***Offical*** English Football Season 2004/05

[Scaly piscine]

& that sentence doesn't strike you as even the teensiest bit ironic?

If I like some clubs (like most English clubs) I have to dislike some other clubs that compete against them (directly or indirectly) - any that aren't English and are European are a candidate and that's just because of patriotism not xenophobia.

 

[BoyBrumby]

If I like some clubs (like most English clubs) I have to dislike some other clubs that compete against them (directly or indirectly) - any that aren't English and are European are a candidate and that's just because of patriotism not xenophobia.

Well, the last time I checked on a map England is actually in Europe (it's part of that little island group above France) & Arsenal aren't the only team to employ foreigners.

Anyway, just because someone wasn't born in the country doesn't mean they can't be great club men. Dennis Bergkamp is far more of an Arsenal man than Ashley Cole, for example. Woluld you say Ian Rush or Kenny Dalgleish weren't Liverpool men?

 

[Craig]

Well, and call me insane if you must, but I always sorta thought of winning the Champions League as an ever-so-slightly bigger achievement than finishing 4th in the Prem.


But I'm weird like that!

But on the other hand it would be mightly unfair on Everton not to be allowed into the Champions League who have actually earnt it by being more consistent then Liverpool, and haven't slipped lower then fourth fexcept in the early stages of the season, and that is after selling Rooney and Gravesen. I thought their bubble would burst after Gravesen got sold to Real, but I'm glad they didn't

If it was a proper Champions League we wouldn't be having this talk (and yes I am well aware of Inter being in the UEFA Cup this season and next).

 

[Craig]

Farewell to Highfield Road, but what a way to sign off

Just as well I didn't ask you if you had brought a road map to the stadiums of Doncaster, Walsall, Bradford, Peterborough etc.

BTW what is happening to Highfield (I already knew Coventry are playing in a new stadium next season)?

 

[Craig]

If I like some clubs (like most English clubs) I have to dislike some other clubs that compete against them (directly or indirectly) - any that aren't English and are European are a candidate and that's just because of patriotism not xenophobia.

So how are Bolton any different, it is a case of spot the Englishman in their starting line-up.

 

[luckyeddie]

But on the other hand it would be mightly unfair on Everton not to be allowed into the Champions League who have actually earnt it by being more consistent then Liverpool, and haven't slipped lower then fourth fexcept in the early stages of the season, and that is after selling Rooney and Gravesen. I thought their bubble would burst after Gravesen got sold to Real, but I'm glad they didn't

If it was a proper Champions League we wouldn't be having this talk (and yes I am well aware of Inter being in the UEFA Cup this season and next).

Totally agree with the fact that it's a Champions League in name alone.

However, a precedent has been set when Real won it in 1999-2000. They only finished 5th in the league and were invited to take up a spot in order to be able to defend their title.

I have a sneaking feeling that it was the national association who ensured that Real got the Champions League entry in place of Real Zaragoza. I have an equally sneaking feeling that if the same thing happened here this year, the Premier League would have none of it, because they feel that they are far more important than any Johnny Foreigner competition.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Totally agree with the fact that it's a Champions League in name alone.

However, a precedent has been set when Real won it in 1999-2000. They only finished 5th in the league and were invited to take up a spot in order to be able to defend their title.

I have a sneaking feeling that it was the national association who ensured that Real got the Champions League entry in place of Real Zaragoza. I have an equally sneaking feeling that if the same thing happened here this year, the Premier League would have none of it, because they feel that they are far more important than any Johnny Foreigner competition.

That's a mess waiting to happen. Sounds like Liverpool have a pretty good case, but can't see The Toffees taking it lying down; especially as it was (indirectly) Liverpool that stopped them competing in the European Cup (as was) after they'd won the old Div 1 in 1985!

I bet the lawyers are probably rubbing their hands with glee....

 

[Craig]

It is all hypothetical anyway. Personally I wouldn't it going to back how it used to be, knock out games are much better (even if is two legged) because there are no second chances.

But then again I know this will never happen again.

 

[BoyBrumby]

It is all hypothetical anyway. Personally I wouldn't it going to back how it used to be, knock out games are much better (even if is two legged) because there are no second chances.

But then again I know this will never happen again.

I totally agree. At least they've ditched the 2nd group stage now tho.

As a bit of a luddite I've never been totally comfortable with teams who finish 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) in their respective leagues going into The Champions League.....

It's totally devalued the UEFA Cup & actually caused the Cup Winners' Cup to be ditched altogether.

 

[Craig]

I see nothing wrong in teams finishing 1 and 2 getting in, but 3rd and 4th no.

 

[luckyeddie]

I see nothing wrong in teams finishing 1 and 2 getting in, but 3rd and 4th no.

At least that only makes it the Champions and Runners-up League.

The alternative is Champions, Runners-up, Also-rans and Perennial token scousers League.

Acronym is CRAP

 

[BoyBrumby]

Don't get me wrong, obviously the teams who finish 2nd in Spain, Italy or England (Real Madrid, Juve & us, I think, if things stay as they are) are going to be bigger & better teams than the champions of Moldova or Lithuania; however you cut it they aren't champions tho.

 

[bugssy]

congrats to all chelsea fans, definately a long time coming and i think its the start of a new era for english football, its been liverpool, man utd, arsenal and know its chelsea's time. just hope my beloved reds can get a win at anfield against the blues in the 2nd leg of europe, oh danny boy..................

 

[Scaly piscine]

So how are Bolton any different, it is a case of spot the Englishman in their starting line-up.

I've never said Bolton were any different, I don't like them either and have said words to that effect before.

 

[marc71178]

BTW what is happening to Highfield (I already knew Coventry are playing in a new stadium next season)?

I assume it's being knocked down for housing or something.

Genuinely excited about 2005/06 - provided Hughes and McSheffrey sign new deals I could see us being contenders for a play off spot at the least.

 

[marc71178]

I've always advocated the National Cup winners taking a CL spot if countries are to have more than 1 - at least they'll have actually won something!

 

[Tom Halsey]

Well you're consistent, I have to give you that.

Were you abused by a munitions worker as a child or something? All this bitterness must spring from somewhere.

He's not wrong though; all great teams win it year in, year out. Arsenal have failed to do that.

The Scousers did, we did, and Chelsea will too. Unless money-bags gets bored, that is.

 

[BoyBrumby]

He's not wrong though; all great teams win it year in, year out. Arsenal have failed to do that.

The Scousers did, we did, and Chelsea will too. Unless money-bags gets bored, that is.

We've done it too!



Just not since 1935......

 

[steds]

At least that only makes it the Champions and Runners-up League.

The alternative is Champions, Runners-up, Also-rans and Perennial token scousers League.

Acronym is CRAP

 

[Magrat Garlick]

At least that only makes it the Champions and Runners-up League.

The alternative is Champions, Runners-up, Also-rans and Perennial token scousers League.

Acronym is CRAP