[MK Chris]

Excuse my ignorance, but why would that be low?

I would say that in any sport, as far as being sporting is concerned, you should always try your best to win every match and not deliberately throw matches or not try, especially if the reason for doing so is to see other teams or individuals out of the competition.

But surely in a 'big picture' kinda way, throwing a match to get a stronger team out will help their chances of winning overall. You're right, it's not exactly good sportsmanship, but I wouldn't say it was low, certainly not as low diving or something. To me it just seems like using the rules to your advantage.

In my most humblest of opinions, bad sportsmanship is on a parallel with cheating. You're not winning due to your ability, you're winning on a technicality.

[Mafro]

Bfb just accept that people can support a team not because of the sucess.

I don't think he can.

[Ballbag]

I have absolutly no doubt that if you and the Flower were 10-15 years youngers you'd be sporting the blue of Chelsea.

Who knows. Why do you think that only because we support Man u we are glory hunters. Bfb just accept that people can support a team not because of the sucess.

Hmmmmmm, now that's a tough one there. You've really stumped me. Let me think now.......................... er.

Hang on I've got it, could it be that you support a team hundreds of miles away from where you live, a team that you have absolutely nothing in connection with, coincidently a team that was (at the time you began supporting them) at the absolute top of English football and was winning every trophy going. A team, one might say, basking in glory !!!!

Could it be that?

[Ballbag]

A must read for Mafo and Flower. Especially the first chapter.

[Mafro]

I have absolutly no doubt that if you and the Flower were 10-15 years youngers you'd be sporting the blue of Chelsea.

Who knows. Why do you think that only because we support Man u we are glory hunters. Bfb just accept that people can support a team not because of the sucess.

Hmmmmmm, now that's a tough one there. You've really stumped me. Let me think now.......................... er.

Hang on I've got it, could it be that you support a team hundreds of miles away from where you live, a team that you have absolutely nothing in connection with, coincidently a team that was (at the time you began supporting them) at the absolute top of English football and was winning every trophy going. A team, one might say, basking in glory !!!!

Could it be that?

That's funny, because when I started supporting them, all they had won recently was the FA Cup. Anyway, away form this, predictions for Sundays big game? Knowing my luck, it will end up beign a draw. Drogba and Ballack are apparently doubtful but will no doubt make a miraculous recovery.

[Ballbag]

Oh My God fowler, are you serious? I'm not suggesting that you change clubs to whoever is top at the moment, although I wouldn't put it past some people (that is another rant). I am suggesting, nay actually telling you, that the reason you support Man Utd is because you are for want of a better phrase a glory hunter.

[Mafro]

Unforutately, I'll miss the match because of work. MOTD2 it is then.

[Ballbag]

Oh come on, stop trying to change the subject you two, I'm enjoying this debate. I just want to know what is both of your justifications for supporting Manchester United PLC, and "just because we can" in my eyes is not accectable.

[Mafro]

Why do we have to justify ourselves to you?

[Ballbag]

You don't have to at all, I was just having a good old chin-wag with you two about the in's and out's of football supoprting, and I wanted to know your justification for chosing the team you have chosen when you've both denied that it is because you are glory hunters (which is my theory), however if you have other reasons then I'd be interested to know.

[B1ue]

Does there have to be a justification though, BagFer...? There must be thousands of people who support footie teams that are not their 'local' club. I would imagine there are also hundreds of different reasons why, too.

Am I right in thinking that even though Beckham comes from the London area, he had always supported Man U from an early age?

[Ballbag]

You're right Blue, and perhaps there doesn't have to be a justification, but usually people have a reason, as I said someone I know supports Norwich because he likes yellow, I know someone who supports Shef Wed because he likes the idea of a football team having Wednesday in the title, my brother supports Palace because I support Brighton, and he wanted to be a rival to me. Whoever you ask people usually have a reason, usually it's "that's where I'm from", or "my dad supports them", or (and as is the case of Beckham I suspect) "they're the biggest club in the country".

Everyone has a reason.

[Console]

I support (actually, support maybe too strong a word, but eh) Arsenal because my Dad does. It's also fairly local which is a plus if you like going to the games.

[Mafro]

I like the way Man U play is a good enough reason.

[Boboff]

Will Bag off Balls be supporting Leeds now then?

Or will there lowly league position put him off I wonder ?

[B1ue]

someone I know supports Norwich because he likes yellow

LOL...Yellow...that's funny and a reason I suppose!

I'm a Bluenose, myself...though not because I like the colour (not the reason for my user name either)... and I like them because they're always on the struggle upwards (and down at the mo!) but have that ironic sense of hope always! They're know as the 'Sleeping Giants' and I guess that's true to a certain extent. A lot of people slate Karren Brady (a lot of Bluenoses do too) but I think she's done a good job so far for a gal, as an MD, in a mans world! I just hope they keep Brucie...he's done a lot for the club and I hope he's not given the boot if things don't go our way this season. It's early yet...to think that we'll do enough to get back into the Premiership...just hope we're not in the play-off situation by the last game...like we usually are!

[Ballbag]

Oh no sir, once a seagull, always a seagull. I'm not into changing teams (I thought that would be obvious). I've followed my team through about 7 promotions/relegations in the last 10 years or so. Seen them miss out of promotion to the top flight, only to avoid relegation to the conference a few years later (I watched the saving game of the season). Thick and thin, I'll always be a tesco bag wearer. (ref to their kit)

Although in Leeds I can't see as many home games, but I do get to see them when they head oooop north.

We shall be back in the big leagues soon enough.


(mafoo, your reason does not really satisfy me, but hey ho, maybe I'm a too particular football fan)

[Mafro]

Well tough titties, thats as good as you are getting from me. B1ue, it was a real shame Birmingham got relegated, they didn't deserve it at all, I do think that they will get promoted. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Newcastle got relegated (even though I don't think they will). The geordies would be having kittens.

[B1ue]

You know...when you look at some of the Championship teams now...and think of where they were a few years ago (Leicester for one) it just makes me think that the gap between Prem and Champ league is just far too big a chasm for many teams. God forbid the likes of Newcastle and such come dangerously close to the edge...there may be no way back for a long time (like Blues)...money makes the footie world go round these days!

[Mafro]

I think that they should get compensation for Owen though

[Ballbag]

That's ridiculous, why should they get compensation for Owen???

You can't start paying out compensation for players injured on international duty, that would open the flood gates for law-suits, and would put a huge financial burden on the FA. It would damage the international team no end.
We're slowly turning into a "law-suit" society, and I really hope it doesn't spread into football.

[Scottie]

According to FIVE, Newcastle are more popular at the moment than Spurs hence 5000 Tottenham fans have to pay £4.99 to watch live streaming of the game!!

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

It amuses me how agitated Mafro gets about people mentioning how hes supporting a team he has no connection to. If it were me I would just tell them thats the way it is and leave it at that.

I support Everton because I had no team in my family and where I lived you were generally Liverpool or Everton in the 80s because they were the clubs to support. Maybe these days I would be a Wigan fan but I can't imagine I would pick a team hundreds of miles away.

[Quincy]

it would just seem weird to me to not support my local team. not being able to watch matches would be untinkable.

[Quincy]

i owe that post an h