Sam "I'm a closet Mackem" Allardyce pointed out yesterday that the long throw is an important weapon these days. We've not had a long-throw specialist since Stevie Watson. I thought Distin made a huge difference to the penalty box action with his long, flat hoy-ins. Having such a great height to start with, the ball just homes in flat, like a French Exorcet. Nice to have this option available to us now. Brings anoth meaning to the word T0$$er$.

BTW - The Mackem long-thow specialist Burned @rse constantly fouled when he was throwing in the first half (too far away for me to notice in the 2nd half). Every time, his foot was over the line. This is something the linesmen seemed to forget about when they became referee's assistants. T0$$er$ (old definition).

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

Answers

Whatever happened to Robert's long throw? I recall he put in a massive one on his debut against Chelsea & hasn't done since. Was it a fluke? Not suggesting we should be lumping the ball into the box at every opportunity, but it's a nice option to have.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

Screach you CAN have 1 foot over the line as long as 1 foot is ON the line its fine , believe me after playing sunday league and reffing Ive got this one wrong a couple of times...

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

The law states the player must have part of each foot either on the touchline or on the ground behind it.

Mind, can you imagine the cry from the jungle if Glynnis Barber or his asst ref blew for those calls? The monkey-man nearly had a coronary when the throw-in went against them 2nd half!

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Make that 3 times :-)....

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Screacher, I imagine if Distin played a long hopeful hoof, you'd be praising it as a carefully waited downfield pass, whereas Bernt Haas would be a "filthy mackem chimp with no talent"...

ML³

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

should read weighted

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Wimbledon fans used to say that, ML, IE, that a long pass from Beckham would be a dreadful display of route one if was a Wimbledon player. He was right but the difference, of course, is whether it's all long passes or other things chucked into the blend. Watch Football Italia and you'll see any number of long balls. They just interperse it with other things.

Take my point?

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Teams should play to their strengths. If long throw-ins cause bother, then use it.

Nice to see you've stepped up to ML 'cubed', makem :-)

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

these ML's used to be so one-dimensional

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

Supermac had a huge throw. Anyone here remember him winning the "On The Ball" throw in competition when he was still playing for Luton? (footy coverage was a lot simpler in those days).

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

i was 'in the ball' then dave :-)

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

young wippersnappers! how, i'm still the right side of 40 (just)...

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002

I know what you mean Dave. I'm on the right side of 40 as well. That's right, innit Jonno, Clarky, Pit Bill, Buff.............???

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

That's right screach you are on the right side of 40, >40 means that you are greater than 40 correct?? I would say you were 40>Screacher<80 So when are you casting a shadow on me doorstep again??

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Well, bonnie lad, it so happens I depart Newcastle airport 12hrs after the @rse FAC match. Sadly, the connection at Heathrow is such that my onward flight to O'Hare only leaves 2hrs drinking time before I head for the Land of the Frozen Chosen (I know that's more than enough for you). Now, it also happens that I'll be that side of the pond over Easter and haven't made any plans as yet. But I hear California and Florida are a bit warmer than Chicago :)

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Well if nowt comes to yer plans for Cal or florida, BA has some homecookin if ye want, plus we're on TV, maybe you can find a way to get on?

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002