Way I look at it is, professional footballs primary purpose is a form of entertainment... Seeing someone enjoying themselves playing the game adds to that entertainment and I always like seeing the little things like that. 

 

One of my favourite goals in recent years was when Balotelli shouldered the ball into the net, I think it was against Norwich, it was just entertaining and that's what's it's all about. 

Look at him, having fun playing a game. What a twat smiling and everything.

 

Excellent analysis of the situation!

I do actually agree, the best players for me are the ones who make football look like art rather than a sport.. perhaps why in my opinion the greatest player of all time is not Pele, Maradona or Messi, but Zidane.

 

Not to say that Messi doesn't make football look like an art.

Edited December 22, 201411 yr by Soulo

I dont really agree with that. Lampard wasnt a gifted footballer, he worked so hard to become one of the best. He didnt have the natural talent of Messi or Ronadinho for example but he had the right attitude and worked damn hard.

I like a player more that is like Lampard than say a player who has natural talent but doesnt want to push himself.

Excellent analysis of the situation!

 

It made me smile. Think you're getting a little bit overworked about some guy clearly enjoying being a footballer.

I dont really agree with that. Lampard wasnt a gifted footballer, he worked so hard to become one of the best. He didnt have the natural talent of Messi or Ronadinho for example but he had the right attitude and worked damn hard.

I like a player more that is like Lampard than say a player who has natural talent but doesnt want to push himself.

 

But to me Lampard made football look like an art, pure dribbling is not what I define by that, it's a combination of everything: work, technical skills, finishing, passing, vision and so on.

 

Here's a picture of the top of Martin Skrtel's head following his injury in the game against Arsenal. 

 

Bredan Rodger's is now investigating the idea of using a similar patch up job on his leaking defense. 

That is nasty ouch!

Dolph Lundgren... I mean Sami Hyypia has quit as Brighton boss just 6 months into the job. 

 

Another decent ex player who doesn't cut it as a decent manager? 

Brighton havent been the same since Poyet left.

Brighton havent been the same since Poyet took a dump in the Palace changing room.

Fixed that for you.

Hyypia didn't fare too badly at Leverkusen, although admittedly I'm judging that more or less purely on league table position. Never even came close to touching Bayern in the table though, despite beating them a couple of times.

As a Finn I'm sad to see Sami leave Brighton. After Leverkusen and this latest experience he needs to bounce back at his next job in a big way otherwise he may never reach the Champions League again as a manager.

I dont really agree with that. Lampard wasnt a gifted footballer, he worked so hard to become one of the best. He didnt have the natural talent of Messi or Ronadinho for example but he had the right attitude and worked damn hard.

I like a player more that is like Lampard than say a player who has natural talent but doesnt want to push himself.

Christmas is such a weird Time, ive agreed with you about 3 times the last week or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhPtgW3GD0A

http://m.skysports.com/article/sports//9617681

Clark Carlisle seriously injured after road accident, was never his biggest fan but this is life or death. I can't say it sounds good after what has happened. Really hope he pulls through.

Wasn't a white van man was it because I think that would be too much irony for me to handle.

Mate......

Wasn't a white van man was it because I think that would be too much irony for me to handle.

Really don't think cracking jokes when a mans life is at stake is funny at all

Saw the mention of Yaya Toure in another thread as being in that upper echelon of PL players when fit and healthy, and thought I'd see what the consensus of him in here is.

 

For me he's just not consistently playing at a high enough level to be mentioned in that same tier. He's definitely a wonderful attacking and technical player, combined with his physicality it's obviously a frightening prospect for any opposition, but it's clear he's just nowhere near as effective when his teams are on the back foot (and can even be a liability). In particular, his weaknesses seem to be exacerbated when up against teams who utilise quick passing and pressing - have a look at his performances vs us and even Liverpool last year as an example. He was obviously brilliant for City in their title-winning season but he seems to have just gone downhill from there, and nowadays his impact on games mainly comes in short spurts (bursting runs, etc.) rather than through a prolonged period.

 

Add to that that he just doesn't seem to care about the game as much as he used to and I don't rate him as highly as some.

Edited December 23, 201411 yr by Teritus

First year City won the title, he was comfortably one of the best midfielders in the world, since then he's too inconsistent and far too often I read comments about how games pass him by and he looks lethargic (too much birthday cake perhaps?). 

 

On his day, he's an absolute powerhouse of a player but personally I wouldn't rank him as one of the best anymore and would swap Matic or Fabregas for him. 

I think he is getting back to his best, he will have a big finish after a slow start this season. The past few years he has been incredible, one of the best midfielders in the league for me. 

If he turns it on he's pretty much unplayable and can win a game single handedly. However, he's also capable of throwing a strop and lazing around the pitch.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2884745/Manchester-City-midfielder-James-Milner-lives-Boring-Milner-Twitter-account-hilarious-Christmas-video.html

Fair play to James Milner for playing along with this!

Yeah good stuff, good to see a player not taking themself too seriously.