Football 2012-2013

[kaosmark2]

Bring back Ralph!! I always found his posts interesting and he often provided information/stats that were new to me. I realize like Im talking about him like he has died, apologies Ralph!

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

I don't suppose there's much on my team....

Tonbridge Angels...

Edited May 2, 2013 by RobertProsineckisLighter

[PDAD]

Isnt that who we loaned Jed Wallace too earlier in the season?

Edit: Scrap that, that was Whitehawk or something like that.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Haha Okay, I didn't think so

[PDAD]

Knew it was some ismithian league side.

[TheGayTent]

I don't suppose there's much on my team....

Tonbridge Angels...

[pink_triangle]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/01/liverpool-europa-league-fair-play

This story has kind of passed me by, until hearing about it on the radio today. I personally am against a fair play route to the tournament but I think if the rules exist and the opportunity arises its in the spirit of the competition to enter it and try to win the thing.

The quote "I want to get there through the right means, through our performance level, and if we have to have a year where we are not in Europe it is going to give us an opportunity to push on." is an interesting. The first half of the quote is complete crap because Rogers/Liverpool would have no problems entering the champions league from the same route if it existed. The second half is accurate but a sad reflection of what football has come with the all important race for 4th place.

[kaosmark2]

I think Liverpool rejecting it is outrageous. What happens if England climb a spot and Liveprool reject it? Are they forced to enter at the start or does it go to the team below?

The attitude Liverpool FC have shown regarding cups in recent years is disgraceful. I remember really enjoying watching their treble winning side in '01, even though it wasn't the 2 big competitions, and how much it seemed to mean to fans and players. Now they seem to casually disregard any trophy that isn't CL or PL despite not even competing for either.

[strummer77]

The attitude Liverpool FC have shown regarding cups in recent years is disgraceful. I remember really enjoying watching their treble winning side in '01, even though it wasn't the 2 big competitions, and how much it seemed to mean to fans and players. Now they seem to casually disregard any trophy that isn't CL or PL despite not even competing for either.

[kaosmark2]

Um... We won the League Cup and got to the FA Cup final last year?

[strummer77]

And Dalglish got the sack despite that. Sacking managers for doing well in the wrong competition shows a lack of respect to those competitions.

Edited May 2, 2013 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

We haven't been prioritising cup competitions but to label us as disgraceful is way too far. Now I would have given Dalglish another year myself, but to say in recent years we have disregarded trophies isn't true. It isn't spectacular, but we have had a decent crack at them in the years since we haven't challenged for CL.

09/10: Uefa Cup semi knocked out on away goals to the winners

10/11: Just crap in League Cup, lost to United at OT.

11/12: 2 cup finals, won one

12/13: Bit crap again.

This Europa stuff is hypothetical anyway, we'll see what happens if we get offered the spot (it wont happen).

[strummer77]

Liverpool's attitude to the Europa League has been the 2nd worst around after 'Arry's. The attitude by most fans I know IRL in recent years about the cup runs has been that it's a nice bonus, but not like challenging for a REAL trophy. And media coverage continually references the desire for the Prem.

Ultimately, the impression I've got is that the vast majority of fans think "These small cups aren't enough, we want CL + PL", and the club themselves have SHOWN they believe that with selecting weakened teams + sacking a 2-final manager.

Edited May 2, 2013 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

Every fan that I know loved those cup runs last year. Loved them. Of course we would rather it was 5/6 years ago, but many fans found Dalglish's sacking hard to accept precisely because of those cup runs.

This year in Europe we weren't that bad either, we just got knocked out by a good side, on away goals because of some individual errors. Don't think our attitude was much worse than Newcastle. The other simple fact is, as lovely as cup runs are, the reality is the owners (not fans) want to be challenging for fourth for the long-term future of the club, which is understandable if hard to swallow.

Edited May 2, 2013 by kaosmark2

[pink_triangle]

This Europa stuff is hypothetical anyway, we'll see what happens if we get offered the spot (it wont happen).

[Essex_George]

Do you not think Rodgers answered the question like that because of what Suarez has been up to recently?? If LFC got through on the fair play rule with such a 'cheat' as Suarez the papers and opposing fans would have a field day. (Sorry to bring his name up again).

[pink_triangle]

Do you not think Rodgers answered the question like that because of what Suarez has been up to recently?? If LFC got through on the fair play rule with such a 'cheat' as Suarez the papers and opposing fans would have a field day. (Sorry to bring his name up again).

[Benj]

I don't think its got anything to do with fair play, rodgers would bite your hand off for a champions league place from the same route. I think its more rodgers being pragmatic and thinking what's best for him keeping his job past next season.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Benj

[strummer77]

Its not disrespecting the competition as such. Disrespecting the competition is putting out a load of kids vs Sporting no mark, which you would be forced to do with a 50+ match fixture list

Edited May 3, 2013 by strummer77

[TheGayTent]

Havelange resigned as honorary President of FIFA earlier this week when it was finally confirmed what we all knew - he's a crook and spent decades on the take.

Wonder how long we have to wait until it's confirmed Blatter is the same or worse...?

If the people at the very top of the world game are more corrupt than many African leaders, are we really surprised there's corruption, rule breaking etc, in our own game...?

Edited May 3, 2013 by TheGayTent

[pink_triangle]

Regarding the europa league, winning the thing will never get a champions league place, reason is its not in the big sides interest. The big names want that safety net that even if they have a poor season they can still come 3rd or 4th depending on the league and no their place is still secure.

It's difficult to know how to solve the problems in fifa. When Britain held the power they discriminated against these smaller countries who understandably jumped at getting a voice under new regimes. They may have got in bed with one devil but the previous devil wouldnt even let them in the house. I would like to see more democracy with each country having an equal say, rather than a select few seemingly holding the power and being for sale. However while there is a clear incentive for england to want to change an organisation they have no power in, its a lot harder to sell change elsewhere.

[thetime]

Stick a CL place at the end of it though,

[strummer77]

Rodgers - "As a football club we would have to accept it (if offered a Europa League spot through fair play table)".

[LondonTom]

The Daves are expanding West Ham into new markets

http://www.futaa.com/football/article/congo-united-west-ham-strike-deal

[kaosmark2]

Exciting conclusion to the Championship. Fergie must be licking his lips at the prospect of Bruce signing players for a Prem club again.