Football Shout-out: The Opposition
Football Shout-out: The Opposition
Welcome to Football Shout-out from Premier Skills English, where we talk about the language you need when watching a match. Whether you are a super fan or an armchair supporter you won't be able to avoid football on TV this summer. In Football Shout-out, Jack and Rich present useful language to shout at the TV screen when watching a match with or without friends! In this episode, they look at some words and phrases to talk about the other team (the opposition).
Transcript
Jack: Hello and welcome to Premier Skills English - Football Shout-out
Rich: Football shout-out is the series that teaches you the language you need when you’re watching the game.
Jack: Hi everybody my name’s Jack
Rich: and my name’s Rich and welcome to lesson three of Football Shout-out where we talk about the English you need when you’re watching football.
Jack: If you listened to our last lesson, you will remember this:
Rich: Referee! That’s gotta be a pen! It’s a definite penalty!
Jack: A penalty? He never touched him! That’s a dive!
Rich: What’s the ref doing?
Jack: It’s going to VAR. Now we’ll see.
Rich: He’s gotta to go! That’s gotta be a red. You can’t fly into a tackle like that. Studs up two-footed … horrible
Jack: What are you talking about? He got the ball. It was a fifty-fifty challenge - hard but fair! He went down way too easily!
Rich: What’s the ref given? It’s a penalty! Get in!
Jack: Our last lesson was all about the language of fouls and what fans say when a player is fouled. If you haven’t heard the lesson, there is a link on the side of this page for you to go back and listen and learn lots of fan language connected to fouls.
Rich: This lesson, though, is all about … say it quietly … the other side.
Jack: What? Speak up a bit!
Rich: The other side … the opposition.
Jack: Ahh! The opposition.
Rich: Yes, that’s right. Fans always speak about the other team before and during a game, and as always, what you say depends on who you are playing.
Jack: Listen to this.
Rich: We’re going to beat this lot today. They’re just going to park the bus. Play with eleven behind the ball.
Jack: I’m not so sure. They’re pretty solid at the back and quick on the counter-attack. Lots of people have been saying they could go quite far in the tournament. They’re a bit of a dark horse.
Rich: Nah! It’ll be attack against defence, like a training match. They play nice football but there’s no end product.
Jack: Mmm .. I hope you’re right, but we need to keep an eye on their number nine. He’s pretty quick.
Rich: Mmm … he’s alright but they haven’t got anyone else. We should turn them over easily.
Jack: We’ll see.
Rich: Talking about the opposition can be tricky. We usually don’t use team name’s we say ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ when talking about the team we support and ‘they’ ‘them’ and ‘their’ when talking about the opposition.
Jack: In the conversation, you heard they’re solid at the back and we need to keep an eye on their number nine.
Rich: I also referred to the other team as this lot. I said we’re going to beat this lot today. This is probably a sign of being overconfident and the other team is not very important.
Jack: Rich shows this overconfidence when he uses ‘just’. He says the other team are going to just park the bus. They are not going to do anything else.
Rich: Being confident or nervous about winning the match is definitely an important factor when speaking about the opposition.
Jack: In the conversation, I’m worried about the opposition, but Rich is confident about winning.
Rich: Jack says good things about the other team because he’s worried. He says they’re solid at the back which means they are good in defence and we have to keep an eye on their number nine which means our team has to watch the other team’s number nine carefully because he’s a good player.
Jack: Rich says thing like they will just park the bus which means the other team will only defend. He also says they play nice football, but there is no end product. This means that they pass the ball well in the middle of the park but can’t score goals.
Rich: I also said that their number nine is OK, but they haven’t got anyone else. This phrase - they haven’t got anyone else means I think that the other team haven’t got any other good players.
Jack: It’s very common to hear people saying they haven’t got anyone in attack or in midfield. Of course, they do, but it means that you don’t think they have any good players in that area of the pitch.
Rich: We’ll look at these phrases and a few more in the lesson which you can find below this podcast.
Rich: Listen again. Do you understand everything now?
Rich: We’re going to beat this lot today. They’re just going to park the bus. Play with eleven behind the ball.
Jack: I’m not so sure. They’re pretty solid at the back and quick on the counter-attack. Lots of people have been saying they could go quite far in the tournament. They’re a bit of a dark horse.
Rich: Nah! It’ll be attack against defence, like a training match. They play nice football but there’s no end product.
Jack: Mmm .. I hope you’re right, but we need to keep an eye on their number nine. He’s pretty quick.
Rich: Mmm … he’s alright but they haven’t got anyone else. We should turn them over easily.
Jack: We’ll see.
Jack: So, that’s how you talk about the opposition in English.
Rich: We’ve got some activities to help you remember the phrases that we’ve been speaking about in the lesson below this podcast.
Jack: We’ll be back soon with our next football English lesson, which will be about what we shout at our players and manager when watching a match.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Pronouns
The language you need to talk about the opposition
The first thing to remember is that when we are talking about the opposition while watching a game we rarely use the team names. Look at these examples from the listening:
We should turn them over easily.
They're pretty solid at the back.
We need to keep an eye on their number nine.
We're going to beat this lot today.
When we are talking about a match we use pronouns. When we talk about our team we use 'we', 'us' and 'our', but when we talk about the other team we use 'they', 'them' and 'our'. It's definitely 'us against them' when it comes to talking about the opposition. One other phrase you can see above is 'this lot' which means 'the opposition' and is used in an informal way.
Language
Words and phrases
In the listening, Rich and Jack said that one important factor is whether you are confident or not about winning a match. The split the language into two categories:
- Confident about winning
- Worried about losing
Confident about winning
When you are confident about winning a match, you will probably use words and expressions that show this. Rich used these examples:
They're just going to park the bus.
They play nice football but there's no end product.
He's alright but they haven't got anyone else.
These expressions show that Rich is confident because he doesn't think the opposition is very good. To park the bus means to defend a lot and not attack, no end product means they can't score goals or create chances and haven't got anyone else is an expression we use to say the opposition has one good player but no more. Look at the sentences below can you fill in the gaps?
What other phrases did you hear that describe the opposition when you're confident about winning?
Worried about losing
When you are worried about losing a match, you will probably use words and expressions that show this. Jack used these examples:
They're pretty solid at the back and quick on the counter-attack.
Some people have said they could go quite far. They're a bit of a dark horse.
We need to keep an eye on their number nine.
These expressions show that Jack is worried about the opposition. In the first example, he talks about the opposition's quality 'solid at the back' means good in defence while 'quick on the counter-attack' emphasises that the opposition can move quickly from defensive to attacking positions. In the second example, he talks about what other people have been saying, 'to be a dark horse' is an idiom to describe a team that is better than what people think and could surprise a lot of people. Finally, Jack talks about an individual player. He says 'we need to keep an eye on their number nine; this means to watch this player carefully because he's good.
Did you hear any similar examples? Can you think of more? Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Task
The Opposition
Do you understand all of the phrases below? Choose two or three of the phrases and write a mini-dialogue. Remember to use the right pronouns in your dialogues!
- Park the bus.
- A dark horse.
- No end product.
- Solid at the back.
- They haven't got anyone in ...
Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
What do you think?
- Were any of these phrases new for you?
- Are you normally confident or worried at the start of a match?
- Can you tell us any other phrases connected to the opposition?
Write your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to write your answers to the task above.
Leave a comment
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Comentários
15/07/2018
points
All of these phrases were new for me, I didn't know about these phares that are usually used to shout in match.
15/07/2018 23:04
Chelsea
612
All of these phrases were new for me, I didn't know about these phares that are usually used to shout in match.
15/07/2018
points
all of these are new for me.
I worried.
No, I cann't
15/07/2018 22:54
Manchester United
226
all of these are new for me.
I worried.
No, I cann't
15/07/2018
points
Yes, they were.
I'm worried.
No, I can't. I don't know more phrases.
15/07/2018 21:31
Manchester United
590
Yes, they were.
I'm worried.
No, I can't. I don't know more phrases.
15/07/2018
points
1. yes, some phrases from there are brand new for me
2. worried usually
3. i dont know
15/07/2018 19:14
Everton
288
1. yes, some phrases from there are brand new for me
2. worried usually
3. i dont know
15/07/2018
points
All the phrases were new for me
I am always worried
I cannot
15/07/2018 04:58
Chelsea
303
All the phrases were new for me
I am always worried
I cannot
15/07/2018
points
The most of the phrases were new for me.
15/07/2018 04:57
Manchester United
828
The most of the phrases were new for me.
13/07/2018
points
-All phrases are new for me .
-I don't know any phrases .
13/07/2018 07:21
Manchester United
354
-All phrases are new for me .
-I don't know any phrases .
13/07/2018
points
All that phrases were new for me. Well, i think that i am normally confident at the star of the match.
13/07/2018 02:42
Chelsea
554
All that phrases were new for me. Well, i think that i am normally confident at the star of the match.
13/07/2018
points
i found many new worlds.
yes, I have.
i don`t remember this moment.
13/07/2018 01:25
Chelsea
515
i found many new worlds.
yes, I have.
i don`t remember this moment.
12/07/2018
points
All of the phrases were new to me.
Normally I just to be confident.
12/07/2018 23:34
Crystal Palace
692
All of the phrases were new to me.
Normally I just to be confident.
12/07/2018
points
If some were new to me
I am not worried at the beginning of
a match
No,I can't
12/07/2018 14:09
Swansea City
616
If some were new to me
I am not worried at the beginning of
a match
No,I can't
12/07/2018
points
yes because I do not know much about football and the vast majority of phrases are new to me.
12/07/2018 00:09
Manchester United
646
yes because I do not know much about football and the vast majority of phrases are new to me.
09/07/2018
points
Usually I like to be confident at the start of the match.But there is exepction when Serbia national team play.In that situation I am very worried at the start of a match.We are solid at the back but our attack isn t that good.As you can see we scored only two goals at world cup,and one of the goal is scored by defense player Kolarov.I love to watch a team that always trying to score more goals than his opponent.This mean that team also must have solid defense,and a lot player in the middefild who knows how to create a chance for a goal.Players in the attack must be patient and score a goals when there is chance.
09/07/2018 08:54
Manchester United
2663
Usually I like to be confident at the start of the match.But there is exepction when Serbia national team play.In that situation I am very worried at the start of a match.We are solid at the back but our attack isn t that good.As you can see we scored only two goals at world cup,and one of the goal is scored by defense player Kolarov.I love to watch a team that always trying to score more goals than his opponent.This mean that team also must have solid defense,and a lot player in the middefild who knows how to create a chance for a goal.Players in the attack must be patient and score a goals when there is chance.
08/07/2018
points
yes, all phrases are new for me
it's depend
I do't know
08/07/2018 21:55
Manchester United
466
yes, all phrases are new for me
it's depend
I do't know
06/07/2018
points
Yes, all these phrases were new for me. I liked to learn it.
06/07/2018 05:46
Manchester United
501
Yes, all these phrases were new for me. I liked to learn it.
05/07/2018
points
1.- Yes, they were.
2.-That depends what teams are playing.
3.-No, i can’t.
05/07/2018 15:12
Manchester United
462
1.- Yes, they were.
2.-That depends what teams are playing.
3.-No, i can’t.
04/07/2018
points
1. Yes, they were
2. It depends of the opposition
3. No, I can't
04/07/2018 18:16
Manchester City
261
1. Yes, they were
2. It depends of the opposition
3. No, I can't
03/07/2018
points
All the phrases are new for me
03/07/2018 12:24
Manchester City
702
All the phrases are new for me
01/07/2018
points
Yes, these phrases were new for me.
Yes, I am worried when start of a match.
I do not know any phrase, sorry.
01/07/2018 01:52
Chelsea
672
Yes, these phrases were new for me.
Yes, I am worried when start of a match.
I do not know any phrase, sorry.
29/06/2018
points
All these phrases were new to me, and the truth is not a phrase that can be used in this case.
Normally I feel worried.
29/06/2018 07:10
Manchester United
451
All these phrases were new to me, and the truth is not a phrase that can be used in this case.
Normally I feel worried.
29/06/2018
points
All these phrases were new to me, and the truth is not a phrase that can be used in this case.
Normally I feel worried because I do not know if my team is going to give the best on the court
29/06/2018 00:57
Manchester United
501
All these phrases were new to me, and the truth is not a phrase that can be used in this case.
Normally I feel worried because I do not know if my team is going to give the best on the court
27/06/2018
points
All of this phrases were new for me!
Normally I feel confident at the start of a match, because my team is doing incredibly.
27/06/2018 01:01
AFC Bournemouth
578
All of this phrases were new for me!
Normally I feel confident at the start of a match, because my team is doing incredibly.
26/06/2018
points
Already passed this course.
26/06/2018 11:30
Manchester City
3988
Already passed this course.
23/06/2018
points
We are going to turn them over easily. We are going to park the bus. They are solid at the back but there is no end product.
23/06/2018 17:41
Manchester City
10
We are going to turn them over easily. We are going to park the bus. They are solid at the back but there is no end product.
24/06/2018
points
Croatia is brilliant and so is Iceland because setting a tie up 1-1 against Argentina in your first World Cup [Iceland] and three-nil [Croatia] has gotta be hard.
24/06/2018 11:05
Chelsea
107
Croatia is brilliant and so is Iceland because setting a tie up 1-1 against Argentina in your first World Cup [Iceland] and three-nil [Croatia] has gotta be hard.
22/06/2018
points
Look! They just parked the bus.
I see. And they haven't got anyone in the midfield. We are solid at the back and they won't turn us over.
22/06/2018 02:06
Liverpool
608
Look! They just parked the bus.
I see. And they haven't got anyone in the midfield. We are solid at the back and they won't turn us over.
07/06/2018
points
bus solid dark product number nine PULL
07/06/2018 14:19
Manchester United
11
bus solid dark product number nine PULL
07/06/2018
points
BUS SOLID DARK PRODUCT NUMBER NINE(WHOAH NUMBER NINE IS A ORIGINAL) AND PULL
07/06/2018 14:14
Manchester United
11
BUS SOLID DARK PRODUCT NUMBER NINE(WHOAH NUMBER NINE IS A ORIGINAL) AND PULL
06/06/2018
points
Bus
Solid
Dark
Product
Number nine
Pull
06/06/2018 15:08
Manchester United
9
Bus
Solid
Dark
Product
Number nine
Pull
31/05/2018
points
There are days that am worried about my team's opponents due to the fear I have for the players paraded by the opponent. For example, in a Manchester Derby am most often worried at the start of the game due to the caliber of City's players.
31/05/2018 06:54
Manchester United
4768
There are days that am worried about my team's opponents due to the fear I have for the players paraded by the opponent. For example, in a Manchester Derby am most often worried at the start of the game due to the caliber of City's players.
30/05/2018
points
A few days ago, the final of the Champions League was played. It was such a strange match. We were worried because they were solid at the back and had got good players in the attack. So we expected a strong opposition, but finally... and this was incredible... we had got an unexpected ally in goal. Bad luck, Liverpool!
Is it all OK? ;-)
30/05/2018 21:01
Chelsea
1646
A few days ago, the final of the Champions League was played. It was such a strange match. We were worried because they were solid at the back and had got good players in the attack. So we expected a strong opposition, but finally... and this was incredible... we had got an unexpected ally in goal. Bad luck, Liverpool!
Is it all OK? ;-)
30/05/2018
points
I am always happy at the beginning of the match. I like watching football and do not wonder which team will win at the end.
We will pray God against the opposition team.
30/05/2018 18:16
Manchester City
3988
I am always happy at the beginning of the match. I like watching football and do not wonder which team will win at the end.
We will pray God against the opposition team.
30/05/2018
points
Thank you.
30/05/2018 15:04
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1084
Thank you.
29/05/2018
points
Correct me
Yes, but I already know ''park the bus'' and ''a dark horse'' before.
At the start of a match, I usually worried because my team is very weak, only win 2 matches this year.
29/05/2018 15:08
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1084
Correct me
Yes, but I already know ''park the bus'' and ''a dark horse'' before.
At the start of a match, I usually worried because my team is very weak, only win 2 matches this year.
30/05/2018
points
Hi Anhduongspurs,
Thanks for your message. The important thing here is how you are using 'worried'. Is it a verb or an adjective? If it's an adjective you need to say I AM usually worried and if it's a verb you need to say I usually WORRY following the adverb of frequency 'usually'.
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
30/05/2018 08:04
Liverpool
594
Hi Anhduongspurs,
Thanks for your message. The important thing here is how you are using 'worried'. Is it a verb or an adjective? If it's an adjective you need to say I AM usually worried and if it's a verb you need to say I usually WORRY following the adverb of frequency 'usually'.
Hope that helps!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team