the pitch and doing feck all.
 
Crowding the ref is a skill?

Influencing the outcome favourably by bending the rules is seen as an art in some countries. Spain being one. But he wasn't talking about crowding the ref in particular, just the overall pushing the rules. But you knew that.
 
Get over it.

:lol:

Get over what? It's an explanation, not a criticism.

Don't see how Barca are a lot different to most of the Spanish/Portuguese/Soth American teams .

Because holier than thou northern Europeans like to pretend that Rooney swearing at the ref or Terry having a "quiet word" are morally superior to someone waving an imaginary card or a group of players trying to make sure that they can get away with dissent by sharing out the job between 6 of them.
 
Because holier than thou northern Europeans like to pretend that Rooney swearing at the ref or Terry having a "quiet word" are morally superior to someone waving an imaginary card or a group of players trying to make sure that they can get away with dissent by sharing out the job between 6 of them.

This is true, a lot of the England players are guilty of diving and crowding the ref, they never get as much stick as the continental players. I think the likes of Busquets and Di Maria have taken it to the extremes but everyone does it nowadays regardless of what country they're from. It's very annoying but it's part of the game until refs take a stand.
 
That's the first time I've noticed that Roy Carroll didn't shake Viera's hand!

Not just that for me, first time I noticed neither Scholesy or Rooney shook Vieira's hand! In fact Gaz was the first to actually shake his hand and I think it was meant for the mascot! Vieira was clearly shook up there.
 
I've always loved the look Cygan gives Keane in that video. Just looks like he wants to clobber him from the side :lol:
 
They, and their fans, will tell you it's self defence against teams that will commit deliberate fouls to kick small skilled players out of a game and that they only go to the ref in 6's because it makes it less likely that they'll get booked. as each individual only complains for a few seconds.

It's a skill Guardiola introduced to correct a weakness in Rijkaard's team that used to see them routinely slapped around away from home.

I don't think exaggerating injuries against physical teams is something that Barcelona invented. When you kick me, I either kick back or at least exaggerate your kick to get you punished by the ref.

And even though they are taking a path you don't like, I think it's the right path to go.
 
He thinks diving, fouling without getting booked, arguing with the ref and feigning injuries is an art.

It is - just that it's a dark art.

I would prefer that the team I support not practice it.

I despise Bousquets - tho' he is brilliant as a footballer.
Messi doesn't dive much.

I hated Ronnie's diving when he played for us, Bestie and Law just got on with it - and got their own back later.Mostly by scoring ;)
 
Annoyed with their players, annoyed with how dirty some of them are, annoyed with their theatrics, annoyed with their fans, annoyed with how fecking good they are so call their football 'boring'. Sounds familiar?

Welcome to the bitter perspective of our premier league rivals (actually, every club in england) for the last two decades. Football fans are simply like little children. If there were an exception, it's not dependent on which club you support (as some love to think), but dependent on your character as a human being.

This is pure jealousy. When you're the best, you'll gather yourselves a massive group of haters. We have experienced it because we're the best in England for a long while now, they're however, the fecking best in the world.
 
Annoyed with their players, annoyed with how dirty some of them are, annoyed with their theatrics, annoyed with their fans, annoyed with how fecking good they are so call their football 'boring'. Sounds familiar?

Welcome to the bitter perspective of our premier league rivals (actually, every club in england) for the last two decades. Football fans are simply like little children. If there were an exception, it's not dependent on which club you support (as some love to think), but dependent on your character as a human being.

This is pure jealousy. When you're the best, you'll gather yourselves a massive group of haters. We have experienced it because we're the best in England for a long while now, they're however, the fecking best in the world.

Word!
 
Annoyed with their players, annoyed with how dirty some of them are, annoyed with their theatrics, annoyed with their fans, annoyed with how fecking good they are so call their football 'boring'. Sounds familiar?

Welcome to the bitter perspective of our premier league rivals (actually, every club in england) for the last two decades. Football fans are simply like little children. If there were an exception, it's not dependent on which club you support (as some love to think), but dependent on your character as a human being.

This is pure jealousy. When you're the best, you'll gather yourselves a massive group of haters. We have experienced it because we're the best in England for a long while now, they're however, the fecking best in the world.

I don't agree for one second.

Sebastian Vettel with his Red Bull Renault has this year been totally outstanding in almost every race. From qualification to the end of the race. No other driver was even close. How come that I in every race I have seen this season I find my self ending up following Alonso or Hamilton? Why? Because their driving is more attractive to watch and they offer more entertainment. Are they better. Probably no.

Roger Federer is a tennis legend. By far the best player ever. He's a gentleman and his behavior is impeccable. I like him as a person and I can't find one bad word for him. Still I prefer to see a game with Nadal or Djokivic. Explain that?

I love my club. Can't live without watching them. It have been United since I was a young boy. Don't know why because Liverpool was the team in the seventies. I have seen thousands of games. I started somewhere around 1973 or 74. Every World Cup, every European Championship, more or less every QF, SF and final in the CL. And before that I saw the European Cup. Group stage. UEFA cup, Cup winner Cup. Thru out the years I followed AC Milan in the eighties and nineties, Napoli under the Maradona era, the Bundesliga when we had Swedish players in the top teams (long long time ago). Today I watch up to four five games a week. Besides United I see, when i have time and energy, Liverpool and Spurs. I find myself often watch Newcastle and Sunderland. Don't ask me why. I have seen probably 20-25 games every season with La Liga. Every El Clasico, games with Real against the better teams and sometimes Valencia and Seville. I also watch Barcelona. At least until the first goal or as long the opposite team are even.

I have been a season ticket holder for 10 years following IFK Gotherburg in the nineties. I have seen youth tournament, Gothia cup. I have followed my children playing football for 10 years. feck I don't have I normal life.

The bottom line is that I like football! Not only United. I take pleasure in watching great platers and good teams. if I hate or dislike a club or a player there is a reason. Season 05/06 I feared Mourinho, when we lost against Porto I hated him. Today I love this guy. What a wonderful character. He makes the football world more vital end bring emotions to the game. Respect.

My dislike for Barcelona has nothing to do with jealousy. Bitter? Give me a break! Me a hater? Ha ha ha. Talk for yourself. You have no idea why and what for.

I admire every player in the Barcelona team. I have wrote countless of posts where I have defending Bousqets as the best defensive MF in the world, giving praise to Xavi, pieces (in the past) with praise for the Catalans and their culture. I know Messi is the best. Hands down. Guardiola is a genius and I admit that Barcelona is probably the best team ever. Nothing to argue.

Tell me then why I fall to sleep when I see Barcelona against Ossasuna or some other mid table team from fecking Spanish nowhere? Why do my blood boil when I see Mascerano, Busquets or Alves dive's and do their play acting? Why is Messi less sexy then Hillary Clinton? Why do I want Real Madrid to win against them? Madrid. A club who's transfer philosophy I hate with passion. Perez is disgusting president. Politics. Money. Banks. You name it. Galactico? What a fecking project.

Stil I want them to beat Barcelona. I have no problem with Pepé, one of the dirties players in the world. A cnut. Tell my why? I don't make up my mid before the game. My heart and brain just prefer something else then Barcelona.

But I can tell you one thing. When I see Barcelona leading with one or two goals and still Alves crawling around in the grass after minimal contact I just lose interest. When I see how they try to take advantage of every incident, every foul, with or against them. How they with calculation tries to wind up the referee then my admiration is gone.

Take notice my friend. They will dig their own grave with this behavior. Nobody likes a superior opponent who act like they have the monopoly of everything that is good in the world. Maybe you are a glory hunter, that's why you don't see this? Opinions man. We all have our own.
 
Congratulations for writing all that just to prove my point.
 
Fans who are not in the same competitions as Barcelona or who support clubs that clearly cannot compete with them or who don't feel that they should be as good as Barcelona rarely have anywhere near the same hatred for them as the fans of Arsenal/Chelsea/Man utd.

Take from that what you will....
 
I don't agree for one second.

Sebastian Vettel with his Red Bull Renault has this year been totally outstanding in almost every race. From qualification to the end of the race. No other driver was even close. How come that I in every race I have seen this season I find my self ending up following Alonso or Hamilton? Why? Because their driving is more attractive to watch and they offer more entertainment. Are they better. Probably no.

Roger Federer is a tennis legend. By far the best player ever. He's a gentleman and his behavior is impeccable. I like him as a person and I can't find one bad word for him. Still I prefer to see a game with Nadal or Djokivic. Explain that?

I love my club. Can't live without watching them. It have been United since I was a young boy. Don't know why because Liverpool was the team in the seventies. I have seen thousands of games. I started somewhere around 1973 or 74. Every World Cup, every European Championship, more or less every QF, SF and final in the CL. And before that I saw the European Cup. Group stage. UEFA cup, Cup winner Cup. Thru out the years I followed AC Milan in the eighties and nineties, Napoli under the Maradona era, the Bundesliga when we had Swedish players in the top teams (long long time ago). Today I watch up to four five games a week. Besides United I see, when i have time and energy, Liverpool and Spurs. I find myself often watch Newcastle and Sunderland. Don't ask me why. I have seen probably 20-25 games every season with La Liga. Every El Clasico, games with Real against the better teams and sometimes Valencia and Seville. I also watch Barcelona. At least until the first goal or as long the opposite team are even.

I have been a season ticket holder for 10 years following IFK Gotherburg in the nineties. I have seen youth tournament, Gothia cup. I have followed my children playing football for 10 years. feck I don't have I normal life.

The bottom line is that I like football! Not only United. I take pleasure in watching great platers and good teams. if I hate or dislike a club or a player there is a reason. Season 05/06 I feared Mourinho, when we lost against Porto I hated him. Today I love this guy. What a wonderful character. He makes the football world more vital end bring emotions to the game. Respect.

My dislike for Barcelona has nothing to do with jealousy. Bitter? Give me a break! Me a hater? Ha ha ha. Talk for yourself. You have no idea why and what for.

I admire every player in the Barcelona team. I have wrote countless of posts where I have defending Bousqets as the best defensive MF in the world, giving praise to Xavi, pieces (in the past) with praise for the Catalans and their culture. I know Messi is the best. Hands down. Guardiola is a genius and I admit that Barcelona is probably the best team ever. Nothing to argue.

Tell me then why I fall to sleep when I see Barcelona against Ossasuna or some other mid table team from fecking Spanish nowhere? Why do my blood boil when I see Mascerano, Busquets or Alves dive's and do their play acting? Why is Messi less sexy then Hillary Clinton? Why do I want Real Madrid to win against them? Madrid. A club who's transfer philosophy I hate with passion. Perez is disgusting president. Politics. Money. Banks. You name it. Galactico? What a fecking project.

Stil I want them to beat Barcelona. I have no problem with Pepé, one of the dirties players in the world. A cnut. Tell my why? I don't make up my mid before the game. My heart and brain just prefer something else then Barcelona.

But I can tell you one thing. When I see Barcelona leading with one or two goals and still Alves crawling around in the grass after minimal contact I just lose interest. When I see how they try to take advantage of every incident, every foul, with or against them. How they with calculation tries to wind up the referee then my admiration is gone.

Take notice my friend. They will dig their own grave with this behavior. Nobody likes a superior opponent who act like they have the monopoly of everything that is good in the world. Maybe you are a glory hunter, that's why you don't see this? Opinions man. We all have our own.

I read this, but I still don't quite get why you hate Barcelona. Can you elaborate a little?
 
Barcelona signing Sanchez and Fabregas after walking the European Cup last summer would have been like Fergie signing Villa and Silva or something like that to our great team that won in 08 and without Ronaldo leaving too!! Thats reason enough to hate them!
 
Fans who are not in the same competitions as Barcelona or who support clubs that clearly cannot compete with them or who don't feel that they should be as good as Barcelona rarely have anywhere near the same hatred for them as the fans of Arsenal/Chelsea/Man utd.

Take from that what you will....

It's a case of "our clubs not quite as big as yours" syndrome. Supports of big clubs can't stop but feeling like they are the best. Success breeds fans of a warped mentality, a glory hunting thing. They support the club because the win, because they are the best, when they are no longer the best they struggle to accept it and so become rather spiteful.

Hatred of clubs from a different league, a hatred that is basically down to the fact they have been the best around or a few years is all abit mental.

If you support United surely you use your allocation of hatred for Liverpool, City, Arsenal in probably that order... Adding Barcelona to the mix is just odd.

Hate Barcelona if you support Madrid/Espanyol etc not if you support an English side.
 
What a load of pseudo analytical bullshit in here, anyone that watches football knows Barca are the best team in the world, and no one denies the fantastic talents of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets etc...Does that disqualify Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez and Pedro from being diving, cheating, snivelling little cnuts? no it doesn't.
 
What a load of pseudo analytical bullshit in here, anyone that watches football knows Barca are the best team in the world, and no one denies the fantastic talents of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets etc...Does that disqualify Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez and Pedro from being diving, cheating, snivelling little cnuts? no it doesn't.

Good post.
 
What a load of pseudo analytical bullshit in here, anyone that watches football knows Barca are the best team in the world, and no one denies the fantastic talents of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets etc...Does that disqualify Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez and Pedro from being diving, cheating, snivelling little cnuts? no it doesn't.

Exactly. Almost everyone on here will tell you that Barca is a fantastic team and have some incredible players. The complaining about their diving and conning the ref is a completely different subject and has nothing to do with jealousy - it's merely an observation. I don't quite get why people like Kevin needs to feel better than the rest of us by telling us we can't complain about them behaving like a shower of cnuts.

Barca isn't the only team that does this of course. I've said this before elsewhere and moses said it in this thread:
Influencing the outcome favourably by bending the rules is seen as an art in some countries. Spain being one. But he wasn't talking about crowding the ref in particular, just the overall pushing the rules. But you knew that.

In Latino countries (Spain, Portugal, South America etc.) conning the ref isn't as frowned upon as it is in northern Europe. From what I've heard/read from people with insight in these cultures it is actually seen as a skill if you can trick the ref into thinking you've been fouled or if you can influence his decisions on the pitch (by waving imaginary cards, getting in his face etc.). Watch La Liga and you'll see this happen on a regular basis. Barca in general might not be worse than many other teams, but due to their success it's the team from those countries that we've watched the most in recent years and because of that many will conclude that they're the worst. On top of that Barca has Busquets.

Thinking about it I don't think I can name a single Barca player who doesn't get in the ref's face, but maybe someone else can? Abidal would probably be my best bet, but that might be because he was out for so long.