Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 3, 2014 11:23:58 GMT 1
So who is this Secret Footballer? My wife read at least one of the books in Polish. A lot of people are suggesting it is Dave Kitson but it hasn't been conformed or denied. It hasn't been revealed but it's definitely him. Someone said to me if I hadn't known who it was (there's been enough mention on the Reading forum that I should have known months ago) would I have guessed? I'm not sure I would from the first book, but it wouldn't have taken long from the second book, (with bits from the first also helping) and i'm only halfway through. One story in the second it's obvious I would say to anyone with a general interest in football which club he's referring to. Another just made me smile because it was so blatent he was talking about Reading, (though whether anyone who isn't a Reading fan would guess I don't know) and another story about Reading where he basically confirmed the rumours were true! (though not quite how I thought it happened). The first book is his take on modern football mixed in with anecdotes. The second one is basically an autobiography, and it has been suggested that with that one he wasn't even that bothered about hiding his identity anymore, and I can see where that view comes from. It's strange, for the last few months I've wanted to get an autobiography by a Reading player from the last decade and little did I know I already had one! It should have come with a warning though, 'you may not like all that you read...". Unfortunately it has soured my opinion of one player, as a person anyway. Also discovered yesterday that he was writing a column in Four Four Two magazine, which following his retirement has now ended, so he kept himself busy!
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Post by o on Aug 3, 2014 11:54:00 GMT 1
Back from the mighty Emirates, what a stadium, and what games we saw! Valencia v Monaco quite cautious and European, but still 2-2, in front of maybe 15000, then the Arse v Benfica, mainly an Arse b team with Sonoko, Chambers and Campbell. Stadium full up now, and amazing atmosphere, guy next to me saying Sanogo is sh*t every time he touches the ball and it goes astray, and he goes on and scores FOUR goal, the man next to me was very quiet after that! Then we had the psycho woman in front of us who despite her team winning 5-1, was screaming at the players to close Benfica down, when they weren't even threatening, calm down luv, it's only a pre season friendly. We left early to escape the scary woman, and get the tube before the Qs closed the station. Just a real shame my dad couldn't make it because of his hip and an infection Thanks to Frag for recomending where we sat, got a shot of Arsene standing in his technical area, and Sam got lots of pics of the Arsenal players warming up. Why did the Arsenal fans love Falcao so much, they were very excited when he came on in his game, and of course Berbatov was booed every time he touched the ball
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frag
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Post by frag on Aug 3, 2014 19:19:04 GMT 1
Glad you enjoyed it o, and it definitely seems like you chose the right day! Shame your Dad couldn't make it, though Unfortunately you do get a vocal minority of fans getting on players' backs, like at most clubs, I guess. As for Falcao, it must be because he was one of the few really big names in that match. Not surprised at the reaction to Berbatov What did you make of the stadium compared to other big ones - St James's Park, Old Trafford and Wembley, for example? Did you spend much time wandering around the concourse pre-match, and also, did you bother with the food, or did you bring packed lunches?
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Post by Panda on Aug 3, 2014 19:33:26 GMT 1
Watched England Women beat Sweden 4-0 this afternoon at Victoria Park. A dominant display from start to finish, though the first goal shouldn't have stood - Karen Carney hit the post with a penalty then scored the rebound with no other player touching the ball. Wasn't even a full-strength England side either. Bodes very well for the World Cup in Canada next year.
Also had the privilege of seeing Fara Williams become England's most capped player of all-time, winning her 130th international cap.
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Post by o on Aug 3, 2014 22:00:35 GMT 1
Glad you enjoyed it o, and it definitely seems like you chose the right day! Shame your Dad couldn't make it, though Unfortunately you do get a vocal minority of fans getting on players' backs, like at most clubs, I guess. As for Falcao, it must be because he was one of the few really big names in that match. Not surprised at the reaction to Berbatov What did you make of the stadium compared to other big ones - St James's Park, Old Trafford and Wembley, for example? Did you spend much time wandering around the concourse pre-match, and also, did you bother with the food, or did you bring packed lunches? We had packed lunches earlier in the day, and both kids had brought chocolate along with them, we bought drinks and stuff, and that was expensive enough, is it true you have the most expensive pies in the Premiership? I was really impressed with the stadium, although I wouldn't want to be leaving at final whistle! It easily compares to Old Trafford, St James Park and Wembley, the seats were even comfier (cushioned) and loads of leg room, yep, one of the best we've been to, and they let us take water bottles in and a small amount of food, which is a real bonus!
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frag
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Post by frag on Aug 3, 2014 22:14:25 GMT 1
Not sure about the 'most expensive pies', but it wouldn't surprise me. We have the most expensive season tickets, after all I seldom buy food inside the stadium, as normally we get lunch/dinner at one of the local pubs beforehand. We always had packed lunches when I was younger and going with my Dad to games. I think if I was there for two matches though I'd definitely have to bring or buy something. Are there grounds where you have trouble bringing water bottles etc in, then?
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Post by o on Aug 3, 2014 22:28:13 GMT 1
Oh it was just Wembley, and the Stags went through a phase of taking your top off your water bottle, so we just had a spare top in our pocket and put it back on after we went through the turnstiles And seeing as they allow flasks in, I think a flask would do more damage, than a small water bottle! It seems like sometimes the stewards have to justify why they are there, I'm always very friendly with them, and I'm usually with my dad and 14 year old son, and always open my bag for inspection, so what's the problem?
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Post by suedehead on Aug 3, 2014 23:41:45 GMT 1
Glad you enjoyed it o, and it definitely seems like you chose the right day! Shame your Dad couldn't make it, though Unfortunately you do get a vocal minority of fans getting on players' backs, like at most clubs, I guess. As for Falcao, it must be because he was one of the few really big names in that match. Not surprised at the reaction to Berbatov What did you make of the stadium compared to other big ones - St James's Park, Old Trafford and Wembley, for example? Did you spend much time wandering around the concourse pre-match, and also, did you bother with the food, or did you bring packed lunches? We had packed lunches earlier in the day, and both kids had brought chocolate along with them, we bought drinks and stuff, and that was expensive enough, is it true you have the most expensive pies in the Premiership? I was really impressed with the stadium, although I wouldn't want to be leaving at final whistle! It easily compares to Old Trafford, St James Park and Wembley, the seats were even comfier (cushioned) and loads of leg room, yep, one of the best we've been to, and they let us take water bottles in and a small amount of food, which is a real bonus! I don't see how anyone can be impressed by a stadium of they feel they need to leave before the end of the match. Surely one requirement for a great stadium should be that people can see the whole of the match - after all, that's what they have paid for - and get away without too much hassle. Try the Olympic Stadium in Berlin (home of Hertha Berlin) for an example.
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 4, 2014 10:10:30 GMT 1
Watched England Women beat Sweden 4-0 this afternoon at Victoria Park. A dominant display from start to finish, though the first goal shouldn't have stood - Karen Carney hit the post with a penalty then scored the rebound with no other player touching the ball. Wasn't even a full-strength England side either. Bodes very well for the World Cup in Canada next year. Also had the privilege of seeing Fara Williams become England's most capped player of all-time, winning her 130th international cap. Interesting BIB - did Fran Kirby play by any chance? Think it would have been her debut?
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 4, 2014 10:44:54 GMT 1
We had packed lunches earlier in the day, and both kids had brought chocolate along with them, we bought drinks and stuff, and that was expensive enough, is it true you have the most expensive pies in the Premiership? I was really impressed with the stadium, although I wouldn't want to be leaving at final whistle! It easily compares to Old Trafford, St James Park and Wembley, the seats were even comfier (cushioned) and loads of leg room, yep, one of the best we've been to, and they let us take water bottles in and a small amount of food, which is a real bonus! I don't see how anyone can be impressed by a stadium of they feel they need to leave before the end of the match. Surely one requirement for a great stadium should be that people can see the whole of the match - after all, that's what they have paid for - and get away without too much hassle. Try the Olympic Stadium in Berlin (home of Hertha Berlin) for an example. Because maybe people don't want to miss their train? There's been a few occasions when if we hadn't left early we would have done, and on one occasion we caught it with no more than a minute to spare! Maybe if i'd missed something I might feel differently, but every time we've left early it's felt like a natural time to go anyway (apart from maybe once when there was a different reason for leaving early). In fact we could have left the Reading game earlier than we did. It's different for Saturday games when there's more time to spare (don't think have ever left a game at Wembley early for a Sat game) but I don't particularly want to get a later train on a weekday evening.. Of course, having more Sat games would help, but still enjoy going to Wembley anyway. o I can relate to Wembley drinks. Wanted to take a drink in on a couple of occasions, first time the guy was ok about it, the second time got into a bit of a dispute with another guy who insisted if I took it in I had to tip it into a plastic bottle, (it was already in one...). I had planned to have some, or maybe most of it after the game and it annoyed me for I think the whole of the first half. In the end I drunk it pretty quickly but haven't bothered since.
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Post by Panda on Aug 4, 2014 12:03:42 GMT 1
Watched England Women beat Sweden 4-0 this afternoon at Victoria Park. A dominant display from start to finish, though the first goal shouldn't have stood - Karen Carney hit the post with a penalty then scored the rebound with no other player touching the ball. Wasn't even a full-strength England side either. Bodes very well for the World Cup in Canada next year. Also had the privilege of seeing Fara Williams become England's most capped player of all-time, winning her 130th international cap. Interesting BIB - did Fran Kirby play by any chance? Think it would have been her debut? Yes, she started, scored England's second and was named player of the match. She had a very good game and caused the Swedish defence plenty of problems.
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Post by Panda on Aug 4, 2014 12:06:09 GMT 1
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Post by o on Aug 4, 2014 12:41:31 GMT 1
I quite enjoy the ladies team, took in a game at Walsall some time ago, wondered where they'd play that game, and pleased it was at a ground I'd already done, as I couldn't do it because I was going to the Emirates. It's a great visual ground, and I'm not going to knock it down because the getting away can be long and daunting and so we left early. We did have plenty of time in King's Cross before our train, but I was concerned we'd get held up in q's into the tube, at 5-1, I thought we could leave. By the way, I dont think I've ever left a Stags game early!
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Aug 4, 2014 12:48:12 GMT 1
Interesting BIB - did Fran Kirby play by any chance? Think it would have been her debut? Yes, she started, scored England's second and was named player of the match. She had a very good game and caused the Swedish defence plenty of problems. Good to hear. I know the Reading women's team are ambitious but I'm still surprised she was willing to play in the second tier, especially as I hear she was at Arsenal. From what little I've seen of her, just a couple of youtube highlights packages I think, she's clearly too good for that level, all well-taken goals, the odd one especially so, and one of those matches was actually against Arsenal in the cup. The England match only reinforces that (though I wasn't completely sure her goal was intentional). Carney has still got it I see! No bonus points for me i'm afraid...
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Post by Earl Purple on Aug 10, 2014 12:06:48 GMT 1
We don't seem to have a manager casualties topic anymore but we already have one: Mark Robins is fired after Huddersfield crash 0-4 at home to Bournemouth.
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rewardman
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Post by rewardman on Aug 10, 2014 22:26:51 GMT 1
Arsenal sent out a statement of intent for the season as they impressively dismissed Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28647186This wasn't screened over here unfortunately.
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Aug 11, 2014 18:45:42 GMT 1
Robbins was mutual consent.
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Post by suedehead on Aug 11, 2014 19:36:09 GMT 1
Robbins was mutual consent. Chairman: You're fired. Robbins: I can't really disagree if you've made up your mind. And so we have "mutual consent".
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frag
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Post by frag on Aug 11, 2014 20:06:58 GMT 1
Arsenal sent out a statement of intent for the season as they impressively dismissed Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley. www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28647186This wasn't screened over here unfortunately. It was on Fox Sports. Very good performance from us, with a particularly nice goal from Giroud. Koscielny picked up a minor worry though and is a doubt for Palace, meaning we currently have zero fit centre-backs in our squad
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Aug 12, 2014 18:00:45 GMT 1
European Super Cup tonight. Real V Sevilla.
Any predictions?
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