**Official** English Football Season 2023/24

[Skipper Pup]

The real question is, who would be on Pens?

I said to a mate at the time that Madrid pen line-up was one of the best I've seen.

Experience of Lucas V and Nacho, confidence of Jude and composure of Rudiger. Remarkable that the coldest of the lot missed.

Valverde is also some player, one of the most underrated non-prem players of the last couple seasons. Getting him out of Madrid would cost an arm and a leg

 

[Socerer 01]

Turns out Bellingham and Foden are fine on them.

The problem with removing the away goals rule exposed last night, Real played for penalties and got away with it. Having said that, for all their possession, City didn't actually create that much.

On the plus side, the vast majority of English players will get a nice rest between end of season and Euros.

Would be amusing if Bayern won the Champions League. Not remotely the best side in Germany, plus they have Kane!!

you had teams playing for away goals in the past tbf, would rather have the current system

 

[Socerer 01]

I said to a mate at the time that Madrid pen line-up was one of the best I've seen.

Experience of Lucas V and Nacho, confidence of Jude and composure of Rudiger. Remarkable that the coldest of the lot missed.

Valverde is also some player, one of the most underrated non-prem players of the last couple seasons. Getting him out of Madrid would cost an arm and a leg

Modric isnt great at penalties tbh, not sure why they sent him in

 

[Molehill]

Great post. Can't wait to come back to this

To be honest, it just highlights how weak England are in that position. Goalkeeper, left centre back and left back are very much the weak spots in the team (and potentially second midfielder too unless we give that role to Bellingham).

 

[Furball]

To be honest, it just highlights how weak England are in that position. Goalkeeper, left centre back and left back are very much the weak spots in the team (and potentially second midfielder too unless we give that role to Bellingham).

Why would you move Bellingham from 10 to accommodate an inferior 10?

 

[Uppercut]

Turns out Bellingham and Foden are fine on them.

The problem with removing the away goals rule exposed last night, Real played for penalties and got away with it. Having said that, for all their possession, City didn't actually create that much.

Madrid were trying to score in periods the game was tied (at 0-0 they even succeeded). City just played around their press so consistently that it forced them back.

I don’t think any decent teams park the bus any more, unless it’s very late or they’re a man down. It’s not been consistently effective since about 2010. Now it’s just what it looks like it when they’re getting outplayed.

 

[Molehill]

Why would you move Bellingham from 10 to accommodate an inferior 10?

I guess it's which combo you prefer - Palmer/Bellingham or Bellingham/Henderson.

Just not sure who it is that sits alongside Rice.

 

[Molehill]

Madrid were trying to score in periods the game was tied (at 0-0 they even succeeded). City just played around their press so consistently that it forced them back.

I don’t think any decent teams park the bus any more, unless it’s very late or they’re a man down. It’s not been consistently effective since about 2010. Now it’s just what it looks like it when they’re getting outplayed.

As you point out, Madrid were pretty much outplayed for most of the game last night. With the away goals rule, the better team would've gone through.

 

[wpdavid]

As you point out, Madrid were pretty much outplayed for most of the game last night. With the away goals rule, the better team would've gone through.

Granted Madrid were out-possessed, but I think that ouplayed is overstating things. City created so little with all of their possession in the second half that it was actually a suprise when they scored. And Madrid could have scored more than one in the first half anyway.

 

[GIMH]

The cup replays stuff is ****ing shite, but there’s my club making headlines going out swinging against it

**** yeah

 

[Pothas]

I might well be wrong but think I have always been happy with getting rid of them. Definitely remember when we drew with Chelsea at home that I would have much preferred the chance to go through on penalties rather than have a replay (which I think we lost 4-0.)

I know the argument always comes back to finances but I don't really the think a random luck of the draw is a great way to decide that anyway.

 

[GIMH]

I might well be wrong but think I have always been happy with getting rid of them. Definitely remember when we drew with Chelsea at home that I would have much preferred the chance to go through on penalties rather than have a replay (which I think we lost 4-0.)

I know the argument always comes back to finances but I don't really the think a random luck of the draw is a great way to decide that anyway.

I’ve said it before but the FA Trophy actually has the solution. Teams can agree before the tie to settle it on the day. If not, default is replay.

Liverpool draw City? No replay. Lower league clubs less likely to agree to the same against a bigger club. This is exactly how it played out in the trophy. Tranmere and the dirty goats agreed to settle on the day. Chelmsford City opted for a replay - which they duly got in an act of great shame for our club.

Now you could argue it makes the competition uneven but that ship sailed once you had VAR for some games and not others.

Some of my best memories are cup replays and it takes something special and unique from the game to remove them.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Villa march on in Europe's most prestigious competition.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I’ve said it before but the FA Trophy actually has the solution. Teams can agree before the tie to settle it on the day. If not, default is replay.

Liverpool draw City? No replay. Lower league clubs less likely to agree to the same against a bigger club. This is exactly how it played out in the trophy. Tranmere and the dirty goats agreed to settle on the day. Chelmsford City opted for a replay - which they duly got in an act of great shame for our club.

Good post. Plus Chelmsford!

 

[Socerer 01]

Why would you move Bellingham from 10 to accommodate an inferior 10?

imo Bellingham works better when he’s involved in all phases of play, he was a beast at Dortmund but it wasnt talked about as much because he’s been so ****ing good at Real Madrid

 

[GIMH]

Good to see many decent EFL clubs follow the trailblazing whites in condemning the FA cup sabotage.

Not Wrexham of course

 

[wpdavid]

Leighton James' passing shouldn't go without comment, and @nick-o may have his own memories of Leighton's playing days. Vale.

 

[MW1304]

Dogshit penalty call but who cares, this is absolutely hilarious.

 

[grecian]

**** VAR.

 

[sledger]

It makes me laugh how clubs "exploring all options" has now become a thing. Meaningless blather.