Comments on: A Weekend of Drowsy Eremites

By: Josh G

Josh G — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:19:50 +0000

as the offside pointed out, the ronaldo handball had quite a funny effect on the players around. benjani was consoling him because he knew ronaldo meant no harm, berbatov was dancing around, and rio high fived him.

if this had happened at arsenal, thered be hell to pay. rvp’s second was amazing though. it was the smallest space between his marker and the keeper while still being on target. classy goal.

By: Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:21:50 +0000

I'd be surprised if Gray even introduced it to football; I think he was just vaguely claiming ownership of a cliche: "It's raining cats and dogs, as I always say." It reminded me of the Seinfeld episode in which George claimed to have coined the phrase "pardon my French." Ursus --- You're right, what a great trio. Muntari's goal looked like a high-school math problem (I mean that in a good way). Lavezzi's was almost Messi-esque. So glad I skipped this game to watch Rooney score a routine put-back and Ronaldo pretend to be a volleyball star. My fault for not committing myself to International Watch Another League Month.

By: mafu

mafu — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:08:58 +0000

I have to assume Ronaldo did hear a whistle. He’s normally pretty good at heading the ball to be fair.

The corridor of uncertainty was coined by Boycott wasn’t it? I guess Gray may have introduced it to football. Though it doesn’t work nearly as well in that context so he’s welcome to claim it if he likes.

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:47:03 +0000

I can’t recall being at a match with three goals of such quality before. Cordoba’s was the weakest of the three, and would have a shout for Goal of the Week most weeks.

Fred, Henry has been inconsistent on the left, though he actually impressed me with some very uncharacteristic tracking back last night. He may well get his chance in the centre against Valencia, as Eto’o is suspended.

Brian, you do know that the corridor of uncertainty is from cricket, don’t you? I always thought it belonged in Clue (Cluedo for any Brits).

By: Martha

Martha — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:41:18 +0000

Brian, Ronaldo looked to me like he was trying to protect what he considers his moneymaker. Priorities, man.

By: Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:37:39 +0000

Johan Djourou’s own goal at Stamford Bridge has just prompted Andy Gray to suggest that he coined the phrase “the corridor of uncertainty.” I’ve always liked this phrase and somehow it seems even better when Andy Gray is vaguely exploring the fantasy that he invented it.

By: Fredorrarci

Fredorrarci — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:33:53 +0000

To those who have seen Barcelona more than me:

How effective is Henry on the left these days when the game is more stretched than it was yesterday? (If, indeed, Barca’s opponents ever allow the game to get stretched.)

By: Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:48:56 +0000

Does anyone understand why Ronaldo committed the handball that got him sent off? It was so blatant and so useless…it was as if he thought he heard a whistle and decided not to suffer the header. Really a confusing bit of play.

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:09:15 +0000

Linda, the people on the Offside who are claiming that Leo was poor are delusional. He was sublime even before the two goals.

Watching that performance after seeing Madrid having their clocks cleaned by Sevilla (notwithstanding a referee who did more for them than most of their players) made for a very pleasant evening of sport. I didn’t even care that Juve thumped Reggina.

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:07:10 +0000

Also, having taken a look around, the common consensus amongst Barca fans seems to be that Messi had a really bad game.