Ball boys

[Bozza]

It's obviously passed me by.

In short, snappy sentences - why have we only only won the division and championship of the world due to ball boy shenanigans? Why do those chaps from along the coast think that?

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Christ. Where did they say/think that? Twitter?

 

[kevo]

Christ. Where did they say/think that? Twitter?

Adkins said it in the video interview on Thursday. Apparently "everyone knows" about our ball boys and how they give us some massive advantage at Withdean. Bizarre.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Christ. Where did they say/think that? Twitter?

It was excuse number 431 as to why we won the league and Southampton didn't

 

[BadFish]

perhaps then run on the pitch when no one is looking and say mean things to the opposition to put them off.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I heard him say that in the interview too and watched our ball boys closely yesterday. They certainly got the ball back to our players quicker than they did for Southampton. To the point at the end where their keeper let rip at the lad behind the goal towards the end of the second half. However, at this point we were 2-1 down and the ball boys NEEDED to get the ball to the keeper to get on with the game but he didn't. I think the keeper was making that point that this "plan" was now backfiring. And clearly the ball boy didn't have the authority to change the plan.

Having watched this it did seem that we do get the ball back to the oppo more slowly and also that we arn't able to change this plan when we are behind. But then again, I expect most teams do this.

 

[trueblue]

I think you'll find that yesterday the problem was exaggerated as a response to Adkins' comments. It's not been like that in front of me this season - they get the ball back the same for both sides. Annoyingly quickly sometimes.

 

[klaaturberada]

I don't know if it has been happening all season or not, but Adkins said it to draw attention to it just before the game. It is the sort of thing I would expect any savvy manager to do really. Then I witnessed it first hand during the game. Fair play if it gives you a home advantage - there is nothing in the rules against it. My only concern is that it puts a fair amount of stress and pressure on the lads. I don't think youngsters should be put in a position where they get abused by fans (or players) for doing what they are told....and then get stick if it backfires.

 

[The_Viper]

Could try the Everton way, I think it was Everton anyway, on Soccer AM a few years ago, they go multi ball, but when they go 1-0 up, they go to single ball. Quite cheeky, and funny when I watched it.

 

[The Ringleader Returns!]

I know both the main ballboys behind the goal.

One's a c*nt and the other is very nice.

 

[Exiled in Exeter]

Andy Crosby seemed to have a running battle with the fourth official over whether Saints could have their own ball and keep it in the away dug out.

 

[Wilka]

Football team in time wasting SHOCK when winning.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Kelvin Davis insisted on mooching around collecting the ball himself despite the ball boy providing him with one. Nobber

 

[Safeway]

We had all this the last time we won this division, just another lame excuse from bitter opponents.

That said, doesn't the ref have the power to stop multiball?

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

What was that game at Withdean when the goalie kept a spare football under his shirt while the match was in play?

 

[magoo]

When we are winning the ball boys behind the goals are told to place the ball for the keeper directly behind the goal in the middle

 

[hypochondriac]

If that's what you want to do then fair enough. It's not something I particularly like in football in general but it's within the rules, although some may say it is against the spirit of the game.

 

[Saint_considerably_richer]

Typical time wasting BHA F.C. Even tried it at SMS

 

[hypochondriac]

Typical time wasting BHA F.C. Even tried it at SMS

See then you ruin it for saints fans everywhere with idiotic comments. It's not something I particularly like to see, but it's within the rules of the game.

 

[Saint_considerably_richer]

2 games v Brighton, time wasting tactics in both. Sorry if i have ruined it for all of man kind by pointing that out