*Official* English Football Season 2015-16

[vic_orthdox]

Very unlikely that any bookmaker will lose money as a result of any outcome. Odds are set precisely to ensure that doesn't happen.

One of the companies (think it was Laddies' PR man) came out and said that no bookie, over the course of the season, lost out on Leicester. Said it was the biggest ever payout on a title winner, but made up throughout the season (e.g. punters backing against them head-to-head matches).

 

[cpr]

Nah it's just the latest in a long line of leaks that make the upper management look like tools.

How much of it are actual leaks, and how much is papers making **** up because they need their daily fix of the big drama that they've created, and the idea that nothing is happening doesn't sell papers.

Sky are even worse. So far this season they've had LVG sacked about 8 times, with Jose taking over. Then splashed a huge exclusive that Jose was taking over PSG in the summer, before going back to him at Utd 3 days later when the previous story didn't pan out. At some point you've got to ask if some of this is just made up bull...

 

[Uppercut]

How much of it are actual leaks, and how much is papers making **** up because they need their daily fix of the big drama that they've created, and the idea that nothing is happening doesn't sell papers.

Sky are even worse. So far this season they've had LVG sacked about 8 times, with Jose taking over. Then splashed a huge exclusive that Jose was taking over PSG in the summer, before going back to him at Utd 3 days later when the previous story didn't pan out. At some point you've got to ask if some of this is just made up bull...

The journalists reporting this stuff just don't really make stuff up, the source of the latest round of stories is Duncan Castles from the Sunday Times. Various elements within the club are leaking different (often false) things to the media for internal political reasons, and I'm guessing this round is coming from Jorge Mendes. It's a sign of an unhealthy institution, you saw it a lot at Barca+RM when they went through periods of mismanagement.

Sky mostly just report what others are reporting i.e. talk shite.

 

[Cabinet96]

Jorge Mendes is probably one reason to not want Mourinho. Super agents are dangerous people if you have negotiators like Woodward running the transfer business.

 

[Uppercut]

I think we'll have to deal with him constantly anyway since he represents so many players worth signing. Probably better to do it with Mourinho on board.

 

[Niall]

Castles is a twit, but is definitely connected to Mendes/Jose so its not a story to be dismissed. Woodward is superb in the world of marketing and getting sponsorships which is pretty important as bills have to be paid, but when it comes to the world of the transfers and management type stuff he is a farce, they desperately need a director of football to let Woodward focus on energy on the non footy stuff.

 

[Cabinet96]

I think we'll have to deal with him constantly anyway since he represents so many players worth signing. Probably better to do it with Mourinho on board.

Still don't think Wenger has ever signed a Mendes player. lol.

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, I can't think of one.

I think some of the "Mendes sells duds to English clubs" came from Filipe Luis and Di Maria, so not sure if the narrative fits so well after the seasons they've had. He did flog us Bebe and Falcao though.

OTOH, landing Diego Costa would've been huge for Arsenal or United.

 

[Cabinet96]

****ing hell Liverpool are winning the Europa League. A 12 month break from football is needed after this awful season.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Excellent performance by Liverpool up to now. Deserve the 2-0 lead and the stupidity of Villarreal getting a man sent off will probably cost them.

Sevilla in the final will be a different proposition though.

 

[GIMH]

****ing hell Liverpool are winning the Europa League. A 12 month break from football is needed after this awful season.

Yes I am not sure how on earth you have coped with such a season

 

[Cabinet96]

Would be fine if other people didn't exist.

 

[Pothas]

That really should have been a penalty as well.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

It was. They got lucky there.

Having said that it is unusual to see an English side take this competition seriously and they have put in some stunning performances in this run to the final so perhaps deserve a bit of luck.

 

[GIMH]

If Liverpool win the final, how does it work in terms of whether they go straight to the group stage or any knock on effect on other English qualifiers? Tried to look it up but there was a lot to read through and I am tired

Edit - think this answers my question: http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html

So if Liverpool win they go into the play off round but Sevilla will go into the group stage if Real or Atletico qualify directly - which if am not mistaken is guaranteed as three go straight into the groups

 

[Furball]

Was under the impression that Europa League winners go straight into the group stage.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

They said on the radio that the Europa League winners go straight to the group stage as long as the Champions League Winners have qualified via their domestic league. Whichever Madrid wins the Final will certainly qualify via the league so if Liverpool win they'll be in the group stage. (probably)

 

[Nate]

Such a great game this morning!

One game away from the Champions League ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

And Fox Sports have included LFCTV ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Nate]

Emre was so good.

 

[Cabinet96]

I'm jelly of your front three/four.