What Biggus seems to mean is not technically wrong on any level. Sure, if you score more goals than you let in, you win. The problem is you can't have a very long conversation about it. That's why a whole system of rules was invented, like only 11 players at a time, size of the pitch, little white markings everywhere, etc. Now, you've got to jump through a bunch of hoops to score. Now, that's something you can discuss.

Interesting idea Coombs. We should invent such a game, find some exceptional athletes to play it, and then discuss the finer points of tactics and aesthetic play at some … internet forum … or something.

Nah, forget it. Never happen.

Biggus must love watching England play. 😆

Burnwinter wrote:
Clrnc wrote:

I can't remember where I read it or seen it, but Wenger said before over possessing is rather detrimental at times, especially when you have no catalyst to break the defences.

It's not really possession itself that's at fault there, but the tactical response of teams that know they will be, or are being, thoroughly dominated.

The percentage possession stat is not all-encompassing and is subject to diminishing returns as dominance of the ball reaches saturation, but if you study the relationship between results and possession you'll definitely see that teams that win tend to have more of the ball.

Yes, definitely, but never have the world seen those insane 80-90% possession till Barca and subsequently Spain came to the fray. They have reinvented the game since 2008 in terms of possession football. When we had 60-70% possession during our peak years, it was already considered utter domination and teams were already pretty defensive against us. Nowadays, teams against Barca uses such extreme defensive tactics it actually makes it harder for the team in 70-90% possession compared to a more even 50-70% possession domination.

Barca don't have 80-90 regularly and Spain certainly don't.

Clrnc wrote:

Nowadays, teams against Barca uses such extreme defensive tactics it actually makes it harder for the team in 70-90% possession compared to a more even 50-70% possession domination.

This is a tactical deficit if anything—a team with the ball can always choose to surrender it in search of a scoring opportunity, even if it means turning over.

Basically what you're saying is if Barcelona (or any similarly dominant side) try to score for the umpteenth time, turn over in a bad position, and get done on the counter then it's "hard" for them. Making parking the bus a potentially viable tactic for an opposition club that has one or two pace merchant strikers.

However, there are players they can sign and tactics they can adopt to make the best of extreme territorial dominance. If they're not doing that then I don't agree it's possession, per se, that's to blame.

Also, it has to be borne in mind that Barcelona don't "struggle" at all, as they keep on winning the league title for some obscure reason. The one or two outlier games they lose are also lost by dominant sides that have less of the ball.

😆 Rooney's head looks like a knob burst out of the top of a condom.

Timothy wrote:

Lol, I don't think I've ever heard from a football fan with such a belligerently dismissive attitude towards 'passing' as Biggus. Might aswell claim that tackling, heading, saves, shooting, control, first touch etc is all meaningless. I bet when Biggus goes to a game he just watches the goal lines like a hawk, cos everything that happens between the two goals just pisses him off.

It's not that Tim, of course passing is a necessary part of the game, its just the passing for passing sake that Barcelona epitomise that I despise.
I understand that there are times when you just want to hold on to the ball especially when you have a healthy lead but some teams try do it from the 1st minute.
The real purpose is to move youself into a position to score, if you can't do that then it's pointless,
And I love mocking hipsters who slobber over possession % stats like they were porn.

Captain wrote:

Biggus must love watching England play. 😆

Don't watch much international football Capi, except the World cup and when theres nothing else on.

Knobhead scores an offside goal.

Watching Gala Real.

Forgot how shit Eboue was.

Thank god he does not play for our club anymore.

Manure midfield is so shit, I really don't see the point of Fellaini. The commentator keep going on and on about him like he's Xavi.

Too much selfishness. Rooney versus Van Persie. Both want the headlines.

Ridiculous miss by Rooney.

Ha! Was that a case of Rooney refusing to assist Van Persie?

😆 @ Rooney and they now equalise

Hahaha what a cracker 1-1.