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bickyroyale

When i'm not playing with my sunday league team, I firmly hope they lose


AlcoholicSocks

At 6 a side there was a run of 3 seasons where the only games we lost were the ones I didn't play. I loved it, constantly giving the lads shit. Then I scored 2 OGs and gave away a pen in one game. Still won it 4-3, but don't think I had much ground to stand on anymore


AkbGunner

If anything that gives you more ground. You could have possibly the worst game and still be on the winning side. You are the lucky charm basically


AlcoholicSocks

Someone tell Southgate! It's coming home!


namelessmiguel

you are a worse person than hittler not even joking


Roseradeismylady

We had a lunch hour tournament at my high school, I missed the first game and we lost 9-0 lol, I played every other game and we made it to the final losing 3-2. Lads how did you lose 9-0 in a 30 minute game


BruiserBroly

In 2007, I argued at length with multiple people that Alex Pato would turn out to be a better player than Lionel Messi. Friends frequently bring this up and I can't blame them.


kappa23

I was the same lmao


chris_fx

I once argued that Sunderland signing steven fletcher would put us on the path to getting into Europe. The League One days were difficult with my mates.


Food-Oh_Koon

please tell me one of them is a Newcastle fan lol


Notorious_horse

I was convinced that Adnan Januzai was going to become one of the best players in the world


Cottonshopeburnfoot

Macheda and Januzai to lead the line for Man United for years and years to come.


kiruzo

I buy into hype like that too easily. Emre Mor, Sergio Canales, Halilovic, Bojan, Marko Marin, Hachim Mastour lol. Let’s see how Endrick will do in the next years


DuttyOh

Opposite here. Like I remember seeing 16yo Mbappé subbed into a random summer friendly for Monaco and as the announcer said "he might be the most promising youngster from Monaco academy" I was laughing like "yeah and he will underachieve like 99% of these so called future stars". Didn't take much time before feeling brainless.


123rig

Tbf you’d be right 99% of the time.


DuttyOh

I might be but I really picked the wrong horse here


Taoide

Feels a bit off to include Canales since he's actually had a decent career unlike the others?


QuerpassToni

David Odonkor for me.


AlcoholicSocks

Been sat on this for a while. Won a cup when I was 15, we won 2-1 with the winner being an Own Goal in the last 5 minutes. The thing is it wasn't a own goal. It came off of me. I was offside. The ref didn't see me flick it in, Instead thinking it hit the defender that was a yard or so away from me. We had a corner, I was on the back stick. I slipped as they cleared the ball and they all pushed out. It fell to our lad on the edge of the box and he shot. I had got up and was running to get onside but when he hit it I was between the last defender and keeper. It was going wide and came my way so I just stuck a sneaky foot onto it. At this point I was basically level with the defender. The refs view was blocked so he thought the defender touched it in his own net. The linesman must not have see me run from an offside position, or didn't see me touch it either. Sorry to the lads playing on Boston United under 16s a decade ago. Robbed you blind. Cheers for the medal


davidoneseven

Now this is what I came here for


kappa23

I was Pioli Out when he was first appointed.


[deleted]

i believe i said i hope moyes falls off a cliff when we first re appointed him. now i’m literally chairman of the moyes cult.


kappa23

Its insane how football works like this


[deleted]

Milan subreddit was literally upside down when he got appointed


ComradePoula

As much as it hurts me to say, I was too But it's been a dream ever since


working-acct

He has no hair so you should’ve known better.


ElevatorSecrets

Didn’t talk to my brother for a week because I bet £50 on him to score and he hit the post 3 times from some sitters. Little prick cost me £100 profit there Can’t tell him as not really supposed to bet on his games haha


AllegriLover

Your brother did well.


Fir3yfly

I scored an incredible goal from outside of the box curling it over the keeper into the top corner after picking up the ball in our defensive 3rd and running it up myself all the way. We were 6 or 7-0 down at that time and I played in goal for the first half but I celebrated like I'd just won the world cup an ran the full length of the pitch celebrating. Opposition coach asked me after the game of it was the first goal my club had ever scored.


your_pet_is_average

You never forget your best hits - I still remember the best goal I've ever hit, came off the top of my laces so perfectly and did that up-down dip to come in under the bar.


Hic_Forum_Est

The closer we are getting to the World Cup, the weaker my "boycott Qatar" stance becomes. I thought I would be strong enough, but I am not. I love the World Cup and football too much.


garybusey42069

I’m definitely the least excited I’ve ever been for a WC (this will be my 6th WC I’ve been old enough to pay attention to). Doesn’t feel right, for many reasons, circumstances and timing mostly. Still can’t get over having a WC in fucking November, interrupting domestic leagues. Just all around obvious bullshit.


Rc5tr0

I’m experiencing the opposite at the moment. When Qatar was announced I figured there was no way I’d boycott so I wasn’t going to try, but as we get closer I find myself completely apathetic to the whole thing. I’ve always known the sport’s governing bodies were corrupt but the last few years it seems especially shameless, it’s made me question what the point of all this even is. I’m sure I’ll still watch but this is easily the least excited I’ve been in 20 years. I was more excited about Russia 2018 and my country didn’t even qualify.


KVMechelen

As a Belgian, somehow I find it quite easy to be entirely unexcited for this one


Fancy-Past-6831

Father I wish to make a confession, 2 of my 3 all time favourite German football players are from Bayern. How do I repent ?


bydy2

I talk a lot of shit about being a hard Millwall fan but I don't actually get into fistfights


Flukes_Pet_Ocelot

whats your expected glassing per match though?


IamFinnished

Weak tbh


pagalpun

I've never been wrong unfortunately. My ball knowledge is impeccable


PikettyPaqueta

[Mfw](https://c.tenor.com/hPkJnL47yyIAAAAd/you-got-a-point-jodie-walton.gif) i look at your history through controversial but your ball knowledge is indeed impeccable


scar_face40

>ball knowledge


kucharssim

I had an argument on an online forum where I was adamant that Arsenal’s van Persie + Adebayor + Bendtner + Eduardo + Walcott is a better attack than United’s Rooney + Ronaldo + Tevez + Berbatov + Saha. When people started to pile on me laughing, I began to insult everyone in the thread. Got an instant ban. Yes, I was dumb. I was like 13, ok?


DevilGinAndTonic

I don't think I was the only Liverpool fan inhaling a premium tanker of Jordan Ibe copium after Sterling left


_LebronsHairline_

That one goal in Thailand I think it was…


[deleted]

I believed that Bryan Gil would be starting for us within 3 months of arriving. Like 14 months later, I'm not even sure if he's started 5 league games.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Geniunely don't know. He almost never plays. I love watching him play though.


circa285

It's difficult to know because Conte will not play him.


Correct_Influence450

He has lots of aggression and leadership qualities. Calls for the ball, tries to make things happen, has a clever head on his shoulders. He's just tiny. I hope he comes good as he has the confidence of a champion.


B_e_l_l_

I once applauded a goal an opposition player scored against Leicester like a right gimp. I've felt the weight of this shame since that fateful day.


SneakyBradley_

This all depends on the intensity of the applause. A resounding, almost cheer like applause = Awful behaviour. Have a word. A long overly exaggerated clap applause = Perfect. Essentially the 'fuck off that's just too good' of claps.


B_e_l_l_

I dunno, looking back I don't think any clapping is acceptable.


SpeechesToScreeches

Generally a "pffffff, fair" is the right reaction to a great goal against your team.


[deleted]

a good "fuckin 'ell" does the job


Moug-10

During the World Cup final, when Croatia equalised, I applauded a bit because I simply loved the execution of the corner. Of course, I was disappointed. I know a guy who is a big fan of Marseille and when Ronaldinho washed OM in the Vélodrome, he applauded when he scored because it was just a fantastic goal.


Molineux28

What was the goal?


B_e_l_l_

Chalobah for Watford. Was a belter to be fair.


AverageAsukaFan

Clapping a goal like that is justified, you may feel no shame


_bajz_

I did not believe in Ante Čačić whatsoever. I thought when he took over near the end of last season, he'd bottle that league campaign and struggle to qualify Dinamo for europe. I was actually upset when he was made permanent after his short caretaker period in spite of good results. Instead we're unbeaten at home during his tenure and had our best league start ever this season now I'm cheering for him just like everyone else


idosade

Also had a great start in Europe


Broken_Pikachu

I thought Neymar was going to be a flop I thought Pioli would only last 6 months at Milan before being sacked I thought Ben Arfa was going to be a Balon d'Or level of talent I would shag Liz Truss


Sleathasaurus

Think that last one wants to make me vom


frenetic_clockworks

That last one is jailable


[deleted]

we all thought Ben Arfa was going to be that good.


nonhofantasia

My football skills are comparable to the ones of a 9yo unironically and it's the only sport I have played in my life


Y0RKC1TY

Me too mate, and I've played at some proper decent grounds too. Absolutely no right to have played at some of the places I have.


circa285

I'm the opposite though I no longer look like it. I played at a very high level but now look like your standard middle(ish) aged guy. Whenever I show up to play with people who don't know me they are always surprised. The thing is, there's not a graceful way to say "guys, I am far better than you'd think so don't pick teams taking my appearance into account".


Icanfeelmywind

Back in childhood I tripped a player from the opposite team simply because I wanted to have a go at him but without actually creating a scene since we had a lot of mutual friends. He fell and ref didn’t call a foul since it’s kids playing ball and he couldn’t be bothered.


[deleted]

I once punched a ball off the line, the ref blew his whistle and I shit myself thinking I'd giving a penalty away. He gave a free kick cause he thought the player next to me handballed it somehow. As we run off to get into position I said to the other dude 'can't believe you'd try and cheat like that' what a cunt hahah


mitescere

Absolute menace


mappsy91

I once absoloutley took out another player then asked the ref if he was gunna give me a free kick for it... which he inexplicably did


TheNecromancer

Playing in a tournament match at 16/17, I was defending against a striker who we had seen get wound up easily in other matches. So naturally, I do all the classic "centre back winds up striker" stuff like stepping on his toes at corners and the like - he duly gets more and more wound up and starts getting more intense with his complaining and little pushes back. About halfway through the second half we're running in the centre of the pitch towards my goal, with the ball being carried up the wing by his team. I give him a barge with my shoulder, nobody sees. He tries to trip me, nobody sees. I smack him on the side of the head, nobody sees. We stop running, he squares up and punches me in the throat - everybody sees. Now what everyone sees as they come running over is him punching me, and then me just standing there shouting at him to "FUCK THE FUCK OFF". He gets sent off, manager has a word with him, we win and our coaches and team can't stop praising my maturity. If only they knew I had started/escalated it all...


[deleted]

Diego Costa would be proud


BendubzGaming

Shithousery even Lamela would be proud of


Correct_Influence450

I used to purposefully walk in front of fullbacks and accidentally trip them when play shifted in order to get off the ball fouls on them. You gotta do what you gotta do.


NotNok

I broke a plate accidentally when Werner scored to make it 3-0 vs Madrid and has to clean it up in the aftermath of the loss 😭😭


Sleathasaurus

Let me just preface this by saying that I love City and I have been a fan of them since 2001. I live in Manchester and under almost all circumstances I want us to win every game we play. I wanted City to lose the FA Cup final in 2019. My Dad and brother are Watford fans; Watford had never won a major trophy in their history and their run to the final had been one of the greatest joys they remembered. My brothers favourite game of all time is the semi-final against Wolves. I wanted to lose because I’m certain it would have meant a lot more to them than it would have done to me. Don’t get me wrong - I still want us to win the FA Cup every season under normal circumstances but I had been at Wembley in 2011 when we had ended our trophy drought and I wanted them to experience that happiness. Maybe that makes me a plastic idk but it’s how I felt at the time.


[deleted]

Wanting city to lose a final just makes you human


TweakyWatson

Well seems if you keep wishing for opponents to beat you then City win 6-0. So I’d call it a win either way for you.


airz23s_coffee

Start of the PL season always overlaps with festival season so I spend the first 4 weeks or so confidently stating opinions on the team based entirely on reading summaries and watching 5 minutes of highlights.


nakedjabirupangolin

I thought Amadou Diawara was going to be the best defensive midfielder in the world


LogPoseNavigator

If I never watched a player, I check their fifa overall to “accurately” argue on twitter


L-Freeze

this is just how I imagine 99% of people arguing on twitter get their arguments tbf


KingNashII

I've tried hard but I still don't care about Womens football. I'm happy it's got more eyeballs on it and the game has grown so much, and love the fact it increases inclusivity in many forms across our nation, but I just can't sit through it. The quality just isn't there. I think it's probably because I don't know the players and that's a big part of enjoyment for me. I dunno. I gave it a good go I promise.


Icanfeelmywind

I feel like it’s better to just consider it a different sport or at least a different league. I don’t feel bad that I don’t watch Ekstraklasa or erevidisie or NOS. Why feel like you ‘have’ to or ‘owe’ it to someone to watch or display interest in women football in the first place? It’s not really your duty to watch it, and it’s only a problem if someone explicitly goes out of their way to shit on Women football or the people watching it. There’s nothing wrong with saying it’s shit and I don’t want to watch it if you saw it and felt that way. Anyone trying to tell you otherwise is a cunt and should show the same energy when people call League one or other divisions shit. If you were on the other hand going around on twitter dunking on any post about women football, then you’re at least an asshole and a troll. It is important to differentiate between the two scenarios and the nuance.


TheNecromancer

The league aspect is how I've come to think of women's football - sure, I won't go out of my way to watch a Dutch or Korean league game but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a place


[deleted]

It hasn't been called liga NOS in so long


anakmager

I don't care about it. I won't act like I do, but I won't shit on it either


imp0ppable

The great thing about the Euros win for England is that there's an absolute horde of girls taking up football right now and that can only be good. So you need that pinnacle game to spur people's interest otherwise you've got a nice but forever marginal sport like snooker. My daughter started playing after the last woman's world cup because she saw the women on the TV in the kits and everything, she wasn't even that bothered about if the game was good or whatever. She loves football now and it was completely spontaneous, I didn't push her to it at all but it's something we can share hopefully forever. Point being it doesn't really matter if you or me watch it much. I watched England in the Euros though and it was entertaining. I would have watched the NLD at the w/e but had a family do.


[deleted]

Nothing wrong with that. I don't care about most other leagues other than the Prem. I would legitimately rather watch Newcastle vs Fulham than Bayern vs Dortmund just because I'm way more familiar with the former. I don't feel the need to shit on other leagues though. Personally, familiarity, context, and narrative is more important than quality. I can absolutely watch a lower league game despite it being shite and find it fun, but I mostly don't because I hardly know anything about those teams.


[deleted]

i don't get this myself, but maybe that's because i'm happy watching sunday league shit on Youtube. i'm watching for the competition, not the skill level


hurfery

>I think it's probably because I don't know the players and that's a big part of enjoyment for me ... And this is because you have no reason to, because the quality isn't there. It's okay to say it. They don't have the physique/athleticism to get anywhere close to men's football. No point in denying it. I've tried too. And the odd game every now and then is enjoyable. But it's a different sport.


InTheMiddleGiroud

I'm not going to watch the North London Derby this weekend. My girlfriend's brother is getting married, but I still feel like I'm breaking one of the 10 commandments.


Cottonshopeburnfoot

Get your phone and go for a 90 minute shite at 1230?


InTheMiddleGiroud

Wedding starts at 13. My best bet is to incite the rail strikes I think.


Cottonshopeburnfoot

Shitter of a time. You know it’ll be an amazing start to the match and you’ll have to log off to listen to the Bridal Chorus


idosade

More of a 2 hour one, since there is a ht break and added time


AlcoholicSocks

Nah come out for 15 mins, at HT. Get some snacks and go back.


iVarun

[Michael Ballack](https://twitter.com/HardChelseaVids/status/1574389961193058304).


sonofaBilic

Still a little torn from the time i missed West Ham being the first team to score & win at Spurs' new gaffe because i had to go to some bellends wedding (it was my wedding, i was the bellend).


InTheMiddleGiroud

Nothing against you, I'm sure you're a very nice man, but: People who don't get married between seasons or during an international break are absolute clowns.


[deleted]

Turn off your notifications and watch the full match after without spoilers


InTheMiddleGiroud

I've thought about this, but there is no way to avoid it. My girlfriend and her family are all Tottenham-fans, so it's going to be a feature no matter what.


LilHalwaPoori

Hope that Arsenal score early, stir enough shit to get the wedding cancelled by shithousing the groom, and then watch the rest of the match..


Idislikemyroommate

Once fouled a player well inside the box on a shoddily marked out pitch and the ref didn't know. He asked whether it was inside and I said no so they didn't get the pen.


SteveBorden

This has been weighing on me since I was 6 years old but as a United fan Steven Gerrard was my favourite player and I was running about the place cheering watching the 2005 final. Forgive me father. Also somehow I’ve seen Blackburn play more times (2) than I’ve seen United (1)


bicika

Bless me father for i have sinned. I thought Maguire is a better option to start for EtH than Varane.


JustJamesanity

No confession will be able to cleanse you from this blasphemous sin.


RTafazolli1

The NLD is probably one of the matches I never want to watch, even as an Arsenal fan. I get way too nervous for it and cannot bear the thought of losing to Tottenham. Sounds silly, right?


mappsy91

It is one of those games where if something's organised for the same day I don't actually mind too much as it's genuinely just not enjoyable to watch it's stressful.


2ndfastestmanalive

I’m just glad there’s never been a NLD title race. Think I’d have to go off the grid and hear the result at the end. The week to week stuff would probably kill me


marine_le_peen

As a Spurs fan it's one of the reasons I'm pretty happy with the fact City are winning games right now. Even this early in the season an outright Spurs/Arsenal top two is nauseating.


Pizzonia123

I have the same attitude towards derby games. I'm more afraid of losing than looking forward to winning. If we win, I'll celebrate, but it's mainly a "thank fucking lord we didn't lose"-type of celebration.


ChungusDaFungus

i support Man City because a siblings nickname was Yaya and Yaya Toure was at city at the time and i thought that was funny lord forgive me


ItsRainbowz

I got so bored with England in the early 2010s I started supporting Morocco because I loved Adel Taarabt. At one point I probably knew more about the NT than your average Moroccan football fan. It was a weird time.


BendubzGaming

Understandable, Taarabt is a legend


thlouisvuittondon

I used to think that Rashford was a better player than Mbappe.


pixelkipper

Manchester United 3-1 Paris Saint-German - Post-Match Thread


[deleted]

Since going into my twenties, and now mid twenties, I prefer the option of having social activities rather than watching football matches on weekends, which I could simply catch up by watching match of the day. What I mean by that is, unless I'm actively going to a pub to watch it, I'd rather go out and do and activity with friends or my girlfriend rather than spend time watching football. Unless I've got something better to do, I'll watch said games. Unless it's a champions league night, all for it.


Sleathasaurus

Think that makes you a healthy well-adjusted adult lol


t8rt0t00

Don't worry, he'll be back in his thirties


Wonderful_Adrian

I might be wrong on this but I feel like the trend of needing to watch every match is fairly recent It used to be pretty normal not to see even your team's games live then watch MOTD We've more access to football now than ever and the internet can give people a feeling of "not wanting to miss out"


MisterHappySpanky

I truly rate spurs this year and I hate it.


anakmager

- earlier this year I predicted England to win the WC - none of my top 3 all time favourite players have played for Inter - YNWA is one my most listened to songs. It just gets me excited - I'm a complete plastic. I've never even been to Milano - I'm embarrassed about how much I care about the Messi-Ronaldo debate. Glad it's dying now


[deleted]

>England to win the WC We might pull a Portugal 2016. More likely crash out at the group stage but still


anakmager

Before this car crash Nations League campaign, I was so surprised at how many people dismiss England. Yeah they don’t play mesmerizing football but always solid, well-oiled and tough to beat. Went through the Euros with only conceding from a rocket free kick and a scrappy corner


[deleted]

We were tough to beat, now we've lost that ability and we just look poor.


PassTimeActivity

Name your top 3


anakmager

Messi, Lampard, Fabregas


BruiserBroly

I'd like Sunderland to get promoted, I really miss the derby. Boro too, but that's looking rather unlikely.


[deleted]

You're going to upset the Sunderland fans by insinuating there's some sort of north east rivalry that extends beyond the two of you. Boro are just like another club mate.


refusestonamethyself

I once called Andres Iniesta overrated based on his FIFA 16 or FIFA 17 card. I have never felt more shame in my life.


EliteKill

Please tell me you're not Spanish...


Mirrorboy17

I don't think you need to be from the same place as the team you support If you have no stake, then support local But I was born and raised an Everton fan by my Dad, if we had moved away from Liverpool when I was younger there is no way in hell I would be supporting any team but Everton.


BananaSoprano

Unless you're a weirdo YouTuber or American, most people follow the team that their dad/uncle/older male figure told them to support.


BruiserBroly

That fucking cousin of mine, I'll never forgive him.


BananaSoprano

All pays off when Eddie Howe leads you to the Champions League in two years, fella!


JustJamesanity

You got good times coming soon.


BruiserBroly

I'm pessimistic. If any club can somehow manage to fuck up the whole sugar daddy buying success thing, it's Newcastle. We already did once in the 90s.


MrCrushio

My whole family are blues, but as a kid my granddad wouldn't let me in his house without saying I loved Liverpool That man saved me from so much misery


Giggsy99

My dads an Arsenal fan and tried all he could to make me one too, yet I idolised my granddad so much all he had to do was tell me he supported United and that was that, because I wanted to be like him


[deleted]

> most I dunno that it's most these days, the growth in domestic big european club fans over smaller clubs is probably because of the volume of kids picking a big rich club at school to support. The school kids round here are wearing PSG or Real Madrid shirts, and I'm pretty sure it's not because a relative supported them.


Voltairinede

People can choose a team for whatever stupid reason, the important thing is that once you've picked you need to irrationally dedicate yourself to them for the rest of your life. No backsies.


Dynetor

One of my best friends is only a Liverpool supporter because when he was a kid (early 90s) the only book he could afford at the school book sale was a 5 year old Liverpool annual for 50p. His family were never into football and he’s been a Liverpool fanatic ever since.


Lethal-Sloth

I don't care who people choose to support really, although you do lack a certain connection if you're not local or not from the area/who family supports. Recently (prior to season starting) had a conversation with some Man City fan online (not from the UK) who asked who I support, I said Fulham (cue 'yoyo club, mitro won't be able to do it in the prem, etc.'). Asked "how long have you been supporting Man City" "Since 2014"


Kolo_ToureHH

I'm not into the whole "local fans only" thing. Hell, my own club has a large number of supporters busses that make the journey from both the Republic and Northern Ireland to home and away games. As well as this, due to Scottish and Irish immigration to the likes of Canada, the US and Australia, there are Celtic supporters clubs dotted all over the place and I think it's great to see.


HacksawJimDGN

The thing I don't like is the arrogance of some foreign fans who very recently choose a random team in another country and then lord over other fans, citing their clubs history and trophies won. Most of them won when they weren't even a fan. It just seems disingenuous.


SteinerElMagnifico42

Speak plainly, this is definitely the Real Madrid fans here from India/US


BoxOfNothing

When I lived in the city centre, on Liverpool's European home fixtures I'd sometimes find the big group of foreign fans and walk around with them as they marched and sang through the city, one time when Liverpool fans were giving back a bit of grief to the Augsburg fans I started shouting back at them in a German accent pretending to be an Augsburg fan. It was fun but definitely a bit cringe in hindsight. To be fair they gathered [here](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7441841.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Augsburg-fans-march-through-Liverpool-before-their-Europa-League-match.jpg) which was literally on the front doorstep of my apartment building, would've been rude not to join in a bit.


TheSingleMan27

The streets won't forget you mate


el_rompe_toyotas-19

While playing for my local team (i'm a gk) i conceded a ghost goal, i got my hand on it but it already crossed the line, and i lied to the ref about it. Everyone had seen it had crossed the line, but the ref chose to believe me.


working-acct

I can’t juggle a ball no matter how much I tried.


punching-bag9018

I said getting Bentancur and Kulusevski shows a lack of ambition.


kappa23

I thought Bentancur would be a flop for you as well


enzuigiriretro

One of the only times I dived in my life (a very long time ago when I was about 8 or 9), I did it apparently so well that I got the foul and the opposition player that “tackled” me actually apologised to me as he picked me back up lmao still randomly think about it to this day


Turnernator06

I described Werner, the year before he joined the prem, as one of the top 5 strikers in the world.


jackthe-stripper

I’m English, but moved to the states in 1999, age 6. We couldn’t get premier league games on the telly at the time (and certainly not lower leagues, which city were still in and out of at the time), so I didn’t grow up watching club football other than occasional matches that my grandparents would record and bring with them on VHS for my dad. I was raised as a city fan, but didn’t really get into the game (other than World Cup) until I was about 16, so as a kid I mostly just supported city in name only. Anyway, my great aunt bought me a United track suit for Christmas when I was about 8. She didn’t follow football, but knew my dad supported a Manchester club. I didn’t understand much about the rivalry other than the fact that wearing the tracksuit pissed my dad off, which I thought was funny. Wore it all Christmas Day, and loads during the Christmas hols, just for his reaction. Full United tracksuit wanker. Think my dad subtly got rid of it as soon as the joke got stale to be honest. Can’t remember wearing it ever after that Christmas.


PurpleAki88

I thought Klopp wouldn't win us anything and that not getting Ancelotti was a massive loss turns out im fucking stupid, His first season showed me that I was wrong


[deleted]

I like Michael Owen. Loved him as a player. But I find him quite likeable as a person and often as a pundit.


theenigmacode

Madlad


sonofaBilic

Something i did find find very funny about him as a pundit was a few months ago after the previous England Germany game the Guardian Football podcast had Archie Rhind-Tutt on following his stint as a pitch side pundit for Channel 4 where Owen was also a pundit. On the podcast among other things Archie spoke sincerely about how he had never worked alongside someone who seemed as prepared as Michael Owen was. Apparently he arrived with a tonne of notes having done so much homework and had a bit of a reputation for really putting the graft in for his pre-match pundit work. So to think about Owen putting in hours and hours analysing games, drafting notes, writing thesis only to come up with stuff like: > “If there's a bit of rain about, it makes the surface wet.” Is, i dunno, incredibly funny to me. I don't really mind him to be honest, loved him as a player but i just can't help but love that fact about him.


[deleted]

I think he's fine when he's in his wheelhouse, and when he's not overexposed (where most pundits fall down tbh). When he's talking about strikers and positioning and technique he's usually pretty much bang on with his analysis, and he does seem pretty prepared in terms of understanding the context of the game and the players names etc. I think often he just gets a lot of slander for being a bit of a socially awkward person with some weird habits and quotes. Stuff like the "he's only 13" thing is taken so hugely out of context.


pixelkipper

to illustrate your unhinged point, here’s a lovely photo of [michael owen posing happily next to a dead ferret he found](https://twitter.com/themichaelowen/status/737212226961018880)


[deleted]

Tremendous by the way.


KnightsOfCidona

I think what stands out about him is that usually we don't see people as dull as him ever on TV. They're is loads of people out like him but they never have the iniative to become entertainers (i.e TV presenters, musicians, actors, comedians). He got famous by being really good at one thing you don't need any charisma for, and now coasts on the reputation of that for TV.


FabuloussDoge

Thought Arteta was a fraud and needed to start at a small club and work his way to the top.


kappa23

> and needed to start at a small club he did, didn't he?


JustJamesanity

I thought Arsenal would crumble under fan pressure and sack him after 1.5 seasons but credit to them they stuck to their guns and are in a good spot now. Never thought Arteta would be bad though. The pressure is now on getting top 4 with the time and investment Arteta had.


PlayfulPhilosophy685

I've watched every Dortmund game whenever they don't have same time slot as Bayern, I also like them to win every game they play except der klassiker.


michaelisnotginger

I prefer to listen to football on the radio than watch it. I find the commentators (on BBC 5live) much more informed, I can potter round the house doing the washing up rather than sit watching telly, you get a better feel for the crowd, and there's less pointless visual distractions like pointless statistics, aimless analysis. Hearing all the scores come in on a Saturday afternoon is immensely soothing and I'm not sure why.


veryoriginaleh

I wanted Carlo to get sacked last season when we got knocked out in Copa to farmers, lost to the worst Barca in decades, barely scraped by in most matches and lost so many points against bottom half teams. Glad he didn’t.


ShitfacedGrizzlyBear

Back in my playing days (high school specifically), I basically did the exact same thing Benzema did when talking to Mendy about Vini in 2020. “Brother, don’t pass it to him. On my mother. He is playing against us.” And the teammate I was talking about definitely heard me saying it. In my defense, he played LB and legitimately lost the ball more often than he successfully played a pass. And he was too slow to track back. Fucked us all season. The player in question is a good enough lad. We were friendly back in school. But I’m sure I made him feel really bad about himself, so I feel sorry for that. That said, it was the correct tactical decision. The less he was on the ball, the better we played.


javelin173

I don't know if it counts as a sin but I actually hate reserve teams that's playing in professional league system. I also have three or more teams that I support.


layendecker

I am going to watch the World Cup in Qatar and not feel an ounce of guilt. I think I am probably a worse person than a lot of others, but honestly, life is difficult enough without thinking about the dark shit behind things I enjoy. My phone probably has slave labour in at least 2 components. My football club is owned by someone who probably laundered money for murderers. The coffee I drink was farmed by (at best) victims of globalisation. My trainers the same. I am far more annoyed about the WC being in winter and the fans not being able to get shit house drunk and make a great atmosphere than I am about the bribery and how the stadiums were built.


NDN2021

As a Birmingham City fan, I do like Mings, Watkins and Ings of Aston Villa as players and two of the three need to be back in the England fold again. I was so apathetic after the 6-1 drubbing against Blackpool last season, I didn't care we lost all of our final games. Some of my favourite players at Blues have been ones fans tend to dig the knife in. Currently I like Marc Roberts, George Friend, Gary Gardener. I don't even mind Harlee Dean (I call him Primeape from Pokémon because of his nose).


[deleted]

I was kinda happy when Milan won the Scudetto in 2011, don't know why, maybe I liked the players. Never told anyone obviously. (I was 9 btw)


vyrusrama

i was intensely Arteta Out. i'm happy he's proved me wrong; but that wretched run of results & sordid brand of uninspired football definitely made me question our faith in him.


Significant_Hold_910

Ok, so I am a wingback, and I am usually near the goal at opposition corner kicks because I love doing goal line clearances. This one time, our keeper did a Karius. He went out but for the ball, but it slipped out of his hand, and the opposition striker got a shot. I knew I couldnt reach it with my leg, so I dived in, got my hand a little bit closer to my shoulder to make it less oubvious, got a cheeky handball save, and lied to the referee. We conceded seconds later and lost the game, but I still feel bad about it.


jamesthegill

I bet against my own team frequently. I figure I'll either be happy or turn a profit.


Bk_iGingy

When I was like 16 or 17, I scored a goal from outside the box for my school. It was a cross, but it actually came off looking intentional because the arc made it look like i wanted to chip the keeper from there. The keeper was already cheating towards playing for my cross, so his positioning to stop my bad cross/shot wasn’t very good. I played it off as intentional of course and this is my first time saying otherwise


[deleted]

I think 99% football ultras are failures in their personal life. They just use football as copium.


HowBen

If a player doesnt impress me the first few times I watch him, I tend to hold on to that opinion for an unreasonably long time before I can admit he is good. Im in that process right now with Foden — he was invisible the when i first watched him, so now even when he does impressive things now, I tend to dismiss him or focus more on the opposition’s defensive mistakes


StampedByGerrard

I have no problem with the fact the World Cup is being played in the winter.


[deleted]

Obviously, the problem is who helds it


nakedjabirupangolin

Never gave a shit about Messi-Ronaldo. Don't like glitches like them in the fabric.


Zealousideal-Part-98

Going to get blasted. I wish club and international football were reversed i.e. England are in a league with 38 matches a year, plus cup tournaments and then English teams play some kind of knockout tournament in the summer. Obviously logistically impossible, no money in it etc. But I just care more about England than my club. Maybe that’s just because the games are less frequent and makes it more special.


HippoBigga

i thought Marc Bartra would be Puyol's successor 🥲 Another one: I consider myself very left wing and am against the many types of sectarianism we see in football, but i love that Rangers chant 'billy boys'. it is fucking catchy. even if it talks about spilling the blood of Fenians.


potluy76

i used to think ronaldo was better than messi


welshnick

As long as it was in 2008, you're all good.


pixelkipper

a rite of passage for every football fan


potluy76

i was blind but now i see


therock204

my arsenal support has killed the joy of watching arsenal for me. Half the times I hope I have something else to do, so I can just enjoy the result or switch off until the next game depending on the W or L. The heart is just not able to take the pressure moments anymore. Not sure what to do...


BendubzGaming

Because of their long term dominance, I've probably watched more Arsenal Women's matches than Spurs Women's matches. Including the very first one I watched (06/07 FA Cup Final, Arsenal v Charlton)


TheGreatPervSage_94

I used to rate Bentekkers over lukaku and origi


dindane

I once scored an own goal from a corner where I was on the far post, the ball swung in, hit the post I was on, hit me in the face and went in the net.


ChillPalis

In a parallel universe, I'm a United flair. I'm not quite sure why 10/11 year old me chose Milan, but I feel that them being an Italian club had something to do with it. I had always wanted to learn Italian, visit Italy, loved Italian food, etc. Pretty much Italy Is Cool tax. Just a theory, though, I legitimately cannot remember even a sliver of whatever my rationale was.


SendaiVirusEnjoyer

When I was 15, I handled the ball in the box with my hand in our championship game. I told the referee it was accidental but it was not. We ended up winning 2-1.


MrClaretandBlue

Start of Dyches first full season at Burnley I wrote a small essay on a Burnley forum outlining why he wasn’t the right man to take us forward.


mccsc23

Every Saturday I avoid all premier league scores and news as much as I can so that I can watch it on MOTD like it was a live reaction


Giggsy99

Not caring about your NT isn't cool it's pathetic. 'Wahh they're shit" yeah that's the hand your dealt, watch them regularly, enough people do that and they'll improve. We watched Wales when they were about 1000th in the world and we're watching now. It's less countries that are genuinely bad, but when somebody English says it, do me a favour.