The Batman Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17064905 I always remember QPR having one of these, Preston, Oldham and Luton were the others according to the article. did not know that Quite common in Europe by all accounts. Is it worth it?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynriley Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I'm sure FIFA would love it , because it would eliminate tackling from the game. Remember watching games in the past on those pitches you mentioned , just like 5 a side games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laner Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 From a financial point of view, I can understand why some lower league teams would like the idea but .... no thanks! OK it's still kicking a ball around... but it's not proper football. Even with the advances in 'fake' grass these days it's still not the same. Maybe make it a rule that when a club reaches a certain level in the league system all pitches must be grass in the same way they have to meet other 'standards' for facilities? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Casual Connoisseur Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Not a bad idea for the sweaties and clubs up north, couldn't imagine us ever needing one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Red Hat Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 If the technology hasn't improved enormously then I hope the don't re-appear. They spoilt the game as much as a pitch like the Gas have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slartibartfast Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 The Preston one was like watching basket ball, horrible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I'm sure FIFA would love it , because it would eliminate tackling from the game. Remember watching games in the past on those pitches you mentioned , just like 5 a side games. They have one at Lorient a French 1st division club, I have to say it is fantastic, there is no exaggerated bounce, I have never seen even any goalkeepers wearing track bottoms and there is certainly a lot of slide tackles. To be honest I didn't realise at first and even on close inspection I couldn't really tell, but I spoke to one of the officials at the club and he let me have a real close look. There is a sandy earth in-between the artificial blades, it is perfect even to the effect that after a slide tackle the kit does show signs of a muddy type mark, a lot of clubs over here have these pitches and I have never heard of any complaint from anybody. I would also suspect after the initial outlay the financial saving would end up paying for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Keynsham Town have one. It'll be interesting to see hat people think who've played on it. Widnes Vikings have one of the pitches and it means their youngsters and reserves get to play on it. What a more inspiring venue for a youngster, than getting to play at your teams ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 They have one at Lorient a French 1st division club, I have to say it is fantastic, there is no exaggerated bounce, I have never seen even any goalkeepers wearing track bottoms and there is certainly a lot of slide tackles. To be honest I didn't realise at first and even on close inspection I couldn't really tell, but I spoke to one of the officials at the club and he let me have a real close look. There is a sandy earth in-between the artificial blades, it is perfect even to the effect that after a slide tackle the kit does show signs of a muddy type mark, a lot of clubs over here have these pitches and I have never heard of any complaint from anybody. I would also suspect after the initial outlay the financial saving would end up paying for it. I have no concerns over artificial pitches, as long as every club has one. You didn't mention most other French teams that don't have a artificial pitch have a big disadvantage, and it is bought up nearly every time the away side turn up. Much like what happened at Qpr Luton Oldham et al. Maybe we should get one and get ourselves a early advantage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I have no concerns over artificial pitches, as long as every club has one. You didn't mention most other French teams that don't have a artificial pitch have a big disadvantage, and it is bought up nearly every time the away side turn up. Much like what happened at Qpr Luton Oldham et al. Maybe we should get one and get ourselves a early advantage i'm sorry cannot agree, technology has improved beyond belief and the surface is as near to real thing as is possible. The pitches you mention were over 20 years ago and were laid on concrete, the bounce was ridiculous and players would not attempt a slide tackle because of carpet burns in fact they were dangerous. I have watched a lot of football on the Lorient surface and the game is absolutely normal, there is absolutely no advantage whatsoever with these pitches, they play exactly the same as a normal grass pitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 i'm sorry cannot agree, technology has improved beyond belief and the surface is as near to real thing as is possible. The pitches you mention were over 20 years ago and were laid on concrete, the bounce was ridiculous and players would not attempt a slide tackle because of carpet burns in fact they were dangerous. I have watched a lot of football on the Lorient surface and the game is absolutely normal, there is absolutely no advantage whatsoever with these pitches, they play exactly the same as a normal grass pitches. not me saying it es, I am referring to what is written about lorient by opposition clubs media titbits. I'll bow to your knowledge though seeing you watch em play. Having played on a newer artificial myself, I can confirm they are a lot better than the 3rd degree burns surfaces of the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 not me saying it es, I am referring to what is written about lorient by opposition clubs media titbits. I'll bow to your knowledge though seeing you watch em play. Having played on a newer artificial myself, I can confirm they are a lot better than the 3rd degree burns surfaces of the past. Have you got a link for that mate, i'd be very interested to read this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Team In Keynsham Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 The Preston one was like watching basket ball, horrible! Was probably the only one of the 4 mentioned above that I saw a game at (PNE v Chesterfield some time in the early 90s): coincided with the John Beck route 1 game. Pretty awful to spend an evening, especially when coupled with a visit to a McDs seemingly war-torn Salford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Have you got a link for that mate, i'd be very interested to read this. http://betting.betfair.com/international-football/french-football/ligue-1-betting-lorients-plastic-fantastic-to-earn-260111.html http://www.psg.fr/en/article/003001/article/51212/Armand-Good-for-the-confidence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 http://betting.betfa...arn-260111.html http://www.psg.fr/en...-the-confidence Thanks for that, I wasn't aware. i'm really surprised, it's true that Lorient do play a very slick one touch passing game which is very much the trade mark of their coach Christian Gourcuff, but to be honest the playing properties of that pitch looks no different to before they laid it, they have always played the same style under Gourcuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Thanks for that, I wasn't aware. i'm really surprised, it's true that Lorient do play a very slick one touch passing game which is very much the trade mark of their coach Christian Gourcuff, but to be honest the playing properties of that pitch looks no different to before they laid it, they have always played the same style under Gourcuff. I think it is of benefit to the home team, no where near as much as it used to be. But even a slight advantage at the top level can make a difference. That is why it should be all or none concerning artificial pitches. Got to say I quite like the look and feel of these new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 I think it is of benefit to the home team, no where near as much as it used to be. But even a slight advantage at the top level can make a difference. That is why it should be all or none concerning artificial pitches. Got to say I quite like the look and feel of these new ones. All pitches are different as is this one, I think it's very minimal, they wear normal boots not specialist footwear like players had to on QPR's. As I said I didn't even realise it was artificial until the end of the game because it played so normally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRL Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 All pitches are different as is this one, I think it's very minimal, they wear normal boots not specialist footwear like players had to on QPR's. As I said I didn't even realise it was artificial until the end of the game because it played so normally. bet It's a helluva lot different if you tried to smoke it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmond Million's Bung Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 bet It's a helluva lot different if you tried to smoke it Yep and cows don't think much of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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