Football 2013-2014

[Wooderson]

Obviously that can't be changed now - but you can see the thinking when someone like PSG is purchased comparatively speaking.

[TheGayTent]

I see the Reid to Liverpool rumours have started up again.

[TheGayTent]

And Garry Monk's been given a 3 year contract at Swansea

[ThomThomDrum]

All I'm saying is perhaps it's size compared to London is one of the issues.

[zahidf]

Hilarious letter on why RVP should be MVP of the year:

'I know the gongs have been handed out and Luis is using them to gather his tears after Monday night but I would like to take the opportunity to nominate the true "player" of the year.

Yes Suarez has been wonderful, gifted, redeemed, sublime but at the end of the day what will he have achieved? Nowt. As Shankley said first is first, second is nowhere. Surely the player of the year should be the one with the biggest impact on their club and the league. To this end I nominate Robin Van Persie.

Seeing his now beloved Manchester United taken over by the clueless David Moyes, RVP acted in the only way he could. With the years slipping by on his career he knew that if the Moyesiah was to remain in situ for the next 2-3 years then his most likely shot at glory would be gone. RVP looked around him and saw Fergie's legacy under threat and a Manchester United in danger of terminal mediocrity. Being Fergie's true disciple he knew that winning is everything and so he knew the only way to win was to lose, spectacularly.

In playing like a drain for the whole season Robin risked his personal reputation, World Cup spot, adoration of the fans and player of the year award to achieve his goal: Moyes out. Yes it sounds cruel written like that but it wasn't at all, Robin knew what had to be done and he did the necessary. Some Manu players saw his lead and had the courage to follow, although understandably without the same conviction as Robin. Yes he could have spent the whole year trying to get on the end of the many crossed flying past his face but Robin steeled his resolve, untensed his neck muscles and said, No, this shall not be. And it was not. Job done.

At the seasons end Suarez, Toure and to some extent Rooney are earning the plaudits for their play throughout the year; but look and see now RVP with a pep in his step and a quiet knowing smile on his lips that says, game on.

RVP you're my MVP. Bravo.

Dave lfc'

[Wooderson]

My sides.

[pink_triangle]

And Garry Monk's been given a 3 year contract at Swansea

[pink_triangle]

This idea of premiership and championship teams being able to field B teams in a league between league 2 and the conference. As a lower league fan Im completely against the idea. Football shouldn't be just about looking after those at the top.

[kaosmark2]

This idea of premiership and championship teams being able to field B teams in a league between league 2 and the conference. As a lower league fan Im completely against the idea. Football shouldn't be just about looking after those at the top.

[kaosmark2]

Found this interesting....

[pink_triangle]

As I predicted Villa is far from the walk in the park that many were expecting. Im sure I heard a stat that their record against the top 4 teams was one of the better of teams outside the top 4.

[thetime]

As I predicted Villa is far from the walk in the park that many were expecting. Im sure I heard a stat that their record against the top 4 teams was one of the better of teams outside the top 4.

[TheGayTent]

Found this interesting....

Edited May 7, 2014 by TheGayTent

[pink_triangle]

Surely aggregate attendance is linked to the amount of the teams in the league. I would have thought the SPL average attendance was significantly higher than league 2.

[pink_triangle]

I think its funny when people talk about managers playing mind games. As if they are some sort of very clever humans out witting each other. When a better description would be two Rams banging heads

[kaosmark2]

The Germans get bigger attendances. Th

[pink_triangle]

Taken from the BBC live feed, I think it may count as dumb comment of the day!

"An interesting stat for you is that Manchester City have been top of the Premier League for just 11 days this season, 117 fewer than Arsenal. Are they worthy winners of the title?"

[Celery]

The best team look to have won it in the end. Gutted Chelsea haven't but we really don't deserve it with some of our sleep-inducing performances. Glad it's not 'pool either - no team with a defence that poor should win a league campaign - would have reflected terribly on the rest of the league if they had. City have the best balance overall though they are still underperforming considering the talent and strength in depth they have available.

On another topic, what do you guys think the best team in the Premiership history is? Statistically it is probably Chelsea 2004-05 as they broke all sorts of records but for my money it's the Utd 1998-99 team who had it all and competed (& won) on all fronts. They were also consistently great to watch with real guts. Notable mentions to Ancelotti's Chelsea and Arsenal 2003-04. Interested to see what others think.

Edited May 7, 2014 by pea tear griffin

[kaosmark2]

Budesliga = 18

Budesliga 2 = 18

Liga 3 = 20

Preimier League = 20

Championship = 24

League One = 24

Average attendances...

Budesliga > Preimier League

Championship > Budesliga 2

League One > Liga 3

We have a strength in lower league attendances over Europe no matter which way you look at the numbers.

[pink_triangle]

The best team look to have won it in the end. Gutted Chelsea haven't but we really don't deserve it with some of our sleep-inducing performances. Glad it's not 'pool either - no team with a defence that poor should win a league campaign - would have reflected terribly on the rest of the league if they had. City have the best balance overall though they are still underperforming considering the talent and strength in depth they have available.

On another topic, what do you guys think the best team in the Premiership history is? Statistically it is probably Chelsea 2004-05 as they broke all sorts of records but for my money it's the Utd 1998-99 team who had it all and competed (& won) on all fronts. They were also consistently great to watch with real guts. Notable mentions to Ancelotti's Chelsea and Arsenal 2003-04. Interested to see what others think.

[kaosmark2]

The best team look to have won it in the end. Gutted Chelsea haven't but we really don't deserve it with some of our sleep-inducing performances. Glad it's not 'pool either - no team with a defence that poor should win a league campaign - would have reflected terribly on the rest of the league if they had. City have the best balance overall though they are still underperforming considering the talent and strength in depth they have available.

On another topic, what do you guys think the best team in the Premiership history is? Statistically it is probably Chelsea 2004-05 as they broke all sorts of records but for my money it's the Utd 1998-99 team who had it all and competed (& won) on all fronts. They were also consistently great to watch with real guts. Notable mentions to Ancelotti's Chelsea and Arsenal 2003-04. Interested to see what others think.

[Celery]

Invincibles. No contest. Great football, won a double and competed properly in the CL, fantastic right through the team and squad in every aspect of football.

I genuinely reckon the Ronaldo/Rooney/Tevez CL winning team was better than the 99 one as well. Just so much more to the play and so much more variation of style.

I think City are only one or two signings away from reaching this sort of level. Whether they make the right signings who gel and pull them to it is another matter, but I think they can become a special team.

[kaosmark2]

Can't agree with the 'invincibles' - the league was particularly poor that year and they lost at home to Chelsea in the CL. Reckon that season was their best ever chance of winning it - should have at least made the final where they would have faced Mourinho's Porto. The team was amazing to watch though - Henry and Pires were incredible.

I would agree that the 2008 Utd team was stronger than the 99 one but football had moved on a fair bit in that time - i would say they were slightly poorer relative to the opposition that year and were extremely lucky to win the CL.

City look strong but there's isn't really a team built for the future. Most of their players are in their prime now and it will take significant investment to keep them there, let alone improve them. Can't really see this happening with FFP and their limited CL squad next season. I do expect them to be stronger next year purely with the signing of Mangala or somene similar at CB. How old is Yaya now? They are a totally different team without him and he will take some replacing when he goes.

[TheGayTent]

Can't really compare lower European leagues to ours either. Most are organised regionally due to the size of their countries.

[TheGayTent]

Very happy about Valladolid's late equaliser