Biggest Myths in Football

[LawCharltonBest]

I’ve just seen two Tweets in a row on X, one claiming that Torres used to torment Vidic every time we played them. It’s complete nonsense. There was one goal where Vidic failed to head the ball and Torres got on the end of it. Other than that he was always in Vida’s pocket, in fact it was Ferdinand who came off worse, especially at Anfield the following season. I see this time and time again and it has to be one of the biggest myths out there.

The other I always see is United fans waxing lyrical about Berbatov. Is it just me who remembers it differently? His first two seasons he was insanely frustrating and constantly getting stick. Yes he won the golden boot but that was a flurry of hattricks in the first half of the season, and he was well out of the team during the crunch stage that year. He didn’t even get in the squad for the CL final. His last season was a non affair. Another huge myth is him being a big success here…he actually falls into the disappointment category for me. Although I guess considering the signings made since Obertan would be considered a success in hindsight.

What are the other footballing myths you see all the time? There must be so many as a result of hazy memories or constructed by clueless kids on social media.

I liked Berbatov. I accept he wasn't as consistent as you'd want him to be. But he oozed class. He stayed one season too many. If there was a 25 year old Berbatov available now, I'd snap him up and be confident of success.

Myth: "Man Utd won 13 Premier League titles by outspending everyone else"

Facts to Support the Myth: Man Utd broke EPL transfer records several times in late 90s and early 00s by buying Yorke, Ferdinand, Veron, Rooney etc

FACT: Man Utd's net spent in the first 10 EPL seasons (with united winning 7 of them) was SIXTH behind Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham

And in the later part of the title wins, I also saw a stat that from when the Glazers took over until they signed Robin van Persie, their net spend for that period averaged out at about £3.5m per season.

Which also brings me nicely on to "The Glazers spend loads of money" -

A) they don't spend a penny of their own money, and in fact also hold United back massively spending their own Club money.

B) they only started letting United open the purse strings once they realised how much we were declining post-Ferguson. And they only cared about that because of the lack of Champions League money. You also see a dip in spending every time United qualify for the CL.

 

[Devil81]

Brasil lost the 98 final because Nike made them do it.

Never heard that but I did hear they were forced to field Ronaldo after he'd had a seizure.

 

[Chipper]

Everything about Arsenal's 'invincible' season.

Not losing a league game is irrelevant when you lose in every single other competition that you play in!

If Arsenal had won all four trophies that season without losing a single game then that would be one hell of an achievement and they could deservedly claim to be invincible, but you can't claim to be invincible in league games only!

A team could draw all 38 league fixtures and technically claim to be invincible too, would that be the sign of a good season?

I suppose it's a nice thing to have, but I do agree. The aim of the league for all teams is to accumulate as many points as you can generally speaking. Sometimes teams may take their foot off the gas if they'd already won it, or were prioritising a cup of course.

They got 90, won it by 11. Teams in other seasons have got more or won it by bigger margins. Like I said, it's nice for them and I'd definitely be bragging about it if United did it, but it's not an earth-shattering accomplishment to me.

Each to their own I suppose. I'd rather have 90 points and go undefeated than 91 or 92 and lose once or more but there'd come a time where I'd rather have the points even if my team lost. Maybe 95+, definitely 100+. Assuming winning the league in all these scenarios because as Liverpool know you can come 2nd with 97 too.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Berbatov scored 20 league goals that year. 11 in 3 games.

Hat tricks aren't any good, apparently.

 

[Pascal Quiff]

Paul Scholes once kicked Ronaldo into a tree

 

[Bubz27]

Obviously opinions differ and you can think he was a failure, but I don't think its a myth if other people think he was a good - albeit not as good as it was hoped to be - signing.

My personal "myth" is that people think Tevez was as good for as us as he was for City/after us (when he was nowhere near as good and a pretty erratic player for us), but again, thats more my opinion then a myth.

I don't think he was a failure, I agree with you. Good but not as good as it was hoped to be.

But I think the original myth was about that season in particular rather than his whole time here?

 

[duffer]

Torres' goal for Chelsea v Barca took us to the final.

 

[duffer]

Jose Mourinho called himself "The Special One".

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Everything about Arsenal's 'invincible' season.

Not losing a league game is irrelevant when you lose in every single other competition that you play in!

If Arsenal had won all four trophies that season without losing a single game then that would be one hell of an achievement and they could deservedly claim to be invincible, but you can't claim to be invincible in league games only!

A team could draw all 38 league fixtures and technically claim to be invincible too, would that be the sign of a good season?

Mad one that. An unbeaten season is utterly insane and rightly celebrated.

 

[Irwin99]

One's that have always irritated me:

• Keane was just a DM/tackler.
• That Paul Scholes was always United's playmaker from deep. You'd be surprised how often some people think he did this his whole career. He only really started doing that in 06-07 which was one of the best seasons i've seen from a United midfielder.
• The Vidic vs Torres myth - this one is finally being dismantled but it went on for far too long
• The Invincibles were the greatest Premier league team- i just never understand that one. Great achievement no doubt but they didn't retain their title, did nothing in Europe, and actually failed to beat us in a premier league game in four attempts (two draws, two defeats). Chelsea's team the following year were superior, actually retained their title and were ridiculously strong.

 

[duffer]

Paul Scholes quit England because he didn't like the way he was being used by the manager.

 

[Scandi Red]

We will never win <tournament/league> with <player>.

Never mind the logical fallacy, it's also only "true" in very extreme cases.

 

[njred]

Everything about Arsenal's 'invincible' season.

Not losing a league game is irrelevant when you lose in every single other competition that you play in!

If Arsenal had won all four trophies that season without losing a single game then that would be one hell of an achievement and they could deservedly claim to be invincible, but you can't claim to be invincible in league games only!

A team could draw all 38 league fixtures and technically claim to be invincible too, would that be the sign of a good season?

It’s still the greatest season in the league for any team. It will still be that way until someone equals it. I used to have United’s treble with it until City came along and won it in a more emphatic way.

 

[Heinzesight]

It’s still the greatest season in the league for any team. It will still be that way until someone equals it. I used to have United’s treble with it until City came along and won it in a more emphatic way.

 

[Carl]

Giggs could've played for England

The bloody fax machine meme in 2015. There was no fax machine!

Wot??? The fax thing isn't real?

The idea of a fax machine in 2015 always struck me as a bit dumb.

Fax machines are still very commonly used in present day, nevermind 2015.

 

[Carl]

Jose Mourinho called himself "The Special One".

Hardly a myth. Granted he didn't say "I'm The Special One" but he did say "..i think I'm a special one"

 

[duffer]

Hardly a myth. Granted he didn't say "I'm The Special One" but he did say "..i think I'm a special one"

"I'm the best manager" vs "I think I am one of the best managers". It's very different.

 

[MegadrivePerson]

Mad one that. An unbeaten season is utterly insane and rightly celebrated.

That's my point though, it wasn't an unbeaten season, they even lost to Middlesbrough in the league cup!

 

[MegadrivePerson]

It’s still the greatest season in the league for any team. It will still be that way until someone equals it. I used to have United’s treble with it until City came along and won it in a more emphatic way.

It isn't.

The greatest season will be the highest points total by definition.

 

[Zen]

Everything about Arsenal's 'invincible' season.

Not losing a league game is irrelevant when you lose in every single other competition that you play in!

If Arsenal had won all four trophies that season without losing a single game then that would be one hell of an achievement and they could deservedly claim to be invincible, but you can't claim to be invincible in league games only!

A team could draw all 38 league fixtures and technically claim to be invincible too, would that be the sign of a good season?

This is probably the biggest answer here. I mean, it's so meaningful that Messi once rested a week 37 game he could of easily played instead of keeping up with it(that ended up being their only loss fyi).... nor do you hear much from Milan or Juventus on the subject. It's a decent feat, but those boys sure do bang it home.

 

[DJ Jeff]

Wot??? The fax thing isn't real?



Fax machines are still very commonly used in present day, nevermind 2015.

I would be very surprised!

 

[SalfordRed18]

"I'm the best manager" vs "I think I am one of the best managers". It's very different.

Neither of those is similar to what he said though?

"I think I'm a special one" is what he said, so he was referred to as the special one. Wheres the myth?

 

[duffer]

Neither of those is similar to what he said though?

"I think I'm a special one" is what he said, so he was referred to as the special one. Wheres the myth?

That he called himself "The Special one".

"I think I am a special one" somehow got turned into "I am THE special one".

 

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

Liverpool 4 Barcelona 0 - 2019
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0 - 2005
Liverpool 3 Inter Milan 1 - 1965
The list goes on. Ask Mourinho and the rest of them what they think of the big European nights at Anfield. No one has had nights like these in England at home playing in a European fixture ever.
Talk about a wrong example.

Watch them and come back to us.

Too busy watching these.

Liverpool 1 - 2 Genoa 1992
Liverpool 0 - 2 Spartak Moscow 1992
Liverpool 0 - 1 Celta Vigo - 1998
Liverpool 0 - 1 Roma - 2001
Liverpool 1 - 3 Barcelona - 2001
Liverpool 0 - 1 Valencia - 2002
Liverpool 0 - 2 Celtic - 2003
Liverpool 0 - 1 Grazer AK - 2004
Liverpool 0 - 2 Benfica - 2006
Liverpool 0 - 1 Barcelona - 2007
Liverpool 0 - 0 Braga - 2011
Liverpool 0 - 3 Real Madrid - 2014
Liverpool 2 - 3 Atletico Madrid - 2020
Liverpool 0 - 2 Atalanta - 2020
Liverpool 0 - 0 Real Madrid - 2021
Liverpool 0 - 1 Inter - 2022
Liverpool 2 - 5 Real Madrid - 2023

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

That's my point though, it wasn't an unbeaten season, they even lost to Middlesbrough in the league cup!

38 league games without defeat is Mount Rushmore stuff. No idea why anyone needs to tear it down because of games played and lost in another competition.

One of the best teams the league has ever seen.

 

[RedRocket9908]

Some more:-

Andre Onana is crap

Fergie Time

Sir Alex only won because he had the refs in his pocket

Man Utd had a monopoly on the transfer market in the 90's

Man Utd stayed on top in tbe 90's by buying all their rivals best players

Liverpool are European Royalty

No Man Utd fans are from Manchester

Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world.

Liverpool have been sharfted the most by VAR this season.

The Champions League trophy Man Utd won in 1999 is now permanently on display in Liverpools trophy room

 

[JackRowley]

If you’ve been booked in a game and make another foul and aren’t sent off you’re automatically deemed as “really lucky” .

Except if you are an Everton player who commits far worse tackle than Casimero, no foul no booking, Casimero booked.

 

[JB7]

Too busy watching these.

Liverpool 1 - 2 Genoa 1992
Liverpool 0 - 2 Spartak Moscow 1992
Liverpool 0 - 1 Celta Vigo - 1998
Liverpool 0 - 1 Roma - 2001
Liverpool 1 - 3 Barcelona - 2001
Liverpool 0 - 1 Valencia - 2002
Liverpool 0 - 2 Celtic - 2003
Liverpool 0 - 1 Grazer AK - 2004
Liverpool 0 - 2 Benfica - 2006
Liverpool 0 - 1 Barcelona - 2007
Liverpool 0 - 0 Braga - 2011
Liverpool 0 - 3 Real Madrid - 2014
Liverpool 2 - 3 Atletico Madrid - 2020
Liverpool 0 - 2 Atalanta - 2020
Liverpool 0 - 0 Real Madrid - 2021
Liverpool 0 - 1 Inter - 2022
Liverpool 2 - 5 Real Madrid - 2023

He seriously listed 3 games across a 60 year period as evidence ffs

 

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

He seriously listed 3 games across a 60 year period as evidence ffs

fecking Villa have had three great games in Europe over sixty years

 

[JackRowley]

Liverpool fans are the most knowledgeable in the world.

 

[njred]

He seriously listed 3 games across a 60 year period as evidence ffs

Well youngsters like you who don’t know their sporting history should maybe freshen up. Being the best in Europe from England really does give people fits trying to name all the matches. The three I brought up are legendary at Anfield… as you know. If you disagree then feel free to bring up a club who matches these accomplishments. If you do you would be misinformed.

 

[WeePat]

Torres' goal for Chelsea v Barca took us to the final.

Along the same lines, Gronkjaer’s goal vs Liverpool in 2003 secured CL football for us. It’s often dubbed the most important goal in Chelsea’s history because Abramovich bought the club later that summer.

 

[duffer]

Along the same lines, Gronkjaer’s goal vs Liverpool in 2003 secured CL football for us. It’s often dubbed the most important goal in Chelsea’s history because Abramovich bought the club later that summer.

Wait, didn't it?

 

[WeePat]

Wait, didn't it?

A draw would have been enough due to our much superior GD. It was Liverpool who needed to win to leapfrog us.

 

[One Night Only]

Monday night football is worth watching.

 

[njred]

Some more:-
The Champions League trophy Man Utd won in 1999 is now permanently on display in Liverpools trophy room

I do know we were the last team to retain the real trophy after our fifth. After 2005 UEFA kept the trophies. Since that is the way it is, I guess the trophy in the cabinet is in fact the treble cup that we own forever.

 

[JB7]

Well youngsters like you who don’t know their sporting history should maybe freshen up. Being the best in Europe from England really does give people fits trying to name all the matches. The three I brought up are legendary at Anfield… as you know. If you disagree then feel free to bring up a club who matches these accomplishments. If you do you would be misinformed.

I've not been called a youngster for a good while. I don't dispute those are legendary nights for your club at Anfield, that doesn't mean that Anfield has a special air about it that nowhere else does. Most clubs who have consistently gone deep into the European Cup and/or Champions League have had their special share of special "European nights" at their home ground. Although I do agree that winning a European semi final without even coming close to scoring a goal was pretty remarkable, so I'll give you that one.

 

[njred]

I've not been called a youngster for a good while. I don't dispute those are legendary nights for your club at Anfield, that doesn't mean that Anfield has a special air about it that nowhere else does. Most clubs who have consistently gone deep into the European Cup and/or Champions League have had their special share of special "European nights" at their home ground. Although I do agree that winning a European semi final without even coming close to scoring a goal was pretty remarkable, so I'll give you that one.

Fair enough. I only listed the three big ones. The 65 match against Milan was considered the greatest night until the Barcelona meltdown.

 

[Mmm-Qatarian]

That Ole was completely shite as our manager.

Don't get me wrong, that last half-season was horrific, but aside from that his tenure was basically as impressive as any of our other managers post-Ferguson.

I will hold my hands up and admit I was one of his biggest critics, and I still believe he's very limited as a manager, but with hindsight I think the reputation for being a bit of a joke that he's earned is really unfair.

 

[DJ Jeff]

That Ole was completely shite as our manager.

Don't get me wrong, that last half-season was horrific, but aside from that his tenure was basically as impressive as any of our other managers post-Ferguson.

I will hold my hands up and admit I was one of his biggest critics, and I still believe he's very limited as a manager, but with hindsight I think the reputation for being a bit of a joke that he's earned is really unfair.

Ole post lockdown was the best time we've had since Fergie and I really can't think of a suitable contender to that title.