Pre-season 2012

[officer_dibble]

Aye
Lets get gb out
cmon uae!

[Gail Platz]

Twice!

I thought my TV had cocked up when I heard him repeat it.

He does have a point, but I still said "feck off Lawrenson you nice person".

[Leyther_Matt]

Any chance of us getting Sturridge back after a finish like that please?!

[adamworthy2002]

I know it's not our pre-season but Radcliffe are playing Huddersfield tonight (friday night) in Radcliffe and it's free entry if anyones interested

Kick off 7:30

[bedwetter2]

I really can't understand the "doesn't matter" camp.

All results matter to a greater or lesser degree. In pre-season games they matter as they give us a benchmark with which to measure future team performances and help to build confidence for the battle to come (including the supporters).

In the league - I won't call it by the c word (yes I am still p*ssed off about the calamitous exit from the Premiership) the "doesn't matter" camp were much in evidence for the first half dozen or so games last season. But it does matter, see, and will this coming season if my worst fears are borne out by continuing Coyle family ineptitude. The squad, correctly motivated and trained were good enough to stay up last year.

Last season I and a few others called for Coyle's head by October. I'm sure there are still apologists who will continue to say that he should continue to be given the benefit of doubt. How long is it going to take this season before the truth dawns that he is not the answer, no matter what the question is.

Because the first games of pre-season don't matter. It's the time team coming together after a long time apart and getting used to playing as a team together. The season starts on the 18th if we haven't won at least one of the first three then I can understand the calls for Coyle's head but until then let's get everything into a little perspective. Last season is done now and it's time to move on.

But pre-season games do matter. The squad has been in training since the 1st July? Over three weeks to get re-acqainted or introduce themselves to the new boys who by now should have had their heads pushed down the bog while a senior pro works the flush in time honoured fashion.

I'm sorry but the whole thing sounds like an excuse TKIZ. The team was on a losing streak last season and had a number of known underperformers; confidence was battered. Do you think they are going to gain any confidence by being allowed to play at half-tempo against a bunch of Scottish pub teams and repeating all the tactical wizardry that Coyle has coached them in?

I will state it again, I think Coyle is a chancer. And not a very bright one at that.

Portsmouth friendly anyone? Does anyone have Gartside's e-mail address as it will probably be necessary to strongly advise him to start making preparations now to replace the 'manager' after the first few games of the season?

Anyway, on another matter whilst watching the Olympics - including the football - it struck me what a contrast there is between the sacrifice and hard work put in by our medal winners for uncertain reward compared to the self-interest and greed of the average professional footballer. The logical conclusion, therefore, is that football supporters including moi are helping to perpetuate a venal trade which has little intrinsic worth. Do you still think they are worth supporting?

[Puskas]

The logical conclusion, therefore, is that football supporters including moi are helping to perpetuate a venal trade which has little intrinsic worth. Do you still think they are worth supporting?

Couldn't agree more - indeed, I've been saying the same thing for a while. The only reason we keep going is this vague feeling that we should. Support the Wanderers, because, well, it's the Wanderers, right?

Meanwhile a bunch of highly paid individuals get even richer off the back of what we put in, and don't give a stuff about us. And the Premier League/Sky roadshow chunters on without us...


Still, mustn't grumble, right. And got to go to Burnley. Of course, couldn't miss that, could we?

[boltonboris]

Well then, don't go and cancel your sky subscriptions. Then you can go and support some rowers who were born into untold wealth and educated a public schools..

[Puskas]

Then you can go and support some rowers who were born into untold wealth and educated a public schools..

Why would I want to do that?

No, you're right. Everything's wonderful at Bolton, and, indeed, at football in general. Nothing ever need change. We should all just keep going and handing our money over.

It's all marvellous. Everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.

[boltonboris]

I just don't get the bollocks you're spouting that all footballers are wankers because some birds won a gold medal at rowing.

Where's the connection?

[Puskas]

I just don't get the bollocks you're spouting that all footballers are wankers because some birds won a gold medal at rowing.

Where's the connection?

There's no connection. They are two unrelated facts.

1) Some bird won a gold medal. Well done to her, I suppose, though I don't really care;
2) Footballers are wankers. We've known this for a long time. Before the Olympics. Since Sky started splashing their money around, if not before that. Certainly with the formation of the Premier League and the death of any sort of competition in the top flight.

I'm not drawing any connection - just moaning about football in general and the sheer futility of it, nowadays.

Unlikely to change, though, since no one will do anything about it.

[boltonboris]

That Rutherford guy seems a right wanker. But because he's not feckin' minted cos he competes in a sport that nobody gives a fvck about, he's used as a yardstick to nice person footballers with. As though Footballers dont make any sacrifices in their lives.

This is up there with all the bollocks about "Soldiers / nurses should get footballers money"

[Wandering Willy]

I just don't get the bollocks you're spouting that all footballers are wankers because some birds won a gold medal at rowing.

Where's the connection?

There's no connection. They are two unrelated facts.

1) Some bird won a gold medal. Well done to her, I suppose, though I don't really care;
2) Footballers are wankers. We've known this for a long time. Before the Olympics. Since Sky started splashing their money around, if not before that. Certainly with the formation of the Premier League and the death of any sort of competition in the top flight.

I'm not drawing any connection - just moaning about football in general and the sheer futility of it, nowadays.

Unlikely to change, though, since no one will do anything about it.

I know Shy invented football but I wasn't aware it was before the Olympics started.

[BWFC_Insane]

Footballers have it easy compared to just about every other sport. And get paid ridiculous sums of money for being unprofessional. What should change is the professionalism expected for that kind of outlay. Fans should also demand it.

I honestly don't see why the professionalism that Ennis, Pendleton show to prepare for events shouldn't be demanded by footballers. No going out on the lash during the season, eating what you're fecking told to and not drinking much if owt alcohol.

That's the sort of thing that annoys me. It's the biggest sport certainly in this country they get paid fortunes but still can't or won't be held accountable as other sports people are.

[plymouth wanderer]

Footballers have it easy compared to just about every other sport. And get paid ridiculous sums of money for being unprofessional. What should change is the professionalism expected for that kind of outlay. Fans should also demand it.

I honestly don't see why the professionalism that Ennis, Pendleton show to prepare for events shouldn't be demanded by footballers. No going out on the lash during the season, eating what you're fecking told to and not drinking much if owt alcohol.

That's the sort of thing that annoys me. It's the biggest sport certainly in this country they get paid fortunes but still can't or won't be held accountable as other sports people are.

Fvcking right

[boltonboris]

What about cricketers? Rugby players?

[BWFC_Insane]

What about cricketers? Rugby players?

How much do they get paid comparatively?

And then I'd say the cricket calendar for an international cricketer is more demanding than the football one. Away over the winter. 5 day games, one day games, 20:20's.

[bedwetter2]

Well then, don't go and cancel your sky subscriptions. Then you can go and support some rowers who were born into untold wealth and educated a public schools..

You may wish to carry around that huge chip on your socialist shoulder. I don't see where schooling comes into it. What I do see is the modern day equivalent of the "opiate of the masses" in football being elevated above its worth. Other sports may hold limited appeal to many, presumably including you, but my circle of friends tend to like all sports to some degree with many of us having played rugby and cricket.

BWFCi makes a very valid point about the professionalism (or lack of it) in the Sky era and the grinding triumphalism of the circus around the monied clubs.

It doesn't mean I will not go to a game as, unfortunately, BWFC is an addiction for which there is no cure apart from death.

[bobo the clown]

Then you can go and support some rowers who were born into untold wealth and educated a public schools..

That chip must weigh heavy Boris.

Many of those public school kids would be grammar school kids if the art of levelling down had not got a stranglehold in the '60's & '70's. Cetainly the ones who got medals who my kids rowed with would have.

Anyway ... yes, many footballers are tosspots.

Many in individual and less commonly available sports earn way less, work just as hard & behave themselves better ... often brighter and certainly have an aastonishing individual work ethic ... for lower reward.

Not all, of course.

But the two situations don't relate easily.

[Harry Genshaw]

I seem to remember someone on here posting about a squash champion who was British. I'd never heard of him but he trained something like 14 hours a day and often took to sleeping in the gym just to become the World champion. That doesn't sit easily with a footballer who can retire comfortably on the strength of a couple of decent games and 1 redeculoosly generous contract.

Of course, I'll be at Turf Moor perpetuating all this......

[Bruce Rioja]

What about cricketers? Rugby players?

Cricketers get treacle sponge and custard mid game. Mid fecking game