Comments on: Phrasenschwein Project Update

By: Phrasenschwein Project, Update II - The Run of Play

Phrasenschwein Project, Update II - The Run of Play — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:02:15 +0000

[...] aspiring fans how to talk about the game using all the most admired and up-to-date clichés. See here for the history of the project. Eventually, the list will be much longer and anyone who reads it [...]

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:09:17 +0000

NEW MARADONA: young, short, Argentine, can dribble.

By: A.

A. — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:56:34 +0000

Deep lying playmaker is different to the other three, which are all the same…lol.

By: A.Ruiz

A.Ruiz — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:59:31 +0000

George Best – Better than Maradona or Pele or at least more Fiery.

DEEP LYING PLAYMAKER/TREQUARTISTA/ENGANCHE/SECOND STRIKER: No one agrees, do they all describe the same position or 4 separate roles altogether. No one knows, but it always leads to very lively debates.

By: gvb

gvb — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:29:07 +0000

LURK WITH INTENT: How over-the-hill poachers (ronaldo, pipo) position themselves around the penalty area.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:42:11 +0000

NO NONSENSE DEFENDER – used to describe the HEART ON THEIR SLEEVE english types like Carragher and Terry. This is something to be wholeheartedly praised, quite ignoring the fact that in order to be making that LAST DITCH TACKLE in the first place, the defender would have to have been hopelessly out of position or outpaced by the attacker. Give me a defender that can actually read the game and anticipate danger without the need to scramble desperately to clear it any day.

By: Fredorrarci

Fredorrarci — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:20:15 +0000

WET NOVEMBER NIGHT AWAY TO SCUNTHORPE, A A thought experiment devised to speculate on the virility of a given footballer, especially if said player is of non-British nationality: He may have scored 53 goals last season in La Liga, there may be an exhibition in his homeland's national gallery devoted to his passing ability, and his game may bear an astonishing resemblance to that of some kind of footballing demi-god - but I wouldn't fancy his chances on a wet November night away to Scunthorpe. SEE ALSO: SIXTEEN-STONE CENTRE-HALF, IN MY DAY...

By: eriol11

eriol11 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:27:41 +0000

Naive is sometimes used to describe a younger side that isn’t expected to win. The opposite of “Experienced.” For example: The naive Spanish squad won’t be able to match the experienced Germans.

it’s also used to describe Arsenal, and when talking about Arsenal in Carling Cup, talk up “Arsene Wenger’s Youngsters.” Even though 20 year old Fabregas started the BPL games and “Rugged Veteran” Gilberto was featured in the league cup games.

When a “Naive” side defeats an “Experienced” side it’s because the Youngster’s boast superior “Flair.” “Flair” is “Samba” for non-Brazilians.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:18:07 +0000

I’ve been struggling with “naive,” actually. It’s clearly outmoded and probably even commentators who see no problem with the racial implications of the samba/technical adjective filtration system would feel a little uncomfortable using it. At the same time, it’s so obviously on the tips of their tongues. Every 4-3 game during the Cup of Nations was like a life-or-death struggle to think up inoffensive synonyms. You’d think a word meaning “childlike innocence” would be able to avoid overtones of paranoia and bigotry, but welcome to football in the 21st century.

Thanks for the fantastic suggestions, everyone. Keep them coming! I love it when the power of online communities can be harnessed to do all my work for me.

By: Fredorrarci

Fredorrarci — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:04:31 +0000

NAIVE (archaic?) Describes an African team which has just conceded a goal.