Annoying football clichés and what they mean

Mid this month, the axe fell on national football coach ‘Micho’ Milutin Sredojovic’s head. For some reason, folks in the football fraternity prefer to call the Serb “Micho”, although I have never known why. Anyway, the axe that fell on poor head came from none other than the national football governing body, RFA, which happened to be his boss. Apparently, Micho’s sacking came about following a not-so-impressive sequence of results from his charges, the Amavubi Stars. Ever since that event, the town has been abuzz with talk relating to the sacking. Because it is a hot topic, the topic is to be found being discussed everywhere. While I have heard the discussions about Micho being held in plain English, it is another ball game altogether when football fans converge to discuss the beautiful game. When they do so, they do it in a language that is totally alien to the rest of us who are not as gifted in analyzing the game. Footballers, managers, coaches, commentators, fans … all seem to love using clichés. And now that the 2012-13 English Premier League season is under way, I dare you to listen and you will be shocked at how many times you hear any of the below listed clichés. It’s a game of two halves Of course, of course! I suppose three halves wouldn’t work, would it? That was a great cross, it’s just a pity no one was there/ He did everything right except for the finish So what was so good about the cross and isn’t the finish the whole point in a game of football? 2-0 is always a dangerous lead Why? . . . isn’t 2-0 still one goal better than leading 1-0? He gave 110% /he worked his socks off I’m thinking they must be basing it on a 200% scale, which means he’s still got another 90% left to give. I’ve yet to see any player leave the field sockless! Bad time to concede Tell me the best time to concede a goal? A goal is a goal! Take it one game at a time Unless the footballing authorities allow more than two teams on the same field to play at the same time, I don’t think this needs to be stated. There are no easy games at this level Obviously, is we’re talking the English Premiership or Spanish La Liga or whatever other prestigious league we’re supporting, then it’s obvious we’re talking professional sports here. And nothing pro comes easy!