All possession no silverware. …

Read: Barcelona, Spain, Holland 1970s team.[/quote]

Err, what did “Holland 1970’s team” win?[/quote]

I think that getting to two world cup finals is worthy of some merit, is it not?[/quote]
Mr Brownbill definately stated “won nothing”. Afterall did Arsenal not get to a champions league final?[/quote]

Yes they did, and not everybody manages that, do they.[/quote]

That dirty Leeds team did. or it’s equivalent. Forest won 2 years on the bounce, Derby came close, Burnley got to the quarters, not bad for provincial teams.

Okay, I’ll hold my hands up; you’re right.

Not having the ball wins you games.

Read: Barcelona, Spain, Holland 1970s team.[/quote]

Err, what did “Holland 1970’s team” win?[/quote]

I think that getting to two world cup finals is worthy of some merit, is it not?[/quote]
Mr Brownbill definately stated “won nothing”. Afterall did Arsenal not get to a champions league final?[/quote]

Yes they did, and not everybody manages that, do they.[/quote]

That dirty Leeds team did. or it’s equivalent. Forest won 2 years on the bounce, Derby came close, Burnley got to the quarters, not bad for provincial teams.[/quote]

All of them playing attractive, passing football. Nothing to do with being provincial teams.

Or, as usual, are you just changing this round so that it’s an argument you think you can win?[/quote]

No need to Griff, any one that can read the title of this thread can see that “Holland 70’s team” contrary to local myth and legend, actually won no “silverware” at all.[/quote]

So why mention provincial teams? and you lecture em about going off-topic?

Anyway done now, bored. Work is more appealing than getting in to one of your endless debates.;)

Read: Barcelona, Spain, Holland 1970s team.[/quote]

Err, what did “Holland 1970’s team” win?[/quote]

I think that getting to two world cup finals is worthy of some merit, is it not?[/quote]
Mr Brownbill definately stated “won nothing”. Afterall did Arsenal not get to a champions league final?[/quote]

Yes they did, and not everybody manages that, do they.[/quote]

That dirty Leeds team did. or it’s equivalent. Forest won 2 years on the bounce, Derby came close, Burnley got to the quarters, not bad for provincial teams.[/quote]

All of them playing attractive, passing football. Nothing to do with being provincial teams.

Or, as usual, are you just changing this round so that it’s an argument you think you can win?[/quote]

No need to Griff, any one that can read the title of this thread can see that “Holland 70’s team” contrary to local myth and legend, actually won no “silverware” at all.[/quote]

Anyone who can read will see the title, but anyone with half a brain will know that the title shouldn’t be taken at face value, or perhaps he really has started a thread to discuss if Wigan can win trophies if they change their playing style.

‘Silverware’ should be read as ‘success’ and ‘All possession’ should be read as ‘a majority of the possession’.

If you don’t utilise your possession to its full potential then you don’t score but if you can keep possession for as long as possible then you will indeed lessen the chances of the opposition scoring. However, sometimes ‘overcooking it’ may actually go against you if you give the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area which is what we have been guilty of on several occasions in the past. I guess it depends on which sort of possession we are talking about for it to be beneficial to the point of scoring. Continued pressing possession will invariably end with the opposition yielding whereas deep defensive possession whilst preventing the opposition scoring will not cause too much concern to the opposition ! I am concerned about the amount of times we gave the ball away cheaply against Reading in the first half hour on Saturday. Up until our opening goal I thought it was quite frustrating due to continual giving the ball away cheaply and McCarthur was the worst culprit ( I got to thinking that he couldn’t see properly with that mask on ! ) Figs went walkabout on a couple of occasions and was bailed out by Caldwell but on the whole Reading were poor and luckily didn’t capitalize. We had a really good spell of pressure possession and like I said earlier invariably you score and we did albeit slightly fortuitous with the unnoticed handball but swings and roundabouts eh ! We seemed a lot more confident in possession of the ball when we got our second at the worst possible time for Reading and the continued pressure possession early into the second half came to further fruition. The back line was solid and that is going to be key from now on till the end of the season but a special mention has to go to Scharner who for me has steadied the ship somewhat !
So despite going around the houses to explain things it would appear that possession DOES indeed win you games but overcooking it can sometimes have an adverse effect ! Liverpool will be a completely different ballgame and if we can avoid defeat I will be most happy ! It will be a high tempo game and so the starting line-up from last Saturday will be our best bet but possession will indeed be key and I hope we come out of the blocks rapidly and concentrate on keeping the ball better than we did in the opening phase against Reading as Liverpool will not be as forgiving ! I will be more than happy with a draw but a win will have me in raptures !