OK you disagree with carrabuh, who doesn't mince his words. He breaks no board rules by saying what he thinks and what he thinks is often pertinent. Isn't that what forums are about? His views deserve a reasoned response, not cries of "Ban him!" or sarcastic dismissal. Don't modern-day students get taught about avoiding argumentum ad hominem? Witty banter is always welcome if it packs a punch, i.e. it is a witty way of putting a reasoned counter argument.
Nobody has asked for him to be banned robbie. We don't want to lose posters from this board, so if a poster doesn't like what another poster posts, then the best option is to use the 'ignore' function. Simple as that.
Robbie, everyone is entitled to an opinion, equally anyone is entitled to call a stupid post stupid! What you have to realise is some of us have known carrabuh for a very long time, this is one of his more common traits, posting something "controversial" just to get a response!
Not being versed in the technical vocabulary, I interpreted "block" as "ban"! I've no problem with people using the "ignore" setting, though it seems to me it's designed for WUMs, not posters who you disagree with. To me, using it for that purpose smacks of closing your mind not clearing your screen.
Dave, I've known carrabuh for a long time too, and frequently argued with him on 12yards, especially in the League 1 days. Like surgeryman (who also took a completely uncalled for dig from gandy), I've learned to cut through the carrabuh hyperbole and address what he is actually saying.
As I have said before, opinions are like arseholes, everybody's got one! I think, however that you are mistaking hyperbole for deliberate provocation!
Amen brother! Totally agree that this is what the forum is all about, and whilst I have also disagreed with a lot of what Carrabuh has piped on about for many seasons now, I thoroughly enjoy reading his posts and getting into a debate with him as much as, if not more than anyone. This forum would be a lot worse a place without people like him and if we all agreed with everything then it would be a pretty ****ing boring setup! I get stuck in as much as the next man and have always loved the banter and debates we have on here. Yeah, sometimes I might get a bit frustrated with things I read that to me are so totally and utterly wrong, but I've learnt to appreciate that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, rightly or wrongly, and as long as things don't start getting personal - which they very, very rarely do - then it's all fair game
Anything wrong with being deliberately provocative? Carrabuh isn't trying to provoke anything more dangerous than a reasoned defence of England's mediocrity -- if such is possible. As you know dave, what gets my goat is people attacking a poster instead of the content of his/her post. That's all.
For someone who likes to prefer the contrary argument why do you want England to play like everyone else? What is wrong with going long. Its the quickest way to get the ball from one place to another. Some of the greatest midfield players signature was their ability to hit 50 yard balls to strikers eg Carlton, Gerson, Netzer even Hoddle. I don't advocate hoof ball but if there is a striker in space, why not get it to him quickly. The problem is England don't have anyone with enough skill to do that. Give me fast attacking football with wingers any day over the admittedly successful but utterly boring Barcelona style. Yes I'm a dinosaur. But the did once rule the planet.
All I have to say on the matter is this, I love Norwich City, I have always loved them no matter what problems they've faced, nor which division they're in, they are my team and I will support them no matter what! I am an Englishman and proud of it, as such I find another Englishman belittling my national team to be extremely offensive! That is all!
"Patriotism" is a perfectly valid response to carrabuh's question as to why people "bitch and moan yet still support [England]" and why people don't refuse to buy match tickets or watch the match on tv. What needs to happen for England to become serious contenders to win the World Cup or Euros is another question altogether. On that issue I agree with carrabuh. We will not do it playing "the British way"; that leads only to at best glorious failure, and at worst inglorious failure. What I'd like to ask carrabuh is, given that we are in the competition, what team would he like to see us field. Are there ten outfield players, of whatever age (i.e. old hands, under-21s, under-19s even) available to play who are remotely capable of playing the way he wants, irrespective of results? If the answer is No! and there won't be in the foreseeable future, what else can be expected of fans other than resigned patriotism?
Morning all. Would just like to say I'm happy to take Robbie's points on the chin. 'Attack the post not the poster' is an excellent mantra, and one I'm happy to adhere to in future, so apologies to carrabuh, and especially surgeryman for breaking that in my post. I am indeed fiercely patriotic, and was rather incensed by the post, I mean - vile? I'm not saying there couldn't be any improvements in the team, but get a grip for heaven's sake! Anyway I shall put him on ignore (he won't give a toss of course, so no harm done) not because I don't think people are entitled to their opinions - of course they are, and that makes this board an excellent place to spend some time. No, simply because I no longer want to hear what he has to say. My option I think, and one which affects nobody else. I sincerely have no desire to cause any bad feeling on here. Other people enjoy his posts it seems, and if that's the case, long may they continue.
Well said gandy, I must confess, when you didn't respond to my PM, I was afraid that we had lost you, as far as I'm concerned you are far to valuable poster for us to lose!
