The Footie Thread

[nickjdavis]

I've said it before...I like this new format...even though there is no increased jeopardy for the big teams (they're pretty much nailed on a play-off place at worst) the scramble to move up places to try to get top 8, or move from the bottom 12 into the top 24, is fresh and interesting and gives a level of meaning to matches that you wouldn't have much interest in that the old format didn't have.

Lets hope for more of the same in todays EL fixtures, though sadly Forest have shot their bolt at a top 8 finish and missed and a tough fixture against Ferencvaros might see them finishing in the unseeded play-off positions. Celtic should secure an unseeded play off position by beating lowly Utrecht.

In other news, Strand Larsen is off to Palace for 50m...this must surely pave the way for a Mateta exit...where to...Forest seem to be front runners from what I read.

 

[Swango1980]

I've said it before...I like this new format...even though there is no increased jeopardy for the big teams (they're pretty much nailed on a play-off place at worst) the scramble to move up places to try to get top 8, or move from the bottom 12 into the top 24, is fresh and interesting and gives a level of meaning to matches that you wouldn't have much interest in that the old format didn't have.

Lets hope for more of the same in todays EL fixtures, though sadly Forest have shot their bolt at a top 8 finish and missed and a tough fixture against Ferencvaros might see them finishing in the unseeded play-off positions. Celtic should secure an unseeded play off position by beating lowly Utrecht.

In other news, Strand Larsen is off to Palace for 50m...this must surely pave the way for a Mateta exit...where to...Forest seem to be front runners from what I read.

50 million for Strand Larson.

Is that a bargain these days, for a striker that has got 1 assist and 1 goal in 21 appearances this season?

 

[irip]

I've said it before...I like this new format...even though there is no increased jeopardy for the big teams (they're pretty much nailed on a play-off place at worst) the scramble to move up places to try to get top 8, or move from the bottom 12 into the top 24, is fresh and interesting and gives a level of meaning to matches that you wouldn't have much interest in that the old format didn't have.

Lets hope for more of the same in todays EL fixtures, though sadly Forest have shot their bolt at a top 8 finish and missed and a tough fixture against Ferencvaros might see them finishing in the unseeded play-off positions. Celtic should secure an unseeded play off position by beating lowly Utrecht.

In other news, Strand Larsen is off to Palace for 50m...this must surely pave the way for a Mateta exit...where to...Forest seem to be front runners from what I read.

Mateta has stated he wants to leave for champions league football.
I can’t see why he would leave Palace for Forest for footballing reasons.
For my money they are fairly evenly balanced at the moment

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Mateta has stated he wants to leave for champions league football.
I can’t see why he would leave Palace for Forest for footballing reasons.
For my money they are fairly evenly balanced at the moment

I understand him wanting to leave Palace but moving across to Forest makes no sense other than for financial reasons (sorry Forest fans). I thought he could do better than that.

Palace are buying the 24/25 season Strand Larsen, who knows if that player exisits still. £50m is definitely steep for him.

 

[nickjdavis]

Forest showing they dont need Mateta. Ripping Ferencvaros apart at the moment...have the opportunity to put the game to bed before half time.

Ferencvaros not being helped by having comedian Rob Beckett in goal.

 

[anotherdouble]

I have just read that Palace generously offered Macclesfield their half of the gate receipts following the cup game. A very nice gift and a financial lifeline for any non league club. Now step in the FA who blocked it under rule 233, something about no variance to the 50 50 split. If you have rules part of me says that this should be adhered to, however the rule I think should be broken to allow gifts.

 

[rudebhoy]

they dont...its not a direct 9th v 24th match up...its done in pairs

9th and 10th will be drawn against either 23rd or 24th....so Inter are Benficas other possible opponents.

What’s the rationale for having these draws rather than 9th playing 24th etc? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

 

[Tashyboy]

What’s the rationale for having these draws rather than 9th playing 24th etc? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

On one of the football threads I go on, it is suggested that if it is done the way it is done. You get the prospect of big games for UEFA like the possibility of City v Madrid. Otherwise it could be a Round of boring fixtures.
Me 9th v 24th is common sense and anything else is over complicating a simple solution, especially if everyone knows before.

 

[Swango1980]

On one of the football threads I go on, it is suggested that if it is done the way it is done. You get the prospect of big games for UEFA like the possibility of City v Madrid. Otherwise it could be a Round of boring fixtures.
Me 9th v 24th is common sense and anything else is over complicating a simple solution, especially if everyone knows before.

I wouldn't assume UEFA would be seeking to find a simple solution. They'll be seeking the most profitable solution

 

[nickjdavis]

What’s the rationale for having these draws rather than 9th playing 24th etc? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

Havent got a clue....9v24, 10v23 etc makes perfect sense...but then....this is UEFA.

One thing I dont like is the top teams in the top 8 being seeded all the way to the semi finals so they get to play the second leg at home in every round.

I think the sheer mass of fixtures on Wednesday took many of us back to the pre CL days of the European Cup where pretty much all EC, CWC and UEFA cup matches were played at the same time.....was just a huge midweek "festival of football" on the radio. I guess many of us who are stuck in our ways would like to see some sort of return to such days (though I guess spreading games out maximises TV revenue opportunities) and certainly would love to get away from this seeding mularkey and see some "open draws"....would certainly make it a lot more interesting and give some hope to some "lesser" teams who, with a couple of favourable draws, might see themselves going deep in the competition.

 

[rudebhoy]

On one of the football threads I go on, it is suggested that if it is done the way it is done. You get the prospect of big games for UEFA like the possibility of City v Madrid. Otherwise it could be a Round of boring fixtures.
Me 9th v 24th is common sense and anything else is over complicating a simple solution, especially if everyone knows before.

Not sure how 9th/10th vs 23rd/24th increases the possibility of a glamour tie?

Maybe it’s just to give the bureaucrats another beano to attend?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Everton have announced that Jack Grealish will be out for the rest of the season . A big blow both for him and the club. He has been great for us this season, and it looks as though he really bought in to being at Everton.

He will go back to City, interesting to see what happens with him now in the summer. I'd love to see us sign him, it all comes down to how much of a deal City will do, will he drop his wages?

 

[AmandaJR]

Everton have announced that Jack Grealish will be out for the rest of the season . A big blow both for him and the club. He has been great for us this season, and it looks as though he really bought in to being at Everton.

He will go back to City, interesting to see what happens with him now in the summer. I'd love to see us sign him, it all comes down to how much of a deal City will do, will he drop his wages?

I'd love to see Jack thrive and, if that's not with us, then I'd hope we'd do a deal and he'd take the wage cut if necessary.

 

[Slime]

Everton have announced that Jack Grealish will be out for the rest of the season . A big blow both for him and the club. He has been great for us this season, and it looks as though he really bought in to being at Everton.

He will go back to City, interesting to see what happens with him now in the summer. I'd love to see us sign him, it all comes down to how much of a deal City will do, will he drop his wages?

I guess that's his world cup done, such a shame for him.

 

[Tashyboy]

I guess that's his world cup done, such a shame for him.

Am genuinely gutted for the lad. I remember watching him Play for Villa v City and he was a royal pain in the Ass.
There’s no doubt he really contributed to City’s trophies. But what I see Doku and Cherki do now is what I expected from Grealish. Going past players more often.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Am genuinely gutted for the lad. I remember watching him Play for Villa v City and he was a royal pain in the Ass.
There’s no doubt he really contributed to City’s trophies. But what I see Doku and Cherki do now is what I expected from Grealish. Going past players more often.

I think he was going past players for us. The fact he wasn't at City can only be Pep related. He's going down the line, putting crosses in, left foot, right foot, creating chances. He often seemed inhibited at city

 

[AmandaJR]

I think he was going past players for us. The fact he wasn't at City can only be Pep related. He's going down the line, putting crosses in, left foot, right foot, creating chances. He often seemed inhibited at city

Maybe Pep or maybe Jack? Maybe he felt the pressure to keep the ball and not lose possession with a poor cross. We'll never know but it seems at odds with it being Pep if he's replaced Jack with players that regularly take on the defenders rather than pass sideways or backwards.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Maybe Pep or maybe Jack? Maybe he felt the pressure to keep the ball and not lose possession with a poor cross. We'll never know but it seems at odds with it being Pep if he's replaced Jack with players that regularly take on the defenders rather than pass sideways or backwards.

It does seem odd but he went past players at villa, he went past them at Everton. Only he can really answer that. I don't know if he has spoken about it?

 

[Tashyboy]

It does seem odd but he went past players at villa, he went past them at Everton. Only he can really answer that. I don't know if he has spoken about it?

That’s the bit I couldn’t get my head around, he was fantastic to watch when he was at Villa. And when he first started at City there was glimpses, But he seemed more and more to just play the ball back. I cannot imagine that pep bought him to do that. Especially when Doku who has taken his place goes past players for fun.

 

[4LEX]

Grealish has never been a proper winger who can beat players, he's more in the Beckham mold. At Villa he had more of a free role and used to drift in and play centrally a fair bit from what I recall.

I think all the negative play started for England under Southgate when he was used to almost break the game up and win free kicks. Huge asset to have at the top level but his game has never really recovered. Doubt he'll care though as he's won the lot and played a key role in a fair amount!