***Official*** English Football Season 2020-21

[wpdavid]

I don’t see is as a big disadvantage in hindsight because the penalty takers handled the pressure well enough - except perhaps the man who counts the most in such a scenario obviously.

But maybe it would have put a bit more pressure on the Villareal players.

 

[Himannv]

Nothing to do with


But maybe it would have put a bit more pressure on the Villareal players.

Perhaps. It did seem to work out that way in 2008.

I feel penalties involve a fair bit of luck anyway and United probably have more questions to answer on why the match wasn't decided earlier.

 

[Furball]

I'm intrigued by this.

I'd love to know how they decided.

I mean if the team going first scores their first four pens and the second team misses two of their first three the latter wouldn't even get a fourth, but arguably the former's fourth was the most important because it won them the game.

Wonder if the crucial pen is dependent on whether a side goes first or second?

4th seems right to me without looking at it scientifically.

 

[JOJOXI]

4th seems right to me without looking at it scientifically.

Yeah 4th has always been my gut feel - high pressure pen, if the game is done by then my feeling is that it probably wouldn't have been won by your side if you took the 1st pen.

But I recall Moreno taking an early pen for Villarreal and I guess the one slight benefit of an earlier kick is in the rare case the shootout goes deep its handy having your 12th pen taken by your best pen taker. Missing an early pen probably eases a bit of pressure on the other side too if for no other reason then you won't be the fall guy for your side losing if you miss as someone else will have to miss their pen for you to lose

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Pirlo officially sacked. Probably the most inevitable of all after he scraped 4th in his only season after a decade of title wins. Inter are allegedly going to appoint Inzaghi two days after he supposedly signed a new deal with Lazio.

We're getting to the point where on this day in history is quite sparse for many clubs. But 6 years ago today John Sheridan resigned as Plymouth manager. A good day indeed.

 

[Furball]

Celtic failing in their pursuit of Howe is hilarious, although I have a slight concern they might fluke their way to appointing a decent manager.

 

[wpdavid]

I wonder if Howe might end up at Palace. We could certainly do a lot worse.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Mate of mine always reckoned he was the Arsenal boss in waiting.

Mind you this was before the Cherries went down.

 

[Matteh]

Celtic failing in their pursuit of Howe is hilarious, although I have a slight concern they might fluke their way to appointing a decent manager.

Ange Postecoglou is the bookies favourite now, which would be an interesting appointment. No European experience but good in the A League and one of the better Aus national team coaches.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

UEFA look like they might be about to do something sensible for a change. This was a good rule in the early days with the best of intentions, but no longer particularly helping the modern game.

European football: Away goals could be scrapped in Uefa's club competitions - BBC Sport

 

[GIMH]

The play offs have been excitement personified ever since it was scrapped in them

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think we'll probably end up with more shoot outs, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, excitement wise.

 

[Furball]

The Arsenal v Benfica tie allowing away goals despite both ties being played at neutral venues was peak stupid.

 

[wpdavid]

The Arsenal v Benfica tie allowing away goals despite both ties being played at neutral venues was peak stupid.

Reminds me of an interview with the manager of either AC Milan or Internazionale after a particularly sterile 0-0 at the San Siro many years ago. When asked why his side had been so negative, he pointed out that they were the away team.

 

[Furball]

I think we'll probably end up with more shoot outs, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, excitement wise.

I'm not sure, I think it should encourage more attacking football. Not conceding if you're at home first is probably the most important thing to do, so it might stop home sides being cagey. And in the 2nd leg, if you're the home side and a goal up on aggregate then it removes some of the tension and fear that losing just one goal can put you out the tie.

 

[Furball]

I always thought the Championship Play Off was on the Bank Holiday Monday?

 

[wpdavid]

I always thought the Championship Play Off was on the Bank Holiday Monday?

It used to be. They'd move up through the divisions over the weekend from Saturday to Monday.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

It depends on whether there’s a major international tournament. Presumably Championship players are more likely to be involved and can be released sooner if they play on Saturday.

 

[Furball]

Weird how this weekend they can have fans at Wembley yet last week the original plan for the Scottish Cup Final was 600 fans total because UEFA needed the stadium handed over.

Almost like the government was talking pish.

 

[GIMH]

I always thought the Championship Play Off was on the Bank Holiday Monday?

As LT says, tends to be odd years only when the Champ is the Monday. Obviously this year is different with the Euros and all...

Some years they put them on different weekends too I think.