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
Log in to leave a comment
Comments
25/06/2020
points
Many of them new for me. I generally watch the first 15 minutes of the match. it gives me an opinion about result. When opposition play slowly we say "They are on vacation"
25/06/2020 17:59
Tottenham Hotspur
5558
Many of them new for me. I generally watch the first 15 minutes of the match. it gives me an opinion about result. When opposition play slowly we say "They are on vacation"
16/03/2019
points
The Task
The conversation below is about Lucy, a Man U fan,and Luck, a Cardiff diehard fan.They are talking about the upcoming FA match between their teams.
Luck: Today is our day. We're going to win again. My team is solid and can attack. We're on a six-match winning streak.
Lucy: Mmm. We're going into this match as dark house.But, don't forget we've been upsetting big guns in the Primier League.We need to score one goal and park the bus.
Luck: We'll embarrass you today.
16/03/2019 07:35
Chelsea
1749
The Task
The conversation below is about Lucy, a Man U fan,and Luck, a Cardiff diehard fan.They are talking about the upcoming FA match between their teams.
Luck: Today is our day. We're going to win again. My team is solid and can attack. We're on a six-match winning streak.
Lucy: Mmm. We're going into this match as dark house.But, don't forget we've been upsetting big guns in the Primier League.We need to score one goal and park the bus.
Luck: We'll embarrass you today.
05/10/2018
points
Interesting
05/10/2018 15:02
Manchester United
823
Interesting
03/09/2018
points
1. Most of them are new to me.
2. I usually feel nervous and worried depending on the team.
3. I really can´t think of any other.
03/09/2018 02:32
Tottenham Hotspur
256
1. Most of them are new to me.
2. I usually feel nervous and worried depending on the team.
3. I really can´t think of any other.
01/09/2018
points
Most are new to me.
I'm usually nervous before a game
01/09/2018 05:48
Arsenal
534
Most are new to me.
I'm usually nervous before a game
16/08/2018
points
1.yes, there are many phrases.
2. I feel worried at start a match
3. yesss. get in oh no¡ this a pen! fifty fifty.
Task
dialogue
come on! oh no this is a pen
No end product.
make a gol its Solid at the back.
16/08/2018 19:31
Manchester United
561
1.yes, there are many phrases.
2. I feel worried at start a match
3. yesss. get in oh no¡ this a pen! fifty fifty.
Task
dialogue
come on! oh no this is a pen
No end product.
make a gol its Solid at the back.
11/08/2018
points
-Yes, the majority are new phrases for me
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-No, I would not know another phrase.
- I have not heard any other phrase.
11/08/2018 00:42
Manchester United
672
-Yes, the majority are new phrases for me
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-No, I would not know another phrase.
- I have not heard any other phrase.
10/08/2018
points
Yes, the majority did not have knowledge.
sure because my selection will win.
No, I can not think of any.
10/08/2018 22:32
Arsenal
644
Yes, the majority did not have knowledge.
sure because my selection will win.
No, I can not think of any.
10/08/2018
points
Yes, much of them ate new for me.
I usually feel very safe at the beginning
I do not have any in mind
10/08/2018 20:56
Manchester United
481
Yes, much of them ate new for me.
I usually feel very safe at the beginning
I do not have any in mind
10/08/2018
points
1. Yes, some of the phrases were new to me.
2. I usually feel confident and nervous at the same time.
3. The opposition formed a line in the box to try and block Messi from scoring.
10/08/2018 02:36
Liverpool
695
1. Yes, some of the phrases were new to me.
2. I usually feel confident and nervous at the same time.
3. The opposition formed a line in the box to try and block Messi from scoring.
10/08/2018
points
excellent test
10/08/2018 01:03
Manchester City
513
excellent test
09/08/2018
points
1) No, there were no new phrases for me.
2) I don't usually watch football.
3) I don't know any other.
09/08/2018 02:51
Newcastle United
462
1) No, there were no new phrases for me.
2) I don't usually watch football.
3) I don't know any other.
09/08/2018
points
Several words with new ones for me.
Normally if I get nervous before a game but it also depends on the opponent and whoever it is not to underestimate the opponent.
Good Test!
09/08/2018 02:41
Manchester United
512
Several words with new ones for me.
Normally if I get nervous before a game but it also depends on the opponent and whoever it is not to underestimate the opponent.
Good Test!
09/08/2018
points
good test
09/08/2018 01:52
Chelsea
310
good test
08/08/2018
points
What do you think?
-Yes, the vast majority are new phrases for me.
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-You can use against when you do not agree with something.
COMMENT
Good information.
08/08/2018 02:34
Liverpool
471
What do you think?
-Yes, the vast majority are new phrases for me.
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-You can use against when you do not agree with something.
COMMENT
Good information.
07/08/2018
points
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
-Yes, the vast majority are new phrases for me
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-No, I would not know another phrase.
LANGUAJE:
- I have not heard any other phrase.
07/08/2018 23:44
Manchester United
796
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
-Yes, the vast majority are new phrases for me
-I worry a bit, but I breathe and try to relax and concentrate.
-No, I would not know another phrase.
LANGUAJE:
- I have not heard any other phrase.
07/08/2018
points
1. Most of them are new to me.
2. I usually feel nervous and worried depending on the team.
3. I really can´t think of any other.
07/08/2018 23:43
Liverpool
754
1. Most of them are new to me.
2. I usually feel nervous and worried depending on the team.
3. I really can´t think of any other.
07/08/2018
points
Yes, several of those phrases were new to me
Yes usually. He believed that they are the tools to know if he is going to win the team he supports
I would not know
07/08/2018 22:27
Liverpool
43
Yes, several of those phrases were new to me
Yes usually. He believed that they are the tools to know if he is going to win the team he supports
I would not know
07/08/2018
points
Yes, all the sentences were new to me.
I almost never see soccer matches and when I watched them I do not get very excited so I'm always confident when a match stars.
No, because I do not know any other phrase connected to the opponents.
07/08/2018 19:37
Manchester United
768
Yes, all the sentences were new to me.
I almost never see soccer matches and when I watched them I do not get very excited so I'm always confident when a match stars.
No, because I do not know any other phrase connected to the opponents.
07/08/2018
points
good test
07/08/2018 04:31
Manchester City
268
good test
07/08/2018
points
great quiz!
07/08/2018 04:24
Manchester United
127
great quiz!
07/08/2018
points
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018 03:13
Manchester United
352
There were a few words new for me
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 02:14
Arsenal
375
good quiz
07/08/2018
points
All these phrases are new to me.
07/08/2018 01:46
Manchester City
189
All these phrases are new to me.
07/08/2018
points
All of them are new for me.
I am normally worried at the star of a match.
you can use against when you do not agree with something.
07/08/2018 01:28
Manchester City
619
All of them are new for me.
I am normally worried at the star of a match.
you can use against when you do not agree with something.
07/08/2018
points
super interesting the test
07/08/2018 01:17
Manchester City
348
super interesting the test
07/08/2018
points
good quiz
07/08/2018 00:42
Chelsea
442
good quiz
06/08/2018
points
good quiz
06/08/2018 23:43
Arsenal
636
good quiz
06/08/2018
points
I did know most of the phrases in this lesson.
I'm usually worried before a match depends on the competition
06/08/2018 23:26
Chelsea
778
I did know most of the phrases in this lesson.
I'm usually worried before a match depends on the competition
06/08/2018
points
Hello people
06/08/2018 23:16
Arsenal
533
Hello people
06/08/2018
points
These phrases are new to me and I do not know anymore.
06/08/2018 18:55
Stoke City
741
These phrases are new to me and I do not know anymore.
06/08/2018
points
good quiz
06/08/2018 02:24
Manchester United
567
good quiz
06/08/2018
points
Excellent quiz
06/08/2018 01:34
Chelsea
362
Excellent quiz
05/08/2018
points
Yes, almost all are new to me. Yes, sometimes. I do not know what another phrase to say.
05/08/2018 22:42
Manchester United
732
Yes, almost all are new to me. Yes, sometimes. I do not know what another phrase to say.
05/08/2018
points
I learned a lot this section and it was very interesting
05/08/2018 22:19
Manchester City
641
I learned a lot this section and it was very interesting
05/08/2018
points
Yes, most of the sentences are new to me. At the beginning of a game I am fairly calm and confident.
05/08/2018 18:26
Liverpool
570
Yes, most of the sentences are new to me. At the beginning of a game I am fairly calm and confident.
05/08/2018
points
some phrases are new to me.
At the start of each game there is an adrenaline rush to know who will win.
05/08/2018 17:47
Arsenal
732
some phrases are new to me.
At the start of each game there is an adrenaline rush to know who will win.
05/08/2018
points
all these phrases are new to me
05/08/2018 17:30
Manchester United
725
all these phrases are new to me
05/08/2018
points
Good quiz
05/08/2018 06:21
Manchester City
343
Good quiz
05/08/2018
points
All these phrases are new to me.
05/08/2018 03:44
Chelsea
430
All these phrases are new to me.
05/08/2018
points
LANGUAGE:
- I have not heard any other phrase.
TASK:
- Yes, I understood all of the phrases.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?:
- Yes, most of the sentences are new to me.
- I'm usually worried at the start of a match.
- No, I don't know any other phrases.
05/08/2018 00:07
Liverpool
829
LANGUAGE:
- I have not heard any other phrase.
TASK:
- Yes, I understood all of the phrases.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?:
- Yes, most of the sentences are new to me.
- I'm usually worried at the start of a match.
- No, I don't know any other phrases.
05/08/2018
points
What do you think?
-Most are new to me.
-I always am.
05/08/2018 00:04
Liverpool
-903
What do you think?
-Most are new to me.
-I always am.
05/08/2018
points
Language
What other phrases did you hear that describe the opposition when you're confident about winning?
-I have not heard any phrase that is assimilated to it.
If I understood them all.
05/08/2018 00:02
Liverpool
-903
Language
What other phrases did you hear that describe the opposition when you're confident about winning?
-I have not heard any phrase that is assimilated to it.
If I understood them all.
04/08/2018
points
All these phrases are new to me. Normally I am nervous at the beginning of a game to know if my favorite team is going to win.
04/08/2018 23:33
Manchester United
439
All these phrases are new to me. Normally I am nervous at the beginning of a game to know if my favorite team is going to win.
04/08/2018
points
Yeah, some phrases are new but others already knew them
04/08/2018 22:51
Liverpool
654
Yeah, some phrases are new but others already knew them
04/08/2018
points
many new words for me
04/08/2018 21:27
West Ham United
367
many new words for me
04/08/2018
points
All these phrases are new to me.
04/08/2018 19:37
Crystal Palace
687
All these phrases are new to me.
04/08/2018
points
Hi
All phrases are new for me.
I normally confident in my team.
I don´t know other phrases.
Dialogue:
- They look like a bad team.
-Oh no, they have a dark horse
-Sure? I don't see any good player.
- But they are solid at the back.
Thanks for reading, bye bye
04/08/2018 07:04
Chelsea
635
Hi
All phrases are new for me.
I normally confident in my team.
I don´t know other phrases.
Dialogue:
- They look like a bad team.
-Oh no, they have a dark horse
-Sure? I don't see any good player.
- But they are solid at the back.
Thanks for reading, bye bye
04/08/2018
points
They are new phrases for me, I did not know them. Very interesting.
04/08/2018 03:17
Manchester United
800
They are new phrases for me, I did not know them. Very interesting.
04/08/2018
points
Yes, most of the sentences are new to me.
I think that i am normally confident at the star of the match.
04/08/2018 02:35
Chelsea
624
Yes, most of the sentences are new to me.
I think that i am normally confident at the star of the match.